Très Chick!

bUNNY

What: Hip Dining Bowl, Shiro, Bombay Dyeing Compound, Worli, Rs 450.

Why: Take humongous heap of Japanese rice/noodles in bowl. Top with spicy tofu/chicken. Hold in hand. Eat. Dance. Eat. Dance.

When: You want to eat between the beats. And if you want the Japanese jaunt to continue, head on over to Wink, President Hotel, Cuffe Parade for their brand new Saketinis until April 19.

* * *

What: Brioche Nest with Raisins, The Gourmet Shoppe, Oberoi Shopping Arcade, Nariman Point, Rs 325.

Why: Your Easter chick will be tres chic in this gourmet brioche nest filled with raisins and almonds.

When: Available until April 12.

pORN

What: Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno 2 series on www.sundancechannel.com/greenporno.

Why: After doing bugs, daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini is back with round two of her eco shorts that showcase the reproductive habits of marine animals, eggs and all.

When: You want to do it like they do on the Discovery Channel. Started April 1.

bABY

What: Specially curated collection of handicraft infant products, Dhoop, Sheetal Apts, corner of Union Park and Ambedkar Road, Khar (W).

Why: Indian block print bassinettes, drive-away-mosquito citronella lamps and baby slings, we found.

Pillows filled with mustard seeds will make your baby’s head round.
Tribal craft kits and puppets lie somewhere beneath the toy mound.

When: April 14 onwards until storks last!

* * *

What: Wooden, hand painted animal-shaped staplers, Vividha, Warden Road and Khar, Rs 99.

Why: Bright, comical mice, lions and dogs help you tack a tough work day together, and keep a dull one from coming apart.

When: You need some desk candy.

This Weekend in New York: A Scavenger Hunt, Breakfast Workshop, Adorable Egglings, and a Chiffon Hairpiece.

Bloom's Day

bEST PICKS

What: Book Collector’s Festival, Indus – the Bookstore, Grand Hyatt, Kalina.

Why: Rare, limited edition and personally autographed books will be on display. Even if you can’t drop a cool Rs 10,000 to a lakh for a book, a round of this ‘museum’ will be worth your time.

When: April 4 to 15.

***

What: Solid coloured pumps and custom designed shoes, street store in tiny lane opposite Globus, next to Le Bijou, Hill Road, Bandra (W), Rs 300 onwards.

Why: Bright coloured pumps, peep toes and wedges startle the air at this non-descript street store. If he’s in a good mood, ‘Musalman Uncle’ will also copy a design for you out of a magazine. But be prepared for it to get mass produced after.

When: You need your weekend fix of faux fashion. For more high-end, but equally psychedelic pieces, hit Fish Fry's 4-day stock clearance sale (up to 50% off) at Courtyard, Colaba, till April 4.

pEPAL TREE

What: Indipepal.com, a new site that combines social networking, expert blogs and content.

Why: Because former UN Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor, award winning economist Jagdish Bhagwati, Rajya Sabha MP Arun Shourie, self-help guru Robin Sharma and others have grabbed a spot in the shade of this pepal tree. Sign up, read their blogs, and much more.

When: You want to social network through the green route.

***

What: Gardening class and demo at Green Grower Garden Centre, next to Bandra Talav, Bandra (W), call 26427094 for details.

Why: Horticulturist Anusha Babbar wants to make you “say trees”. In this class, she will dig into topics like bonsai demo, kitchen and vegetable gardening and maintaining gardens by the sea.

When: You want to get your hands dirty on Saturday, April 4.

bREAKFAST

What: Couscous Upma, Basilico Café, Colaba and Bandra (W), Rs 120.

Why: Available under all-day breakfast dining, Bascilico puts a Moroccan spin on the humble upma. Oh, and the coffee’s great too!

When: You need to flush out a night of partying with fusion food.

This weekend in New York: A foldable bike, Play-by-Play, Indigreen T-shirts, Key Lime Tarts, and the Greenhouse Lounge.

Weekend Rounds

bREW and bREAD

What: Teacup, home delivery of exotic tea leaves, and private tea tastings, call 9819599889.

Why: Tea etiquette trainer and tasting expert Radhika Batra picks tea leaves from plantations across the world so you can stir up a storm in your cup. Choose from her fancy collection of organics, whites, greens and blacks, or better, get her to organise a tasting session at your afternoon soirée.

When: You want to put that silver spoon you were born with to good use.

