In a city going crazy with the aroma of Chinese and Thai food at every street corner, this genuine jazz bar is refreshingly different.
The decor at Blues goes straight to the heart of New Orleans. Enter the restaurant and you look past a DJ cabin fronted by a piano over a rough tiled stone floor to a free flowing bar at the other end complete with draft beer dispensers. The ceiling has massive rafters painted a shiny black, with the ducting done in psychedelic swirls of blue, yellow and white. The names of legendary jazz artists are etched into glass panels about the center of the restaurant. Clients sit around rough-finished wooden tables on wrought iron chairs, which are as attractive to behold as they are impossible to sit on without spinal injury! It is a mood place; attractive if subdued lighting and loud music is the flavor of the evening.
Music, of course, is the whole point of Blues. But as there are not too many jazz lovers in the city, Blues caters to the executive diner over business hours with a stream of instrumental light music. As the light fades, the blues bloom. But yet later, as the younger patron drifts in about 10 pm, jazz gives way to hip-hop pop and the odd neo-rap. If you are a hard core jazz fan, plan on an early dinner.
The attractive leather and mock CD menu features a variety of pre-plated fare encompassing continental, American, Mexican and Indian food, plus a smattering of Southeast Asian fare. The dozen starters (Rs 35-50) range from the very continental prawn salad with brandy sauce to eastern delights such as Singapore chicken salad.
There are just four soups (Rs 55): baked tomato and red onion, minestrone, straccilatella and a daily special. Later, one can have one of a variety of pastas (Rs 160-180). Or, choose from a short Mexican list of tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and fajitas (all Rs 180) apart from, of course, the nachos with salsa (Rs 80).
The grill list (Rs 150-275) is of American persuasion, featuring mustard marinated tiger prawns and grilled chicken. We tried the garlic lamb chops but the bone to meat ratio left us dissatisfied. Sizzlers (Rs 180-320) encompass prawn, chicken and paneer. Thom in search of fish have three optiorh (Rs 160-180): fried with chips, grilled and tikkas.
The Indian list is a microcosm of the repertoire of a typical Mughla: restaurant with prawn tikkas, tandoori chicken, dal makhani and so forth. Grilled and plain offerings have chicken, cheese, tomato, cucumber and their varied combinations. Finally, there are hot and cold beverages (Rs 35-120) and some basic desserts too—mainly mousse, ice cream and a daily special (Rs 70-95).
Blues leaves us with mixed feelings. It’s a great concept and a lot of effort has gone into the decor . The food is not bad for mid-budget eating, but then again, at even around Rs 200 a main course, the small size of the portions requires you to plan on Rs 500 per head or more.
Blues, N Block, Connaught Place.
