The past few months have witnessed the launch of some good bars and lounges in Pune. Rouge – The Boutique Lounge, at Jewel Square in Koregaon Park, is among these, too. We must admit that we were taken by surprise when we first got to know that a lounge had opened up at the venue. Jewel Square, which had initially been a mall housing fashion brands like FCUK, Aldo, Charles and Keith and more, had famously shut down a couple of years ago. It still isn’t fully operational, since renovations are underway to convert it into a commercial complex that will rent out office spaces.
We learnt from the manager at the lounge, that the owners/partners of Rouge had bought the property a few years ago, when the complex was a mall, and were unwilling to part with it despite the fact that it was being converted into a commercial complex for office spaces. The lounge has made Jewel Square rise from the ashes to make its way into the popular consciousness of Puneites again. Let’s get to the basics now.
Décor
In keeping with its name, Rouge is done up in red. Ironical how just a kilometer or so down the road, at Koregaon Park Plaza, there is the similarly themed Red Bar. But we digress. The interiors of the lounge are pretty impressive, with tall paintings of luscious ladies lining its halls. The seating is extremely comfortable with expansive gray couches that are ideal for big groups.
The bar is towards the end of the indoor seating area, opposite which is the VIP section, where you get to enjoy your meal in privacy. You can opt for the VIP package (Rs 17,000 for eight people), which includes a bottle of imported liquor, starters, mains, imported beers and a butler exclusively at your service.
The lounge also has an outdoor seating area for those who don’t like to be confined indoors, which is quite inviting and comfortable.
Drinks
The bar menu is big on cocktails, offering an impressive variety to its patrons. It is especially known for its fresh fruit cocktails, the most popular being Cloudy Sage, Lust and Rum Julep. Of the three, Cloudy Sage (vodka, pineapple juice, demerara sugar and basil) get TimesCity’s vote for living up to the hype. It was the perfect cooler for a hot summer night.
The bar menu also has a limited selection of whiskeys, wines, gin and vodka, but TimesCity suggests you stick to the cocktails.
Starters
TimesCity recommends the Veg Rangoon highly, along with the pan-fried Prosperity Dumplings, the Moon Faan rice and Kung Pao Potatoes.
Main Course
The lounge exclusively serves Oriental cuisine and the food was mighty fine. After particularly harrowing experiences this writer has had with pork buns in the city (either the bun is so tough, it had to be sawed through, or the meat is undercooked or stale – this at restaurants in starred hotels), the Chinese Barbeque Pork Buns were perfectly cooked, and they pretty much melted in the mouth.
TimesCity recommends you also try the – Oriental Spiced Spare Ribs and Light Crispy Calamari
What Sets It Apart
There are two things that set Rouge apart from other lounges. First is, that the staff checks with guests for food allergies, so as to know which ingredients they are to avoid. It is also incredibly well-informed about the dishes on the menu.
The other noteworthy thing about this place is that its last orders food and drink go hand-in-hand, so that you don’t have to sit guzzling alcohol while you’re still hungry because the kitchen has closed.
This is something we wish other bars and lounges would emulate.
Music
Music throughout the week is pretty regular. Saturdays are Commercial nights, while Sundays are Bollywood nights. The lounge is soon preparing to launch a Saturday Night Queen event, which will crown the most glamourous girls at the lounge and award them attractive gift packages, along with a permanent place on the guest list for them and their friends.
In A Nutshell:
TimesCity verdict: This is a good place to chill with your friends over great food and drinks.
Reviews and other details: Rouge – The Boutique Lounge page on TimesCity
Meal for two: Rs 1200 (food only) and Rs 1800 and above for food plus drinks.
Entry is restricted to couples at Rs 1000 full cover
They are also on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rouge-Lounge/497079990398406
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