According to global statistics, nine out of 10 restaurants shut shop soon after they open. That means, the chances of survival for the newly launched gastropub, The Chatterhouse, is only 10 per cent. But it’s a risk its founder Swadeep Popli is willing to take. He is so confident of the new project that he hasn’t even chalked out a back-up plan. ‘‘I have plunged head first into The Chatterhouse. It’s got all the necessary ingredients to be successful so why have second thoughts,’’ says Popli, an engineer who decided to become a restaurateur a few years ago.
It is interesting to learn that this brand arrives from the house of the same seasoned promoters who brought popular ventures like Tabularasa, Chi Kitchen and Bar, Shalom, Laidback Waters and Italic to the city. With extensive learning from the above properties, The Chatterhouse tries to bring the best from all of them.
A unique feature in this one, however, is the gaming area on one side that could get in a lot more guests, giving people a chance to do something more than just eat and drink.
The food menu is extensive. There is a bit of everything—Italian, Mexican, Indian, Continental, and more. “Most of the items are paltered, so it is essentially to be shared,” says Popli who emphasises that he aims to adhere to the principal of CAAR (Comfort, Associational, Aspirational and Regional) in all aspects of the pub. Some highlights of the menu were the Amrud Chat (which by the way is a drink), the wood fire pizzas, especially Pepperoni Pizza and the Humus. The dessert section offers plenty of options but be careful before you order the house special—nachos, brownie, ice-cream, marshmallows and whipped cream because the dessert actually has no nachos. Instead they’ve replaced it with chocolate cookies for some reason.
The concept of a gastropub that offers comparatively cheaper drinks than its contemporaries could make the place stand out. Besides the regular Sangrias, domestic, foreign liquors and beer, you can try the Bubble Gum Martinis, Bubblegum Vodkas, Blowpop Martini Jello Shots, Aam Panna Vodka, Sharabi Nariyal, Vodka Gunna and others. There are no happy hours because Popli believes that the pricing itself is reasonable and will go a long way in making the guests happy.
Place Epicuria, Nehru Place
Cost for two approx. Rs 750 plus taxes (without alcohol)