Restobar, co-owned by Sanjay Dutt, withdraws live fish cocktail after outcry

Mumbai: A restobar named Alta Stella on Veera Desai Road, Andheri, which opened on March 11, has courted controversy by serving cocktails inside a glass containing live fish.An outcry erupted on social media accusing the establishment of animal cruelty, following which the bar withdrew the cocktail from its menu.Alta Stella is co-owned by actor Sanjay Dutt and Haryana-based shipping and hospitality entrepreneur Abhimanyu Jakhar.A viral video Tuesday showed a blue Betta fighter fish being used as part of a cocktail presentation. The visuals evoked anger on social media, with some calling the experiment inhumane and cruel. "A living breathing fish trapped in a glass for aesthetics. This is not creativity. This is cruelty made Instagrammable.. promoting and encouraging cruelty? ‘Spot the Fish', seriously?" one posted. TOI reached out to Jakhar through three of his establishments. However, there was no response.Alta Stella posted a message on Instagram Wednesday evening saying it had withdrawn the item from its menu. "The Ebisu cocktail was originally inspired by Pisces... The inclusion of the Betta fish was rooted in this narrative. Bettas are naturally solitary and can breathe air from the surface which is why they are often kept individually. But intent does not outweigh perception. We recognise that the presence of a live animal in a cocktail raises valid concern. After careful consideration we have decided to discontinue the drink."