Shack Up!

USP Age
What's On - Wine-N-Dine

If you are yearning for the soft sands of Goa just head for 100ft Road, Indiranagar to shack up at The Beach. This restaurant will instantly transport you to the sultry beaches of Goa – sand, ocean, coconut grooves, et al.
Designed like a Goan shack, you feel at ease the moment you step in. The first things you notice are the lush bamboos which stand tall, blocking away any reminiscence of still being in Bengaluru city.
Essentially divided into four areas, you can enjoy 'an evening in Goa' in all the sections. The Predo Shack is lit subtly with goblets of candles, and is walled off with glass. The high-backed chairs are accompanied by beautiful tables, which are filled with sand and white pebbles, make it a perfect venue for a quiet romantic evening.
The Beach Area has a more upbeat feel to it. The high ceiling with jute and bamboo complete the Goan-shack feel. The glass tabletops are balanced on coconut tree stumps. The stools which make up for seats, are also logs of coconut trees. The accompanying bar area too has a backdrop of bamboo shoots. You will be tempted to dig your feet into the soft sand which makes for the flooring while enjoying hip-hop and house music dished out by the resident DJ.
The bar serves both Indian and imported liquor. Must-try is their Margarita and Long Island Iced Tea. ‘Sex on the Beach’ also came recommended by the manager. You can enjoy your drink over the gentle murmur of waves. The Beach boasts of a water machine which forms waves, thus completing the 'oceanic experience'.
The Lounge area has under-played lighting with low seating. You can laze on the sofas for hours on end. Head for the fine dining section, which is on the first level for a hearty meal. They serve both lunch and dinner, with a multi-cuisine menu. But the kitchen specialises in Goan dishes from where Xazuti, a coconut-based gravy, comes highly recommended. You have a choice of meat – fish, chicken or mutton. The Goan curry which is another hot favourite among patrons, too has a coconut base, spiced delicately with Goan condiments. They also specialise in Continental dishes.
Going by the crowds flocking The Beach every weekend, it sure seems like Goa has found some tough competition in Bangalore.

Go Gizmo

Boys have always loved toys, but girls aren’t behind in the game either. And they do it with panache. Here is a low-down on the must-have gadgets which will enhance your style-quotient instantly.
A book which doesn't run out of paper and a pen out of ink. No wizardry required for modern-day iball Digital Notepad on which you can draw or make notes. It holds up to 150 pages of handwritten notes which can be transferred to computer. Email the tailor to have your dress tailored, or send handwritten emails to friends…computer can be made truly ‘personal’ again.
OSIM helps you rid(e) away your fat. And this does not need heading for the closest race track; the ride comes home for you. iGallop is a mechanical saddle which moves the body in multiple directions giving a full body workout and melts away the fat.
Want to spice up the ride with music? Then you will love the techni-colour iPod Shuffle which can hold up to 240 songs. Tall as your little finger, this mp3 player is now available in vibrant tints - fuchsia pink, electric blue and lime green. Clip it on your collar or belt and rock on for 12 hours, non-stop.
Lost your way in the Ghats? Look up your camera! Exilim EX-S770, the digital camera from Casio can take maps you found on the internet, emails, even business documents. This is besides the 1739 pictures or 43 minutes of video you can take. A slim card camera in funky colours, slip it in your handbag and make any moment a best-shot.
Your nail chips in office or the keys fall in the dark at the doorstep? Hit SOS, or keep Miss Army Kit alongside. This pocket-sized pink kit fits in 16 disarming tools including knife and flashlight; needle, thread, and safety pin for wardrobe malfunctions; mirror, nail fileand perfume bottle for an unplanned date.
Shopping alone and can’t trust the sales woman’s advise? Snap a picture and ask your girlfriend for advice. With Intel UMPC aka Ultra Mobile PC access media and online content on the go. Chat, watch videos, go through presentation on your drive back home…everything you would do on your PC, scrunched in a handheld device.
Word of warning – these gizmos can get very addictive.