Next Stop: The new Tantra

It’s not difficult to navigate through the bustling narrow lanes of Thamel to Chhetrapati and into the garden courtyard of Tantra. The new location that opened its doors in April this year seems like an old wine in a new bottle: a refined version of the then Tantra in Thamel.

The new restaurant and bar in a 60-year-old house and a cowshed has been suavely transformed into a spacious restaurant with private dining area, an open garden, and a colorful bar called Mantra, sprayed with textured paint.[break]

As you enter Tantra, and then Mantra, which Manju Subba, the owner, identifies as the “unique selling point of Tantra,” it’s apparent why she makes the statement. It’s a bar with a twist— a combination of a groovy lounge area, standard bar space, and also hookahs.

Retaining the theme of the restaurant’s name, Tantra, the bar’s interior has been worked accordingly. The Sanskrit word for principle or doctrine, Mantra’s backdrop is a collection of various tantric emblems from the Sri Yantra, to the Buddha and Bhairav. The large-sized, colorful images painted on plywood complement the multicolored, comfy couches.

And if you’re not willing to wine and dine in the private areas or the bar area, the Rudraksha Garden is always open, rain or shine. The covered space is perfect for lunch, dinner, or just drinks.

Dining at Tantra or drinking at Mantra retains its special flavor, says Subba. The menu is a potpourri of Nepali and Italian fares with a sprinkle of Chinese and Mexican dishes.

A list of appetizers to go along with the bar menu includes typical Nepali snacks like momo and chhoila. The must-try items are quick pizza which has a bread base instead of regular dough base, and stuffed papad. All appetizers range from Rs 129 to Rs 299.

Shifting platters to entrées, Tantra has a balance between vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with chicken, pork, mutton and some seafood. Chicken a la Kiev with chicken breast stuffed with chicken and mushroom, Shrimp Parmesan or the Cheese Fish Fillet Parmesan, all for Rs 349 are good bets.

But Tantra is not only about food. Mantra’s menu is on the table too.

A vibrant place for friends to gather on weekends or the after-work happy hours, Mantra’s list of options does have something for everyone. Try the Hurricane, a mix of light rum, dark rum, coconut rum, vodka, gin, triple sec and raspberry liqueur for Rs 399, or Blue Margarita for Rs 299. If you’re up for a shooter, go for the Mexican Flag, a multicolored shooter with grenadine, crème de menthe and tequila resembling the Mexican flag for Rs 249. All regular cocktails are priced at Rs 299, and deluxe cocktails at Rs 399. Mantra also has a wide selection of wines and other liquors.

And just to top it off, especially during weekends, Tantra offers live music on Fridays, and it’s barbeque nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Also, if you’re up for some Salsa, Tantra hosts Salsa nights every last Saturday of the month.

Slightly tucked in between old houses and fading tourist shops away from the touristic hub of Thamel, Tantra is an escape from the hullabaloo of the “hip and happening” Thamel. But chances are fair that this place could be hip and happening in no time.