Weekend Guide: Raise a Toast!

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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

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

White Collar Job

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

bpb Review: Cafe de Cono

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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.