Bedtime Stories

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bE NUDE

What: Retro bed linen by United Colors of Benetton, Surprise Homes, Kohinoor Building, Hughes Road, near b:blunt salon, Rs 1,600 onwards.

Why: One look at these soft, boldly printed sheets and you’ll want to jump into bed with them.

When: Your nightlife needs a cover-up.

***

What: Compagnie de Provence bath products and Claus Porto soap bars, Good Earth, Raghuvanshi Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Rs. 600 onwards.

Why: Bath products by Compagnie de Provence smell like a French flower market, and Claus Porto soap bars, with their pretty wrappers, will make you want to strip down in a hurry. Go this weekend, and get up to 70 % off at Good Earth’s seasonal sale.

When: You want super s(t)uds in your bath.

pERCUSSION

What: Freedom Jam Room, B8 ground floor, Kamlesh Apts, near HDFC bank, Andheri (E), call John on 9821287813, Rs 150 per hour.

Why: If you’ve got a band, they’ve got a soundproof space. Plus four laney amps, bass, keyboard, a Mapex drum kit, an air conditioner and a cook who’ll make you coffee and sandwiches while you work on your next chartbusting album. All this, at a price designed for struggling artists.

When: You want to rent a room by the hour.

bUNS

What: Da Vinci Express, next to Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel; and Gostana, Sefa House, off Pali Mala Road, opp Bagel Shop, Bandra (W), call 64533359.

Why: We’re waiting with baited breath for Da Vinci Express to open in Lower Parel, with its take-away pizza and sandwiches. If you’ve eaten at the Bandra flagship, you’ll know why. Also, click here to read about why you should visit an ancient Chinese town for yummy burgers this weekend.

When: You’re looking for a lunch-hour quickie.

***

What: Made-to-order plain and chocolate chip granola bars, call Amrita Bhoolabhai at 9820633336, Rs 360 for ½ kg.

Why: Amrita’s fresh, crunchy granola finally made us stop lusting after the cheesecake at our corner bakery. She also makes organic, low fat cakes and cookies.

When: You want to put your diet behind bars.

***

Event Round-up: Janaka Selekta at Bonobo, Retro Night with DJ Monty and a live band at Blue Frog, and Club Prana’s Spa Festival.

bpb Review: Gostana

Bandra’s newest café is an endearing bundle of contradictions, starting with its moniker. Gostana is named after an ancient Chinese town, an unlikely choice for a gourmet burger joint. And the surprises don’t stop there.

Step into the tiny, 300 square foot space, and you’ll find that a Zepplin poster blares loudly on one wall, while a blue cat twists quietly on the other, and bursts of orange cushions interrupt the all-green décor. A mixed music genre CD plays in the background, fitting into the all-over-the-place theme, and a collection of Rolling Stones magazines await, in case you’re: a) snacking alone (recommended), b) waiting for your laptop to boot (they have free Wi-fi) or c) passing time till a friend gets there (it won’t fit your entire unruly mob of friends).

You’d think we’d be at least a little perturbed by the lack of focus at Gostana, but we weren’t. Somehow, this new café manages to pack in all the different elements quite neatly.

The breezy menu focuses on gourmet burgers; you can choose from egg, spinach & cottage cheese, chicken steak, Indian chicken, lamb and fish patties, but the bread comes in just two healthy types – whole wheat and multi-grain. We got the chicken steak (Rs 120) and spinach & cottage cheese (Rs 110) burgers along with a couple of lemon iced teas. Just as the man behind a clean counter placed our minimally fried patties between two healthy buns and sunk a toothpick in, a Kanye West track gave way to U2. Great timing.

But as soon as we bit into our burgers, we lost track of the music. The patty melts in your mouth, the spicy mayo is delish (but not as healthy as they claim), and the bread is well, not white. The burgers are perfect, well-priced, and strike a happy balance between their two extreme cousins - fast food junk and five star excess.

But for an ice tea that we gulped down in two sips, Rs 75 is steep. They also serve other beverages like green tea and coffee, but the price will ensure that you won’t order four cups while leaching off the free Wi-fi.

The pricey drinks however, were pretty much our only complain that night. Our meal ended with a slice of delightful chocolate cake on the house, a great way to get new customers back.

All in all, we loved the vibe at Gostana. And the best part? It’s one of those rare places in the city where you can go alone. Get a table for two, and take a novel along for company.

