Lighten Up!

bpb Freebie: New deal from LoveSac, exclusively for members. For freebies and your free weekly guide, enter your email address in the subscription box.

bUM

What: Single and multi-seating LoveSac chairs, sofas and bean bags, call Samir Pancha at 9930291667, prices start at Rs. 4,500.

Why: Just arrived in India, LoveSacs are the Aston Martin of bean bags. Available in different avatars with customised covers, these are very likely the most comfortable surfaces you’ll ever sink into. Remember… you saw it here first!

When: You want to score some Love in the Sac.

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What: Traditional Indian board games including Bambaram, Vanvas, and Chaupad by Kreeda, order online, Rs 80 onwards.

Why: You want to invite an army of black and white elephants, Ravana and his ten heads, and a twirling top to your next game night.

When: Charades have gotten Dumb, and mind games are Taboo.

pREEN

What: Customised charm bracelets, call Samidha at 9920117773 or Sanjana at 9820603861, Rs. 700 onwards.

Why: When they’re not styling movie stars, these designers string together charms stocked at stores like Butter. But we take you straight to the source, where you can have them create customised bracelets sporting all the things you love – sheep, guitars, cupcakes, and even your fat Persian cat.

When: Your wardrobe needs a shot in the (ch)arm.

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What: Dial-a-mural by Harshad Patankar, call 996905498, prices depend on materials used.

Why: Patankar’s 3D, whimsical murals - umbrellas, rain boots and clothes lines in sepia tones – are perfect for your vacant walls. Check out his art at www.harshadpatankar.com/murals.html, or describe your vision, and he’ll connect the dots.

When: Your Casa is kinda Blanca.

bLIND

What: MySpace Secret Show featuring MotherJane, Scribe and Black, Bandstand Amphitheatre, Bandra, sign up at www.myspace.com, free for members.

Why: Because this super-popular international franchise has brought U2 to a rooftop, Neil Diamond to coffee shops, and Moby to a neighborhood club. Traditionally, audiences are informed of the gig location, but the performing acts remain a surprise.

When: You want to go on blind dates with Kooks and Killers, and have them end on a high note. Series kicks off tonight, May 29, at 6:30 pm.

Konkan Express

If you’re in the area, swing by the Konkan Café at the Taj President for their Ten-Minute Thali. Only served at lunch, your plate is piled with yummy treats, and delivered in ten minutes or less. And in case your Malabar Chicken Masala and steaming appams don’t make it on time, you’ll get 50% off on your bill!

Starting at Rs 845, it’s a little steep, but we tried and loved the Sea Food Thali with Manglorean Fish Curry and Mango Prawns.

Here’s to hoping the Konkan Express runs a little late!

Cheers,

Secret Scouters

At Your Own Peril....

A lot of readers have been asking us about the absinthe recommendation; here are some details:

It's called Hapsburg Absinthe, and it's available over the counter at Peekay Wines (see previous post for address). It has 72.5% alcohol, which roughly translates into 130 proof.

It packs a pretty big punch, so use carefully.

Have a great weeekend,

Secret Scouters

PS: The Corpse Reviver cocktails are super yummy, so you should definitely try them!

Runway Models

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bLAST

What: Corpse Revivers made with Hapsburg Absinthe, available at Peekay Wine Merchants, A Block, 11/13 Sitaram Building, Dr. D.N. Road, near Crawford Market, Rs. 3, 884 for a bottle.

Why: Delicious and just a little dangerous, this cocktail will R.I.P apart your usual drinking line-up. Mix equal parts of gin, Cointreau, lemon juice and Lillet Blanc in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and pour into a martini glass coated with the elusive absinthe (or you can just add it in– a couple of drops is enough, unless you want to fly off to see the Green Fairy!)

When: You want to get a little absinthe minded.

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What: ASAP – Any Surprise Any Place, call +919810888498 or log on to asap.co.in, Rs 1,200 onwards.

