Cricket on a Platter

Popular restaurants like Urban Pind,Yum Yum Tree and Punjabi By Nature have padded up to accommodate cricket crazy fans. Yum Yum Tree has designed a special “century menu” that offers beers,cocktails and shots for Rs 100 during match hours. With strategically placed LCD screens at the venue,the organisers have received an encouraging response. Urban Pind,on the other hand,has “Happy Hours” during matches in which you pay Rs 1,000 for drinks worth Rs 1,500.

With the economy still in a slumber,restaurateurs are relying on the IPL to charge things up. “A cricket crazy fan does not need an excuse to party or celebrate a game,” says Ravi Bajaj,group manager,Ivy Bar and Dining. With separate screens in the private dining section and posters of players donning the interiors,this posh diner in New Friends Colony,has extended the spirit of the game to its menu,offering snacks like the KKR sole and Capetown chicken,all within Rs 500,to munch on. Its cocktail pitchers are around Rs 1,000 (plus taxes),whereas five pints of Tiger beer cost about Rs 600 (plus taxes).

The Sports Bar,Gurgaon,has arranged for an indoor and outdoor section. The indoor section is more toned down with its celebrations,though the walls wear four plasma screens and the menu offers unlimited beer for Rs 599 (plus taxes),as well as three non-vegetarian starters like Chicken Boti Kebab,Chilly Chicken or Chicken Satay depending on the pre-fixed menu of the day and three vegetarian starters like Hara Bhara Kebab,Potato Wedges or Paneer Tikkas. The outdoor section is a smoking zone with two plasma screens and a similar offer.

The Island Bar,Shangri-La,is among the more happening destinations. A specially crafted menu for the IPL obliges all fans. So a Tandoori Chicken at Rs 600 will appease the appetite of a Delhi Daredevils fan while a plate of Hyderabadi Boti Kebab at Rs 550 will suit the taste buds of a Deccan Chargers fan. There is also a choice of four cocktails at Rs 1,200.

The new bar at the Ambassador hotel,Insomnia,is ensuring you remain glued to the match. Amateur bookies can try ‘Challenge the Bartender’,where if you successfully bet on the batsman to hit three sixes in a row,you win yourself a complementary round of drinks,or be daring enough for ‘What’s Next??’ in which if you successfully predict the outcome of the next delivery,you could get a free round of vodka shots.

At Mocha,in Defence Colony and Gurgaon,you can pick up IPL merchandise even as you catch the action on the two giant LCD screens that have been set up in a special corner dedicated to cricket. “We have ensured that the cricket lovers are kept in a separate section of the restaurant so that they can enjoy with like-minded people,” says Deepali Gupta,brand manager of the outlet. If you need some calories to boost up your team,the menu offers summer coolers like Oreo Cookie and Fudge Brownie shake,Dutch Truffle Cake shake,Kit Kat shake,priced between Rs 50 and Rs 225.

But,if you’re still wishing you could be in South Africa,DLF,the official tournament sponsor,offers the next best thing. It has created a mini stadium on the grounds of the DLF Mall,Vasant Kunj,with a huge LCD screen screening all matches. Food outlets like Nirula’s,Domino’s Pizza and Yo China! will keep up an unlimited supply of food. “The mini stadium can accommodate 2,000 people and we wanted to create a feel of a stadium for those who missed their flight to South Africa. It is all about enjoying the spirit of cricket together,” says Sanjey Roy,senior general manager,corporate communications,DLF.

For details,contact:
Urban Pind: 32515656
Yum Yum Tree: 42602020
IVY,Bar and Dining: 41627744
The Sports Bar: 95124 – 4205760
Mocha,Defence Colony: 41632345
Island Bar,Shangri-La: 41196121
Insomnia,Ambassador Hotel: 4632600