brown paper bag

cutting

2011-03-24T07:47:00.002+05:30

Mango

2011-01-11T18:58:00.002+05:30

Chique

2010-12-22T21:39:00.002+05:30

garam masala

2010-12-08T01:44:00.001+05:30

Goldfish

2010-10-28T20:31:00.002+05:30

cutting sept 1

2010-09-01T19:18:00.001+05:30

fort bizzare

2010-08-09T18:54:00.002+05:30

Trunk call

2010-07-08T18:30:00.000+05:30

Desigual at Eye Candy

2010-07-07T00:52:00.003+05:30

mumbai deli II

2010-06-28T22:59:00.001+05:30

Weekend Guide: Rain Check

2010-06-11T02:39:00.002+05:30

bpb Freebie: Get 10% off when you spend Rs 500 and up at home store Baaya. Offer valid until June 25.
bpb Freebie: Subscribers get crafty deal at home store Baaya. For this and other cool discounts, plus a weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.
bLADE
What: Knife Skills workshop with 3 Michelin-starred chef, exclusively for bpb by Le 15 Patisserie, shop 2, B wing, Rajgruha Co-Op, BM Marg, Lower Parel, email guide@bpbweekend.com for your slot – limited seats only!, Rs 1,000 per person.
Why: Julienne, brunoise, chiffonade, batonnet, allumette, paysanne: there are many ways to cut someone down to size. Chef-extraordinaire Mukul Tanwar will teach you all these and more at a hands-on knife skills workshop where each student is given their own arsenal. While on vacation in Mumbai, the France-based chef is also conducting classes on soufflés, pastas and more.
When: It’s your turn to pick up the (s)tab. June 30 from 7.30 to 9.30 pm.
pROTECT
What: Embellished raincoats by Sonya Vajifdar, call 9322221434 or visit www.sonyavajifdar.com, Rs 4,000 onwards.
Why: Sonya’s super raincoats offer more than a silver lining for your cloudy day: they come in pop colours with sequined hoods, polka dots and asymmetrical zippers; we especially love the bright purple trench with satin lining. She supplies to Attic and Bombay Electric, but we take you directly to her Churchgate workshop where the designer, her masterjis and two fat dogs work hard to please the rain gods.
When: You want to shop before the drops.
***
What: Yogacara, Rewa House, Bulabhai Desai Road, opposite National Garage, Mahalaxmi, call Radhika on 9833198371, Rs 6,800 monthly membership for 12 yoga, 4 meditation and 2 massages sessions.
Why: Traditional yoga classes, meditation sessions, massage facilities and a stunning view of the ocean all live here, at this quaint cottage in Breach Candy. This new “healing centre” lets you indulge in Thai, Shiatsu and energy flow rubs or learn aasanas from experts who teach spiritual courses at Mumbai University. Ommm-y God!
When: You want to breathe inn. Go before June 30 for a free yoga/meditation session.
bRAND NEW
What: Zara, Palladium, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, T-shirts for Rs 900, dresses for Rs 2,000.
Why: It’s finally here. The Spanish fashion chain opens its first outpost in Mumbai, amidst hype, impending credit card debt and fears that everyone in the city will now be wearing the same thing. Our initial recce of the two floor store yields salmon pink silk shorts, jersey gladiator sandals, summery white dresses, swimming trunks and a cool hat rack for men. Look out for the full bpb review!
When: Opens today, June 11.
***
What: Finish Tarla’s movie, a donation driven animated film by Project Nanhi Kali, visit www.agirlstory.org to watch clip and contribute.
Why: Right now, Tarla is a little girl who can’t go to school. But with your help, she can break through the barriers of gender bias and poverty to earn a stellar education, discover the cure for procrastination and save the world! But her story, endearingly captured in this fictional animated series, progresses only if you donate to the cause of the girl child.
When: Now. The fate of our future superhero is in your hands!
Event Round Up: Tapas and unlimited beer at Valhalla’s FIFA fest; Sharik Hasan Trio plays jazz on June 12 at 9.30 pm at Blue Frog and the Comedy Club – finally!- opens at Palladium on June 11.

Half Arted

2010-06-09T00:46:00.000+05:30

Space-Time Continuum

This just in: time travel possible for one month at Lakeeren, a contemporary gallery in Colaba where you’ll find art (and price tags) from ten years ago. Past perfect!

Stroke of Luck

At “1001 Works 25 Rupees Upwards” , art flea market conceived by owner and curator Arshiya Lokhandwala, you can rummage through an engaging collection of photographs, etchings, paintings, eggshells and more, piled in corners, propped against desks and tacked onto the wall. This is a place where you’ll find signed serigraphs by MF Hussain (Rs 90,000 for a set of eight) scattered over the floor, and wall beams papered with photographs of an artist meditating in the midst of chaotic streets (Rs 5,000 each).

bpb loves: Anuj Poddar’s miniseries centering around a mirchi (Rs 1,800), Ashim Purkayastha’s 3D cut-outs from a past show titled Cryptograms, a series of small, super-fine etchings by Kanga that capture perfectly the slender elegance and grace of youth (Rs 2,000).

Blank Canvas

For Arshiya, this month-long sale not only makes art more accessible to people, it is also a way for her to move forward with a blank slate. “Lakeeren used to be located in Vile Parle until 2003, after which I went to Cornell to get my PHD in art history and returned with a brand new Lakeeren in Colaba last December.”

Curator Picks

Not sure where to start? We weren’t either. That’s why we got Arshiya to pick out her top five bargains:

Untitled series of hand gestures by Sushil Mangaonkar (Rs 15,000 each): Rendered in sweeping strokes and bloody red pigment, this series of three will draw your eye as soon as you enter the gallery. And if you believe art should come with a sense of humour, ask for the fourth, censored piece (yes, it’s exactly what you think it is).

Chatterbox by Amod Damle (Rs 25): Funky matchboxes for Rs 25 each. And you thought you’d never make an impulse buy at an art gallery!

Anjum Singh’s drawer (Rs 15,000): This poignantly sweet pink and yellow drawer conceals a treasure trove of memories – prints and postcards by the artist. And at Rs 15,000, bedside change!

Sharmila Samant’s Areperenius (Rs 10,000): Apparently part of an exhibit meant to symbolise permanence, this sculpture is made from the most transient of objects – eggshell holders. Apart from its symbolic value, the three-dimensional piece is super fun to play with; it looks different from all angles and can be re-imagined as countless things, from a gas mask to a fortress.

Debraj Goswami’s morning art (Rs 14,000): Cool, funny paintings of toothpaste tubes and other every day objects by an artist who has shown at major galleries in the city. Colourful and cheeky, these are guaranteed to brighten up the bleariest mornings.

Getting there: Lakeenren, 2nd floor, Grant's Building, opposite Basilico, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba, call 65224179 or visit www.lakeerengallery.com, on until June 30.

Bungalow 5

2010-06-07T00:36:00.001+05:30

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

Owned and developed by filmmaker and restaurateur Prahlad Kakar, 14C Boran Road has turned into quite a random house. In this pretty cottage, you’ll find a dive shop, a marine conservation NGO, a kitchen that caters to outdoor shoots, a bakery, and a prop shop in the attic.

Eau Baby!

Pretty mosaic fish tiles and an aqua door lead you to The Dive Shop, an offshoot of marine lifestyle company The Life Aquatic with Lacadives. Designed to look more like a living room, this “store” displays bright yellow and pink snorkel masks and diving glasses on a grand piano, features a book case filled with volumes on marine information, and allocates a generous amount of space to comfy seating. Even if it means relegating the actual rack of dive equipment to a nondescript corner, which stocks wet suits, underwater cameras, bag packs, candy coloured flippers and other accessories. But what Life Aquatic instructor Jurgen van Duffel really wants to show off is a shipment of underwater computers – watch-like gadgets that give you details about your dive – expected to arrive soon.

For Bake’s Sake

Sea biscuits, crab cakes, bread and water...we’re trying to imagine what connection a dive shop would have with a bakery, because also moving in soon is Pune-based Cupcakes n Cookies. Here, New York returned banker-turned baker Tarini Naravani will make biscuits, breads, cakes and other treats from scratch, which you can enjoy in a garden cafe to the sound of music. Sweet!

More Tenants

Previously a home delivery headquarter for Kakar’s Papa Pancho, the kitchen here now provides catering services for outdoor film shoots. Meanwhile, a jumble of props from the filmmaker’s own TV commercials and movies – curtains, wigs, furniture, even a grand piano – can be rented from the prop shop upstairs.

Finding our Feet

Kakar promises that every visit to this bizarre bungalow will be different. During our sneak peek, he offered to read our feet while we tried on scuba flippers. What will happen next time? Drop in on opening day – June 11! – and find out.

Getting there: 14 C, Boran Road, tiny lane opposite Globus, Hill Road, Bandra (W), opens June 11, Dive equipment from brands like Tusa and Aqua Lung starts at Rs 2,000.

Add To Taste

2010-05-21T01:45:00.000+05:30

Ring Master

2010-05-18T19:58:00.000+05:30

If you need your man to jump through hoops, Blue Banyan’s statement bangles are perfect, as are the artsy rings and medallion necklaces. And if you can’t whip him into blinging something home, dump the guy and be the master of your own ring; the jewel encrusted version titled Jodha in Wood is particularly nice.

Right (B)angles

Set up by NYU Stern graduate Shuchi Pandya, Blue Banyan is a for-profit social organisation that employs a team of designers who work with artisans in remote Indian villages to craft super trendy jewellery. These pieces combine traditional elements with contemporary sensibilities and are sold on Mumbai’s chicest shelves. Case in point: traditional lac bangles from the Lakhare community serve as bold statement cuffs at the swish Bombay Electric store in Colaba.

Big Tops

Other cool Blue Banyan creations include earrings moulded from tree-sap and inspired by Turkey, pendants made from crushed glass and bejewelled wooden bangles. They also offer more traditional silver and kundan designs (the Jasmine Moon collection), which we didn’t care for much. Keep an eye out, though, for the latest line set to launch later this summer: Mandhubani-painting inspired geometric rings and disc pendants which will be available in stores like Fab India, Bombay Store and Taj Khazana.

In true bpb style, we also bring you a direct line to Shuchi. She’s taking individual requests until she leaves to get her MBA in July (call her at 9820191272), and hopes to continue taking orders via her website after that. Golden!

Getting there: Blue Banyan, browse through the collections here, to order call Shuchi on 9820191272, Rs 500 to Rs 5,500.

Like this story? Get similar updates on things to do/eat/buy in Mumbai in your inbox by signing up for bpb Breakfast, our daily newsletter.

bpb Review: Quench

2010-05-16T17:57:00.003+05:30

What could have been a cosy sip and swirl spot in Bandra is instead a messy wine and beer bar tries to do too many things, and barely gets one right.

The newly opened Quench is quite an eyeful: its look changes from run down wine cellar (red brick walls) to youth dive (graffiti designs) to garage pub (the bartender sits in a jeep that juts out of a wall) – all jammed into less than 500 square feet of space. Adding to the chaos is the multi-cuisine menu – Chinese, Indian, continental - with everything from Chicken Teriyaki to Chicken Tandoori. We had barely begun our meal, and we were already exhausted by the choices.

Don’t Mock(tail) Me

Quench isn’t the kind of place to serve a fancy vintage, but we had hoped for a chilled Chenin Blanc to combat the Mumbai mugginess. Alas, the bar’s wine and beer license doesn’t kick in until May 25, before which patrons will have to make do with an unimaginative selection of a mocktails - *cringe*. Perhaps that’s why the place was almost deserted on a Saturday night. Or maybe it was that John Secada track that was playing.

Loaded but no Bang

We started with the Loaded Potatoes (Rs 99), baked in their skins and filled with a tasty scoop of cheese and veggies. Had we known that these would be the highlight of our meal, we would have savoured them slower and longer. Next up were bottle green spinach rolls, embellished with weirdly orange spikes and filled with cheese. These looked like something Frankenstein would eat, but tasted pleasant – don’t get them unless you’re a brave soul.

On the management’s recommendation, we went with the Chicken Steak for mains, a slightly undercooked hunk of meat topped with generic barbeque sauce and redeemed only by a side of yum butter garlic mash potatoes; and an unremarkable bowl of spaghetti. We skipped dessert – banana split, sizzling brownie – not because we were full, but because our meal couldn’t handle any more mediocrity.

Note to Quench

Dress down, lose the strange 3D wall art, but keep the booze bottle light bulbs. Fine tune your menu, fuel that jeep-turned-bar with better drinks and you’re good to go.

Getting there: Shop no 10, C-3, Kosamba, ONGC Colony, lane opposite Lilavati Hospital, Bandra Reclamation, call 26400511 or visit the Facebook group here, open 11 am to 1.30 am, meal for two Rs 550 (without alcohol).

