Rock of all Ages

CityInfo
Bangalore
Cover Story

Rock of all Ages
Diamonds are a girl's best friend

A journey into the glimmering world of Damas will leave you breathless. At the stunning range, of course, but also at who’s shopping. 10,000 sq ft of dazzling gold and diamonds shaped into one of the country’s largest collections of jewellery, caters not just to bridal parties and platinum couples, but also to teenagers and children. “Our range is yet unmatched,” beamed managing director Shaheeda Abdul Kader.
The latest collection at Damas is Farfasha, meaning ‘chill out’ in Arabic. It was launched on the eve of Valentine’s Day and its brand ambassador is the smouldering hot Lebanese singer, Nancy Ajram. “We chose Nancy because she is the icon of the youth today,” explained Abdul Kader. Farfasha is an affordable collection especially designed for the young and young at heart.
Another favourite at Damas is Aya – meaning verses – which consists of pendants, all inscribed with lines from the Koran. The store’s expert craftsmen are currently working on inscribing the Bhagvad Gita too.
Quite unlike local jewellery stores, Damas carries the complete range of each of the brands it houses. The selection includes Italian jewellery brands, Uno Aerre, Aprile and Salvatore Bersani, the Swiss Gemtique, and even middle-range collections like Uno Trend and Celine Renato. Sidra, and Alice & Alex are exclusive collections of jewellery for children. Fior is a beautiful Sri Lankan brand of floating diamonds. Boudoor, literally meaning constellation of moons, is Damas’ in-house collection.
Damas has a network of over 250 branches worldwide. You’ll find over 90 per cent of the largest Italian jewellery brands and some of the best Swiss watches here. The Italian brand Aprile, in particular, is extremely popular with the Indian market.
The jewellery conglomerate believes in showcasing craft that is unique. Not only does Damas house well-known international brands, it also fetes local talent. Anjana Das, a Bangalore-based designer has her collection of Biorlet diamonds sharing the limelight with Gemtique and Boudoor.
Abdul Kader knows beyond a doubt that the Indian consumer has arrived. “A large chunk of our customers in Dubai were Indians. Indians have the purchasing power, but they don’t always find the quality they’re seeking. Why should they have to make trips abroad just to shop?”
The name, the glamour, and the style associated with Damas have all arrived intact to India. Not surprising, since Damas literally means indestructible. The brand was created in Dubai in 1907, and the name is derived from the Greek, Adamas, meaning indestructible or unconquerable, another synonym for Diamond.
So when it came time to travel to India, what made Damas pick Bangalore over other metros? Chairman Tawfique Abdullah initially came to Bangalore for a visit and fell in love with its lush greenery. When he brought it up with the concierge of his hotel, he was told, “No matter what you plant in the soil here, it flourishes.” Abdullah was so charmed with this insight on the richness of the city that he decided to bring his brand to Bangalore.
World-class jewellery usually costs the earth. This myth will be effectively shattered on your first visit to Damas, the city’s definitive jewellery mall.
Damas, 16/2 Commissariate Rd, Opp Garuda Mall, Bangalore. Ph: 4112-7200.

The World's First Diet Whisky

CityInfo
Mumbai
Cover Story

The World's First Diet Whisky
McDowell’s DietMate will arrest the urge to over indulge in eating. And thus keep your cholesterol under control

