The J-Bar

I would have liked to have a nip at the ‘Slippery Nipple’ but Gagan Pradhan, owner of the newest and trendiest spot in town, the J-Bar, had already ordered a ‘Cabalibra’ for me. The vodka-based cocktail, one among a hundred other concoctions with a hundred exotic names, was as good a drink as I have had in a long time.

Raj Kumar of Calcutta and Videsh Rana of Mumbai, bartenders specially brought in from India, are responsible for conjuring up tantalizing ‘shooters’, ‘mocktails’ and ‘cocktails’ at the J-Bar. Their alma mater is in Mohali, Punjab, and is quite appropriately named ‘The Intoxication Bar Training School’. The dexterous bartenders are in their element behind the long J shaped bar, spinning bottles and whirling glasses as they perform their magic.

Gagan himself completed hotel management training from Sydney in 1999. ‘ After coming back, I joined a five star hotel, ‘ he says, ‘ I left the job after five days.’ Seems he wasn’t very happy with the management, or maybe it was just that Gagan preferred to be his own master. Whatever the reason, it was a fortunate turn of events for coffee lovers of Kathmandu because Gagan’s next step was to open the now well established Himalayan Java Coffee Bar in Thamel. That was three years ago.

This year, on the 7^th of August to be precise, a select list of guests was invited to the opening of the J-Bar, another brainchild of the young entrepreneur who this time was supported by an able partner, Anand Gurung. Their labor of love is located next to the Himalayan Java and is such a bar as to rival the best in the world. The J-Bar has tasteful décor that is decidedly soothing and one doesn’t need to down a few ‘shooters’ to feel relaxed and comfortable while lounging on one of the white sofas.

Of course one will have to be among the select few to be able to partake of the J-Bar’s gracious hospitality for entrance is by membership. ‘We will probably have around five hundred members by the end of this year,’ says Anand. Entrance is restricted to those below twenty-one. Membership is usually through references, but of course visitors from out of town don’t need to be members.

‘We already have a diverse group of patrons,’ says Gagan, ‘Shiva Shrestha, actor, Asutosh Tiwari, economist, and industrialist Vijay Dugar as well as Joy Dewan and Bhola Thapa of the travel trade are already members.’ According to him, the famous painter Asmita Ranjit and the charismatic ‘Boss’ Shalini Wadhwa, as well as Ambica Das Shrestha and Sangita Shrestha Einhaus of the famous Dwarika’s Hotel along with a host of other celebrities will soon be enhancing the membership list. Oh yes, in the near future it seems more than likely that the J-Bar will be the place to be seen in.

And what a place to be seen in! Sonia Gupta, an accomplished interior designer from Delhi, was responsible for the creation of this fabulous establishment, and no stones were left unturned by the partners, Gagan and Anand, to see to it that only the best materials were used. ‘ Almost ninety percent of the material, including furnishings were imported,’ informs Gagan, ‘ The lighting equipment was brought in from London.’

‘Minimalist design and intelligent lighting is what we were aiming for,’ adds Anand, ‘ And I think we have succeeded in achieving that.’ Unlike most such establishments, one notices a striking lack of clutter behind the bar and no ostentatious frills either. Subdued colors, mostly pastel shades, have been used and variations in color schemes are actually due to the use of creative lighting. The bar seems to be relatively J shaped and the barstools are striking in appearance and seemingly of chrome.

The bar has cozy seating arrangements for about seventy guests at a time but can accommodate upto 120 if required. As expected, the music system is excellent and DJ Ravi keeps a constant ear out to make sure that it is as loud as needed or conversely, as subdued as is appropriate.

However, all said and done, it is the contents of the beautifully designed menu that is the soul of J-Bar. Among the eleven listed ‘Shooters’ (one shot drinks costing Rs.300 a shot) ‘Kamakazi’, a concoction of vodka, cointreau and limejuice, ‘B52’ (Kalhua, Baileys and Cointreau) and ‘ Slippery Nipple’ (Baileys and Schmbuch cream) are the more popular. For people like Gagan Pradhan, that is, for tetotallers, ten varieties of ‘mocktails’ priced at Rs. 175 each are currently mentioned. They include ‘Shirley’s Temple’ (orange juice, apple juice and strawberry syrup), ‘Cindrella’ (orange juice, pineapple juice, Vanilla Ice Cream and Grenadieu) as well as Blue Angel and Mickey Mouse besides others.