Weekend Guide: Five Pegs

2010-05-13T20:04:00.000+05:30

bpb Breakfast

Friday,
May 14

Five Pegs

bpb
freebie: Use the code “Warm Tummy Foundation” and
score a free beer, Mojito or ice tea at the

brand new Wtf!, for one week starting May 17.
Exclusively for subscribers!

bIBULOUS

What: Wtf!, Hotel
Dreamstorm, ground floor, 3rd Road, near Khar Railway Station, Khar
(W),

visit the Facebook group here, Rs 120 for a small Smirnoff.

Why: Warhol
Tempted Fairies, Witch Trial Fury, Wounded Tall Flamingo. The
acronym can mean many things, but Khar’s newest pub Wtf! simply
stands for cheap booze and a casual vibe. Enjoy yum bar snacks
served on pretty sewing machine tables and ignore the seedy location
and clichéd film posters.

Read the full bpb review here.

When: You swear
by your beer. Opens Monday, May 17.

***

What: Wear your
Vino, del Italia, opposite Juhu Beach, email
guide@bpbweekend.com or
call 9820228582 to make an appointment, Rs 1,500.

Why: A bpb event
in collaboration with Yves St Laurent and del Italia! Sip on a glass
(or three) of wine while make-up artists from the French brand use
the same palettes – white, red and rose - to transform your face.
You also get Rs 600 off against any YSL product, a fun goodie bag
and optional “before” and “after” shots by a professional
photographer.

When: Saturday,
May 22 from 4 pm – 7 pm. By appointment only.

pAPER

What: Blow up
Mumbai street photo exhibit, visit
www.blindboys.org or the

Facebook group here, location TBD, free.

Why: Because for
one day, these guys will turn Mumbai streets into a photo gallery
where you can display your own pictures and browse through almost
3,000 prints. Find any you fancy? Take them home – at no cost.
Seriously!

When: You want to
have a (Canon)ball. Saturday, May 22.

***

What:
sayitincolor / ...The Art Loft, Valentino Rest, above Patel Stores,
next to Mehboob Studio, Bandra (W), call 9819132958 or visit the

Facebook group here, starts at Rs 4,000 for eight hours, free
trial workshops from May 17 - 24.

Why: French art
therapist Leila Tayebaly sets up her new studio in a pretty Bandra
loft – wooden floors, white beams, leafy view. Here, she’ll team up
with experts to offer courses in organic watercolour therapy,
acting, psycho genealogy, photography, wine appreciation and fine
art. Go on, make a good impression-ist.

When: You want to
put you Monet where your mouth is. Launches Monday, May 17.

bEFORE

What: Secret
route to iPad, visit

www.chaupaati.com or call 09222221947 to order on the phone,
starts at Rs 45,989 for a 16GB Wi-fi tablet.

Why: You’ll love
us for this one: while everyone else waits for the iPad to hit
stores (or for one to be accidently left behind at a bar), we found
a way to score a legit piece now. Order through this domestic phone
and online shop, and they’ll ship a brand new iPad to your doorstep
in less than a week.

When: You want to
be an early nerd.

***

Event Round-Up:

Ministry of Sound DJs spin at Shiro, Worli on May 15, 10 pm
onwards;

Indian Ocean at Blue Frog on May 16 at 9.30 pm;

Music Mirror, series of documentary films on music at NCPA
starts May 14 at 6.30 pm.

bpb Review: Cool Chef

Sushi and salads, burgers
and bao buns at South Mumbai's new take-out place.

(Com)Passing Through

Let a marine biologist,
travel writer and Broken Compass plan your next holiday. Bon
Voyage!

bpb Cutting: Check, Mate

Babes, booze, balls & Bollywood in this week's pick-tionary
of happenings from Mumbai and beyond.

Remove me from this list

Wtf!

2010-05-12T01:01:00.000+05:30

Weekend Guide: Cool Off!

2010-05-07T00:38:00.001+05:30

Cool Off!

bpb Freebie: Subscribers get a red-hot discount at spice store Arome. For this and more deals, plus a free weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

bpb Freebie: Take 10% off at spice store Arome until May 14. Exclusively for subscribers!

bpb Contest: Win a couple pass worth Rs 1,000 to the Smirnoff Experience event featuring Cosmic Gate, Nikhil Chinapa and DJ Pearl at the Renaissance Powai on May 8! For yours, write in to guide@bpbweekend.com. Going fast!

bATMAN

What: Comic book rental service, Leaping Windows, call Bidisha on 9833731309 or visit the Facebook page here, Rs 500 monthly membership fee.

Why: Pick from an online catalogue of over 1,200 titles featuring all the regular suspects – Batman, Asterix, Tintin, Twinkle, Manga – along with a nice collection of indie graphic novels, all of which will be delivered and picked-up right from your doorstep. Just remember: you can’t borrow more than one book at a time, and never ask for Archie comics.

When: You like them in all capes and sizes. Slated to launch May 22.

pURCHASE

What: Rabbit Hole, 17th Jai Hind Society, 12th Road, Juhu Scheme, visit the Facebook page here, dresses start at Rs 750.

Why: Acid trip dresses, psychedelic pouches and leprechaun hats at this brand new store by Ahana Deol win our rave(r) reviews. Fall further down the rabbit hole and you’ll hit shiny mosaic mirrors, “Magick Potion” jams, perfume bottles filled with bath salts, trippy paintings and more. Show me the bunny!

When: You want to experience hare fall.

***

What: Bead and leather gladiators by Turquoise at Sugar, shop no. 4, Hampton Court, Wodehouse Road, next to Colaba Post Office, visit the Facebook group here, Rs 2,500.

Why: Studded with emerald or tourmaline stones, these anklet sandals from Ahmedabad-based designer manage to be pretty and bad-ass all at the same time. Also available at this little boutique which opens today, is a sweet stock of clothes and accessories from a bunch of upcoming designers. bpb loves: black and white tie-back dress by Priyanjali.

When: You want sappy feet.

bLEED

What: Hang in a giant heart, Human and Machine gallery, Nehru Science Centre, Dr E Moses Road, Worli, call 24926042, Rs 25 entry fee.

Why: We found the city’s most romantic spot in an unlikely place – the newly renovated wing of the Nehru Science Centre. Here, you can walk through (and maybe even steal a kiss in) a giant beating heart; aortas, ventricles and all.

When: You want to take your beau’s name in vein.

***

What: Night rides in Mumbai with Hopkins’ Bicycles, shop no. 7, Silver Croft, 16th Road, TPS III, Pali, Bandra, call 26004520 or 919768920125, visit the Facebook group here, Rs 50 membership fee.

Why: Thumb a bell instead of your Blackberry and sign up for after dark cycle rides with Hopkins Bicycles. This third generation Bandra store has also recently started renting out equipment, including fancy six-gear mountain bikes.

When: Every Wednesday and Friday at 10 pm.

Event round-up: Johnny Deep at Kino 108 on May 7, SHKABANG at Blue Frog on May 7, and Airport at Shop for Change concert on May 8.

Hit the Road, Jack

2010-05-04T23:29:00.001+05:30

It’s against bpb policy to mix alcohol and engines, but we’ll make an exception for Big Wheels Motoring Café and Pub, a brand new resto-bar on the old Mumbai-Pune highway, which serves cocktails and grub to motor enthusiasts in a garage-like setting. Just make sure your chauffeur’s your plus one.

Lap Dance

It’s Hard Rock Cafe meets Toto’s Garage Pub, this space where rock band posters hang on unfinished brick walls, a bike ramp displaying an actual Royal Enfield cuts across steel-grey floors and music blares from the speakers.

The menu is gimmicky and only partly funny, with each meal course slotted under an auto-related term. Breakfast of omelettes and parathas for instance, fall under ‘idling’, salads under ‘repairs’ and soups under (mildly unappetising) “lubricants”. While the selection of dishes is ambitious – everything from Lemon Butter Prawns and Shorba soup to Hawaiian pizza and plated continental meals are available here – ordering simple bar snacks like kebabs and fish fingers seems like a better plan. The owners recommend the Barbeque Chicken and pasta selection.

Trail Blazers

Set up by Ashutosh Mahadik and Sanchayita Biswas, founders of Big Wheels Motoring, a group for automobile enthusiasts, the pub promises to be an entertaining pit stop. The founders hope to transform it into a place for the riding community to get a handle on all things engine-related. For instance, every fortnight, you can attend car and bike rallies, drag races, auto build-offs and other events on the expansive land behind the cafe. Live band performances are also on the agenda.

Let’s get this show on the road!

Getting there: Big Wheels Motoring Cafe, Kanhe Phata, 10 km from toll junction, old Mumbai-Pune highway, before Tony da Dhaba if you’re coming from Pune, log on to www.bigwheelsmotoring.com and visit the Facebook group to view the photo album.

Mall World

2010-05-04T00:18:00.001+05:30

Wanna Karan?

Although one Palladium store advocates “being stupid”, its new army candy is anything but. Pretty and smart, DKNY’s first Mumbai store opened right next door to Diesel yesterday, and we were there to size up the new girl.

Got Him On a Leash?

Reeled in by the cheery collection of bags (start at Rs 3,500), we were instantly attracted to a bright orange patent leather tote, sequined black satchel and canvas shopping bag, but the monogram and snake skin prints were less than appealing. And except a pair of super silver and white sneakers, the shoe collection – including a few sorry-looking pairs for men – was disappointing as well.

Nice Rack

If you really want to be impressed, head to the dresses. Not only does this section stock a lot of the collection currently available internationally, but it also manages to maintain at-par prices. On our shopping list: A candy pink sheath (Rs 12,000) and dresses with jersey tops and interesting skirts, especially the garden print sateen version with a hand-painted finish (Rs 13,900). Also available were some great work blazers and skirts, a passe range of sequined party wear and comfy graffitied ganjis, which you can get at half the price in the States (Rs 4,700). All in all a pleasing sight, but that didn’t stop us from exploring our options further at Vero Moda, a new Danish addition that arrived on the block last weekend.

Under Trial

The clothes and accessories at this women’s fashion store are mercifully cheaper than DKNY, but nothing to write home about. A big chunk of the merchandise, like cotton printed skirts and scarves, look like something you’d find at an export surplus store. Also on display were depressingly dowdy blazers (Rs 3395), strange flapper dresses (Rs 2,375) and lycra tube tops no one should ever wear. Stuff we’d buy - a sailor cardigan (Rs 1,695), stone-washed kurta, and a pair of skinny jeans (Rs 1,995).

Get Booked!

Good thing we beefed up our wardrobe, considering the stars among us yesterday. Jeffrey Archer was apparently in the house to inaugurate a new branch of bookstore Landmark, with over 40,000 feet of CDs, video games, stationery and of course, books, situated in the Palladium basement. Word!

Getting there: DKNY, ground floor next to Diesel; Vero Moda, 1st floor; Landmark Books, basement; Palladium, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel.

bpb Sneak Peek: Taco Fresco

2010-05-02T19:16:00.005+05:30

It was with a heavy (and slightly burnt) heart that we left the private tasting at Taco Fresco on Saturday night, which opens for business today. Ever since discovering that the Chicago-based chain was coming to Mumbai, we’d lived in a state of culinary anticipation, looking forward to guacamole and chalupas in a city with virtually no authentic Mexican restaurants. Perhaps that’s why the actual meal was such a let down.

It began on a promising note, under a whirring fan out in the open-air section, with Mexican pop art on the walls and four kinds of salsa and a basket of warm tortilla chips on the table. The chips seemed soggy and salsa was tasteless, but we remained optimistic, concentrating on the better, super spicy jalapeño and seriously flavorful medium red versions, determined to love our Mexican-in-Mumbai meal.

When the Chips Are Down
But other faux pas were more pronounced, harder to ignore: vegetarian quesadillas for instance, were properly encased in real soft tortillas instead of the rotis Mumbai restaurants often use, but otherwise bland and filled with stringy cheese. A dinner companion commented that he had made better in his frat house kitchen after a night of partying. We were forced to agree.

The burritos, stuffed with paneer and accompanied by yum Mexican rice and refried beans are a better bet, as are the chicken wings with creamy dip. Warning: prepare your digestive systems in advance, because these are literally soaked in oil. If you like your meal fried, also try the Chimichangas, re-imagined here essentially as Mexican spring rolls.

Made in Mexico

All of the above get much better, though, when you add a dash of salt and pile on sides of coarsely-chopped tomato salsa, sour cream and – lo and behold – guacamole! On its own however, the wildly-anticipated avocado dip tasted of…. nothing at all. That’s probably because of the substandard avocados in the market, something many Indian chefs complain about.