“Drinking alcohol makes me fat.” Health conscious Mumbai-ites have long restrained themselves from drinking. But what is a party if you have no alcohol flowing? The growing concerns about weight and obesity among alcohol consumers led McDowell’s No1 to address their concerns. It seized this opportunity to address a key
consumer need for fitness with the introduction of DietMate, a diet whisky.
The caramel content in alcohol is the only source of calories. However, it is used in a minuscule quantity to enhance the colour of whisky. It is the fried and fat-soaked snacks eaten as accompaniment to liquor that leads to obesity.
Mc Dowell’s developed the concept of DietMate Whisky based on the feedback it received from people looking for a product of this nature. The whisky has an extract added from a flower – Garcenia – an ancient Indian herb. The extracts of this flower helps burn excess body fat and mars the appetite. This in turn keeps the cholesterol levels in the human body under control. This is effective since people overlook how much they snack once they start drinking.“ McDowell’s DietMate will arrest the urge to over indulge in eating. And thus keep cholesterol under control,” said Alok Gupta, Executive Vice President, United Spirits. The best part is that there are absolutely no side effects!
The McDowell’s No 1 DietMate is a unique blend which has been meticulously researched and perfected. It has the smoothness of a reserve whisky.
“McDowell’s No1 DietMate understands the consumer’s concern for fitness. Keeping in mind this growing need of health conscious drinkers, Mc Dowells No. 1 has come up with this unique offering. With increasing stress levels, health complications and work taking its toll, more and more youngsters are looking for healthier alternatives that fit into their lifestyle,” said Gupta. Diet whisky is the first alcoholic drink with cholesterol control properties. “The product is a result of two years of intensive R&D. We have been careful to retain the taste, aroma and colour of the whisky,” said Gupta. The taste of the original McDowell’s No 1 whisky has not been tampered with.
People who have sampled the new DietMate find it comparatively smoother than normal whisky.
Feedback from these early tests has shown that they like the taste of the whisky.
After the runaway success of DietMate in Mumbai, the UB group plans to bring out other diet variants. The product was first launched in Mumbai. Since then it has been launched in Thane, Nagpur and recently in Goa. It will soon be launched in Pune and Kolhapur as well. DietMate is available at Rs 336 for a 750 ml bottle. Cheers to good health!

Vie Fi

CityInfo
Mumbai
Gourmet Pick

Vie Fi
“Our chefs create unique dishes, you will not find anywhere else in Mumbai.”

If you’re looking for a good meal in an exotic ambience, Vie’s the place to be.. The food has rare constituents and alluring flavours from the Mediterranean.
As you enter the lounge, you are greeted with a sprawling wooden deck, which extends onto a glass landing. This rolls straight onto the beach, where you can dig your feet into the warm sand. On a lazy evening, chill out with a glass of Kingfisher beer as you soak yourself in the warmth of the evening.
Vie has been aesthetically divided into separate spaces, ensuring the guests their privacy and choice of ambience. Besides, they also have a private members lounge accompanied with a bar area. The restaurant has two large bars, which serve an exotic variety of cocktails. You can choose from their illustrious fresh fruit blends, Collins, Daiquiris and flavoured Martinis.
“We have a special menu every fortnight, where our chefs create unique dishes, you will not find anywhere else in Mumbai,” boasted Suneil Dudhalkar, manager.
The BBQ kitchen is a hit among the regulars at the restaurant. The menu boasts of some of best grills served with a Middle Eastern flavour. Indulge in sappetizers like Pomfret Charmulla, Chicken Juniper and Blue Cheese Chicken Tikka.
“We have recently introduced Sunset Coffee Session,” informed Suneil. The coffee session consists of a round of coffee and snacks like sandwiches between 4 and 6.30 every evening.

Vie Lounge & Deck, 102 Juhu Tara Road, Opp Little Italy, Juhu
Ph: 2660-3003
7 pm – 1.30am

A Twist In The Tale

CityInfo
Mubai
Cover Story

A Twist In The Tale
Global cuisine goes Asian. At Seijo & The Soul Dish.

