There’s a new Social in town (surprise surprise). That makes about what, 2760 Socials in all on last count? But alas, no matter how fed up you are, when you have friends living in Andheri and a Social opens up (in Versova, no less!), you have no choice but to feebly agree to go, injecting some fake enthusiasm into your words so they think you mean it.
Just another article about just another Social in Mumbai
So, come opening night we were outside Versova Social, rather my friends were. I was still enroute (Always leave last. Always.) I was directed to come to the second level once I got there. However, little did I know that once I got there, I’d have to whip my night vision glasses out of my Prada bag just to make it to our table! IT’S THAT DARK!
The entrance is a narrow staircase that has “aa” and “jaa” written at either ends. It’s quite a visual treat. I hope they know that most people don’t even notice it. The first level feels like being transported to Elizabeth Bennet’s Tea-Room, when the lights were out. No seriously, the place is all vintage furniture in pretty pinks, purples, and whites. Just that, it feels as if someone royally screwed with the voltage of the ENTIRE PLACE.
I know it seems like I’m going about the decor of this place but when a joint is touted to be the best because of its decor, I’d hardly talk about the view from the place, right? Also, it’s Social. The food hardly differs. However, they have some new desserts which are pretty good. There, happy now?
Also also, why the leafy green wallpaper, guys?
Second level indoor is a non-entity, so I was certain my friends wouldn’t dare sit there. And right I was; I heard my name being called out when I stumbled through (bloody dark, remember?) the doorway to the outdoor section.
By the way, my friends now visit places on opening nights. Reason: most places go out of their way to please you and though the burbs still screw it up, the extra attention doesn’t hurt, does it? The plan didn’t disappoint as the drinks were on point – we called for LITs (d-uh), Trip on the Drip, and a Blueberry Julep – the food too, was about as good as it can get in the burbs.
Sometime later in the night, I excused myself to use the restroom. After spending a good five minutes trying to surreptitiously locate it, I realized that one panel of the leafy green wallpaper was the door. I went in, attended to my business, and then made to leave. Only, I couldn’t find the door. I am not making this up, you guys. I felt as if I were Alice and everything was either too big or too trippy and that I was going to be trapped forever. And then some chick entered and I quickly scuttled out.
As the night wore on, the music got louder and the crowd got larger and then it got unbearable. So we decided to call it a night.
Walking away I remember a fleeting thought that crossed my mind. The chintzy, pre-war, English tea-house decor on level one tuned my mental jukebox onto The Eagles – Hotel California. And the spooky, dim lit vibe to the line, “you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!” Yikes!
It may be the prettiest of all Socials so far but it’s also the DIMMEST. And there’s nothing versoWOW about that.
Toodles!
Where? CTS No. 1311 / 2 , Plot – B , Savitri Bai Jotiba Phule Rd, Juhu Versova Link Road, Andheri West