Why: Tie your message to a helicopter’s end / Thumbs Up to the pilot, and say send / And as it buzzes in the bright Mumbai skies, / Your mate will look up and say, “Quel Surprise!”

Besides messenger planes, this quirky surprise service also does champagne in limos, live bands at airports, songs in telegrams, and pretty much anything else you can think up.

When: You want to go from Hallmark to high mark.

pLAY

What: SkyV Aero Modelling Kit, India Hobby Centre, Mayur, Girgaum, next to Chowpatty, call 23823125, Rs. 4,500 including body and engine.

Why: With remote-controlled versions costing a cool Rs. 35,000, these aero models are no child’s play, but they’re just as much fun. Put together this basic version, and see for yourself.

When: You want to take flights of fancy.

bIOLOGY

What: Pocket to life sized hand-painted animal figures, Turquoise, Perry Cross Road, Bandra (W), Rs 900 onwards.

Why: Turquoise is like Noah’s Ark, only less biblical and more bizarre. Crazy cats, fat fish and a flock of Marquez-esque parrots sail out of a Jodhpur workshop and into this store.

When: You want a happy giraffe to join that elephant in your room.

***

What: New dinner menu; and ‘Dragon’ by Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale, Blue Frog, Lower Parel, Rs. 500 to enter.

Why: Because you get to watch these seriously talented musicians create an on-the-spot score to Bruce Lee’s movie Enter the Dragon. Also, one bite of the just-introduced French toast with oranges, caramel, chocolate sauce and ice-cream, and you’ll know why this Frog is prince.

When: You want to take a sensory leap. Saturday, May 23, 10:30 pm.

(T)Wit!

Hey guys,

For daily updates and freebies, follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/bpbmumbai

Cheers,

The Secret Scouters

Listen Up!

bpb’s Radio Active! Catch the Secret Scouters on Radio One’s (94.3) It’s Tiger Time with Malini from Monday to Thursday between 9 pm – 12 am.

bOMBAY BEST

What: Sake Brunch, Testsuma, next to Radio Club, Colaba, Rs 1,500 for starters, main course and alcohol.

Why: A no-liquor Saturday night (election counting) prompted the peeps at Privé to put together a last minute boozy brunch at their Japanese resto-lounge. The IPL will be screened; Mumbai’s out, but sushi’s still batting strong.

When: This weekend, when the city’s activities have pretty much run dry. May 17, 12 pm to 6 pm.

BPB FREEBIE: Girls, if you decide to go a la carte, carry a print out of this blog post to get a glass of wine on the house – but go early, because you’ll have to be among the first twenty bpb subscribers to get there.

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What: Love Travel Guides by Fiona Caulfield, Good Earth outlets or Bombay Electric, Colaba, visit www.lovetravelguides.com, Rs. 1,200.

Why: Because this arty series of hand-made, eco-conscious books gives you a local’s insight into Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. These city guides are no brown paper bag, but they’re perfect for visitors, and make for great gifts.

When: You need a little help finding Love.

pOKER

What: Cuban cigars at Empire Tobacco Company, 319 Prospect Chambers, Opp Thomas Cook, Dr D N Rd, Fort.

Why: These cigars are essential to your rite of passage into Mumbai’s underground poker clubs. Go through Empire Tobacco’s surreptitious stock (they’re not on display, you have to ask for them), and you’ll score the elusive H Uppman’s Corona Majors.

When: Your pocket kings need some suave.

***

What: Oakwood Poker set, Tesoro, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Rs 5,000.

Why: You can’t swing a briefcase of chips in this city without hitting a poker player. If you can find a poker set, that is. After scouting all the usual suspects — we even called bootleggers — we finally found a slick set at Tesoro.

When: You want to get your game on.

bEADY

What: Diana’s recycled jewelry, call 9987354466, Rs 1,000 onwards.

Why: Diana Linda turns old magazine pages into hip papier maché bangles, earrings and necklaces. She retails at super pricey stores like Bombay Electric and Attic, but we bring you a direct line to her, minus the mark ups.

When: You want to see waste turned into wonder.