Lack of access to other ingredients integral to Mexican food – good tomatoes, spices, pinto beans – has been commonly cited as the reason why we don’t see more of the cuisine in India. One chef also points out that Mexican dishes are commonly cooked in pork fat, which adds a lot of flavor, but cannot be used in vegetarian versions, making them much blander.

Taco Fresco too, seems to be suffering from this “Indianisation”. It is run by a Chicago native with family here, who thought Mumbai was ripe for Mexican food and so bought the chain’s franchise rights for all of Asia. She has the right idea, and her menu tries to be scrupulously true the original, but in its current avatar, the food is mediocre at best.

New Tex Message

But the night we went was her first run, so chances are that the kitchen will get more skilled, that they’ll figure out how to source good ingredients, that the addition of imported beers, shots and margaritas (scheduled to start in three weeks) will heighten the overall dining experience, and that ultimately, Taco Fresco will succeed in bringing delish Mexican fare to our shores. Fingers crossed!

Getting there: 8-9, Mangal Bhavan, junction of 14th and Khar Pali Road, next to Café Mangii, Khar (W), call 26484498/ 32222462, or visit www.tacofresco.com, Rs 400 for a meal for two (without alcohol), opens May 3.

Weekend Guide: Raise a Toast!

2010-04-29T21:11:00.000+05:30

bpb freebie: Subscribers score exclusive drinking privileges at Xtreme Sports Bar, Fort. For this and other discounts, plus a FREE weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

bUTTER & CHEESE

What: Arome spice market, Crystal Shopper’s Paradise, shop no 17, ground floor, junction of 33rd and Linking Road, Bandra (W), call 26058991, Rs 80 for 30 gms of oregano.

Why: Bandra’s new mistress of spices flaunts a seductive stock – cinnamon sticks from Vietnam, poppy seeds from Turkey, Mamra almonds from Iran, walnuts from Kashmir. Also available are organic pulses, rare herbs and an-in house range of beauty products including refreshing tea tree oil facewash.

When: You want to examine cumin nature.

***

What: Cheesemaking farmstay, Acres Wild, Coonoor, visit www.acres-wild.com or call +91 9443232621 or (0423) 2232621, Rs 3,000 a night for a double room.

Why: Get stinky this summer at an idyllic little farmstay in the Nilgiris where you can live in a rustic cottage and learn how to make your own cheese, from gruyere to camembert. Other things to do: fishing, farming and raiding owner and retired filmmaker Mansoor Khan’s documentary collection.

When: You want to go curd watching.

pERCH

What: Chair art at Gallery Le Sutra, Le Sutra art hotel, Union Park, Khar (W), call 26492995 or log on to www.lesutra.in, entry free.

Why: A group of artistes set a new benchmark at this upcoming chair exhibit, displaying far-out designs like the Fountain Pen Nib Chair and the Third Eye. Also, bpb gets you a direct link to participant artist Neil Dantas (email neildantas@gmail.com) who’ll make you your very own throne.

When: May 7 to 23.

bOX

What: The whole Indian kit and caboodle by Chumbak, shop online at www.chumbak.in, start at Rs 60.

Why: Turban-printed tins and namaste charms: much of the stationery, magnets and other bric-a-brac from this just-launched design label might be clichéd, but it’s also irresistibly cute. bpb loves travel pens that come with rolled up city guides, colourful boxers and a Save for Goa piggy bank.

When: You want to Chumbakwamba.

***

What: Mexican, Italian and Asian catering by The Little Food Co., call Bhakti Mehta on 9819136441 or visit www.littlefoodco.com, starts at Rs 250 per head, minimum of eight people.

Why: One sampling of this uber-creative menu and you’ll want to plate for life. Try the green curry-filled Thai pani puri, watermelon feta salad and burrito bowl; but give the limp lettuce wraps a miss. The week-old venture also supplies waiters, bartenders and yummy dessert.

When: You’re looking for a soul mat.

***

Event Round-up: Dirty Vegas at Blue Frog on May 30; stunt biking champion Chris Pfeiffer at Inorbit Mall on May 1; and Jane’s Walk around Girgaum on May 1.

bpb Sneak Peek: Pali Village Cafe

2010-04-28T03:41:00.002+05:30

Adorned with rusted wrought irons and exposed walls, heritage tiled-floors and lush green plants, Pali Village Café reminds us of the rambling old house Gwenyth Paltrow shares with her grandmother in the Hollywood version of Great Expectations. This multi-levelled space, with its glassed-in courtyard and art deco balconies, would not only accommodate the wonderfully weird lady in her old wedding dress and single shoe, but also make room for her broken heart. And they’d know how to mend it too: with food that is comforting yet surprising, and sometimes even sublime.

Sneak Peek!

Opening today at 4 pm, bpb scored a sneak peek into this adorable restaurant last night. Lounging at our corner table in the roofed courtyard and sipping on deliciously light Melon Sangria, it was hard to imagine that this hushed space is just a couple of feet away from the chaos of Janata Bar and Restaurant. Getting into the Mediterranean-villa spirit of the place, we started our meal with watermelon and feta salad, roasted red pepper and jalapeno hummus and chicken skewers, described by head chef Conrad Dsouza as “excellent.” We discovered he was mostly right: the watermelon slices, cold pickled and nicely offset by the salty feta were perfect for the balmy evening. The chicken was tender and juicy, but we wish it came with a dipping sauce, and that the hummus packed a bigger punch.

Pan Feared Fish

Next in line was thin crust pizza by the slice; the Margherita was just the way we like it – saucy, light and not overwhelmed with cheese. The Goat Cheese with Garlic version, however, was fully-loaded; if you get it, be prepared for a dairy overdose. Mains of Pan Seared Rawas and Spinach Ricotta ravioli were a bit of a let down. Rawas featured the mashed potatoes and sautéed greens the menu promised, but bore little trace of the madras curry vinaigrette. The ravioli was undercooked and too heavy on the spinach, but bathed in a subtly roasted almond sauce that improved the dish vastly.

Charles, I’m Sure

Owner Suren Joshi insisted we end our evening with the Chocolate Fondant, guaranteeing that “it would give us goosebumps”. It certainly did, this chocolate volcano that spewed bitter-sweet lava with riffs of orange. By the end of our meal, so stuffed were we that asking for seconds almost seemed like a crime. Fittingly Dickensian!

Getting there: Pali Village Cafe, next to Janata Bar and Restaurant, Pali Naka, Bandra (W), opens today at 4 pm, meal for two expected to cost Rs 1,500 (with two glasses of wine).

Pali Village Cafe

2010-04-28T02:26:00.001+05:30

White Collar Job

2010-04-26T01:48:00.002+05:30

When we first drove past Linen Club with its “Aditya Birla Group” logo, we got a whiff of corporate. And worse, Enrique Iglesias was queued up on the “showroom” soundtrack that day. We were ready to dismiss this new Bandra store completely, but our shopping companion insisted we give the place a chance. Twenty minutes later, we were baled over by this linen fabric and bespoke tailoring store. Here’s why:

4 Reasons to Walk the Line-n

1. For a Vacation Reminder: 1,800. That’s how many linen varieties they stock. From cool whites to embroidered, printed and silk varieties (start at Rs 700 per metre), you will be spoiled for choice. Be warned though, these airy fabrics can induce trippy visions; in ours we were dressed in a delicate dress, our beau in a leisure suit with matching fedora, sipping rum cocktails in Havana. Now if only we could get an air ticket to go with that bale.

2. So you don’t have to sweat the Mumbai heat: Even the slightly thicker, formal fabrics are well suited for summer, and would make for great jackets, regal sherwanis and suits to sport on muggy Mumbai nights.

3. Because a good tailor is hard to find: From the fabric you pick, Linen Club’s in-house tailor will stitch anything your heart desires (for Rs 500 and up). Alas, this service extends only to men. From their extensive and surprisingly hip in-house catalogue, we ordered a striped button down shirt with an unexpected hoodie (Rs 2,000), a crisp white apple cut kurta (Rs 1,900), and a double-breasted formal shirt (Rs 2,500). Next on our list: Orange and black two-toned Jodhpuris.

4. For free coffee: Store manager Pratham who looks all of 18 but is really in his late 20s (or so he says), is great at selling. His patience rarely wavers, not even when you spend an hour deciding between an Ascot and Gladstone collar. Best of all, he offers all his “guests” super well-made cappuccinos.

Ah Bale-amour. Oh wait, it was Bailamos. Ugggh.

Getting there: Linen Club, E95, Adrekar House, ground floor, 13th and 18th Road, next to Khar Gym, Khar (W), call 26489041, shut on Sundays.

cutting

2010-04-22T01:37:00.003+05:30

bpb Review: Cafe de Cono

2010-04-20T21:09:00.002+05:30

Not since Madonna’s iconic bra have cones been this intriguing.

Yesterday, us Secret Scouters scooped out Café d Cono in Lokhandwala, a newly launched Indian branch of the franchise internationally known as Pizza ‘n Cono, which sells pizza in cones. Would these 3D pizzas do for food what bullet bras did for fashion? We were about to find out.

Like a Virgin

Curious to know what pizza in a cone would taste like, we ordered a couple of versions, including Margherita (Rs 69) and Grilled Chicken (Rs 89), as soon as we walked into this shoebox-size eatery. These arrived as twin inverted peaks, each carefully perched on its individual balance beam. One bite, and cheese, sauce and chunks of grilled chicken oozed out of a crisp cone made from pizza dough. Different, a little overwhelming at first, but ultimately delish, we decided. Other toppings include seekh kebab, mushrooms and paneer tikka, but we advise you to stay away from the heavy desi fillings, and stick to the small size – they’re much easier to eat that way.

Justify My Love

Also on the menu are a limited range of appetisers, pastas and paninis. The fusilli in pesto (Rs 149), was dry, rubbery and tasted like a Tulsi plant (since we left most of it untouched, the staff was nice enough to take it off our tab); a spicy chicken open-face panini (Rs 99) resembled the chilli cheese toast our mum makes at home, with copious amounts of Tabasco and chicken pieces; and yum oil-free fries (Rs 39) baked to a crisp. We also couldn’t resist the pasta made from scratch (Rs 150 per kilo), which you can buy at the cash counter.

And as if we weren’t all-coned out already, we ordered Chocolate ‘D Cono (Rs 89, also available in Apple Cinnamon): basically an inexcusably rich crepe cone filled with chocolate, cream and nuts.

The Future of Pizza?

This gen-next version of the Italian staple is a fun, convenient snack for people on the go, but can never quite be a substitute for the original. Testing the vertical limit, though, is still worth a shot.

Getting there: Shop no 7, Greenville building, next to Falafel’s, Mala Towers bus stop, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W), call 26361313, free home delivery in the area, other outlets opening soon at Linking Road Bandra; Mind Space, Malad and Hiranandani, Powai, Rs 500 for a meal for two.

Bring a Queer to Your Eye

2010-04-19T23:34:00.003+05:30

It’s here and it’s queer – Mumbai’s first online bookstore which not only houses a vast collection of gay and lesbian literature, but is also a treasure trove of hard-to-find “non-commercial” works. Sitting pretty in Queer Ink’s (www.queer-ink.com) virtual library we found the world’s most beautiful fat woman; three gay writers in search of divinity; the one-eyed monkey who teamed up with a curious ant; a sardonic sex worker who doesn’t need a man, and other intriguing characters usually kept out of nice neighbourhood bookstores. Along with the more esoteric titles, available are usual suspects like Electric Feather, Bombay Dost, The Boyfriend and books by popular authors Hanif Kureishi and Ashok Banker.

A Hundred Climaxes (And Counting)

According to founder Shobhna S. Kumar, the over hundred volumes currently available at the week-old bookstore are “a mere fraction” of the collection they ultimately hope to build. “My partner and I researched many catalogues, Indian and overseas publishers, read reviews of these books before settling on our choices,” she says. bpb loves the site’s clean, intuitive user interface, an email service that lets you order books the site doesn’t carry, and the fact that if you’d rather not use your credit card online, you can pay and pick up your order at Azaad Bazaar (www.azaadbazaar.com) in Bandra. In the future, Queer Ink plans to sponsor offline discussions, readings and other literary events, and also donates some book proceeds to community publications and independent authors.

High Five

Wondering where to start? We had Shobhna write up a beginner’s reading list, especially for you: Sycorax - New Fables and Poems - Suniti Namjoshi; Beyond Acceptance - Parents of Lesbians and Gays talk about their Experiences - Carolyn Welch Griffin, Marian Wirth and Arthur G. Wirth Gay-2-Zee: A Dictionary of Sex, Subtext and the Sublime - Donald F. Reuter Armistead Maupin’s series of seven books Indradhanu - Bindumadhav Khire

Getting there: Log on to www.queer-ink.com, books start at Rs 40. Also look for their stall at Kashish, PVR Juhu, this weekend.