Getting there: Shop 1, Sefa House, New Kanthwadi Road, off Pali Mala Road, Bandra (W). Call 6453 3359 for home delivery.

bpb Scout: Scuba Guru Plays Travel Guide

Neet Shah, scuba instructor and founder of Flying Mantas plays travel agent for you this season.

Fittingly, Neet’s romance with scuba diving began at during his honeymoon, when he dived for the first time. Since then, he has dived in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Thailand, and the Andamans.

Before giving into his scuba obsession, Neet was a management consultant in New York City, and has graduated from IIM Ahmedabad. He runs Flying Mantas, a scuba training and travel agency in Mumbai.

He gives us the low down on his favorite travel destinations:

Sri Lanka: I’ve only been there for a couple of days… but I just loved the vibe. The people are awesomely friendly, the food is great and with the war over, the north-east will be open for tourism. Plus, the locals claim that the beaches up there are as good as the Maldives.

The Andamans: I’ve been on many beach vacations around the world and am happy to report that one of the nicest ones I’ve ever had was right here on our doorstep. Plus, it is awesome value for money!

Costa Rica: Volcanos, rainforests, white water rafting, surfing, thermal spas, ziplining, bungee, diving and COFFFEEEEEE! All in a country the size of Maharashtra. Need I say more?

Bhutan: Never been there, but any place that measures Gross National Happiness certainly knows what it’s doing. If I go, I may never come back.

Galapagos Islands: I know this one is half way around the world, but if there is one place I want to go back to… this is it. For nature lovers, there is no better place in the world. Where else can you hang with penguins, sea lions, iguanas, hammerheads, and turtles!? Drool….

Moonwalk

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’bYE

What: Pre-launch of official Michael Jackson T-shirts on eBay India, Rs 1,499.

Why: Because these limited edition T-shirts were specially approved by the King of Pop himself, for his London concert series.

When: You want to wear his art on your sleeve. T-shirts available until August 24.

pICTURE THIS

What: Fables by Bill Willingham and other rare graphic novels at Ashish Book Centre, 142
Mahendra Chambers, DN Road, opp VT station, Rs 300 and up (cost 30% less than at other book stores).

Why: You’ll love the Fables series, where Snow White is divorced, Big Bad Wolf is reformed and other characters face reality post their happily-ever-after fairy tale endings.

Warning: Due to the graphic nature of this recommendation, reader hysteria is advised.

***

What: Dial-a-silver-screen, call Richa at Shamiana on 9833031228 or email shamianashorts@gmail.com, price on request.

Why: The guys at Shamiana will hook you up with a projector, big screen and even some films (you can bring your own movie too). All you need now is friends and wine.

When: You want to turn your terrace into a Cinema Paradiso.

bREAK

What: Lazy Days Goa Rentals, visit www.lazydays.co.uk, price on request.

Why: From rural cottages to bungalows on the beach, Lazy Days rents out homes all over Goa.
Our favorite is Casa Marsol, a pretty four bedroom villa right next to Candolim beach, complete with four poster beds, open-aired bathrooms and a private pool.

When: You want to be king of your own (sand) castle.

***

What: Personalised jigsaw puzzles, Accssetra, call Nidhi Agrawal at 9820644124, Rs 1,200 onwards.

Why: Give Nidhi your favorite photo, and she’ll turn it into a detailed puzzle, even including little notes to your beau in the back. We also love her photo lamps and clocks.

When: You want to piece together a nostalgic present from the past.

***

Event Round-Up: Friday Night Buster at Zenzi Mills featuring hip hop and techno rooms; Lillette Dubey’s“Brief Candle” at the NCPA; and Son of Godawful Poetry Fortnight.

Join the Son of Godawful Poetry Fortnight

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Doopity doopity doo
the mouse ran out of the loo
having done what he went in to do
doopity doopity doo

If you can write poetry that sucks more, join the Son of Godawful Poetry Fortnight, on until August 31. The above excuse for a verse is a sample from last year’s Godawful Poetry Fortnight (the first of its kind), where blogger, poet and Caferati co-founder Peter Griffin declared Sir William I-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud Wordsworth the patron saint of bad poetry. It’s not that Griffin despises Wordsworth. In fact, he said in a newspaper interview last year that he didn’t. It’s Wordworth’s famous definition of poetry — “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” — that won him this unfortunate honour. The official blog says “way too many aspiring poets have rallied behind this Wordsworth banner, too few going so far as recollecting those emotions in tranquility”.