How about a trip around the world even as you are seated at a restaurant?
Seijo & The Soul Dish offers the best of world cuisine. What’s unique about the myraid dishes served here is that each of them have been given a diustinctive South East Asian flavour.
Seijo and the Soul Dish is an open air Pan-Asian diner. The Singapore Laksha, which is a specialty at this restaurant is prepared using authentic ingredients. These can be eaten with Mirin, which is a type of rice dish.
The restaurant area is galactic. With a seating capacity of 100 people, this area has been designed in a courtyard style and the ceiling is 25 ft high. “This is in keeping with Japanese styles. They believe in openness,” explained Kishore D F, proprietor. There is a lot of greenery and bamboo shoots all around. The dining area has a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Besides the Japanese touch, the interiors also have a distinct Asian influence. Modern Japanese Art, popularly known as Manga Art, adorns the walls. And the sound of flowing water adds to the ambience.
The chef, Irfan Pabaney has trained in Singapore, and makes an amazing array of Sushi – Egg, Maki Roll, Prawn Sushi, Lobster Sushi and Spicy Tuna Sushi. The Indonesian Sambals, which is a popular form of curry, is another one of their specialties.
There are three variations of the Thai curry served here, each of which have distinctly different flavours – red which has a dominant chilly flavour; green which has a dominant coriander flavour; yellow which has a dominant turmeric flavour. “We use authentic ingredients, which are all imported from various South East Asian countries.
On offer on the starters menu are the likes of Chicken Otak-Otak which is minced chicken in five spices. This is wrapped in a banana leaf, steamed and then grilled, before its served. Their range of vegetarian starters includes Kakiyagi, a combination of spring onion and fresh corn. there’s plenty more to choose from.
The bar at Seijo and the Soul Dish is equally fancy. This bar area is separate from the lounge and the restaurant area. Huge Japanese manga artwork adorn the walls of the bar, where world beats accompanied by a live percussion beats set the mood for the evening. This mainly Jconsists of African and South American strains. Sprawled over a 3000 sq ft area, it is a modern ecliptic bar, which has a distinct New York style to it. It specialises in different types of Martinis. The barman will fuse various flavours in Martini like vanilla and yellow melon.
The signature drink is Batida. Seijo and the Soul Dish prides itself as being the only restaurant in Mumbai to serve this drink. It is a Brazilian carnival drink, made with fruit juices and raw sugarcane liqueur. This liqueur is specially imported from Brazil. Teetotallers can opt for the Mohito, international drink. It is a comination of ginger and lemon.
Brazilian drink, New York-styled bar. Wouldn’t that make Seijo & the Soul Dish a multi-cuisine restaurant? Kishore disagreed. “All our dishes have a South East Asian twist.” The restaurant has been rated the Best Looking Restaurant in India.
“Very urban and very different from any other place in Mumbai,” as one of their customers would have it.

Seijo & the Soul Dish, 206 Krystal, Waterfield Road, Bandra
Ph: 2640 5555

Rustic Echoes

CityInfo Mumbai
Gourmet Pick

Rustic Echoes
11 Echoes is designed to create the perfect setting; rustic in design, with strong influences of the Mediterranean.

Across the shores of the Arabian Sea, built in a gentle curve, 11 Echoes is an all-new destination for Mumbai’s happening crowd. The restaurant is an eclectic mix of modern European cuisine, great cocktails, pastas and a warm ambience. As Puneet, one of its owners, said, “Great emphasis was laid not only on the quality of the cuisine but also the music and the setting of the place. This enhances the overall experience at 11 Echoes.”
Spread across two levels and divided into four unique spaces, 11 Echoes is designed to create the perfect setting; rustic in design, with strong influences of the Mediter-ranean.
The exotically lit inner area is furnished with plush white sofas that accentuate the feel of a lounge, while the stone floor and the high wooden ceilings meet whitewashed walls in a gentle curve. A wooden deck encompasses the bar area which leads you to the fine dining section outside. The Aqua bar, inspired by the ocean, beckons you to enjoy heady cocktails even as the sea mists your senses. Sample the delicious Pomegranate Couscous or bite into a juicy Seared Fillet Mignon. Compliment your meal with a mug of Kingfisher beer. The terrace dining area, which overlooks the expanse of the ocean, is the perfect setting for a quiet candlelight dinner while you watch the rippling of the waves as you dine in candlelight and enjoy the music that runs through the entire space.
Let the 11 Echoes fill you -- mind, body and spirit.

11 Echoes, Opp Palm Grove, Juhu Beach. Ph: 2617-7524/25

Whisky For Tee

CityInfo
National Cover Story

Whisky For Tee
The McDowell's Signature Club Golf Championship is India's largest Inter-Club
golf Event.
By Our Correspondent

