An epicurean delight at Drift

Thankfully the approach to Drift is way off as far as portents go; for nestled in the heart of Gurgaon is one of the finest lounge experiences that you'd most likely miss. Epicentre's Drift is a gastronomical flying carpet that wouldn't think twice before taking off on an epicurean journey. Although it's the restaurant's ongoing Mediterranean Food Festival that chose the place for us but it was the long happy hours that made us stay there.



Managed by Old World Hospitality, the same people behind specialty restaurant like Chor Bizarre and the whole array from India Habitat Centre, Drift is very chic and very truly modern. Drift, in our mind, would be one the few places that offer a sit-down dining experience along with the familiarity of a lounge with equal ease. A section of the restaurant presents a cut off segment which provides the ease and anonymity of a private dinning area. The entire place is done up in pleasing earthly hues that are easy on the eye.



The extensive bar menu effortlessly appears and before you know you are trying to select your poison. This can be a daunting task as the Happy Hours are genuinely happy around here. Running thorough noon to eight in the evening, Drift extends the one plus one courtesy to foreign liquor as well as cocktails. If you thought this couldn't be topped then on lean days namely Mondays and Tuesdays the Happy Hours continue till the time the restaurant closes!



Many of us usually get so caught up with the alcohol that no serious thought is ever awarded to the food. While Drift's exhaustive menu includes a wide but well-balanced range of cuisines such as European, Continental, Mughlai and Tex-Mex, it was the Mediterranean special menu we were here for. While the usual suspects--Shish Taouk, Tapas, and Mezze were all there, the conspicuous presence Batata Harra made me take a long and serious look at the menu. What was this very Indian-sounding preparation of fried potatoes with coriander, parsley and peppers doing here? Whatever doubts that were raised were soon rested with the sampling of the non-veg Tapas which featured Gambas Pil Pil, Lamb Chops and Fried Calamari.



While the portions were a slight let down, the appetizer look good and tasted better! There are two basic soups (Rs 150) to choose from but the main course menu is a very well defined. The Moroccan Spiced Lamb with cous cous, Lamhe Bi Ajine (Lebanese Pizza with spiced ground meat), Rubiyan Machboos (Prawns served with tomatoes and three peppers) are worth a shot, the vegetarians can choose from Veg Moussaka (Eggplant, Zucchini, beans, potatoes), Kudra Bil Bandoura (Grilled Mix Veg).



All things considered, what marred the place is the choice of music. For a lounge offering Mediterranean fare to play heightened elevator music is like making the perfect date all by one's self but if you can overlook that then Drift is more than worth a shot.


The author is an entertainment news editor and works for many websites related to event, bollywood, music, movie, concerts and theater. Visit one more interesting article of author: Bengaluru International Arts Festival 2009 or http://www.buzzintown.com/bangalore/event_bengaluru-international-arts-festival-2009--id_134999.html