So here’s what you have to do: Post a Godawful poem on your blog (if you don’t have one, you can write here), and put the required tag on your post. For more instructions, click here.

Go rummage through your waste paper bin,
For that verse you cursed, balled up and sent to sin.
Uncrumple, de-crease, and copy on to blog,
Coz apparently you won’t be judged, or publicly flogged.

I guess we qualify for Godawful poetry too!

Mumbai Mail

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bASH

What: Theme parties by movie set designer, call Dreamz Kraft on 9820287040, price on request.

Why: Having styled the sets for Rock On and Delhi Belly, Dreamz Kraft is equipped to deal with the most elaborate parties, whether it’s recreating Moulin Rouge, Venice or Las Vegas.

When: You wanna dream a little theme.

pASSPORT

What: How You Wish You Were Hanging in Mumbai postcards, to order email Gynelle Alves on gynelle.alves@gmail.com, price on request.

Why: Because Gynelle’s sketches are quirky and intricate and you get to be in them! Send in pictures of yourself and your favourite Mumbai hangout, and she’ll put your love for the city on customised postcards.

When: You want your friends to wish they were here.

***

What: Dolce Vita Ice Cream, next to Babulnath Temple, call 23624546, Rs 650 for a pint; Fugu sushi, San Qi, Four Seasons Hotel, Worli, call 24818000, price on request.

Why: This store stocks Ben & Jerry’s (also at Nature’s Baskets), as well as ice creams from Masterfoods (Mars, Bounty, Twix), Mackie’s – and dieters rejoice! – Heinz Weight Watchers. For something more upscale, try the poisonous fugu blowfish at San Qi, India’s only restaurant to serve the Japanese delicacy, which can kill you if not cleaned and cooked right.

When: You’re looking for a chilling meal.

bRIGHT

What: Sterling silver elephant bookmarks at Kisha, off Linking road, lane opposite Shopper’s Stop, Bandra (W), Rs 600.

Why: At Bandra’s newest lifestyle store, you can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Even if it’s tiny, sits atop a slim silver stick and is overshadowed by the towering Thailand-made Buddhas, so ubiquitous in Mumbai.

When: It takes an elephant’s memory to remember where you left off.

***

What: Clocky Chrome alarm clock and Shower Radio, visit www.hitplay.in, Rs 1,999 and Rs 899 respectively.

Why: You’ll have to chase this clock on wheels around your room to shut off the alarm - hey, got you out of bed, didn’t it? And with the shower radio, you’ll have back-up vocals for your bath. HitPlay also makes a bunch of other cool products, like the SunJar.

When: You want your morning to start off on a high note.

Bombay Briefs

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Also, win entrance passes to Blue Frog for Akshai and Yahel’s gig on Saturday Night, August 8 by sharing your Mumbai secret (bar, shop, street treat).

bRUISE

What: Mixed Martial Arts Fight Night, 2nd floor, Famous Studio, Mahalaxmi, call 9820112639 for passes and cover charge.

Why: Because a Mixed Martial Arts fight league is making its moves on Mumbai for the first time. At this under-(w)raps event, you can watch ten bouts of India’s best fighters in the ring, while you drink whiskey and thank God you got a break from the city’s bars.

When: You want a kickass Saturday night. August 8, 7 to 11 pm.

pILSNER

What: The BeerMachine, visit www.beermachine.in or call Yesha at 09833879333, Rs. 5,999 onwards.

Why: This compact counter-friendly contraption makes fresh brews in eight different varieties (we like the Golden Lager and Amber Ale). Just add in the beer mix, and develop your very own six pack.

When: You wanna hops to it.

***

What: Customised psychedelic bar fridge, call artist Rashmi Dogra at 9820450066, Rs 2,800 onwards.

Why: Big-bummed babes, floozy flamingoes, souped-up superheroes: Rashmi, whose designs are showcased at some of the city’s best stores (Aza, Ogaan) will jazz up your drab Kelvinator with any motif you want. Add in awesome shot glasses made of ice from Loose Ends, and you’ll have the coolest fridge in town!