The New Sign of Success, McDowell’s Signature has been closely associated with the sought-after sport of golf. Once a niche sport, golf has expanded in its reach and appeal.
McDowell’s Signature has fostered its association with golf with McDowell’s Signa-ture Celebrity Golf, which is golf for a cause; McDow-ell’s Signature Club Golf Championship, a one-of-its-kind tournament in India attracting participation from India’s top golf clubs. And of course, the association is further consolidated with McDowell’s Signature World Cup of Golfing Cricketers, another pioneering event, by creating a platform for successful cricketers of yesteryears from eight test playing nations.
In its fourth leg, the McDowell’s Signature Club Golf Championship 2005 witnessed great excitement as the Noida Golf Course won the all-India finals at the lush greens of the Pine Hurst Golf & Country Club, one of the elegant courses of Bangkok.
“The McDowell’s Signa-ture Club Golf Champion-ship attracts vast participation. This year witnessed participation by more than 4000 golfers from 30 golf clubs across 20 cities around the country making it the largest of its kind in the country,” said Vijay Rekhi, president, UB Group Spirits Division.
To ensure wider participation, the tournament was played in a three-tier format: Stage one, the intra-club stage was where participating club members played among each other to select the club team. There were three handicap categories 0-8 (played on gross stable ford), 9-16 and 17-24 (played on 3/4th nett stable ford). The winners and runners-up from each handicap category formed the six-member club team.
At stage two, regional finals, club teams battled it out among the other clubs of the region to decide the regional champions.
In stage three, the finals, four regional champion clubs were pitted against each other at Bangkok to decide the McDowell’s Signature Champion Golf Club of India.
“This brand property is aimed at fostering the brand’s association with the premium and aspirational game of golf, which is very quickly gaining in popularity among the country’s successful young adults,” said Rekhi.
“On the fairway, it is not who you are, but what you can do that counts. This emotion uniquely captures the essence of our brand – for the young and successful who have created wealth by changing business paradigms, instead of just acquiring it,” said Alok Gupta, executive vice president, marketing, UB Group Spirits Division.
Apart from the premium imagery that golf helped the brand project, the Signature blend will be the cornerstone of the brand’s identity.
McDowell’s Signature won global acclaim for its blend, winning an award at the prestigious ‘Concours Mondial de Bruxelles’. It was also awarded the ‘Best in Class’ Award at the Annual International Wine & Spirits Competition held in the UK.

‘Tis The Season To Be Really Cool

Cover Story
080 - Feature in Cover Story
CityInfo - Dubai & India (Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata)

‘Tis The Season To Be Really Cool
What will you be gifting this season? Ties? Scarves? Soap on a rope? A toaster that can send emails?

Technology does not have to be dull. In fact, after dipping toes into the techno world, you will see why it’s so vital to a man’s existence. Take a peek at our wish list and see if any of these goodies will catch you his eye.

Garmin Street Pilot 2610
‘It’s right around the corner honey.’ Does that ring a familiar bell? If you want to reach from Point A to Point B without circumventing the entire city, gift your man the Garmin StreetPilot 2610. It will sit pretty on the car’s dashboard and guide you to your destination. It’s got a sensitive touch screen with four buttons for easy one-hand operation. Makes sure you reach the next baby shower party before the baby has been named.
Available at: www.garmin.com


Nokia 8800
He may not wear jewellery, but he will not mind being spotted with the Nokia 8800 adorning his palm. With a sleek and sexy stainless steel body, it slides down to reveal a deep black keypad beneath the shield. And if that hasn’t impressed him enough to junk his Smartphone, dim the bedroom lights. Fire it up. When the phone is on charge, it gives off a cool blue light. Didn’t you always want to do a blue light?
Available at: www.nokia.com

Exilim EX-S100
She’s sleek. She’s sexy. She’s a camera. Casio’s Exilim EX-S100 is the world’s smallest optical zoom digital camera. And don’t be misled by the size. It comes packed with powerful features such as 1.4 sec start-up speed, 0.01-release time lag and 7-point Multi Auto Focus. He will have eyes glued on its 2.0” LCD where he can see you through its 2.8x optical zoom lens.
Available at: www.casio.co.in

Casio Privia PX-500L
If your nephew gets butterfingers on the keyboard, let him paint by numbers. The digital lighting key function on Casio PX-500L will make playing Flight Of The Bumblebee child’s play. The key lights will make him master at the piano on the first go, as they show which key to play along with over 100 rhythms. He can now bid goodbye to his tutor.
Available at: www.casio.co.in