Queen of Arts Also on the cards is Kashish: Mumbai International Queer Film Festival (April 22 to 25) which will showcase 110 domestic and international (Portugal, Norway, US, Australia) films that address issues pertaining to gender and sexuality. In addition to movies – popular picks include Suddenly, Last Winter and the World Unseen - the festival will feature play readings, photo exhibits and panel discussions (see schedule here). Let the show begin!

Getting there: PVR Juhu and Alliance Francaise de Bombay, Marine Lines, register on www.mumbaiqueerfest.com.

Flipping Through Mumbai

2010-04-16T02:23:00.002+05:30

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bANDRA BABIES

What: The Dive Shop by Lacadives,14C, Boran Road, lane opposite Elco, Bandra (W), visit the Facebook group here, start at Rs 250.

Why: A sneak peek into this pretty cottage reveals a new store that will cater to all your needs down under: flippers, wet suits, cameras, snorkels and more. You can also hang in the garden and gorge on baked treats by Pune-based Cookies + Cupcakes.

When: You’d like a sea biscuit (or two). Set to launch April 25.

***

What: Taco Fresco, 8-9, Mangal Bhavan, junction of 14^th and Khar Pali Road, next to Café Mangii, Khar (W), call 9820811218 or visit www.tacofresco.com.

Why: Actual Mexican food – pico, guacamole and all – is finally here! Chicago-based chain Taco Fresco is opening shop in Bandra, and promising healthy, authentic cuisine.

When: It’s time to raise a toast(ada). Slated to open next week. Watch out for the bpb review!

pOWER UP!

What: Della Adventures, take the Khandala exit on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, 10 am to midnight daily, call 09870971000 or visit www.dellaadventures.com, Rs 500 cover charge.

Why: Zorbing, motorcross dirt biking, rappelling, jet skiing, zooming around in an ATV: this newly-opened park offers an insane variety of adventure sports as well as a full bar and three restaurants (advance booking required). Overnight accommodations open in May.

When: You want to visit Rock-a-Della Centre.

bETTY

What: Monochrome suede moccasins for women, Undercolors of Benetton, 14 Cusrow Bagh, Colaba Causeway, Rs 3,000.

Why: Treat your weary feet to these buttery soft loafers, super comfy and still hip. The neutral grey version is most practical, but we couldn’t resist them in acid yellow and candy orange.

When: You want a sharp tongue.

***

What: Bachelorette party supplies from Trio, call Radhika at 9833737095 or email triopartysupplies@gmail.com, start at Rs 30.

Why: Because your last night of singlehood should be taken lying down. Let Radhika spice up the revelry with attractive (and cheesy) equipment - dick of cards, x-rated toothpicks, inflated love dolls - sourced from around the globe.

When: You want to party hard. Email her for a product brochure.

Event Round-Up: Paan Vodka Float, Tulsi Martini and other desi cocktails at Out of the Blue until May 14; DJ Johnny Deep spins at Bonobo tonight at 10 pm; short film club Shamiana’s screening at the Eros Preview Theatre on April 17 from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.

Fuel Prizes Go Up

2010-04-13T20:13:00.002+05:30

Sports Fuel, Bandra’s latest gym equipment store has found a fit spot to flex: right across the street from Leena Mogre’s gym. So although it’s just a week old, the space is already being frequented by himbos who like nothing more than to gaze longingly at the wall-to-wall display of protein supplements, and non-himbos who come to check out these (and other) well-built wonders. Quite a happy place, this one.

Extra Mass

Previously occupying a smaller space just up the road, Sports Fuel has added some serious mass to its new avatar. They still don’t have the Pro Fitness treadmills and exercise bikes our trainer prefers, but the well-informed sales staff steered us towards some nifty-looking equipment from Body Solid, which they particularly recommend for home set-ups (start at Rs 30,000). They can also design your entire gym, keeping in mind your space and budget constraints.

Fitness on the Fringe

Even if you’re not in the market for a full-fledged gym, there’s plenty of other ways to warm up your wallet. Comfy yoga mats (Rs 450), brightly hued dumbbells (Rs 125 per kilo), kick-ass boxing accessories (Rs 750) and sipper bottles (Rs 400) from generic brands such as Nike and Reebok can be found here, as well as fitness DVDs (alas, they didn’t have Bipasha’s) and weighing scales straight out of Star Trek. They don’t however, carry any sports apparel, so if you’re out of gym socks or dry fit underwear, you need to look elsewhere.

And in a nod to the city’s current appetite for dietary supplements, two walls are dedicated from top to bottom to jars of whey protein and milkshakes by popular brands like Optimum Nutrition.

Well-Guilt

And if like us, you’re not particularly inclined to sweat it out, we suggest you still stop by here: the shiny dumbbells and fitness fervour of fellow shoppers may just inspire you to climb onto the treadmill, or at least get a membership at the nearby gym, even if you never end up using it.

Getting there: Sports Fuel, shop number 4, Happy Dream Society, junction of 24th and 33rd Road, Bandra (W), call 64526291, shut on Sundays.

bpb Review: Komala's

2010-04-13T05:38:00.003+05:30

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Walk in, order (self service only), eat, and leave: this is the ration routine you’ll find yourself following at Mumbai’s first outpost of Singaporean Udipi chain Komala’s, where the concept of “fast food” is taken very seriously.

Opening Day

As we settled into the no-frills, canteen-like dining space, vestiges of opening day – balloons and streamers on the walls, nervous staffers and empty tables – were all around us. Relieved to have escaped the chaos of Saturday afternoon at Phoenix Mills, we pulled up our sleeves and prepared to dig in. Peace meal!

Mr Rawa Rawa

Skipping the set meal option, we ordered instead an assortment of dishes – medu vada, rawa dosai, Mysore masala dosai, curd rice, lassi and two colas. A monster lunch for under Rs 400. The taste of seriously excellent vadas was augmented by tomato chutney, but pulled down by the generic-tasting sambhar. Still, this one’s a winner.

Our rawa dosa, crispy and latticed, was better than the masala version, but that too was satisfying at the time and forgettable an hour later. And although the cooling curd rice is a good summer order, we wish it was less mushy and porridge-like.

Despite its kinks, though, a quickie at Komala’s is worth considering. Dine and dash, we say!

Getting there: Komala’s, shop #141, space formerly occupied by BHS, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, visit the Facebook group here, 8 am to 11 pm from Monday to Friday and 10 am to midnight on weekends.

Changing of the Guards

2010-04-12T19:05:00.001+05:30

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No longer will tweens throng the upper level of this Lower Parel mill, sucking down sodas and knocking down pins. There will be no more air hockey or soggy fries, the incessant beeping of video games. But still, there will be play.

Bowling Company at Phoenix Mills has been replaced by Brit-based Hamleys, one of the most popular toy stores in the world. This is their first Indian outlet, and an awesome place to spend the afternoon at, for kids young and old.

Walk in the Ark

We went eagerly to the opening this past Saturday, hoping to be reunited with a life-size stuffed giraffe that one of us Scouters had decided to adopt while visiting the London flagship at age 7, and who had been ultimately abandoned due to relentless parental disapproval. We didn’t find him, but made acquaintances with various other animals, including countless species of bear (bean, brown, band), snakes, monkeys and a seriously irresistible snowy owl.

Also available were in-house stationary packs, craft kits and board games, in the midst of which a magnificently mustachioed man showed a bunch of enthralled kids magic tricks. Nearby at the Barbie Salon, little girls sat in pink chairs getting their hair done.

Travel Tuck

If, like the other half of our Scouter duo, you’re not “a soft toy person”, check out the cool poker sets (Rs 1,000), 3d puzzles and miles of miniature cars from tiny hot wheels to a kid-sized Porsche, which will set you back by a cool Rs 30,000. There’s also a racing track for remote controlled cars and seriously useful travel versions of games such as mahjong and backgammon (Rs 349).

Pay Fur Head

If opening weekend is anything to go by, Reliance Retail, Hamleys India partner, has quite a hit on its hands. Not only because the toys offered here are more varied and of better quality than usually seen, but also because they are priced surprisingly reasonably. A large bean bear, for instance, was for Rs 1,000, and the above mentioned owl bore a price tag of Rs 199. These are significantly lower than international rates – a quick check showed that none of the soft toys offered through Hamleys online store are less than 7 Quid, or Rs 476.

One thing’s for sure: with Hamelys in town, you’ll never sleep alone again.

Getting there: Hamleys, Phoenix Mills Compound, S.B. Marg, Lower Parel, Rs 199 for a stuffed owl.

bpb Review: Xtreme Sports Bar

2010-04-12T01:23:00.004+05:30

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Here’s a place to lay your weary head, to wash away the dregs of another day at the office with a game on the big screen, hot bar snacks and a cold beer. These are principal elements of Xtreme Sports Bar, Fort’s newest watering hole, ones that have made it a popular franchise stretching across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, and Secunderabad – all cities with large populations of young working professionals.

Got Game?

When we went on opening weekend, the stereo was blasting a perplexing mix of ABBA, Queen and Dr Dre, a bunch of girls were arguing over Margaritas, and Sachin was manning the crease on screens, large and small. Business was surprisingly slow, considering that the Mumbai Indians were playing, but this is still an unknown place and one that we imagine will be a lot more happening at 7:30 pm on a weekday than a weekend night.

A well-lit, multi-level space (6,000 sq ft) with a range of pop-culture photos (guitars and skateboards, Madonna and Agassi) on faux brick walls, Xtreme Sports is your quintessential neighborhood spot. We suggest you sit upstairs, where the long bar dominates one wall, a pool table is tucked into a corner, and booths are fitted with glass insets containing miniature cricket balls and football jerseys. The mezzanine floor with a foosball table and plump beanbags isn’t open to the public yet.

Cheers!

The drinks menu at Xtreme is surprisingly extensive – they have a nice collection of single malts including a 14 year-old Glenfiddich; 12 kinds of champagne; and a range of cocktails and shooters. What struck us most, though, was the reasonable pricing: 30 ml of Smirnoff at Rs 120, Kingfisher pints at Rs 99, champagne bottles that start at Rs 1,000. Plus, if you go during happy hours (3:30pm to 7:30 pm daily), you score a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

We got the Royal Challenge pitcher, which at Rs 549, held enough whiskey to drown the deepest workplace woes in, and a Bartender In A Cup cocktail, pink and astonishingly unpleasant. To which a friend drolly said: “It’s a sports bar. Be a man and get it neat.” We suggest you heed his advice.

A Big Bite

The food menu too is more comprehensive than that of a typical sports bar, offering Chinese, Indian and Continental cuisines. The Santa Fe spring rolls looked interesting, but we were told that the Continental menu wouldn’t be available for the next couple of days. Same deal with the Chinese spring rolls. We finally settled on crispy chilli potatoes: brightened with strips of bell peppers and onions, these were spicy, greasy and a perfect accompaniment to the whisky. Also good was bites of softly marinated paneer from the Indian section.

Score!

All in all, this is one of the better sports bars in South Bombay, one that we’ll be frequenting pretty often. Spot us at the bar, and- at these prices - we’ll buy you a drink!

Getting there: Rustom Sidhwa Marg, Behind Citi Bank, Opp. Residency Hotel, Fort, call 9833321322, Rs 99 for a Kingfisher.

At bpb, we review restaurants anonymously and pay for our own meals.

Weekend Guide: Capital Gains

2010-04-08T20:12:00.009+05:30

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bpb freebie: Discount at The Wine Society of India's Tasting at Novotel, Juhu tonight and a super deal at The Den in Bandra. For this and other discounts, as well as a free weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

bpb scouts the best of Delhi this week. Special thanks to Verve Editor-at-Large Parmesh Shahani and crafty designer Smita Singh Rathore for sending us to all the right places.

bITE

What: Gung: The Palace, Road 27 & 28, Sector 29, next to Reliance Mart, Gurgaon, call 09871295093; Gunpowder, 22, Hauz Khas Village, 3rd floor, call (011) 26535700 or visit the Facebook group here; The Living Room (TLR), 30, Hauz Khas Village, call (011) 46080533.

Why: At Gung’s new outpost slated to open on April 17, you can get a booth, sip on rice wine, eat a wild variety of free kimchi and dig into grilled Pork Galbi among other authentic Korean treats. Climbing the stairs up to Gunpowder, Delhi’s trendiest underground eatery, might be Capital punishment but the flaky Malabari parathas, coastal curries and lake view are totally worth the trek. Also swing by TLR, whose casual vibe, happy hour beers and jam Wednesdays make it the city’s comfiest Living Room.

When: Delhi-cacies await.

pAGE

What: Yodakin bookstore, 2 Hauz Khas Village, call (011) 41787201 or visit www.yodakin.com, Rs 50 onwards.