When: You want to be a free(ze) spirit.

bUCKLE UP

What: Handcuffs, feather boas and masks, Pride! Azaad Bazaar Exhibition, 1st floor, Link Corner Mall, KFC Lane, Bandra (W), Rs 350 onwards.

Why: Too racy for their online store, these accessories are bound to spice up your sex life, whichever way you swing.

When: You want a new set of cuff links. Exhibition on August 14 and 15.

***

What: Maxxis wheel store, Khar, Santacruz and Lamington Road, Call 26051509, Rs 1,000 onwards.

Why: Maxxis’ hot wheels add style to your automobile. If you want to go all out, halt at Vardenchi’s customised bike building chopper shop, and owner Akshai Varde and his team will bring your motorcycle diary to life. Visit www.vardenchi.com.

When: You want rubbers that pleasure your ride.

Comic Relief: International Stand Up Acts

If you didn’t get Brown Paper Bag’s free passes to Gordon Southern and James Moffet’s stand-up act this week, it’s time to pay for your own. Here’s why it’s worth your time and money: For one thing, Mumbai is starved for non-booze, non-Bollywood action. So when award-winning comedians come calling, go you must.

Beyond the Fringe Brit boy Southern, who’s on his way to headline The Edinburgh Fringe, one of the best-known comedy festivals in the world, will be giving us a sneak peek to gigs from his new show, The Unofficial 2009 Album! He has also appeared on several BBC TV comedy shows like Have I Got News for You and Comedy Nation.

Knead to Laugh When his career as a massage therapist brought him only “hairy backed gorilla men” and no “hot chicks”, Australia-born James Moffet decided to turn to stand-up comedy. We hope he works these shenanigans into his act! This funny guy has done the whole routine — been on prominent TV shows, won awards and gone on tour, so we’re sure he’ll have us in splits.

Show Schedule
August 6: St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra
August 7: St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra
August 8: Y.B. Chavan Centre, Nariman Point

Tickets are available at the venues and bookmyshow.com.

Win Free Entry Into Yahel & Akshay's Gig at Blue Frog

The legendary Yahel is performing at the Frog on Saturday with Akshai Sarin (it’s also his “Moving to Bombay” party – yay!), as part of Yahel’s “XPORT” album launch; and we’re giving away free entries to the gig!

All you have to do is Share Your Secret on our newly launched website (tell us about your favourite Mumbai bar, restaurant, shop, hide-out), and the best ones will win free entry to the club that night.

So go on, spill it!

Cheers,

Secret Scouters

Cat's Out of the Bag!

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bEHIND THE SCENES

We scout out designers stocked at the city’s most stylish stores, sans the mark-ups.

What: Minimalist linen wear, Kishmish Design Studio, Colaba, call 9820031361, Rs 2,500 for a cowl-neck dress.

Why: Because their collection of deceptively simple designs in an airy palette of whites, creams and pale blues is like a bit of beach for your closet. You’ll find Kishmish offerings at Melange, Ensemble and more, but these designers also run a secret studio, where they’ll create customised pieces.

When: You want to lay it on the line(n).

***

What: Shifts and double-layered dresses from Pink Papaya, call 9820009008 or email trulypinkpapaya@gmail.com, Rs 1,500 and up.

Why: Ashmi Bhansali crumples cotton and takes the length a notch up this season. Her bright pieces are sitting pricey at Oak Tree and Mogra, but at her home they’re less demanding.

When: You need some cotton candy.

***

What: Chunky necklaces from Valliyan by Nitya, email valliyanbynitya@hotmail.com, Rs 3,000 and up.

Why: Supplied to Bombay Electric and Zoya, this accessory designer’s intricate jewelry in beads and fibre can add drama to the drabbest dress. Bead me up, Nitya!

When: Your neck is on the line.

pRIDE

What: IndjaPink Luxury Travel for Gay Men, visit www.indjapink.co.in, price on request.

Why: Because after all the 377 hype and hoopla, it’s finally time for a vacation. This travel agency caters exclusively to gay couples, organising group tours and individual trips all over India.

When: You want to get off the straight and narrow path.

bEAST

What: Engraved pet identity tags, Shake Hands, Daulat Shirin Co-Operative Housing Society, 31 D, Shop no. 4, near Colaba Post Office, call 22162869, Rs 150 – 400.