Oakley Thump
If his idea of a jog is plugging on an MP3 player, a smart pair of goggles, and a bottle of fresh lime on the hip, that’s what he ought to have. Oakley Thump is the world’s first digital music eyewear. It has flip-up lens, which filters out all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light while seamlessly pumping out 120 songs. So don’t wait for him to come back for breakfast; he ain’t gonna be back for another 6 hours.
Available at: www.oakley.com

Digital Photo Frame

In this age of paperless offices, and plastic money, memories still last forever. Now capture thousands of these joyous moments in a single frame with the Digital Photo Frame. Compatible with most memory cards, it will sit perfect on his new rosewood table at office. Now he can see thousands of your photos in one single frame.
Available at: www.ceiva.com

OSIM Massage Chair
Doing the salsa after a long day at work might do little to relieve him of stress. But a personal masseuse would certainly be welcome. The iMedic 200 will help him relieve those tired muscles and drive away the fatigue. After a 15-minute massage, you’ll can get down and enjoy a rumba.
Available at: www.osim.com


Tissot T Touch
Its blue, its Swiss and can tell more than just the time. Just a touch on the screen will bring alive its hands to activate one of the functions: Thermo, Alarm, Compass, Chrono, Altimeter and Meteo. This sapphire crystal watch will make sure he neither loses direction, nor does he fly his Micro Light too low.
Available at: www.tissot.ch

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
If the cheerleaders in the bedroom give you a headache in the FIFA Cup, then here is the perfect reliever. QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones use state of the art noise reduction technology which dramatically reduces unwanted noise. But remember, if are going to nag, he won’t be listening.
Available at: www.boseindia.com


SoundDock Digital Music System
First iPod put music into the pocket. Now bring home the ideal partner to enjoy its crisp and full sound. The SoundDock system is an ideal partner for his iPod. It’s simple; just dock the iPod and bring the evening to life. And a card-sized remote even controls basic iPod functions across the room. So rock on.
Available at: www.boseindia.com

iMate Jas Jar
Videoconference with him while he hits the road in California. Meanwhile he shoots sights of the city with the same phone. How you wonder? Because the iMate Jas Jar comes with two cameras onboard over a 3G network. And if that doesn’t make his business associate sit up and take notice, the swivel from a conventional PDA-cum-phone into a mini-laptop sure will make heads turn. Besides being the first 3G phone based phone, it also supports Wi-Fi, sports a QWERTY keyboard and a pivoting VGA screen.
Available at: www.imate.com

Digital Camera Binoculars
The coming racing season, the professional photographers will seek help from you and your partner. With these Digital Camera Binoculars you can capture all the action-packed moments.
Available at: www.meade.com/captureview

Sony PSP
Boys will always remain boys. Don’t believe us? Hand him a Sony PSP and he’ll be engrossed for hours. This sleek Playstation Portable comes packed with music, games, video and internet browsing.
Statutory Warning: This gizmo is highly addictive.
Available at: www.sony-mea.com

Creative Zen Vision
Can’t accompany him for his business trip to the Bahamas? Fret not. Hand him Creative Zen Vision. With a whopping memory of 30GB, it can click and store tens of thousands of photos, or up to 120 hours of video. It has a transflective screen that provides excellent image and Video quality even in bright sunlit conditions, ensuring you don’t miss any of the beautiful sights and scenes.
Available at: www.creative.com

Samsung Portable DVD Player
It’ll accompany you at the beach, resort or desert safari. And will make sure you are never bored even for a moment. The Samsung Portable DVD player with an extended 4.2hour Li-Ion battery, 3D sound, 2 headphone jacks and a picture CD viewer is the best companion. Even for a romantic getaway. You can watch your favourite movies take while sunbathing on the beach.
Available at: www.samsung.com

Sony DPP-FP50
He shot them. Now you produce the evidence of the crime. With the Sony DPP-FP50 portable printer, you can hand out family photos right away. You will get perfect lab printing quality, without the hassles of plugging onto a PC for download of images. It comes with an in built LCD, slots for memory stick, compact flash and SD media with PictBridge technology.
Available at: www.sony-mea.com

Wood Winds

CityInfo Mumbai
Gourmet Pick

Wood Winds
Karma is one of the very few restaurants, which serve really thin crust pizzas in Mumbai.