Why: Just when we were beginning to think that Yodakin was fictitious, we found it in a little corner of Hauz Khas Village, bearing biblio-miles of independently published books, hard-to-find films and rare posters. bpb loves: High Noon and the Body by Kyla Pasha, Rahul Roy’s The Little Book on Men and the small but super cute space.

When: You don’t want to miss Delhi’s best tombs and (s)crypts.

***

What: Uparwali Chai, moving tea party, visit eatanddust.wordpress.com or call +91 9871927320, Rs 800 per person.

Why: Expat and self-taught chef Pamela Simms hosts the most superlative high teas in this city of excesses (smoked trout pate, curry puffs, macaroons, Florentines, cupcakes, scones can all be devoured here), at unusual spaces like embassies, gardens and museums.

When: You enjoy a game of snacks and ladders. Date and location for the next one on Pamela’s blog soon!

bUST

What: Play Clan, F 51, first floor, Select City Mall, Saket, visit www.theplayclan.com, Rs 185 onwards.

Why: Rajnikant Zippo lighters, rickshaw-embellished tighty-whities and 1-billion-faces totes are just some of the things that make Play Clan’s only retail outlet the coolest, most insane store in Delhi.

When: You want to attend the folk sabha.

***

What: Weekend trips with Escape Delhi, visit the Facebook group here or email info@escapedelhi.com, start at Rs 2,900 per person, including transport, food and accommodation.

Why: Sick of the Pradas, parties and pollution already? Worry not, because Nathan Steele is waiting in his getaway car, ready to whisk you away on weekend-long trips where you can camp, raft, hike, ski and more, with fellow travellers that long for a break as much as you do.

When: You need to escape (t)urbanization. Next trip scheduled for April end!

Event Round-Up: Happy hours at Elbo Room, Bandra from 12 pm to 8 pm; workshop-cum-performance by five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten today from 1.30 pm to 10 pm at Sri Shanmukhananda Hall, Sion; Unseen Unheard Unexplained, a photography exhibit at Matthieu Foss Gallery.

bpb Cutting: Sex, Lies & Videotape

2010-04-07T23:45:00.003+05:30

After a hiatus of two weeks when Cutting was hijacked by our guest Scouters, bpb returns with its weekly pick-tionary of Mumbai happenings.

Bollywood goes West: KJO makes SRK dub a re-edited and shorter version of My Name is Khan in English. Rub-a-dub-dub. We wonder who’s the third man in the tub.

Hitchhacker’s guide to the cyber galaxy: Chinese spies break into Indian Defense Ministry databases and the Dalai Lama’s email, according to Canadian report.

Hurt Locker, winner of six Oscars, releases in Mumbai this weekend. Must watch!

Maoists slay 75 members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in a single day. R.I.P.

(P)Addle brained: Brown water kayaking is apparently the newest way for Mumbaikars to take advantage of the ocean. Don’t fall into the water, though. You may turn into a mutant!

Pitcher Perfect: bpb conducts a chalice-check of the best sangrias in town, for your tasting pleasure. Read our story on CNNGo.com!

(Sc)rabble rousers: Spelling bees generate quite a buzz over news that the beloved board game will now allow the use of proper nouns. Turns out that’s only for one version, being released in the UK for limited time.

Shoaib Malik admits to marriage, divorces Ayesha Siddiqui. This is after his first wife gives cops clothes allegedly stained with Malik’s fluids proving the couple had consummated their marriage. Talk about (not) washing your dirty linen in public!

Sins of the fathers: Amidst the charges of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church comes another accusation against a Father, this one of our nation. Jad Adams’ new Gandhi biography makes some seriously cringe-worthy claims.

Terrorists killed in 26/11 attacks buried outside Mumbai more than a year later. Does the issue of our city’s security go to the grave with them?

World Health Day celebrated yesterday. We hope you too stay healthy and happy, until we meet again. Santé!

Photo credit: www.audioporncentral.com

Bangkok in Bombay!

2010-04-06T18:28:00.003+05:30

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You don't have to take a six hour flight to experience the flavours of Thailand. Bangkok – food, shopping, chanting and all – lives right here in Bombay, if you know where to look. Read our whole story on CNNGo.com!

Buddha no bar at Lakshmi Estate

We wanted to bar Buddhas in every shape and size from Mumbai homes after lifestyle stores across the city started stocking shiny mass-produced versions in all sizes. But then, we discovered the treasure of furniture stores locked up inside Lakshmi Industrial Estate, where Buddhas (and other Thai imports) are treated with more respect. At Petals, our favorite among these shops, you can buy intricately carved, seriously neat Asian furniture, from Thailand as well as Vietnam and Indonesia instead of drooling all day at Good Earth.

Getting there: Petals, Lakshmi Industrial Estate, next to Fun Republic, Andheri (W), tel. +91 (0) 22 2636 4681.

In Search of a True Thai Massage

Among the myriad massage parlours and day spas burgeoning in this workaholic city, the year-and-a-half old CosmicMandala15 is the cream of the crop when it comes to feeling kneady, Thai style. A host of extra long massages by expertly trained Thai therapists are on offer because owner Heymal Kampani tries to keep her rituals as authentic as possible. When in Thailand, she visits the Chiva Som spa in Hua Hin, and when in Mumbai, she gets the next best thing. A Thai herbal hot compression treatment at CosmicMandala15. In winter, Kampani recommends a massage under the stars on the spa terrace with pretty views of leafy, old world Colaba and its art deco architecture. But we know, we know, who has the time? If it's a Bangkok style quickie you need, try a 30 minute foot reflexology by visually-impaired masseurs at Metta Reflexology Spa or the Sawadee Express foot rub at Aroma Thai outlets around the city.

Getting there: CosmicMandala15, C-5, Amarchand Mansion, Madame Cama Road, Colaba, tel. +91 (0) 22 22043737, Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000; Metta Foot Reflexology Spa, 53, Suravi House, Pali Village, Bandra (W), tel. +91 9870719923, Rs 200; Aroma Thai outlets at Bandra, Lower Parel, Breach Candy and Malad, tel. +91 (0) 2353 6601, Rs 490.

Been looking for a Buddhist chanting session?

Nam myoho renge kyo is Mumbai’s new mantra. This Buddhist hymn, also known as the Lotus Sutra, is sending good vibrations through different neighborhoods as chanting groups spring up all over the city. Sonal Ahuja, Buddhist chanter, yoga instructor and Young Women’s Division Leader from the Indian chapter of the Soka Gakkai, believes that the increasing stress and negativity in Mumbai accounts for the popularity of this ancient ritual. "We meet in fellow members’ homes, chant, cleanse our karmas and study Buddhist philosophy. Anyone can join in," Ahuja says. Chanting sessions are also held at Nipponzan Myohoji, Mumbai’s oldest Buddhist temple at Worli. Peace out.

Getting there: Call Sonal Ahuja on +91 9820938560 or log on to www.bharatsokagakkai.org; Nipponzan Myohoji, diagonally opposite City Bakery, Worli.

Want more? Read about the city’s best Thai food and shopping in our story on CNNGo.com!

Got (Sea) Weed?

2010-04-06T00:11:00.005+05:30

Check out our NEW website at www.bpbweekend.com!

She rolls the freshest maal in the Japanese food delivery circle, this kickass Ninja. We scored some of her stuff last night, passed it around. One hit, and we were addicted.

Moshi Mumbai

We’re talking about the California rolls at Ninja Sushi, Mumbai’s newest dial-a-sushi service set up by Le Cordon Bleu (Paris)-educated Shilarna Vaze, who has until now been working the culinary scene in Goa. And while her French restaurant and organic veggie garden gets set up in the sunny state, the chef is dishing it out in Mumbai, driving foodies wild with wasabi.

Californication

The veggie California and Salmon Rolls we ordered were way too intricate and yum to come out of the tin foil box they were packed in, and a great deal for Rs 250 and 300 each. Even though the California rolls were missing the avocados we were promised – they were apparently not ripe enough – we enjoyed the cool cucumber, asparagus and mayo filling, perfect for a muggy Mumbai night. bpb also recommends the Salmon, though the pieces of fish could have been more substantial. Each order came with a side of Kikoman Soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger in individual plastic boxes.

This Side of the Sea Link

While the menu is limited – Spicy Tuna, Smoked Salmon and Prawn California Rolls are available in addition to the veggie and salmon rolls we ordered –Shilarna is already working on organic brown rice sushi, and we hope some fun French-Japanese fusion dishes too. She also plans on expanding her delivery service, which is currently restricted between Andheri and Bandra, unless you place a bulk order. Roll with this one, we say!

Getting there: Ninja Sushi delivery service, call 9820036525 or visit the Facebook group here, Rs 200 to Rs 350.

bpb Review: Golden Grill

2010-04-04T22:59:00.003+05:30

Golden Grill is Bandra’s latest street side eatery, and not the best looking of the restaurants on Carter Road. Still, we decided to take a chance on this new kid on the block who until a week ago went by the name of Lisantro. Good thing we did; Golden Grill is quick, cheap and satisfying.

Desparately Seekh-ing Customers

Lisantro’s multi-cuisine menu has (thankfully) been drastically cut down, leaving behind only standard Indian fare. After much prodding, we learned that the management behind Maroosh plays a pivotal role in this new establishment, a piece of information that gave us hope and courage to order as we sat alone in this little restaurant.

But sitting solo also meant we could indulge in all kinds of hardcore Mughlai sins without judgmental glances. The Mushroom Dahi kebab (Rs 170), for instance, which were melt-in-your-mouth good, with riffs of clove and cardamom; and succulent strips of lemony, buttery Chicken Seekh kebab (Rs 185), the high point of the meal.

Turning Tikkas

For mains, we got the Dal Maharaja (Rs 140), which in spite of being a little salty, was delicious and went well with the basket of airy roomali rotis and platter of kababs. Also a winner was the chef’s recommendation of Rogan Josh (Rs 200), an aromatic lamb curry that took our dinner from generous to indulgent.

While tasty, it is imperative to point out that like its menu (and music line-up), the food here is pretty generic. The black dal for instance, will probably taste the same two doors down at Kareem’s or Open Affair. The advantage here could be the fact that you won’t have to wait for a table, at least for now.

Getting there: Golden Grill, A/4-5, Gagangiri premises, off Carter Road, next to Movie Empire, Bandra (W), call 9833616222 for home delivery, Rs 500 for meal for two, no alcohol.

At bpb, we review restaurants anonymously and pay for our own meals.

Weekend Guide: Pot of Gold

2010-03-31T21:23:00.003+05:30

Because of Good Friday, we’re sending out the guide a day early. Enjoy the long weekend!

bpb Freebie: Subscribers get awesome deal at Mudd Salon and Day Spa. For this and other discounts, as well as a free weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

bEGINNERS

What: Pizza Toss Up with bpb and Del Italia’s head chef, at Del Italia, opposite Juhu Beach, Juhu, Rs 1,000 per person including unlimited beer and wine, to register email guide@bpbweekend.com.

Why: Because rolling dough gathers much sauce. Here, you can toss pizza base in the air, miss, and try again; drink copiously in the afternoon; and hound head chef Glyston Gracias for his secret recipes. Maybe, if you pay close attention, you’ll even learn how to make pizza from scratch, toppings - mozzarella, parma ham, grilled zucchini - and all.

When: Base camp on Saturday, April 10 from 4 to 7 pm.

***

What: Art lessons by celebrity tattoo artist, Al’s Tattoos, Magnet Mall, diagonally opposite KFC, Linking Road, Bandra (W), price depends on number of sessions.

Why: bpb found the most unlikely masterji in famous tattoo artist Al Alva, who has just opened his third studio. Ask him nicely, and he’ll give you lessons on how to draw in his intricate, grungy style that has adorned miles of celebrity skin.

When: You want to make flesh scrawl.

pEDAL

What: Old Mumbai Bicycle Tour with Woodside Inn, Wodehouse Road, Colaba, call 22875752 or visit the Facebook page here, Rs 1,350 per head, breakfast included.

Why: Here are all the elements for a perfect Easter Sunday: bicycles leading to hot bun(nie)s, a pretty trail at the end of which you’ll find yummy eggs. And waffles and pancakes and fruit, but no alcohol.

When: Mass congregation outside Woodside Inn at – brace yourself – 6.45 am, Sunday, April 4.

bRAND NEW

What: The Beauty Bar, Red Rose Apartments, off Linking Road, Andheri (W), call Kamya at 32254300 or 9819561136, visit the Facebook group here, Rs 2,200 for Benetint by Benefit.

Why: Lining the shelves at this Bar will be hard-to-find international brands like Benefit, Bumble & Bumble and Victoria’s Secret, albeit with significant mark-ups. The store hasn’t opened yet, but they’re taking phone orders and will deliver anywhere in the city.

