As you walk up the stairs and pass the guards and the managers, in front of you is an expanse of empty space...something that is rare to even think of in a place like Galleria, choc-a-bloc with its myriad cafes and restaurants, not to say the many shops selling their wares. In the middle of this empty space wafts the music..music of the sort that you have grown up on. Hits of the 90's dominate the playlist and one number after another reminds the 30-somethings of their hey days.
As you make your way to the outdoor couches, you don't cease to wonder about the sheer size of Escape Terrace Bar & Kitchen, given where it is located in the prime of prime locations of Gurgaon. With some 40-50 people possibly getting accommodated outside, there is an air-conditioned space good enough for a similar number if the need so arises. You can see a wood-fired clay oven on one side for the pizzas while you have, on the other side, a banner announcing live music nights (I have been witness to one of those and it is quite something, I must say).
On this occasion, I happened to visit Escape with three others on a Ladies' Night....not one of their busy nights and there were enough and more people to attend to us and the choicest of seating places that we could have for ourselves. Since we were in the mood, we made way for the loudest part of the open-air enclosure and sat down right below the speaker (which honestly they could change since it seems to have seen better days).
Since none of us was very hungry, we ordered some starters including Honey Chilly Potato, Chicken Stroganoff, and another dish with chicken breast and some veg salt and pepper. The drinks were mostly alcoholic and except for the lady who tried the Mojito and the Bloody Mary (which were pretty well made, we were told), we stuck to the basics.
The food was not awesome but just fine when it came to the non-vegetarian stuff. However, as on my previous visits to the place, I did not find the vegetarian fare very appealing. There was too much of honey in the honey chilly potato and too much of salt in the Veg salt and pepper. I am sure they can do a better job of their vegetarian menu.
The music, as I said, was wonderful (although a bit loud and sitting right below the speakers did not help) and the service just right, never too far to notice us and never too close to cause discomfort. This is one of the places you head out to when you have had a long day and want to just drown yourself in the numbness caused by loud music, food and drinks. For hardcore foodies who want to find taste in all they eat, this may not be the right place. However, if you are a sucker for experience (as I am), you will have enough to make you happy about this place...the openness of the terrace, the music, the crowd, and the general spirit that Escape tends to carry.
