Celeb-owned restaurants are a tough game to crack: they’re either carried by star power alone or fall flat trying too hard to impress. So when Bollywood actor Mona Singh threw her hat into the hospitality ring with Kona Kona, Team Unsobered had to go check the hype-o-meter. Is it just another star-powered restaurant or the hottest new all-day bar and restaurant that you should visit? Keep reading to find out our review!
Kona Kona: An Unfiltered, Unsobered Review
Renowned actor Mona Singh pulls off acting chops like its a child’s play, credited with giving us some of the most iconic roles in Indian cinema and television. From the titular role in ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi’ (2003) that led to her becoming a household name to her iconic role of Mona in the 2009 cult classic 3 Idiots, the actor aces every role that she plays.
But now, the actor is essaying a new role – that of an entrepreneur opening up the latest all-day bar and restaurant in Mumbai! Kona Kona, a brainchild of Mona Singh, has opened its doors to guests in the bustling neighborhood of Andheri. With a 100-seater space, the all-day bar and restaurant aims to be your go-to neighborhood bar serving good food and great vibes with a side of nostalgia.
Cocktail Menu: Does The All-Day Bar Raise The Bar?
We tried some of the signature cocktails at Kona Kona, and honestly, we do have mixed feelings about them! Not all of us managed to blow our minds, but some did. In fact, we were quite delighted to see that many cocktails were innovative, creative, and paid a nod to our childhood memories. Here’s a detailed review of the cocktails we tried at Kona Kona.
Rum Maaro Rum (INR 449)
Ingredients: White rum, white wine, coconut syrup, dark rum
It’s hard to imagine that white rum can pair so beautifully with white wine. However, Kona Kona, with its cocktail Rum Maaro Rum, attempts AND delivers a delicious white wine + white rum concoction.
Unsobered Rating: 8/10
Paan Nirvana (INR 499)
Ingredients: Whiskey, fresh paan leaves, vanilla ice cream
Paan is a great ‘dessert’ to have after a wholesome meal, but what if we tell you that you can drink it too? Paan Nirvana is a cocktail that cocktail-ifies your beloved paan and adds a little whiskey to it. We recommend biting into the paan first and then sipping on your cocktail – you may thank us later!
Unsobered rating: 9/10
Kill Bill (INR 599)
Ingredients: Tequila, jalapeno brine, pineapple juice, coriander leaves
Supposedly named after the Quentin Tarantino 2003 film, the cocktail definitely entice you just with the looks. The cocktail, made with tequila, is more like an Indianized Picante – with a fiery, spicy kick! Definitely one for the spice lovers!
Unsobered rating: 7/10
Phi Phi (INR 499)
Ingredients: Vodka, ginger, lychee juice, kafir leaves, yuzu syrup
We don’t know how much of the thought behind the cocktail has to do with Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands, but the cocktail will definitely give you all the tropical feels. However, what we didn’t like in the cocktail was the addition of kafir leaves. It’s a great, refreshing, and balanced drink to have on a sultry summer day, or just whenever you feel like going on a vacation!
Unsobered rating: 6/10
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Chakhna Check: Bar Food With A Side Of Nostalgia
Of course, no drink is complete without a delicious, munchable side of chakhna. Luckily, chefs Jasleen Marwah and Neetu Solanki have managed to curate a menu that feels like a hearty love letter to childhood meals, roadside snacks, and memorable flavors. The menu isn’t a completely different reinvention of sorts, it’s about reconnecting with familiar flavors.
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The chakhna menu seems limited but with items like Ka-boli Chana, K-pop, and Thai Peanuts, we’re sure you’ll have a blast munching on all of it. What remains a standout is the modern take on everyone’s beloved tea-time snack – nimki! Those crunchy little triangles you had with tea? Yes, they’ve received a glow-up at Kona Kona and are served with an irresistible garlic-based dip.
We recommend trying their Made-In-India Platter to accompany your favorite cocktails here. The platter includes an assortment of some of your favorite childhood favorites – including nimki, crispy bhindi, aloo tuk, and a delectable hummus and T. P. dip.
Also Read: Why Is Alcohol Cheaper At Duty-Free And Does It Save You Money?
Final Verdict: Does Kona Kona Raise The (All-Day) Bar?
Kona Kona managed to impress us by a wide margin – including its food, drinks, and the ambience! The space invites you with its warm and bright interiors. The seating is cozy and comfortable and the atmosphere instantly makes you feel at home.
Plus, did we mention that you can bring along your furry friends here! The space not just allows pets, it has a curated menu especially for them! Be it Bone Broth, Anchovy Chips, or Chicken & Coconut Laddoos, the special pet menu is a lovely touch that tells how the space is not just about serving good food, its also about creating an inclusive space – pets included!
The cocktails were quite decadent, refreshing, and just balanced enough. The flavors, textures, and innovation in the menu plays out effortlessly and this effort reflects on your taste buds quite well.
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Cocktails Verdict: 8/10
Ambience Verdict: 7/10
Final Verdict: 7.5/10
Kona Kona: Address, Price For Two, Timings, And More
Address: Ground Floor, Kuber Complex, Unit No. 27-30, Off New Link Rd, near Oberoi Chambers, Veera Desai Industrial Estate, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053
Timings: 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM
Price For Two: INR 1500 (without alcohol)
Summing Up
Nostalgia has just received a glow-up in Andheri’s Kona Kona. With a space that invites you in from the moment you step in, the all-day bar and restaurant is definitely worth a visit, especially with your furry friends. Be it a morning brunch, family dinner, or a fun hangout with friends, it is the hottest new venture redefining Mumbai’s bar scene, one drink at a time!
