Review – The Good Wife at Bandra Kurla Complex is the latest ‘it’ bar north of sea link -

Now here’s a place for some quality post-work snacking. Also, cocktail quaffing, leg shaking and finally getting a decent dinner in! The promoters, Tham brothers (of Trilogy fame) know their music, have proved they know their food and with some help from the cardamom and the rose sprays, also their super-sized beverages. And if our Facebook feeds are anything to go by, you’re not ‘it’ if you don’t have any ‘The Good Wife’ tags to show for yourself.

Atmosphere
Located smack dab in Bandra Kurla Complex, The Good Wife is ideal for those who spend long hours working out of the swish district, and also for those who don’t. Its ground level address at The Capital boasts easy access on the outside while inside waits a cocktail list curated by Dimitri Lezinska from Discovery Channel’s series Cocktail Kings. Not to mention plush furniture-meets-pop art interiors and ample room for dancing. (And don’t even bother sitting down, even if it’s a weeknight the music’s fantastic.)

the-good-wife-2 Every aspect of the place, including the hooks hung under the bar top, have been designed to please, or in this case, take the handbag load off your shoulders. An al fresco area ensures there are no grumpy smokers. Fans of its namesake television show might have a grouse coming on though, seeing as it has had no bearing on the inception of the space. Lucky for us, they serve cure-all cocktails.

Food & Drink
The Good Wife (named after the bar, not the show, again) is a blushing sight perfect for sore, overstrained eyes. After bringing her to the table, the bartender sprays the berry-citrus vodka cooler with a rose scent that stays with you well into your next drink. Halfway into our Wolf of BKC, we could feel the rose give way to the black cardamom that complimented this more masculine Crème De Cacao-Jim Beam concoction.

At the other end of the table, my friend settled for the Pink Lady, a citrusy gin cocktail, due to the unavailability of Y Tu Mama Tambien (named after the Mexican drama film). If we had you at cocktails (and film references) wait till you try the food. The Potato and Goat cheese Gnocchi has been rid of any heavy saucing and given a snacky spin, the Cottage Cheese Steak is delish, the tostadas crisp and these guys know their seafood – the prawns we were served were plump and perfectly seasoned.

The Potato and Goat Cheese Gnocchi (top left)

The Chicken Gyoza or dumpling, however, may not be something to write home about. But going back to the guys knowing their seafood, our entrée of Pan Roasted Snapper was nutty and tart at once, from the coconut lime sauce, and disintegrated on the palate. Our other order, the Signature Bowl with The Good Wife Lamb Shank, except for the slight over salting, was Moroccan style goodness, served on ragout of Beluga Lentil.

If you’re looking to keep it light, our recommendation would be The Good Wife Home Salad. Having said that, most of ‘The Good Wife’ prefix-ed items are generally great options. We finished our meal with the Salted Caramel Crème Brulee and the Vanilla Pannacotta. While the latter was dotted with berry compote and spot on, the same can’t be said of the Crème Brulee that took a (rather large) swig of bellini to wash down.

Verdict
Go here and line your stomach with the gourmet appetizers for The Good Drinks. Cocktails at The Good Wife are a feast for all senses, treated with such delicacy of hand and the most sophisticated ingredients. Take my friend’s Mrs. Robinson for instance, combining Citron vodka, orange flower water and bitters, with sweet lavender syrup and finishing off with a lavender scent. End your night with a Good Wife Signature Salad or Bowl. Repeat next weekend

Address:
The Good Wife,
Ground Floor, The Capital,
G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai
Tel: 022 4010 9433

The critic was served tasting portions

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