***

What: French Loaf, next to Birdy’s, Turner Road, Bandra (W).

Why: Because you deserve to live the high loaf. From baguettes to bagels, this soon-to-open bakery promises to give crumbling neighbourhood patisseries – Birdy’s and Croissants – a run for their money. At the now open Andheri branch, it’s the desserts that draw in all the flies.

When: Opens Saturday, March 28.

pICTURE

What: Free Films for the Soul, Guild Art Gallery, Kamal Mansion, 2nd floor, Arthur Bunder Road, email the_guild2003@yahoo.co.in, call 22875839.

Why: At first, you’ll think, “why would anyone do this?” with your trademark Mumbai no-one-is-nice-for-nothing eyebrow raise. But then, weirder things have happened. This weekend, Guild Art Gallery brings you one terabyte of experimental films. All you have to do is bring blank DVDs /hard drives and you can copy them for free!

When: Until March 28 at 6:00 pm.

***

What: Places I Have Never Been To wall prints, JHill Design, at www.jhilldesign.com, Rs 1,250 each.

Why: Own a piece of the designer’s “imaginary vacations” with wall prints of cities across the world. We love the Jaipur Kites graphic that thankfully doesn’t involve elephants or paisleys.

When: You don’t mind if your travel plans run into a wall.

bAG

What: Passion Fruit, travelling home décor exhibition swings by Out of the Blue, Union Park, Khar (W), from March 27 to 29, noon to midnight, Rs 50 to Rs 5,000.

Why: In an era of to-shop-smart-is-an-art, it’s great to discover Passion Fruit, a home décor brand that not only supplies to high-end stores, but also sells its surplus stock at throw-away prices.

When: You’re in the mood for a treasure hunt; a smorgasbord of curios - South East Asian trinkets to palm wood planters – vie for your attention.

This Weekend in New York: JHill Prints, an Anime Exhibit at the Japan Society, unlimited Latin Dance lessons; Cosmetic Sealer by Benefit; and Cannonau Restaurant.

Pop Art Your Weekend!

bRUSH

What: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol art exhibit, The Viewing Room, Elysium Mansion, 4th Floor, 7 Walton Road, Colaba Causeway.

Why: Dali's Dance of Time, Warhol's pop-art Mao, and Picasso’s ouevre from just before his death (Imaginaire), are guaranteed to make you go “wow”. Let the three tenors of the art world pop-cube-surreal your weekend.

When: Through March 21, 11 am to 7 pm.

***

What: Art from Behind Bars - and from those who put them there, Kamal Nayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point.

Why: Armed with paper, pencil and charcoal, value education expert Kavita Shivdasani gives Maharashtra prisons a break. Collecting art works created by inmates and cops from all over the state, she's displaying them this weekend in Mumbai.

When: Track the arrested development from March 25 to March 31.

pULSE

What: DJing workshop by French performance artists Slave Farm at Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mills Compound, Lower Parel, to register call 40332336, Rs 500.

Why: A quirky crew of the hip hop singers, one dancer, two graffiti artists and a DJ that make up Slave Farm teach you how to scratch a record. Bonne Chance!

When: March 21 from 3 pm to 5 pm and March 22 from 5 pm to 7 pm.

bROWNBAG

What: Big Daddy – Pizza’s and More, 12 to 12 home delivery from Bandra to Santacruz, Call 9819930830 / 65144466.

Why: Not many know that after it shut its doors, Tango Tomato, Bandra’s popular café went underground, changed its name (it now goes by the alias Big Daddy) and only makes house calls. When the mafia of munchies calls on you, order the spinach soup and whole wheat focaccia.

When: You want to give in to the mob.

* * *

What: Black briefcase bag for women, street shop next to Café Church Hill, Colaba Causeway, Rs 300.

Why: With metal detailing and shiny patent leather, the boring office briefcase gets a stylish overhaul.

When: You’re looking for cheap chic.

Slurp!

bRRRR:

What: Gogola, Carter Road and Gazebo Mall, Linking Road, Bandra (W), and opp Mithibai College, Vile Parle, call 9930810915 for inquiries, Rs 30 each.

Why: Because slurping ice golas just got safer, not to mention cooler. Retro vans have been doing the rounds of suburban streets, vending mineral water ice candy topped with 100% natural fruit flavours like Kool Kokum, Mumbai Masala Soda, and Moulin Roze. They do private parties too.

When: You want ice, ice baby!