The entrance is embodied with the word Karma carved into a wooden sun. This is just the beginning of the woodworks at Karma, the pub-cum-lounge in Mumbai.
Wood panelled floors, brown textured walls and a wooden bar counter, accompanied with dim lighting and candles make for a cosy and comfortable ambience at Karma. The mood is set with lounge music playing softly in the background. As the evening mellows, the tempo increases and creates a peaceful crescendo.
Karma maintains a soothing effect with low and comfortable seating. They also have beanbags placed near the bar area.
The food is definitely noteworthy in this place. Milano Pepper Pizza is the best thing one can order at Karma. It is a 14-inch paper-thin pizza with edges rolled up and stuffed with cheese. “Karma is one of the very few restaurants which serve such thin pizzas in Mumbai,” said Nitin, assistant business developer. Their other speciality is the Lebanese Falafel Pizza.
Karma also serves pastas – Pesto, Penne Ariaeiatta and Sussilli with Forchi Sauce. These would make a great combination with Karma’s signature drink Karma Sutra that is a zingy combination of gin, tequila and cranberry juice.
An average meal for two will make your pocket lighter by Rs 500. Karma also has an unlimited lunch buffet for Rs 150. They have counters serving soups, salads, noodles, rice and sandwiches. And don’t forget to order a mug of Kingfisher beer, which goes very well with the Dim sum at Karma.

Karma,
534 SVP Rd
Opera House
Ph: 2361-7171
12.30 pm – 12.45 am

Gujarati In-Flight Cuisine

CityInfo
Edit

I guess I just was not prepared for a journey by train. I mean, gastronomically.
If you’re accustomed to flying and to cabin crew bringing out trays of waxen edibles, you forget that you must take food with you on a train.
It takes about a day, 24 hours, to get from Bangalore to Mumbai on the Udyan Express and there I was with a croissant, a packet of chips and two cans of Diet Coke.
Bangalore sailed by my window and greenery yielded to open fields and naturally, my thoughts drifted to the croissant, on which I would gorge to the envy of my fellow passengers — a substantial Gujarati family — and what’s more, I speak Gujarati fluently.
As it turned out they had the same idea. Someone said “food” in Gujarati and the cousins who debated the dropping of Saurav Ganguly fell respectfully silent.
In seconds newspapers were spread out across the compartment. I raised my legs to allow the Sports section to serve as a placemat for my immediate neighbour.
A huge basket was pulled from under a seat.
Plates emerged from nowhere.
Parathas followed dhokla followed pickle.
I replaced my croissant quietly. I silently twisted in envy and hunger.
“You there!” the matriarch said. I snapped to attention and saluted, “Ma’am.”
“Look at you. Thin and starving.” I preened at this compliment.
“Eat!” she barked.
I ate. I even beat the quarrelling cousins to helpings of thepla and mango pickle.
I ate till I could eat no more. And before the approving matriarch could offer my hand in marriage to a cousin, I fell asleep.
By the time we steamed into VT, I had bested the family at their own dinner and
I ate all their gulab jamun.
And then, I loosened my belt and saved the croissant for the long cab ride home.

Choose Your Lobsters and Crabs

CityInfo
Cover Story, Mumbai

What You See Is What You Get
At Mahesh Lunch Home, you can choose your lobsters and crabs before it is cooked and served.

