Discerning foodies have no dearth of options for exotic cuisines to try out in Bengaluru. What is easy to forget though, is that the flavours of India are also considered to be high on the list of food lovers worldwide. So where do you go if you want to enjoy a few cocktails with friends, but also munch down on some masala-infused delicacies? Desi Deck likes to think it has the answer.

Tucked into a corner building off Hosur Road, this rather enclosed space is an oasis of calm in the early hours of the evening. Large windows offset the otherwise closed area, and provide a view of traffic flowing by without the associated honks and cacophony filtering through.

So, those drinks then. The 'Hamaara Daaru' section has some innovatively named options, and we went with a jaljira vodka and rasam whiskey, which add jaljira syrup and rasam powder respectively to the classic concoctions.

The starters are where the fun is, and the galawati kebab, made with yam and raw banana, is a vegetarian delight that even meat lovers will find little to complain about. The tawa gosht served with bread is another delicious, and rather filling experience, with succulent chicken pieces melding with the soft bread to provide a flavour that'll have everyone at the table scrambling for more. The starter menu also includes a selection of soups, like the iconic tomato shorba and excellent bar favourites like peanut masala and moong dal chaat.

Moving on to the main course, it's an assortment of creamy and spicy dishes with rice and breads available to choose from. From saagwala murgh to railway mutton rassewala, there is an assortment of flavours from the cuisine of the country's Northern parts on offer, so those who prefer the cooking styles of the Southern regions may be left wanting.

What this does mean is that the rich flavours also come at the cost of filling you up rather quickly, so meals here are best taken at a leisurely pace. A little Dhinchak Kheera, which fuses vodka and cool cucumber, goes a long way in washing down the heady mix of tastes the menu indulges diners with.

We managed to leave just enough space for a small portion of gajar ka halwa afterwards, and left with a sweet aftertaste lingering on the palate.

Desi Deck does not reinvent the wheel, and takes the tried-and-tested route of offering some popular Indian cuisine with a good assortment of drinks to complement it. If choice of cuisine or even South Indian fare is important, there is not a lot to be had here, but if succulent meats and spicy gravies with a vodka on the side are what the doctor ordered, make a beeline for Desi Deck.