‘Electric Iced Tea’ (Rum, Vodka, Gin, Peach Schnappes, Sweet and Sour, 7 Up), ’77 Sunstrip Tea’ and ‘Bone Cracking Iced Tea’, are some of the varieties listed under ‘Ice Tea’ that costs Rs. 300 per glass. ‘Although these come under the general heading of ‘Cocktails’, we have tried to create a new fad called ‘Iced Tea’,’ says Gagan, ‘ And the novelty is that these are served in tall glasses.’

The main body of the menu is of course devoted to ‘Cocktails’ priced at Rs. 300 per 60 ml and even if there are quite a few mentioned right now, the bar has plans to further increase the variety by leaps and bounds in the coming days. Currently featured are ‘ Mojito’ (Bacardi, Fresh Mint Leaves, Lemon Chunks, 7 Up), ‘Daiquiri’ (Bacardi, Lime Juice, Sugar), ‘Between The Sheets’, ‘Poison Arrow’, ‘Bloody Mary’, ‘Margarita’ and the ‘French Kiss’ (Vodka, Pineapple Juice), besides many others with equally enticing names.

The menu also has beer based potions like ‘Beer Buster’ (Beer, Vodka, Tabasco, Lime), ‘ Red Eye’ (Beer, Tomato Juice, Tabasco, Salt Pepper, Lime Juice). The wine section has most of the well-known Red and White Wines of the Australian and French varieties, the prices of which vary from Rs. 750 to Rs. 2100 for a bottle. Sparkling Wines cost from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1850. For those who prefer to down their drinks straight from the hip there are the usual Spirits such as Gin, Vodka and Rum available in most international brands and priced at Rs. 175 for 30 ml.

Fine scotch is priced at Rs. 200 for 30 ml while premium scotch like a 12 year-old Chivas Regal costs Rs. 250. An 18 year-old Chivas costs Rs. 450, Royal Salute Rs. 800, and Johnny Walker Blue Label can be relished for Rs. 1000. Brandy such as VSOP and Napoleon is priced at Rs. 175, Cognac like Remy Martin at Rs. 350 and Bourbon like Jack Daniels at Rs. 300. Fine liquer such as Baileys Fresh Cream and Crème de Menthe cost Rs. 200 per 30 ml. And for those whose palates yearn for domestic brands, most of the local brews are obtainable too, the spirits costing Rs. 100 per 30 ml.

Lest all that fine drinking works up a hearty appetite, you can depend on the young chef Mohit Rana to satisfy your hunger pangs with ‘Beef Roast and Roast Potatoes with Glazed Carrots’ (Rs.350), ‘Braised Chicken with Green Olives, Rice and Seasonal Vegetables’ (Rs. 300) or ‘Grilled Haddock with Sauteed Asparagus and New Potatoes’ (Rs. 400). In keeping with the tenor of the jaunty bar, Mohit too is as trendy a chef as you will find anywhere. He has trained in the fine art of swanky cuisine in London and is surprisingly young.

In addition to the succulent main dishes he also offers you appetizing starters like ‘Tomato and Basil salad’ (Rs. 75), ‘Smoked Chicken with Citrus Salad’ (Rs. 150) and ‘Prawn Cocktail’ (Rs. 250). ‘Strawberry Chocolate with Cherry Cocktail’ (Rs.250) is one of the more delicious desserts on the menu.

Reading all this might already have you salivating, but hold on, the menu changes every month, so just in case you don’t want to miss all the above, it would be a good idea to plan an evening at the J-Bar immediately. And just so you know, another innovation of the J-Bar is that it is open only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 P.M. onwards. The rest of the week the J-Bar encourages clients to make use of their fabulous facilities to throw exclusive parties.

‘We would like to make the J-Bar a ‘must see place’ for all,’ enthuses Gagan, ‘ And a place not to be missed while in Nepal.’