Pubbing and chilling with the #Squad is a Diwali ritual you don’t want to miss. t2 goes on a food trail across town to get you a list of #Pataka pub grub — (read: bestselling items on the menu to go with your sip). Get cracking on these...

Shroom Balls @ Bodega Cantina-Y-Bar:
A fave among patrons, this item from the nibbles section on the Bodega menu brings together exotic mushrooms, fresh mozzarella cheese, confit garlic and Parmesan foam. Goes well with most drinks at the Park Street pub. Rs 225-plus

Kung Pao Noodle Bowl (seafood) @ Afra Tafri:
With more than 20 portions being sold on an average every day, the Kung Pao Noodle Bowl (seafood) at Afra Tafri on Camac Street is a bestseller. Noodles loaded with stir-fried vegetables are served with fish and prawns tossed in a spicy sauce, topped with brown garlic. Rs 325-plus

Adrak Ke Panje @ Pour House:
Love lamb ribs? Go for Adrak Ke Panje at the Sector V pub. The lamb ribs are marinated in yogurt with ginger and then cooked in the tandoor. The whiff of smoked ginger and the tenderness of the lamb make it a winner.
Rs 475-plus

Nazza @ Bakstage:
A favourite ever since the inception of this Sector V pub, the Nazza at Bakstage is a combination of the Indian naan and the Italian pizza, and it comes with a variety of toppings ranging from Dal Makhani to Chicken Tikka. The Mutton Seekh with Minted Onion Nazza has some fiery meat balanced by the freshness of mint. Rs 495-plus

Jheenga Nisha @ Raize The Bar:
The Jheenga Nisha at Raize The Bar in Sector V is all about six sumptuous pieces of beer- and yogurt-marinated tiger prawns, cooked in a tandoor and served with a green chutney and a special saffron-garlic-yogurt dip. The taste and the price point make it a hit. Rs 425-plus

Grid Box for Non-vegetarians @ The Grid:
If you believe that variety is the spice of life, then this box is your happy food hamper. Crispy Chicken Tenders, Prawn Wafers, Chicken Tikka and Sausages (choose from pork and chicken) come together in this box which is the ideal thing to order at the Topsia pub if you’re in a group that loves meat. Pairs great with brewed beer! Rs 690-plus

Butter Paneer Anda Wrap @ Shisha BSE:
Butter paneer meets fried eggs in this comfort wrap at Shisha BSE. With a mint chutney and onion salad on the side, as many as 50 portions of this dish get sold on a busy day at the Camac Street pub. The other variant which also has many takers is the Chicken Kathi Roll. Rs 225-plus

Stir Fried Chilli Pork @ Hoppipola:
Pork lovers, don’t miss this one. Strips of pork are stir-fried with bell peppers, pak choi, ginger, garlic, chillies and oyster sauce to create this Oriental pub food, which almost always runs out at the Acropolis mall outlet. Rs 295-plus

Scrapyard Platter @ Scrapyard:
The ultimate chakna feast. The Scrapyard Platter at the Camac Street pub comprises spicy aloo chaat, nachos chaat (chaat toppings served on top of nachos instead of papdi) and samosa with chhola chaat. Light and non-messy, this is the big love of big groups. Rs 301-plus

Laal Maas Phulkas Tacos @ Monkey Bar:
Tacos get a desi tadka at the Camac Street pub as red chilli and spice-braised lamb is mixed with mirch achaar, ker sangri, onion and white radish slaw, served on phulkas, with a garlic and coriander chutney. Rs 320-plus

Achaari Machhi @ Whats In D Name:
Calcutta Bekti marinated in a yogurt-based achaari masala comprising spices, mustard, methi, ginger and garlic, along with lime juice for a dash of tanginess, served with a mint chutney — the recipe for the top dish at the pub on the Park Street-Camac Street intersection. Rs 295-plus

Great Irish Fish & Chips @ The Irish House:
With over 50-60 portions being sold each day, this dish has been a constant fave on the menu ever since The Irish House came to the city, at Quest. Beer-battered fried fish served with mashed peas, tartar sauce, coleslaw salad and fries, what’s not to like about this #IrishFave? Rs 445-plus

Zucchini Roulade with Sweet Chilli Dip and Roasted Bell Pepper Foam @ Nawwarah:
This fancy dish at the lounge opposite Quest mall is a delight for its cheese and paneer stuffing. With over 30 portions selling daily, who would have known that zucchini could taste so good. Rs 225-plus

Text: Zeba Akhtar
Pictures: Gopal Senapati