When: You want to pull off a Shirley Temple.

***

What: Dosai double-quick at Komala’s restaurant, shop #141, space formerly occupied by BHS, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel.

Why: Here, McDonalds meets Madras Café. This canteen-like space is the Singaporean chain’s first Indian outpost and will serve dosai, idli and other South Indian favourites, fast food style. Watch out for the bpb review!

When: You want a quick one, Murugan. Slated to open this weekend.

Wake Up Bid

2010-03-30T19:06:00.006+05:30

Several eateries are now bidding for our daylight hours, with established restaurants going beyond entrees to make room for eggs and late night bars inviting us to drop by for lunch. The latest early bird in the league is Out of the Blue in Bandra, where bpb got a sneak peek at the breakfast spread slated to start on April 10. This addition is probably the brainchild of new resident chef Tanai Shirali’s (formerly at Wasabi and Intercontinental) team.

Dosa Diner

A buffet of meats and cheeses, cereal and hash browns, fruit and nuts, is spread across one nook. In a corner, a chef tosses masala omelets (or any other kind you want), and also available is a breakfast menu from which you can order dosas, idlis, pancakes, waffles, bacon and hotdogs. The South Indian fare looked most tempting; we were woken up this morning not by coffee but piping hot, piquant sambhar, a crisp dosa and two types of chutneys. The mushroom-masala-cheese omelet with toast, dates, watermelon and a glass of skim milk on the side is another good option, as are pancakes or waffles with maple syrup. Skip the unappetising poha, though, which we hear might be taken off the menu all together.

Holiday Food

Expected to be priced Rs 275 and Rs 300, this is not a five star hotel spread. But Out of the Blue’s hearty, cheerful breakfast is guaranteed to give your blah day a boost.

Getting there: Out of the Blue, Union Park, next to Olive, Khar (W), call 9324839393, breakfast starts April 10, 7 am to 10.30 am.

Dark Horse

If you live on the opposite side of the Sealink, you can check out the newly introduced breakfast at Kala Ghoda Café. In keeping with the rest of the menu, it’s sparse - offering eggs, waffles, muesli and yogurt - and good value for money: three scrambled eggs, coffee, orange juice and toast costed Rs 200. We only wish that the eggs were slightly less watery, the juice less bitter. But the stellar coffee and thick slices of freshly-baked multi-grain bread certainly make for a good morning.

Getting there: Kala Ghoda Café, Ropewalk Lane, opposite Trishna Restaurant, call 22633866, Rs 200 for breakfast, 9 am to 12.30 pm.

Pop Goes the Diesel

2010-03-29T18:46:00.004+05:30

Mindful of Diesel’s core competency and totally denim-starved - many things are easy in this city, but finding a good pair of jeans is not one of them - we made a bee line for this brand new outpost of the international chain at Palladium. And we hit pay dirt: stone washed and graffitied, skinny and frayed, here was a wall full of pants you could build your entire wardrobe around (Rs 7,000 to Rs 22,000). Satisfied, we strolled towards the men's section next, not knowing that our seduction had just begun.

Coating Rituals

It started out innocently enough, as most affairs do: footsie with a pack-of-3 socks and harmless flirting with cool linen shirts (Rs 5,000). But before we knew it, we were feeling up the irresistibly soft tees (Rs 4,000) and were all over the hot jackets, including the coveted Leart Giacca leather version (Rs 30,000). It’s a good thing that studly helmets (Rs 17,000) with leather detailing were around for extra protection.

Other cute sightings included a Jaydi Giacca jacket with human figure illustrations, black stonewash shirts with quirky button detailing and the store’s obviously attractive sales staff.

Bi-Passing?

The small corner reserved for women, however, didn’t tempt us to swing the other way with boring racerback formal tops (Rs 14,000), long-sleeved shirts (Rs 10,000 and up) and lackluster scarves (Rs 4,000) crowding the shelves.

Acting Pricey

A look at the Diesel website revealed most of the Mumbai stock is from the current spring /summer collection, but is considerably more expensive than in the States. A basic tee for instance, costs almost double here. Still, the new Diesel store – “Stupid” and all - managed to charm our pants off.

Getting there: Diesel, ground floor, Palladium, Phoenix Mills compound, Lower Parel, call 24932726 / 27.

Put Pen(Pa) to Paper

2010-03-28T22:43:00.003+05:30

Chinese Whispers

Ever wonder why restaurant-made Chinese food tastes so much better than the soya-sauced hakka noodles you (barely) manage to whip up in your kitchen? We don’t either. But you can hear it straight from the horse’s mouth at Sampan’s first cooking class, presided over by head chef Penpa, taking place on Wednesday at the Novotel Hotel poolside.

Don’t be a Dumbling

Participants will be taught how to prepare a three course meal, including soup, starters and one of the restaurant’s most popular mains – the Clay Pot rice. In addition, chef Penpa will spill his deepest, darkest culinary secrets, and will also send you home with a Sampan apron and a surprise souvenir from his kitchen.

Trail(or) Blaze

To whet your appetite, we got you one of the chef’s most prized recipes, exclusively for bpb! Try these at home, and you can kiss hakka noodles goodbye forever. Bon appetite!

Vegetable Dumplings

Recipe by Chef Penpa from Sampan Restaurant, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

For the stuffing:
50 gms each of beans, cauliflower, carrot, cabbage, celery
15 gms of ginger/garlic
10 gms spring onions
2 gms white pepper powder
10 gms Maggi seasoning
10 ml rice wine
10 ml sesame oil
Salt to taste

Cut all the vegetables in small sizes and boil them. Make sure to drain out all the water by squeezing tightly. Sauté ginger and garlic in a pan, add in vegetables and seasoning and cook for a couple of minutes. Set aside to cool.

For the pastry:
100 gms refined flour
Salt to taste
Water as needed

Prepare a soft dough with flour, salt and water. Roll it out thin and cut into round shapes about 3 inches in diameter. Put the cooled vegetable mixture in the centre, fold the pastry and crimp it in the centre to form a tower. Use a dim sum basket to steam for 10 minutes. Serve with soy or sweet chilli or any sauce of your choice.

Note: Don’t panic if your kitchen doesn’t have a dim sum basket – your good old idli steamer will do the trick.

Getting there: Pool side, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Juhu. Culinary class on Wednesday, March 31 from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm, to register call 66934444, Rs 750.

bpb Review: Villa 39

2010-03-26T01:35:00.004+05:30

Check out our new website on http://www.bpbweekend.com/!

Fatima Sham Mahimwala, our guest Scouter and Villa 39 reviewer is an avid foodie, and has been deeply involved with the food and beverage industry for many years. She has worked with The Tasting Room, Out of the Blue, and most recently was the Director of Sales, India at The Leading Hotels of the World. She has a degree in hotel management from Switzerland and writes a food blog, which you can check out at www.fatima-theffactor.blogspot.com.

Villa 39, with its bright lights and fun bar area, has the potential to become one of Mumbai’s most buzzing new nightspots. The Italian restaurant which made its debut last night also has a more formal upstairs dining room, which looks rather clinical and slightly confused, where stark white walls and a lovely modern chandelier are perplexingly paired with heavily carved Indian panels.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

We began our meal with a batch of excellent cocktails, including Sangria, watermelon martinis and a wonderful Sgroppino: essentially an (overpriced) adult slush made fresh with lemon and sparkling wine. However, a drink the bartender billed as his “best” vodka cocktail and the house special came looking like baby food churned together with both the garnish and the taste missing!

Head Start

Villa 39 features an ambitious menu, one that showcases a splendid selection of dishes and ingredients – just reading through it made us hungry. Fortunately, our starters of Carpaccio di Manzo (beef Carpaccio), Terrina di Mozzarella Caprese (tomato and mozzarella pesto), and Spiedini di Pollo (chicken skewers from the bar menu), were all terrific.

The Carpaccio, despite being extra lemony, was top notch and perfectly paired with rucola leaves and fresh pepper; chicken skewers were succulent, tender and melted in our mouths. Even our plain Jane tomato mozzarella starter packed a punch, with sweet tomatoes pillowed under soft cheese and finished off with pesto sauce.

Villa Woes

A main of Pollo Sorpresa (surprise chicken) turned out to be quite a surprise indeed. Even though the dish was deep fried and had butter spurting out of it (always a good thing), I was personally quite disappointed by how tough and chewy the chicken was. The Lasagna di Vegetariane (vegetarian Lasagna), too, was unpleasantly dense and slightly over-salted. I was however, bowled over with the Gnocchi alla Piemontese (Gnocchi with sun dried tomatoes, spinach and gorgonzola): a wonderful mélange of flavor, texture and visual appeal. Unfortunately, the portion size of this dish was the most meager of our mains – only one fourth the size of the lasagna.

Our meal ended on a bitter rather than sweet note, with a chocolate fondant that I would definitely not recommend. It was spongy, chewy and tasted like rubber garnished with liquid chocolate.

Wish List

Hopefully as it finds its pace, Villa 39 will flourish into a restaurant offering interesting food and great drinks, a fun place to hang with friends or impress a date at. Then, unlike now, the atmosphere will be looser, less intimidating, and we won’t be compelled to speak in whispers. Even as it stands, though, this is not a restaurant to be ignored: I suggest you swing by there the next time you’re in the mood for some fancy (and pricey) Italiano.

Getting there: Amarchand Mansion, 60 Madam Cama Road, Colaba, call 66573939, Rs 1,600 per person including drinks.

At bpb, we review restaurants anonymously and pay for our own meals.

Weekend Guide: Mouthing off Mumbai

2010-03-25T18:49:00.000+05:30

bpb Freebie: Subscribers get delectable discounts on workshops at Palate Culinary Studio. For this and other discounts, as well as a free weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

bACON

What: Turning Tables IV with bpb and Aurus, to attend email guide@bpbweekend.com – limited seats! Rs 1,000 this month, BYOB.

Why: 1 super chef, 5 course meal, 20 interesting strangers aur us! Chef Vicky Ratnani cooks up a storm at this month’s bpb underground kitchen, complete with a sneak peek at the restaurant’s upcoming menu. Note: the only plus 1 you’re allowed to bring is a bottle of wine.

When: April 7 at 8:30 pm. Entries shut April 2.

***

What: Paninaro sandwich delivery service, call 61519999 or visit www.paninaro.in, place your order a day in advance, Rs 80 to Rs 140.

Why: These wicked wiches of the feast serve a range of complex sandwiches - tuna and tobasco-spiked iceberg lettuce, smoked chicken on romaine, sundried tomatoes with arugula. bpb recommends the hummus and cream cheese versions, but skip the Thai Connection.

When: This gherkin progress opens its first two outlets next month at Nariman Point and Fountain. Also, read our review of Villa39 here.

pINT

What: USB beer cooler at Maple - Apple Premium Store, Kamal Society, opposite National College, Linking Road, Bandra (W), call 40068888, Rs 1,950.

Why: Along with Apple products, this just-launched store stocks other seriously cool gadgets as well. bpb pick: a single-can retro beer fridge that you can plug into your laptop or car. Stella idea!

When: You want to drink and pen drive.

bURST

What: Live in an Alphonso orchard, Mahua Bagh, Alibagh, visit http://www.mahuaresorts.com or call 9819469323, Rs 3,600 per night for an AC cottage, meals included.

Why: At this new beachfront property, you can pick organically grown fruit straight off mango trees before heading out for a swim in the ocean. Amenities also include pretty individual cottages, sky showers, and a friendly staff ready to rustle up a meal or give you a massage whenever whimsy strikes.

When: Now, during Alphonso season!

***

What: Shirts in a tea bag from Masala Tees, order online at http://ebook.masalateecollection.com/ebook.html or call +91 9910931043, also available at Bombay Electric, Colaba, start at Rs 1,200.

Why: The packaging of a Malasa Tee is so adorable (an oversized tea bag), that you almost won’t want to open it. One look at the shirt inside, though – soft, cleverly illustrated and punctuated by odd jewels – and you’ll be glad you did. They come in men and baby sizes too.

When: You like it Earl grey or black, but not (t)oolong.

Event Round-Up: Her Work is Never Done (Part II) at Gallery BMB from March 27 to April 17; BBQ Nights at Elbo Room every Tuesday, 8 pm onwards; Israel’s Atomic Pulse rocks Blue Frog on March 26, 10.30 pm onwards.

Where Chamomile and Cabs Mix

2010-03-25T02:15:00.006+05:30

Check out our new website on http://www.bpbweekend.com/!

‘Pause. Detox.Refresh. 150 metres ahead', screams a bus stop hoarding, announcing the arrival of RichFeel Spa and conjuring images of blessid peace on a noisy street intersection. Who could help but follow?