It may not be a good idea to count your chickens before they are hatched, but you sure can choose your seafood before its served to you. At Mahesh Lunch Home, the seafood of your choice is brought live to your table before it is cooked and served to you. You can choose your lobsters and crabs before the chef begins working his magic and transforming them into appetizing and finger-smacking dishes.
The restaurant is known for its Prawns Gassi which can be had with Appams.
“Gassi is another name for curry, except that it has a little more body than the conventional curry does. It is made by grinding coconut with handfuls of red chillies, with cumin seeds, coriander seeds and tomatoes for taste, kokum and tamarind water, thereby assuring that the taste is both hot and sour,” said Suraj Shetty, director.
Started as a humble Mangalorean eatout specialising in seafood in the corporate hub of Mumbai, Mahesh Lunch Home has grown to become a much sought after destination for seafood.
“When we started 27 years ago in Fort, the restaurant was frequented mainly by office-goers in the area,” said Shetty. “But the consistent quality of our food has attracted people from all over Mumbai.” Mahesh Lunch Home has also gained an equal amount of popularity among foreigners visiting the city. Begin your meal with a glass of Solkadi, which is a popular Mangalorean drink. It is the Konkan elixir for the digestive system. The extract of a tamarind variety called Sol (kokum), it is tonic for the soul. No Mangalor-ean meal is complete without this appetiser. The ingredients for this drink are supposed to have soothing properties and help combat acidity. Solkadi comes as a highly recommended drink if you order a plate of Crab Curry and rice.
Mahesh Lunch Home is modest in every sense, except for its food, which is exemplary. The interiors of the restaurant are simple yet contemporary. The décor combines glass, wood and brick to create a welcoming warmth. The lighting is subtle, concealed behind frosted sheets of glass with fish embossed on them. A massive fish tank at the far end of the restaurant will not escape your eyes. It has some beautiful fishes. Mind you, these fishes are not for eating!
The staff at the restaurant is friendly. And if you can’t decide what to order, follow their advice. Rest assured, you will have no regrets. And if you want to play safe, order Solkadi with Fried Fish and Rice – satisfaction guaranteed.
Everything is incredibly fresh, but favourites include Surmai Fry, Pomfret Curry and Tandoori Pomfret. Also recommended are the Prawn Koliwada, Crab Tandoori, Pomfret in Green Masala, or any of the fish curries. Some of the more popular dishes are Pomfret Tandoori, Crabs in Butter Pepper Garlic and Lobsters in White Sauce. They have delicious Pomfret, Surmai, Mackerel and Prawn Masala. They also make excellent fish in gravy called Fish Masala.
If you’re tired of the usual rice or chapattis, try the Neer Dosas. They are thin dosas or crepes made of rice flour. They are thin, light, puffy and delicious; they simply melt in the mouth. They go very well with Fish Curry or Prawn Masala.
Mahesh Lunch Home also serves meat, chicken and Chinese dishes, but only the misguided would come here and skip the sensational seafood.
And if all of this has set your tongue on fire, polish it with a cool malai kulfi for dessert.
Mahesh Lunch Home is a restaurant infrequent visitors to Mumbai must visit, if only to sample what the seafood craze in Mumbai is all about.

Mahesh Lunch Home
8B Cawasji Patel Street
Ph: 2287-0938

Juhu Tara Road
Santacruz West
Ph: 5695-5554
12 – 3 pm & 7pm – 12.30 am

Silk Route

CityInfo, Mumbai
Cover Story

Dress Up Your Home In Silken Splendour This Festive Season
Svistii, the newest home linen store in the city, has a colourful palette of bedsheets & bedspreads, drapes & duvets for you to choose from.

Having carved a niche for itself as the most favoured home interiors store in Bangalore, Svistii recently launched an outlet in Mumbai.
The home linen you will find at Svistii is not your common, run off the mill kind. Each design has been carefully crafted, after a lot of research by the designers. This has given Svistii the status of an exclusive linen store.
Like most success stories, Svistii too has modest beginnings. It started off as a home textile company. Today, it ranks among the favourite haunts of the elite in Bangalore.
Designs of life, with the vibrancy of colours and a symphony of craft, Svisti houses a rare assortment of fabrics, colours and designs. The collection at Svistii draws inspiration from the rich textiles of India.
You might have seen a lot of Rajasthani bedsheets, but the collection at Svistii is a class apart. Their range includes exquisite silk duvets and ethnic cotton bed spreads in bright colours.
Gaurav Jain, the owner of Svistii, is staunchly against rip-offs of popular designs. Every piece at Svistii is well researched and resourced after a thorough screening. “I see at least 25 pieces before I pick up one,” said Jain. In fact, Svistii also restrains itself from popularising its merchandise through catalogues to avoid replication of their exclusive designs.
“Our USP is customer delight, which comes with the essential elements of quality, authenticity and style,” Jain said.
Svistii has an extensive range, which will bring life to all the rooms in your home -- Bed sheets, bedcovers, duvet covers, silk curtains, quilts, rajais, throws, dhurries, table accessories, pillow and cushion covers, wall hangings, Svistii features all of these and more. A Svistii home can be easily recognised by the quality of their products..
And if you don’t find something fitting just right in, drop in the following week. Svistii religiously adds new designs to their already exhaustive collection every week.
“We don’t repeat designs,” claimed Jain. “Our designs are constantly evolving.” Unless, of course, clients come back asking for more in the same design,” confirmed Jain.
“Pastel colours in pure fabrics are our forte. Some of the best designs in curtains and cushion covers (prices starting from Rs 70) can be found here. The handiwork done on the cushion covers is extremely intricate. And of course, comes with a high price tag attached. The filigree work on these unique pieces is done by expert artisans, using precious Swarovski crystals. Which makes them exquisite as also expensive -- Rs 2100 apiece.
The collection of designer bed spreads at Svistii begins from a price range of Rs 5000 and shoots up to a whopping Rs 75,000.
Jain added, “Svistii is about fabric energy. It’s a symphony of exquisite craft and vibrant design. Walk into our plush showroom any day and you’ll find it difficult to resist the richness in variety. Customers can choose from any of the yardages on offer and we can make sheets, table cloths or curtains according to the person’s requirements.”
Affordable rates, excellent quality, unparalleled service, latest designs, vast range and customer satisfaction are what keep Svistii way ahead of others in its league.