Why: Because these adorable brass tags come in circles, hearts and bones, and can be engraved with personal details in a jiffy.

When: You want to bell the cat.

Weekend Conquest: Fort Jadhavgadh

Storming the Castle

All of last week was a battle of stress vs. rest. Bitter war waged on from Monday to Friday, with R&R finally coming out on top and a fort conquest to boast of. Jubilant, we left our Blackberrys in Bombay and drove out to Fort Jadhavgadh, a heritage hotel about four hours from the city.

The Spoils of Battle

This awesome resort, built in 1710 and perched in the Saswad hills 2,500 ft above sea level, has everything you’d expect from a big, drafty castle: open courtyards, menacing dungeons and thick stone walls. Guests also have access to an antique museum, rooftop dinners, deer parks, full-service spa and emerald blue pool. Best of all, the bar has a kick-ass happy hour from 4 pm to 8 pm. This could, we thought while sipping on some royally good martinis, quickly eclipse Amby Valley as the place to jet off to around Mumbai.

Peace Treat(y)

We were booked into a premium room but sweet talked our way to one of the four luxury suites at the fort. Air-conditioned tent top? Check. Four-poster bed? Check. Antique dressing room? Check. Three-section bathroom with ridiculously large bath tub? Check. Balcony with a (gorgeous) view? Check. Suite!

Memories for Monday

Unfortunately, we’re back in Mumbai now. Looks like stress might emerge triumphant this week, but the sweet taste of victory remains.

Getting there: Packages start at Rs 5,500. For more information and specials call 02115 - 305 200 / 202 780 or log on to http://fortjadhavgadh.com.

Joss & Dome: Rice, Rice Baby

This week, rice gets twice as nice. Two of our favourite Mumbai restaurants — Joss at Kala Ghoda and Dome at the Intercontinental — have launched new sushi menus.

Joss is doing the usual (and yum) sushi and sashimi with quirky twists; Master Chef Enrique Nomura from Geisha restaurant, New York is whipping up ‘inside out’ Urumaki Rolls with rice on the inside and fillings like avocado on the outside. We ordered in for a vegetarian variation (Rs 560), and teamed it with a glass of sake. The creamy cheese, sticky rice and avocado went perfectly with the rain. There’s also Tomago Omelette, Rainbow Rice Paper Rolls and Nigiri.

Getting there: Joss, 30 K Dubash Marg, Opp Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda. Call 66334233/66356908.

The next new sushi counter we plan to hit is at Dome. We’ve heard great reviews, and for those who don’t like sea weed, these guys roll it out with chipotle and roasted pepper maki, marinated mushroom, pickled vegetables and spinach too.

This, we’ll team not with sake, but with the lounge’s ridiculously large and potent glasses of Long Island Ice Tea. Sushi and Long Islands may not be the best culinary match, but trust us, this is the best cocktail on the menu!

Getting there: Dome, Intercontinental Hotel, Marine Drive. Call 39879999.

Silvery Party Shifts, LBDs, and Honky-Tonk Shoes at the Pratap Sale

We scoped out the end of season sale at Rajesh Pratap Singh, Courtyard yesterday, and came away with some awesome pieces at deep discounts. A foray through well-stocked racks yielded silvery party shifts, a gorgeous LBD with signature Pratap flowers in dainty embroidery (it was marked down from Rs 12,000 to Rs 5,500), and a hip, all-purpose white shirt for Rs. 3,000.

What we loved the most though, was a pair of lace-up leather shoes with frontal detailing and pointy tips for Rs. 900. A comfy, super-cool spin-off on cowboy boots that come in black, cream and white (and at a great price), these, ladies, are an absolutely must have!

Rajesh Pratap Singh, The Courtyard, Minoo Desai Road, Colaba, Open 10:30 am - 7:30 pm, Monday closed.

Miss Malini: Luke Kenny's Tribute to the King of Pop

Like I said, don’t miss this. It’s FREE! Here’s a quick look at Luke Kenny’s MJ memories and favorites…

First memory of MJ: Late one night watching Doordarshan on a B&W TV set, “Beat It” came on followed by “Billie Jean” on a show called “Hot Tracks”

Favorite MJ song lyrics: Many… but off the top of my head… earth song.

The key to doing an MJ act: It's not about being like MJ, more about feeling like MJ.

