CAFE SUNDANCE, MUMBAI

Some places are more hype than anything else. This place is one such example. I wonder why I have to write about the place, if I have stated what I just did. But I gotta do. So that you, my dear friend can avoid the same circumstance.

This was one of the top contenders in my Wish List and now I wonder why. I would always pass by the place, as it is located right next to Eros Cinema in Churchgate but because the place is rather on the high end on the price list, I had kept putting it off and wanted it to be a special occasion or something of the like, when I did step in here. Special occasion it was, as it was a close friend's b'day and their treat. This place was not planned for the day though, but because the place that I had originally wanted to go to was House-Full and had a long waiting list, this was the place that sprang to mind.

After reading some rave reviews on the world wide web, I was almost excited to finally set foot in here. However, upon reaching here, all the internal excitement that had slowly started to built up? was punctured like a balloon is when someone puts a pin through it. "Phussss". Not only because the interiors have nothing special, its classy, but something felt amiss, like they could have done so much more with the place. It is situated in a prime location yet it felt bland. Or Probably their idea was to let the Fast Food and other in-between food meet Fine-Dine. But it didn't go right. I would have put that out of sight as well, if the servers were even a little bit warm and welcoming. Service being slow is one thing, but it was like they were hardly bothered and after calling upon several times, some one would show-up, so much so that in the end we went down and paid at the counter itself rather than at the table. The fault could partly also be that they had just 1 server on the upper Floor atleast and he seemed least interested. A proper training sessions is required and with that increase the strength of the servers. Like, I have said time and again there is probably nothing that my mom cannot whip up, so If I step outside, I am not saying treat me like a princess ( Though, I wouldn't mind :P) but atleast treat right. It is one of the Four P's or something of the Service Industry or something similar, remember it from my marketing lectures. Atleast I remember part of it. I hope my professors don't mind that I have already forgotten half of it. :P

The Food? Good. Really Good. I actually enjoyed it, have no complaints on the . I don't know if it is because it is a very classy fine-dine, but I like eating, goddamn it! Please increase the servings! I don't mind paying even if I was not on the particular day. I have never understood what is with Fancy restaurants and serving sizes. Its like they are inversely proportional, the more fancy they say they are, the less you find on your plate. Paying what we paid for that much didn't seem worth it especially since i still had room in my stomach, and I can't imagine my friend's condition as they have a bigger appetite than me. Probably something to do with being a guy, or not. 

We started off with starters which was Grilled Prawns, which has just 5 less than medium sized Prawns. I know Prawns comes expensive, but wherever else I have been to, the serving was not as small as it was here. The Prawns did taste good, and were cooked perfectly as per me. Even the sauce that came along with it was great. Just the quantity was on the disappointing end. Not feeling dejected, we ordered half a dozen sliders, where you can choose any 6 of your choice and is served with Potato Wedges. This was probably the only part of the meal, that I personally felt was not a total rip-off. Even though, sliders are supposedly tiny, this felt filling to an extent even though it was unexpected. The Potato Wedges that came along with it however could have been better. We had a beef, chicken and Mutton Variant each. Next we went for some Pasta - The Aglio Olio Pasta which is creamy and even though my friend was like he has had better. I was not totally disappointed. Though, I do think it could have been more creamier as it felt it to be a little dry. Again, the quantity was too less. I didn't have the courage to order more as 1) somebody else was paying the bill and 2) somewhere it didn't feel worth it. We had also ordered 2 mock-tails to wash down the meal, and this I guess was the only reason why I felt even a little bit full. I did like the fancy jar they served my drink in. 

Also, if you drop in here, and if you have a huge appetite, give a go to their -THE SUN DANCE SASQUATCH", apparently if you finish it, they will pay. I know this sounds rude, but with the sizes of their serving, my gut feeling says that it shouldn't be too difficult to finish it off. 

By all means visit the place, but stick to their Burger Menu. I wish I had! Also, only if you really feel generous enough to splurge without a second thought!

WHAT WE HAD - Grilled Prawns 

                         Half A Dozen Sliders ( BBQ Chicken, Spicy Lamb Mince, Tenderloin - YUM)

                         Aglio Olio Pasta (Could have been better)

                         Virgin Mojito 

                         Love Dream ( Loved the jar & the drink) :P

DAMAGES - Rs 2400/- (Approx) and still hungry

WHERE - Café Sundance, 42, Eros Cinema Building, Maharishi Karve Road, Churchgate, Mumbai