I visited the place with a friend for a post-work, relaxing dinner. They dont do reservations, which is a bummer given that its located in an office area where executives would like to ensure a table before dropping in en masse for a post-work dinner and heading out home in far flung suburbs. There was a queue for the tables and we got ours after about 20 minutes of waiting.
The good thing was that we could order and enjoy our wines in the waiting queue. There was a variety of wines, though some of our choices from the menu were unavailable. They serve by the glass and the price was modest. We enjoyed our wines.
We chose to sit in the outdoor dining area and it was quite pleasant and cool given the rains.
By the time we got to ordering the desert, most of those listed ones were not available. We ordered a Tiramisu each and it was sad, synthetic and one of the worst Tiramisus I have ever had!
The most disgusting of it all was that they allowed smoking in the outdoor area. There were no-smoking lables posted all around us, including the official Government signage displayed prominently. But people kept lighting up right next to the signages and when asked the waiter said that the signages were there from before and they don't insist on patrons putting off their fags. Now thats illegal- the law requires no smoking zones at all eateries in the country and that non-smokers should not be required to pass through any place where smoking is allowed. In the case of Ivy at Worli, a non-smoker has no choice but to pass through the smoking area to reach their indoor dining area.
While I like the place for its wines, I would hesitate to recommend it on account of its smokey environment!
kaleidoscope
Replied by: Amogh Aundhekar, Manager, Operations, on Jul 29, 2011 Flag this
Regarding your comments for "Tiramisu" I will definatly look into this matter. I personally regret if you got this food product that bad. We will work out the better receipe for this product for sure.
Normally the smoking guests go in the parking zone or next lane corridor for smoking. However during monsoon period due to heavy rains they perfer smoking at their tables only which we normally don't resist. However if any customer raises his concern for smoke we definatly talk to the guests and asks them to smoke in different area. During your next visit you can talk to either Prashant/Gunesh on duty for your "smoke" concern & we will work out a better option for you.
Once again thanks for your feedback n happy burrping....have a nice weekend.
Replied by: kaleidoscope, on Aug 04, 2011 Flag this
The smoking policy as you explain it makes me wonder if you are running a Monsoon Smoking Shelter or selling food and wine?? The law of the land requires all restaurants and bars in the country to be smokefree and its not a matter of choice or discretion your end as you suggest. For the same reason, you can not require non-smoking customers to insist and fight to get smoke-free dining in your business. If interested, send me a postal address and I will be happy to provide further information on the legal requirement of you in this regard as the Bistro's manager and penalties for non-compliance.
I and my colleagues would visit the place again, this time to check your compliance with the law. In the event of continuing non-compliance, you would appreciate if a complaint is lodged with the enforcement agency. We sincerely hope that it would not be required.