Read more on Malini's blog.

At Blue Frog on Wed, 29th July, entry free.

Chasing Cars

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bETTER HALF

What: Marry Me wedding consultants, log on to www.marrymeweddings.in or call 9769682323, price on request.

Why: These marriage planners do everything short of driving your get-away car. Besides the essential budgeting and bookings, they’ll also hook you up with a sangeet choreographer, baaraat arrangements and valet for events.

When: You want a well-groomed wedding.

pANT

Registration for the Mumbai Marathon 2010 is now open. We thought we’d give you a leg up.

What: Gourmet Soup and Salad delivery service from Calorie Care, call 65567018, Rs 140 onwards.

Why: Crafted by dieticians and chefs, these yummy but low cal soups and salads are delivered straight to your desk. Also, get free nutrition and training tips on this online group, run by the medical support coordinators for the Mumbai Marathon.

When: You want to reach the thin-ish line.

***

What: Our favorite podcasts: The New Yorker Fiction; Indie Travel; and Bands Under the Radar, free.

Why: The New Yorker podcast is a literary wet dream: Jhumpa Lahiri, Jonathan Franzen, and others narrate short stories by giants like Nabokov and Updike. From journeying across Oaxaca in the time of swine flu to the best iPhone travel apps, the award-winning Indie Travel is guaranteed to fire up your wanderlust. And Bands Under the Radar brings you undiscovered artists who will grow up to be the next Arcade Fire and Coldplay. They accept submissions as well.

When: You want to race against rhyme.

bOUND

What: Month-long online story writing workshop, Happy Inkpot, to register call 919820606911 or visit the Facebook group, Rs 1,500.

Why: Bollywood scriptwriter Shubra Chatterjee introduces you to the art of storytelling, helping uncover your writing talent - or lack thereof. And all of this over email! No classroom, no fixed timings, no mucky commute. .

When: You don’t want to be a Stranger to Fiction. Workshop begins August 3.

***

What: Fresh stock of jumpsuits, Izzo, Shop No 2, Pankaj building, Ambedkar Road, next to Sarvodaya, Bandra (W), Rs 1,500 onwards.

Why: From an elegant one-shouldered version to brightly coloured cropped onesies, we scouted almost a hundred jumpsuits at this little Bandra boutique. Pair them with high heels and big bangles.

When: You want to pick up the hottest singles in town.

Miss Malini: Playing for Change

How cool is this? Michael Jackson would have been proud (speaking of which Luke Kenny is performing another tribute concert at Blue Frog this Wednesday and its free entry, see you there?) I came across this extraordinary movement thanks to the filmmaker Fahad Samar who sent me an email saying, “Just every now and again we get something over the net that takes your breath away.” Boy was he right. Playing for change aims to bring the world together through its most universal language. Music.

According to their website playingforchange.com, “Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.

Read more on Malini's blog.

Miss Malini: Can You Say SHKABANG?

Amazing news, Anuskha Manchanda has taken the plunge and joined a band or rather banded with some amazing like-minded musicians. This wicked ex-VIVA songstress (aka the one who could sing) made quite an impression on me with her amazing unplugged sessions at Daddy’s Windsong Wednesday’s & the Channel [v] Launch Pad after party where she sang her cheeky self-composed ode to “this one guy” called “A**hole” LOVE IT.

Read more on Malini's blog.

bpb Review: Puro and Lisantro

When a new restaurant replaces an old one, you imagine it to be some kind of culinary evolution. But maybe we expected too much. Pause at Hill Road, Bandra (W) is gone, and in its place is Puro, complete with tacky lighting, mediocre taste, and exorbitant prices. The done-to-death all-white interior fails to shield the space from the sights and sounds of Bandra’s busiest streets; big windows meant our food was bathed in the warm glow of traffic lights. Tres Romantic!

If you must visit, go on a weekend; weeknights here, even though it’s a brand spanking new joint, are prosaic. And if you must eat, the Caesar’s Salad, Satay Chicken and Chocolate Fondant are your best bets. Our Mediterranean Pasta in pesto sauce tasted like Maggi Noodles with cheese, so steer clear of the exotic and expect to pay about Rs 1,500 per head (with alcohol). If it wasn’t for great company and sublime screwdrivers, Puro would have definitely left us with a bad aftertaste.