The Doors

I opened the single door that stood between busy Bhulabhai Desai Road and the serene, all-wood spa, crossing over into a world redolent with the smell of eucalyptus oil and music from a bubbling brook. I relaxed almost instantly, but my tranquility lasted only until the next bus screeched by. Soundproofing the space would have probably been a good idea. Until then, bergamot with strains of BEST it was.

Will You Go to Ped With Me?

RichFeel's wellness menu features a range of treatments including relaxing massages, crystal therapy rituals and the more serious physiotherapy healing. I was scheduled for a basic foot relaxer, which began with a selection of the lighting that best suited my mood - nice touch!

Booth and Nail

Next, they brought out a giant finger bowl for my feet, complete with hot water and lemon. My peds were dunked, scrubbed, and prepped for a nice rub. The masseurs at RichFeel, I discovered, though not very discreet with doors and chatter volume, are deft, gentle and good at what they do. They capped off the massage with a Caterpillar Walk, which put pressure on key stress points. Meanwhile, my face was treated to a super-smelling tissue face pack and a relaxing eye mask.

Noisy Finish

If only the eye mask were replaced with earmuffs, I thought, as a spate of angry honking punctured my massage-induced haze. Too bad bpb isn’t into shameless plugs!

My final verdict: Experience value-for-money services in a space suspended between calm and chaos.

Getting there: RichFeel Spa 1 Sagar Mansion, 40, Bhulabhai Desai Road, call 23516228 or visit http://www.richfeelspa.com/.

Aditi Patil, our visiting Secret Scouter tried and tested RichFeel Spa, delish sandwiches and our in-house swing on her visit to the bpb office. She is a hotelier-turned-banker and when she’s not running herd on her four year old son, loves reading bpb.

Let’s Talk about Sacks, Baby

2010-03-23T22:07:00.006+05:30

Check out our website on www.bpbweekend.com!

It seems about right that an outdoor adventure store would crop up bang on the wild intersection just before Bandra station, where a helmet, a rescue knife and a harness could actually come in good use. And it was at exactly this spot that Bangalore-based Wildcraft launched its flagship Mumbai store three days ago.

Tent to Be

Impressively designed with sleeper wood panels and an actual forest picnic table, Wildcraft makes you want to camp. The current stock unfortunately, didn't light our bonfire. We suggest you visit after the weekend, when the predominantly travel bag collection is scheduled to be supplemented with all kinds of cool outdoor essentials, from climbing holds and crampons to canoe paddles and ice axes. Also coming soon, a Victorinox counter with mag lights, Swiss army knives and more. But for today, we had to make do with tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses and sipper bottles.

Look Ma, No Hands!

As we browsed through the burgeoning bag collection (pouches that go around your wrist and waist, corporate laptop carriers for the wild, day packs, rucksacks) we were impressed at the variety but a little disappointed with the finishing. Check out the knapsacks that turn into trolley bags, army print tech-packs and the handy lunch bag that can be carried to your office too. bpb’s favourite: a hydration bag that lets you sip water from a tube while you ride your cycle. And at a reasonable price of Rs 995, it was easy to get us in this sack!

Getting there: Wildcraft, junction of Linking Road and SV Road, next to Shoppers Stop, Bandra (W), call 26558771/72 or visit www.wildcraft.in, bag packs start at Rs 995, tents at Rs 3,995, haversacks at Rs 2,000 and sleeping bags at Rs 995 with warrantee.

Cheese on the Crease!

2010-03-22T23:33:00.002+05:30

When we first read about Juno’s Pizza, a “Pure Vegetarian” delivery and take out service that opened a couple of months ago, we expected pizza close to what you get at the local Shiv Sagar: bready, sweet and loaded with Amul cheese. Consequently, the boxes dropped off by a cheerful delivery guy in a funny cap were more surprising than a pie in the face.

Skinny Menu

Juno’s insists on a minimum of three pizzas (approximately Rs 600) to deliver anywhere further than a few of blocks from its Hughes Road kitchen. It took some serious creativity to come up with three different options from the severely limited menu - no cheese variations, no meat, no sides. We finally settled on a basic plain cheese, one with garlic, onions and peppers, and a “healthy” version: whole wheat base topped with mushrooms and green chillies.

Toss For It

All of these arrived a suspenseful 45 minutes later, while the Kolkata Knight Riders took on the Mumbai Indians on home ground and our standby dinner of daal-chawaal waited patiently in the wings. There was, however, no need for back-up – Juno’s did just fine at the crease.

All three pizzas were piping hot when they arrived, featuring wafer thin, crunchy crusts. The whole wheat base was the surprising star of our line-up: crisp, complex and airily light, it won over the most health-averse of our guests. We dug in with gusto.

Top That!

Unless you’re the kind that take their pizza strictly straight up, skip the plain cheese – neither the sauce (slightly over-sweet), nor the cheese (not Amul, but still unremarkable) are good enough to carry the meal. The mushrooms too, are shriveled and unappetising. Go instead for the garlic, which pairs nicely with onions and green peppers, and remember to add a dash of green chillies to spice up the pie.

And while you’re at it, pile on some hot sauce. The result might be a distinctly desi pizza, but still a far cry from your corner fast food center. All in all, we ended our dinner batting for Juno’s.

Getting there: Juno’s Pizza, Hughes Road, call 64520022/33, visit the Facebook page here, start at Rs 150 for an 11 inch pie.

Winestein’s Theories

2010-03-21T23:26:00.009+05:30

Far from his San Francisco home, award-winning sommelier Kerry Damskey is currently nosing around the Sula Vineyards in Nashik. bpb quizzes him on the best wine pairings for any situation:

You’re a Wine Virgin: Play the fruit

Not even a sip? Ever? Seriously? And you call yourself a bpb subscriber! Wine virgins, peg your grape expectations on Château de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Made from soft tannins, this light red comes loaded with fruit and is immediately likeable.

You Get Fired: Call on Your Sherry

Stop whining and grab a bottle of La Ina, a Spanish sherry and instant pick-me-up: it’s boozy enough to get you cheery, but won’t reduce you into a puddle of teary drunkenness.

You Want to Score: Hit the Sweet Spot

Armed with a bottle of Chateau d'Yquem, a French Sauternes, anyone can get lucky. It’s full bodied, with a voluptuously complex bouquet and deep, velvety flavour… Are you turned on yet?

Pre-drinking With Friends: Draw a Blanc

Sweet, lively and a lot of fun, Sula Chenin Blanc should be a permanent fixture in your friend circle. Say cheers!

You’re Flying Solo: Dry Again

A dry white like Sula Sauvignon Banc makes for a perfect companion. It doesn’t demand much from you, and is sweet without being cloying. So go ahead, pop open a bottle for yourself. What? Like you haven’t done that before!

Best Secret Work Stash: The Marlborough Man

Keep a bottle of Cloudy Bay - Marlborough from New Zealand in your desk drawer. A glass (or three) of this burly vino is a guaranteed stress-buster.

For a Wretched Morning After: Hide and Creek

Skip over coffee and bananas and head straight for the bottle (just like you did last night). Bill's Block Maple Vineyard Zinfadel from Dutcher Crossing Winery is the best cure for a throbbing hangover. Trust us; we got this straight from the experts!

Getting there: Good bets are Sante, Shop No. 53, 60/62 Woodhouse Road, Colaba; and Jude Wines, Lourdes Haven, 10/A, Pali Junction, Bandra (W).

Weekend Guide: Bombay Baked

2010-03-18T20:32:00.004+05:30

bpb Freebie: Hot deal on fire twirling classes by Janit Gambhir. For this and other discounts, as well as a free weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

Be a Secret Scouter: Wanna help us out? Come scour Mumbai with us for one day next week, and get published on the website. Tell us a little about yourself at guide@bpbweekend.com, and we’ll get back to you!

bATTER

What: Palate Culinary Studio, G-2, Bir Sagar, 17th Road, Santacruz (W), call Rakhee Vaswani on 9820295221 / 32220807 or view the Facebook group here, start at Rs 1,100 a class.

Why: The smell of freshly baked lemon cake led us to this new cooking studio. Here, you can take workshops on everything from sushi and Shish Tawouk to Shrimp Creole and Saffron Risotto. The small but impressive set up comes complete with professional cooking units, whimsical crockery and a culinary coach trained under Michelin-starred chefs.

When: You want to fry and fry until you succeed.

***

What: CrossFit Om, VN Sphere, Navchandra Niwas, Linking Road, Bandra (W), call Dheepesh Bhatt on 9820028098 or view the Facebook group here, Rs 3,000 a month.

Why: Exercises with unusual props and celebrities; push ups on Mount Mary steps; and relays at the beach: this new -in-the-city, high intensity workout is gymming over with surprises.

When: Classes held five times a week; new gym slated to open below Escobar early next month.

pURCHASE

What: Package forwarding and personal shopping agents from the US, visit www.myus.com, membership fee starts at approximately Rs 475 annually.

Why: Because sweet talking your sister’s best friend’s aunt to bring back loot from the States is a drag. Not only will this award-winning service give you a US address and forward packages within a week, they’ll even order your stuff from sites that only accept American credit cards. bpb’s shopping cart: Bumble and Bumble hair tonic, Paul Smith fedora, Searle metallic flapper dress.

When: You want to build parcels in the air.

***

What: Bucket seat by Tokri, to order call Manisha Mehta on 9867756911, also available at Attic, Santacruz (W), Rs 3,200.

Why: bpb loves these colourful cast iron buckets-turned-poufs. Not to be paired with your shower curtain.

When: You want balti-more.

bRUSCHETTA

What: Villa 39, Amarchand Mansion, 60 Madam Cama Road, Colaba.

Why: Sneak peek! This fresh, creamy white restaurant looks good enough to eat. Presided over by former Leela chef, hopefully the Italian menu will be equally delish. bpb review out soon!

When: You’re looking for the ciao factor. Slated to open March 25.

Event Round-up: Green beer, Irish music and fun discounts at Elbow Room’s St Patrick’s Day on March 20, The Medicine Show at Blue Frog on March 20 and DJ Nitin spins at Busaba on March 25, 9:30 pm onwards.

bpb Cutting: Say Cheese!

2010-03-18T09:29:00.006+05:30

Check out our new website at www.bpbweekend.com!

Our weekly pick-tionery of Mumbai happenings.

Alcohol is more harmful for Indians than westerners, a study claims. News like this drives us to drink!

Bees and Bonds: Mayawati is greeted with a massive garland of currency and a swarm of bees at Lucknow rally. The Dalit queen sure knows how to cause a buzz.

Facebook comes to Asia with offices in Hyderabad, Bengaluru scores India’s first Taco Bell, and best of all, Punjab hosts Kabbadi World Cup premiere. Maximum City, catch up!

Golden Kela Awards, Indian version of the Razzies, recognize the performances of Kareena Kapoor, Harman Baweja and Deepika Padukone. Members of the new banana republic?

Michelin-starred chefs, fondues and Swiss wines replace the regular menu at Indigo’s ten year anniversary Swiss cuisine festival. Say cheese!

Mumbai Indians kick ass, defeat Delhi Daredevils by 98 runs. Capital!

M.J’s bizarre saga continues: news reports claim that the syringe used on the star just before his death will be auctioned off by the owner for over five million dollars. Quite a prick!

Panick(er) Attack: Air your views on the IPL at this online chat room, set up and headed by cricket journalist and Yahoo! Managing Editor Prem Panicker.

Porn may be good for society as it reduces the rate of sex crimes, argues Asylum. An impossible stretch?

Royalty, Shilpa Shetty’s new club, opens to the public today. Glad to see the starlet is putting her husband’s money to good use.

Tiger Woods announces his return to golf with the Masters at Augusta next month. This is when you remember the Wood joke and the hole joke and the swinger joke….

Sizing Up Goa: Small, Miriam, Large

2010-03-16T22:16:00.002+05:30

Taking time out of the most awesome Goa wedding ever, we tracked down fashion designer Miriam Strehlau’s workshop and showroom, hidden behind the Shore Bar on Anjuna Beach. We’d spotted her acid-trip-meets-French-whimsy pieces at stores like Bombay Electric and Bungalow 8 in Mumbai, and thought we’d find more here, and at better prices. We were only half right.

Sticker Shock

Warning: If you’re looking for flea-market rates, this isn’t the place for you. Strehlau’s prices are pretty steep, especially considering her somewhat dilapidated studio. Spending Rs 4,000 on a sequined boucle jacket, no matter how pretty it is, seems like a crime when you have to struggle into it behind a rickety old screen in lieu of a trial room.

