First published in Bangalore Mirror
If you’re looking for a travel post, stop! ONIB is the name of a Bar & Grill in Indiranagar, run by the folks behind Plan B and Mother Cluckers. Reaching Indiranagar 12th Main is only marginally easier than getting to Bangkok, so we wanted to make sure that our trip wouldn’t be wasted, and tried to reserve a table. But that, we were told, wasn’t possible. Visa on arrival, just like Thailand! Street parking it is, all the very best!
A sliding door and a thick black curtain lead you into a relatively small seating area, though they have used the space really well. At 7.30, we had the place pretty much all to ourselves. That meant we could really look around, after adjusting to the darkness, at what’s being positioned as India’s first Thai dive bar. The Buddha statuettes, the Muay Thai wall painting and the menu itself easily take care of the Thai part, but I think the place is a dive bar more in spirit than in actuality, judging by the prices and the décor. The bar stands out like a beacon of hope in the otherwise dim lit ambiance. Despite mostly high seating – wooden chairs – the place somehow manages to give out a plush feel. The stylish dinginess, together with the DJ’s groovy playlist based on 80s music ensures that the place has the potential to become a favoured neighbourhood joint, probably for a crowd older than the standard pub/lounge set.
Lots of really interesting cocktails with Thai ingredients, that’s the first thing you’d notice on the menu, which barely manages to fill two sides of an A4 sized board. My pick from the ones we tried would be the Tom Yam Siam – a white rum based drink with Thai chilli for a spicy nip and rambutan that lends a delightful texture. If only they had used fresh coconut water, this would have been beyond perfect. The Muay Thai Punch is another superb white rum based drink – guava flavoured with lemongrass and Kaffir Lime for that extra zest. The Pattaya Sour is a neat play on Whiskey Sour though for some reason there was Basil in it (though it wasn’t on the menu!), giving it a herb flavour that wasn’t warranted. Try the Bangkokian if you like your drink strong – Tequila based, with a hint of pineapple and basil flavours. The Passion Margarita and Mango Spice are a couple of other drinks to try. Avoid the Siam Sunrise unless you like sugar bombs.
It must have been all that drinking – I chose Grilled Pork over Pork Belly! The dish’s spicy lime sauce underplayed the first part and massively overdid the second, giving it a sour flavour. Watch out for the smell of the bamboo shoot based dips provided with the dish. The day was saved by the BBQ Beef Isaan Style, fantastically cooked beef and a spicy sauce. The dip was so good that we refused to part with it when they tried to clear the plates after we finished the dish. The sticky rice lollipops that came with it did more than just complement it. The Fried Lotus Stem with Peanuts is another dish you absolutely must try, especially for the superb texture. The Stir Fried Chicken with basil and peppercorns was just standard fare.
Somewhere near the bottom of the menu card is the line that tells you to ask for main course options. The curries available were Thai Red, Penang, Thai Green and Massaman with the choice of beef, pork, chicken and served with sticky or jasmine rice. We tried three combinations. The Red and Green curries were both well made – a blend of sweet and salty flavours, though skewed towards the former. The Massaman though, wasn’t really the best we have had. The beef, once again, was splendid! But in general, unless you absolutely must have rice, just stick to the starters.
A brownie and a Coconut Brulee were available as dessert options and we chose the latter. The dish was burnt more than it should have been, though the coconut flavour was quite pleasant. But then again, honestly, unless you’re really drunk and/or need a sugar kick, you really shouldn’t be trying desserts at a dive bar!
Cocktails are at an average of Rs.285 and starters around Rs.335 (excluding taxes) The service was prompt, friendly and own up to mistakes they make. Much appreciated. The food had many highs and a few lows, but the unique nature of the offering and the fantastic service make up for the small flaws. The place manages to find that perfect balance between lively and relaxed, and that probably explains why, when we were ready to leave, it was overflowing and there were even more waiting outside for a night in Bangkok!
One Night in Bangkok, 1079, 12th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Ph: 9739902745