Getting there: Puro, next to Globus, Hill Road, Bandra (W), call 26431234.

Speaking of those yet to evolve, Bandra’s other new entry is Lisantro, located at the burgeoning street of eateries at Carter Road. We dropped by at the multi-cuisine restaurant for an evening snack, only to feel like we were being entertained at a friend’s home where the meal had been prepared by a maharaj. The Corn and Spinach Bruschetta was as tasty as Indian homemade Italian fare can get, but definitely not authentic. And that’s not even the most disappointing bit. The wine glasses, the first things you see from across the road as you approach Lisantro, are just a tease; the restaurant does not have a liquor license.

Here’s hoping that cuisine in Bandra fares better in the coming weeks. Wait, are you even allowed to make a toast with Coke in your wine glass?

Getting there: Lisantro, off Carter Road, next to Movie Empire, Bandra (W), call 26489974

Confluence

If you’re looking to take a vacation, check out the Ladakh Confluence, August 28-31, 2009. We’re super excited about the line-up at this open-aired music festival, set against Leh’s spectacular landscape, which will showcase an international group of stellar musicians as diverse as Talvin Singh (table), Rahul Sharma (santoor), Bauchklang and Rajasthan Roots. A ton of people are going from Mumbai, so check out the Facebook group to find travel buddies for the ride up there, etc.

For a shorter getaway, consider white water rafting on the Kundalika. It’s only 140 km out of the city (it took us about three hours to get there from Marine Drive), and affords some really awesome views. Rapids on the Kundalika, which is fed by the Mulshi dam, are pretty tame, but will keep you entertained for a couple of hours. We used Nature Trails (Rs 1,250 per person), but there are a couple of companies that offer the same service. Go in a big group (each raft carries upto nine people) and remember to pack towels and a change of clothes, because you're guaranteed to get drenched!

Happy Vacationing!

Secret Scouters

Miss Malini: Wah Taj!

The upside of all this rain has got to be the satisfaction of a good meal on a rainy day. The better news is that you can probably get away with fishy dishes if you’re dining on the Monsoon menu at the Konkan Cafe at the Taj President, Mumbai.

Master Chef Ananda Solomon replicates traditional methods at Konkan Café to delight you with authentic Konkan food during monsoons. Dishes which are prepared in a combination of fresh ground spices are smooth on flavors, tangy in taste and colorful.

The food is light on taste buds with a medley of mint, green chilies, coriander and raw mango in fresh and dried form with a blend of hand ground spices enhances the subtlety of food.

Read more here.

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bIG SHOT

What: bpb brain child — Your life on film, directed by Rohan Sabharwal, visit rohansabharwal.com, price on request.

Why: Tombs of Egyptian royalty were painted with scenes from their lives - we bring you an updated version. Award-winning filmmaker Rohan Sabharwal who showed at Cannes this year, will script, direct, score and edit your life into a super slick short flick. Read on for other recommendations so cool, you’d want to take them to your tomb.

When: You want the show to go on.

pASSAGE

What: Cleopatra’s Revival Spa Treatment for women, call 9892452333 for an appointment, Rs 500 onwards.

Why: A magic mixture of saffron, cinnamon and milk, wellness therapist Smita Hirlekar concocted this one just for us. Best part is, she’ll bring her massage table right to your home.

When: You want to come back from the dead.

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What: Whatshouldireadnext.com book recommendation portal; Putumayo World Music Collection, Candies, Bandra, contact 26424124, Rs 450 onwards.

Why: Type in your favorite novels and this site will give you a dead-on reading list tailored to your taste. Putumayo’s music from places as diverse as Africa, Ireland, Spain and Italy is guaranteed to keep you occupied for a good long while.

When: You need to endure One Hundred Years of Solitude.

bURY

What: Valpolicella Red Wine at Don Giovanni, Atria Mall, Worli, Rs 2,250 per bottle.

Why: This full bodied Italian red comes highly recommended by the gourmands at Don Giovanni. One sip and you’ll know that it has Bacchus’ blessings.

When: You’re going down into the cellar.

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What: Past life regression sessions, call Dr Rahul Dutta, 9821758177, price on request.

Why: Because this doctor and certified hypnotherapist helps you revisit your past lives, minus the hocus pocus. Come on… we know you’re at least a little curious.

When: To know where you’re going, you need to know where you’ve been.