Of Skulls and Saris

You’d have to be stronger willed than us, though, to bypass the large leather tote studded with gold rivets in the shape of a skull (Rs 5,000). The epitome of cool-ugly, it was ours the minute we laid eyes on it. Other bags, in bright cotton fabrics with cheerful embroidery (Rs 1,000), were perfect for the beach or lunch with friends.

Wandering around the store, we marvelled at the randomness of Miriam’s stock. In a single cupboard, we found a bright blue jumpsuit (Rs 1,500); ugly, synthetic-y ballet dresses; and bomber jackets made from a sari Madhubala might have worn (Rs 4,000). Miriam also uses old saris, which she finds at local markets, in skirts (Rs 3,000 and up), hair pins (Rs 500), and even a dreamily patch-worked, satin-lined blanket that looked like it belonged on a 19th Century four poster bed (Rs 8,000). Other home-stuff includes some fun art, cool cushions and a trippy, shaggy rug made from tufts of multi-coloured silk (Rs 4,000).

The Great Escape

A chat with the petite designer revealed that she can customise sizes and designs, and ship to Mumbai. We even got a chance to see her in action when she asked one of us scouters to model a corset dress she was building, complete with whale bones, layers of shredded silk, mismatched buttons, and cut-outs of popular icons like Marilyn Monroe and three-leaf clovers (price undecided).

A dress like that, we thought as we stared in the mirror, is more than clothing. A dress like that is an entire story, one that could go a hundred different ways, end differently every day. Desperately reminding ourselves of how far away our next pay cheque was, we beat a hasty exit, escaping while we still could.

Getting there: Miriam Strehlau, Govekar Vaddo 75, behind Shore Bar, Anjuna. Visit www.miriam-strehlau.com for designs and to order; also stocked at Bombay Electric and Bungalow 8, Colaba.

Read more Goa recommendations from bpb here.

bpb Review: Kaffe Kona

2010-03-16T01:32:00.002+05:30

Check out our new website on www.bpbweekend.com!

Curiouser and Curiouser

We visited Kaffe Kona fresh out of Alice in Wonderland at Fame Adlabs next door, swapping Tim Burton for tea, and crazy trees for clichéd coffee quotes on the wall. At this new-ish suburban eatery, the coffee’s supposedly made from the most sought-after beans in the world, grown on the Western slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai. That’s quite a mouthful, this claim on the first page of the menu.

We had to try a cup, and ended up going with the hot Hawaii Kona (Rs 119), which didn’t seem very different from the brew served at other coffee houses that cost a lot less. We were much more impressed with the Peachy Tree mocktail (Rs 119): sweet and refreshing with under currants of apple, it was just what we needed to wash down a plate of spicy nachos (Rs 129), disappointingly garnished with watery cheese and a stingy bowl of salsa. The potato wedges with mayo is a more basic but better bet.

Of Courses

We got to really take in the space between courses: citrus coloured walls, an open kitchen and red faux leather couches. A striking photograph of a femme fatale handcuffed and gagged in front of a cheese pizza made us instantly crave a slice. But another, of a woman levitating in front of a lush salad, made us choose something lighter – a classic Penne Arabiatta (Rs 169), undoubtedly the best of our orders. The dish was saucy, spicy, garlicky and bursting with flavour. Pizzas, sandwiches and salads are other options on the menu.

Hey Kona, Ooh Kona

Ebony and Ivory Hot Chocolate (Rs 85) – rich with dark and white sin was our substitute for the non-tempting dessert on display. Good choice, it turned out. Almost made us forget about the mosquitoes feasting on our flesh.

The food here is fare to middling, and the price of beverages (as well as the lack of restrooms) makes ordering drinks hard. But it’s a fun place to hang at, and some of the dishes are pretty yum. All in all, a decent show from this latest entrant on Andheri’s movie theatre strip.

Getting there: Shop no 4, Royal Classic, near Fame Adlabs, Andheri (W), call 67425868 or log on to kaffekona.co.in.

Pixar Perks for Ramayana

2010-03-15T01:51:00.003+05:30

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A cobalt blue Rama poised to shoot his arrow at an intricately patterned Ravana; a gorgeously geometric Sita embellishing her hair; forests full of mutli-coloured deities, brilliant bursts of angular armies, demons being devoured by hungry orange flames: Supervising animator and storyboard artist at Pixar Animation, Sanjay Patel’s latest graphic novel Ramayana: Divine Loophole, is truly worship-worthy.

Tale Blazer

Prey on Patel’s lush drawings and whimsical characters packed into a 150-page modern interpretation of the ancient Hindu mythology. The artist, who’s worked on mainstream animation films like Ratatouille and Monsters Inc, was motivated by the potential presented by the visually rich world of the Ramayana. The artist revealed in an online interview that it took him an extensive four year research and a near burn out before he completed the incredibly detailed vector illustrations that went into this book. The artist's every day work is inspired by ' Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes cartoons, along with a slew of other artists.

On Loop

The divine loophole in Patel's retelling of the Ramayana refers to the birth of God-turned-prince Rama, the only one who could get around Ravana’s mighty powers. The book also contains Patel’s super stylised works in progress. The artist’s fresh, young interpretation of the Ramayana is bound to draw both, the desi youth and international audiences to the epic Indian tale. If you like what you see, also put your hands together for the super cool Hey Bhagwan journals and postcards available online at Play Clan. Divine!

Getting there: Ramayana: Divine Loophole available by order on Amazon, Rs 800 (approx).

Weekend Guide: bpb's Wonderland!

2010-03-11T23:34:00.001+05:30

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bUNNY

What: Bespoke psychedelic leather and suede jackets for men and women from Dress Dada by Saurabh Dwivedi and Mehma Tibb, call 9833419303 or email dressdada@gmail.com, Rs 8,000 onwards.

Why: Suit up for your trip down the rabbit hole with Wonderland-esque leather and suede coats by Parsons graduate and movie stylist Mehma. These come embellished with customised pockets, metallic linings and chunky zippers.

When: You want to go pocket-watching.

pASTRIES

What: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Le15 catering, call 9820995543, start at Rs 550 per head; Tart, call Ashiana at 9821015510, start at Rs 450 per head.

Why: bpb invent! Host your own version of Lewis Carroll’s party - red hibiscus tea, multi-hued macaroons, “Eat me” cakes, magic mushroom quiches, heart-club-spade shaped cookies – catered by the city’s coolest new bakers. Tart does a fun version as well, with signature cupcakes, giant lollipops, cool crockery and more. Also look out for their new store, opening in Bandra this month!

When: You want to Depp-Depp-Depp!

***
What: Heartbreaker necklace, Bungalow 8, 17 Arther Bunder Road, Colaba, Rs 1,500.

What: These 3D heart pendants in swirling, luscious colours – red, purple, black, ochre - are deceptively simple, and bound to draw every eye in the room.

When: You want to be the Queen of Haars.

bORN

What: The Village, World Trade Centre, Arcade Building, Cuffe Parade, call 9870308227.

Why: This Indian restaurant hidden deep inside the concrete fortress of WTC will transport you to another world. Here, yellow huts with thatched roofs jostle with bright pink bamboo canes and garishly jovial trucks. Wonderland? We’re not sure, but it certainly deserves exploration.

When: Slated to open next week.

***

What: Surreal bookcases, call Sheetal Bhatija from Threads 'n' Homez on 9819995027 to order, start at Rs 3,500.

Why: Lewis Carroll would approve of these trippy shelves that appear to be leaning, melting, twirling. They can also be shaped like violins, alphabets, and more.

When: You want to book-a-prize.

Event Round-Up: Silent outdoor party at Blue Frog on March 12; Green beer at Bonobo on March 17 for St Patrick’s Day; booze deals for IPL III at Olive Bar and Kitchen (Bandra and Mahalaxmi).

bpb Cutting: Strike a Pose!

2010-03-10T19:24:00.000+05:30

Check out our new website on www.bpbweekend.com!

Mumbai’s weekly pick-tionary of Lakme Fashion Week Summer/ Resort 2010.

Anita Dongre’s all-white collection, confusingly, is named after the Pink City. Still, a pretty show.

Babita Malkani’s Bhutan-inspired rompers, drafted from durris, are super cute. Don’t bale on this one!

Christopher Kane tells a tabloid that he likes Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, but can’t quite remember his full name. This year’s biggest fashion malfunction.

Front Row: Urmila Matondkar, Raveena Tandon, Dino Morea, Celina Jaitley, Neha Dhupia attend. Freida Pinto, however flies down from Montreal exclusively for Brit designer Christopher Kane. No slumming it out in the desi shows for her.

Kachindo is Gujarati for chameleon, and also the name of designer Purvi Doshi’s line of four layered reversible garments that can be worn inside out and upside down. Nice positioning!

Kallol Datta does a cool Kitty Kat sari and darker Suicide, Genocide and Eulogy dresses. Cheery!

Malini Ramani’s show is sponsored by Grey Goose, and in marketing overkill she names each of her four segments after cocktails. Toast!

Masaba’s (Nina Gupta and Sir Vivian Richard’s) debut show attended by Jackie Shroff, who sat in the photographer’s pit. Probably the only way he’d get clicked.

Neelanjan Ghosh’s rainbow-hued retro bags start at an affordable Rs 1,700. Float this tote!

Paromita Bannerji – they’re calling her the next big thing – gives the traditional sari several new twists.

Ramp Rating: Starry showstoppers (r)amped the shows this season – Bipasha Basu for Rocky S; Mugdha Godse for Priya Kataria Puri; Rohit Verma for Krishna Mehta; Billiard player Pankaj Advani and Harman Baweja for Babita Malkani and Pooja Bedi for Riyaz Gangji.

Rimzim Dadu’s models wear military shoes, bomber jackets with cut-outs and amazingly textured pieces. We’d drop and give her hundred for the green tulip dress with bronze armour-like detailing.

Sabyasachi Mukherji’s 70’s inspired dresses are apparently spurred on by a “mid-life crises”. You’re not that old!

Shantanu and Nikhil paint Mumbai black and yellow with their sporty Moto Chic line for Adidas. While actress Deepika Padukone motored down the ramp in a striped top, tennis ace Sania Mirza looked on, wearing almost an identical outfit. Seems these two have more than Shahid Kapoor in common!

Suneet Varma’s slinky dresses and roaring animal print maxis at the finale Night Fever show reflected light from giant disco balls, with Medival Punditz and Shai’r and Func manning the music. Groovy way to bid LFW goodbye!

Mumbai Altered!

2010-03-09T19:17:00.003+05:30

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Quick fixers, copy cats and upcyclers: we round up six of the city’s quirkiest tailors to dress you up. Read our complete list and view the photographs on CNNGO.com.

Upsykle Cotier: Ring Out the Old

When National Institute of Design (NID) graduates Nitya Amarnath and Juhi Pandey turn old saris into 2,000 rupee totes, they call it upcycling. "Recycling is associated with inferior quality. We take old swatches and turn it into superior satchels," explains Nitya. The design duo will also buy old fabrics and antique tapestries you don’t need. Look out for their Upsykle Cotier label, launching soon at some of the city’s swishest fashion stores.

Call Nitya or Juhi on +91 9819212065 or +91 9820039110.

Parmar Tailors: Cheap and Cheery

From fixing the neighbourhood’s hemlines to Bollywood’s shiny buttons, this hole-in-the-wall tailor's repertoire of needlework is astonishing. If you live around this family-run business, you’ll know that the army of super daughters are very neat with alterations starting with a Rs 50 hemline fix, and patriarchs Hemant and Kishore are better at starting from scratch. Frequenting stylists advise you to take a sample design along and be prepared to argue over deadlines. Lean too close and you’ll feel the heat from the heavy duty antique iron that’s probably as old as their 60 year-old establishment.

67/A, Dr Ambedkar Road, Khar (W); tel. +91 9969843960

Ashmina: Blouse Express

You no longer have to pull a Liz Hurley at a last-minute sari event. Drop into Ashmina at Atria mall instead, where they’ll whip up a stylish sari blouse for Rs 600 and in under three days. You can also pick from their existing stock -- the lycra blouses come in different colours and match with pretty much anything on which they offer same-day alterations.

119/120/123, Atria The Millenium Mall, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli; tel. +91 (0) 222481 3533

Oleander: Better than Bespoke

After designing clothes at Top Shop, Sauce in Dubai and Mumbai boutique Chamomile, Swarna Gupta at Oleander now wants to take over your wardrobe. Armed with a contemporary sense of style and a pair of magic scissors, she can make you some seriously fashionable outfits, from satin jumpsuits to raw silk sheaths and jewel-toned cocktail dresses for Rs 4,000 each. You can also stop by her apartment for samples and off-the-rack pieces. You'd wish she was your best friend forever.

41, Chez Nous, St Cyril’s Road, Bandra (W); tel. +91 (0) 9870220035

Read our entire story on CNNGo.com.