Mumbai, India
We, the secret scouters-of-cool, bring you your Mumbai weekend in a brown paper bag. Subscribe below to get a FREE weekend guide in your inbox every Friday. For our New York guide, visit bpbnyweekend.blogspot.com.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Now Showing!

bpb Freebie: New discount deal on Bottle Gardens by Green Grower, exclusively for members. For this and more freebies, with a free weekly guide, enter your email address in the subscription box.

bIG SCREEN

What: Personalised Bollywood Poster Art, Limona Studio, email limonastudio@gmail.com to order, price varies with size of canvas.

Why: Email the French Limona Studio your photos, along with the classic Hindi film poster you like – you can pick from the many options on their website, or send in your own – and they’ll ship you an oil painting, rendered by old-school Bollywood poster artists.

When: You want to star in movies like Mughal-E-Azam and Julie, even if it’s just on paper (or canvas).

***

What: Godfather Trilogy screening, Cinemax Versova and Metro Adlabs, Dhobi Talao, Rs 500 for a pass.

Why: Because Don Corleone says that a man who doesn’t spend time with his family is not a real man. Hang with the underworld’s most famous family this Sunday, when The Enlighten Film Society brings Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece to the big screen.

When: Sunday, June 14 and 21 at 10 am.

pOEM

What: Silver plated fortune cookie-shaped boxes, Gifted Lifestyles, Madhuli Apartments, 1st floor, Shivsagar Estate, Worli, Rs 800.

Why: Because let’s face it: once you’ve read your fortune, you don’t really care about the biscuit. No decider of fate, no blah vanilla taste. Just one smart cookie container for your baubles, cash, or rhymes.

When: You don’t want your fortune to crumble.

***

What: The Shah of Blah Poetry Service, email Idea Shop at poems.ideashop@gmail.com, start at Rs 250 per Blah.

Why: These two writers can plume odes to your toads, princes, pooches, partners, friends with birthdays, and just about anyone or anything you want to celebrate. We ordered one for a pal, and it was delivered to her house in a whimsical bottle. They also put poems in fortune cookies, stockings and other cool carriers.

When: You want a verse in a purse.

bUCK

What: Hand embroidered Gara Saris, Ms. Roshan Davar, 117 Malabar Mansion, Colaba, call 66361398, price on request.

Why: Because this month, Mrs. Davar is off-loading her pricey pieces at deep discounts before leaving on a long overseas stint. We particularly love the chiffon saris, which reflect a Chinese Whispers of influences, including traces of the Far East, eclectic Parsi patterns, and contemporary sensibilities.

When: Now, when you’re sick of all the Shimmer-y saris populating Mumbai’s stores.

Besos

Hey guys,

Malini Agrawal, RJ-extraordinaire and Mumbai's Gossip Girl put up a post on her blog about Besos, a new store at Kemps Corner. Read it here.

Besos stocks some fun, casual clothes - we scored some funky ganjees once - so check it out, and watch this space for the weekend guide, out later today.

Cheers,

Secret Scouters

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Liquor Lollipops


A lot of readers have been asking about the liquor lollipops we recommended last week. Made by Pure Sin, they are deliciously, dangerously potent and come in rum, caprioska, and other fun flavors!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Quirky Matches

Check out the cool matches from Loose Ends that we featured last weekend. Also, in addition to the store in Bandra, Loose Ends has just opened a new branch, at Beach Queen CHS, JP Road, next to Barista at Versova.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

bpb Review: Valhalla

For those of you that are wondering, the name 'Valhalla' comes from Norse mythology, and refers to a huge hall where heroes slain in battle reside. An unlikely name for Mumbai's newest resto-bar, at Eros Building, Churchgate, where Starters and More once used to be.

We scouted out the opening party on Saturday, and came away undecided, but definitely willing to give the place another shot. Valhalla is indeed a large hall, complete with plush seating, a long bar (on which we spied a nice collection of single malts), an outside smoking area, and strangely - a huge, red velvet upholstered, throne. Although its purpose, or aesthetic appeal, remains a mystery, it was certainly a conversation-starter.

Valhalla's website, (warning: it takes ages to load), describes the place as serving "traditional Sangria" (which we didn't try) and Spanish tapas (which we did). The tapas, apart from a few hits - get the patatas bravas, and anything with Manchego cheese - were a let down, but that could be because it was opening night and they were being passed around en masse. The drinks, on the other hand, were awesome - perfectly mixed, and surprisingly strong for an open bar.

The crowd was thick, though celebrity-free (the most exciting person we spotted was Shiamak Davar) - but the music was fun, as was the vibe. All in all, we had a good time, and if you swing by, chances are that you will too.

Cheers,

Secret Scouters

Friday, June 5, 2009

Piñata Party!

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bUILD

What: Adult Piñata, Party Shop, 327 Abdul Rehman Street, next to Bata Shoes, Crawford Market, call 23442013, starts at Rs 275.

Why: Give these guys a couple of days and your design of choice, and they’ll build a customised piñata for your next fiesta. Read on for recommendations on goodies you can stuff it with, along with the usual suspects – mini alcohol bottles, flavoured condoms, confetti – that’ll have your friends scrambling like a bunch of kids.

When: At your next house party, when you want to beat that horse to death.

pOUR DOWN

What: Crazy match boxes, Loose Ends, off Linking Road, the lane opposite Shoppers Stop, Bandra (W), Rs 50 for 5.

Why: Because your singles need a quirky match-maker. On these boxes, Delhi-based designer Nikki D superimposes cool graphics with random words like ‘Good Dilli Buoy’, ‘Suhaagraat’ and ‘Lazy Cow’.

When: You need a ‘Good Dilli Buoy’ to light your fire.

***

What: Hand-made soaps with olive oil, Nyassa, Delta House, 18th Road, Khar (W), start at Rs 100.

Why: Loaded with 80% olive oil and available in over 20 scents, these little handmade soaps are perfect for a piñata pour down.

When: You want to turn your soiree into a soap opera. Shop there this weekend for a 30% discount.

***

What: Vodka, Mint and Chocolate Lollipops, Pure Sin, Pil Court, Churchgate, call 22000267 to order, Rs 20 each.

Why: A bpb brainchild, these grown-up lollipops are like Caprioska-candies on a stick. Pure Sin’s still experimenting, but chances are that they could make these for you with other liquors as well.

When: You want to serve some punch drunk love.

bROWSE

What: Fle@Night, Golden Manor Hotel, next to Alfredo’s, Juhu.

Why: This midnight market may not be the place to shop for a new wardrobe, but with vendors like Make-Up Lounge, Paper Cellar Stationary, and Galleria Verdant Bonsai, you’re bound to score some fun piñata stuffers.

When: June 7, 4 pm to 1 am.