Geoffrey’s, at the Marine Plaza hotel. It’s also a bar, a cocktail lounge, and the venue of a delicious buffet spread every afternoon. And in an ambience where cosy rubs shoulders with classy, and camaraderie retains a subtle touch of elegance, the conviviality yet gives you an exclusive sense of intimacy. You are as easy here, collecting your thoughts and nursing a drink, as part of a celebratory roistering crowd. Confused by all the contradictions?
Wait till you get a measure of the decor. The everything goes philosophy is honed to perfection here, everything really goes well, together. The artless (or is it artful?) collection of kitsch features autographed cricket bats and tennis memorabilia, framed posters of old British Rail services and advertisements of various spirits, models of ships and leather bound classics, paintings of hunting scenes and comic sketches of golf lessons, wood panelling and stained glass... Like the "classic" and "exotic" cocktails served with flair by the ingenious bartender, the decor at Geoffrey’s may leave you shaken or stirred, but certainly invigorated.
The immensely popular lunch time buffet cannily offers a meal plan as attractive to the ladies who lunch as to the business executives on the go. Quick, light and easy, on the eye, the waistline and the wallet, the soup, salad, sandwich and dessert repast is priced at Rs 180 plus taxes. Checking out the spread one weekday afternoon, we found that the rapidly filling alcoves, set with low-slung comfy sofas and chairs, endorsed regional director, Western India, Manoj Bhatia’s comment that the buffet service had been an instant hit ever sinceits introduction.
One starts the meal with a choice of two soups. We opted for a seafood Sicilian concoction vis-a-vis a clear vegetable broth. The 25 salads, attractively spread over the long, brass-touched bar counter, ranged from ethnic moong and spicy Ghana chaats to mayonnaise doused vegetables and tangy oriental chicken. The array changes every day, "depending on the freshness and availability of the raw materials," said Brendon Pereira, assistant manager, food and beverage. Plus, there’s usually a choice between a taco counter and an Arabian platter. One can mix and match to create one’s own combinations here too. Varied breads, cheeses, croutons, dressings, crunchy vegetables and luscious fruits are just some of the accessories in this edible arsenal.
The sandwich section offers its own gamut of choices too. First of all, you’ve to decide whether you want your sandwich grilled, toasted or plain. Then, the all-important question of what goes in. Each day offers a listing of 12 choices, six vegetarian and six non-vegetarian but if you don’t fancy any of these, the staff will try to create the filling you desire. Or, you can opt for a combination, like we did, choosing one filling of egg salad, the other of spicy Thai chicken. We could have chosen tuna or roast chicken or mild cottage cheese or spicy potatoes.
The food is delicious and the drinks intriguing, but, ultimately, it’s the amazing chameleon – like quality of Geoffrey’s that really makes this place. Intimate and personal, cheery and comradely, or subtly in between, it matches your mood and the moment.