***

What: Preppy sweaters, Cotton World outlets, Rs 350 on sale

Why: In the trial of Brown Paper Bag VS Cotton World, the latter has been charged with killing couture. Proof: Their mass produced women’s office shirts seen all over the city. Witness for the defendant: A tissue-thin, great-fit V-neck cotton sweater that insists it came from the suspected
retail brand. The court rules in favour of Cotton World. Bpb gives it a second chance.

When: Your office air conditioner calls for a cover up.

pERSONAL

What: Personlised stationery from Ikon, next to Asiatic, Churchgate, call 22874910, price on request.

Why: If there’s anything cornier than a Hallmark moment, it’s a Hallmark card. Send out your Thank You, Congratulations and I-don’t-need-a-reason-to-write-a-note notes on cool, personalised stationery.

When: Your scribbles need style.

***

What: Shoryuken Tattoo studio, off Linking Road, 33rd Lane, opposite Mini Punjab, Bandra (W), Rs 1,500 onwards.

Why: Ask Kevin Andrade, ink artist at Mumbai’s newest tattoo parlour to recommend the trendiest design, and he’ll refuse flatly. Just like when you ask him to reveal his celebrity clientele. “Every tattoo is a personal story. Only you can tell it,” he says. Kevin’s tale starts with a big eagle wing (on his arm).

When: You want to amp your stamp.

bEYOND

What: SULAFEST 2009, Sula Vineyards, Off Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Nashik, for passes - Rs 700 for regular and Rs 2,500 for VIP - call 9970090016 / 919820355499.

Why: Because the buzz on Mumbai’s grape vine is getting old and you need a change. This weekend, head to Nashik for a heady mix of wine, food and music. Grape-stomp and enjoy performances by Jalebi Cartel, Shair and Func and Agnee at an open-air Greek amphitheatre.

When: Saturday, March 14, from 3 pm to 10.30 pm.

Expressed!

Good morning,

Today's Indian Express features us in a piece about the effect of technology on the food and beverage industry. bpb is described as "an all-round guide to quirky and cool things to do or buy in Mumbai."

Read more here.

Radio Active

Hey guys,

In case you haven't already heard, brown paper bag was on the air waves at 9 pm last Thursday! We got a prime time shout out on It's Tiger Time with Malini, on Radio One 94.3.

If you missed it, check us out on Malini's blog.

A Tale of Two Cities

Hey guys,

One of us secret scouters leaves to set up bpb-shop in New York next week. Keep reading our Mumbai recommendations, and watch out for a slice of the Big Apple in a brown paper bag. Au revoir!

bOOMBOX

What: Haridas Vhatkar Tabla Makers, Mahim Causeway, call 9820891225, Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,000 for a pair; tabla class, call 9221608959, Rs 300 per lesson.

Why: Hard to believe that such a big sound could have come out of such a small workshop. It's at this inconspicuous tabla store - you could well miss it in the line of huts - that percussion pandit Talvin Singh buys his beat.

When: You want the rhythm to get you. Tabla coach Uday Panchal, who conducts lessons at your home, can show you how.

pRINT:

What: Pigment Prints, The Cinemas Project, visit www.zubinpastakia.com, or email zubinpastakia@gmail.com, price on request.

Why: Remember cutting class to sit in the decaying glory of New Excelsior's screening room? Or buying tickets in black at Gaiety? In the age of the multiplex, photographer Zubin Pastakia's prints of cinema halls invoke perfectly the lost era.

When: You're looking for a houseful of nostalgia.

* * *

What: Psychedelic or hand-painted laptop cases at Sobo, Motor House, 1st floor, Chowpatty, call 23612751, starting at Rs 2,300.

Why: These funky laptop cases are just what the dreary business scene needs. We would have preferred them with handles, though.

When: Your hardware needs to go undercover in style.

bOOTILICIOUS:

What: Ella Yoga Pants, Good Earth, Reay House, Colaba, Rs 1,200.

Why: These little pants are comfortable enough to perform convoluted aasanas in, and hip enough for a lazy afternoon with the girls.

When: You want to dress up your fitness act.

* * *

What: Women's Day Specials at Ivy, Versova, and the Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel, Colaba.

Why: At Ivy, get a pitcher of Sangria (serves 8) and a plate of complimentary bruschetta for Rs 650. For a fancier bite, hit Wasabi, Souk, or Zodiac Grill, where lunch for ladies is discounted by 50% until March 8th.

When: You want to drown out all the Woman's Day cliches in a deluge of delicious.