Svistii
63 New Oberoi
Shopping Centre
Nariman Point
Ph: 5632-5757

Pondicherry - A Confluence of Cultures

Pondicherry is a confluence of spiritual aura, French colonial heritage and Tamil culture, creating an ambience not felt anywhere else in India. Pondicherry is a melting pot of varied cultures, all of which come together in this small but varied own.

A letter from Pondy

Mon ami,

I landed in Pondicherry five days ago. Feels like I’ve been transported back in time to a French colony - a charming Mediterranean town with cobbled streets, stylish houses and ornamental gardens. As the French would say Rues chiques, maisons élégantes et jardins d’agrément. You would have noticed that I have picked up a bit of French. Really can’t help that. All the roads and institutions have names in French like Hotel de Ville which is the Town Hall. Even the local policemen dress French. They still endorse red kepis (caps) and belts.

I have been bicycling all over the town. Pondy has a pristine coastline stretching over 30 kms. The palm-fringed beach has really caught my fancy. And there’s so much to do! There are resorts, a water sports centre, a fishing village, the backwaters. Boy! I can’t decide what to do first.

And you never get lost here. This French Boulevard town has everything planned in a grid.

I’m planning to go to the international city of Auroville, which has the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Will attend a few sessions at their Yoga centre; probably attain Nirvana.

I’ll write more later...

Getting there

Pondicherry is best accessible by road from Chennai, Bangalore or Kerala. From Chennai it is a pleasant ride along the scenic East Coast Road. It will take you about two and half hours for an easy, pothole-free journey. Bangalore would be a longer journey – six-and-a-half hours if you drive non-stop.

A tourist taxi journey up and down from Chennai in a Ford Ikon, would cost approx Rs 5,800 + toll tax. An Indica however, would be the cheaper option.

Buses also ply regularly to Pondicherry. There is no direct train route to Pondicherry either from Chennai or Bangalore. Chennai is the closest international airport, and directly connects to the highway to Pondy. And there are good transit hotels available in the vicinity for travellers who arrive in the night.

Getting around

A novel way to see Pondicherry is in a cycle rickshaw. Plenty of rickshaws are available especially around the Ashram area. They will show you Pondicherry and its sights at a leisurely pace. And a great experience for those who have not sat in one. And unlike Kolkata this one is not pulled by a human, it is an extension of the cycle.

Are you a health freak? Then hire a cycle. It costs around Rs 20 per day. If you are not the sort who wants to pedal around, hire a motorcycle. They come on hire as little as Rs 100 per day (fuel extra).

History

The history of modern Pondicherry starts with the arrival of the French in 1673, who ruled for most part of the next 281 years. In 1947 the English left India for good, but it lasted till 1954 when the French handed Pondicherry over to an independent India.

The origin of Pondicherry however is buried in legends. Excavated remnants testify trade connections with Rome and Greece, dating back to as far as 100 BC. Ancient Roman scripts mention one of the trade centres along the Indian coast as Poduca or Poduke, which refers, historians affirm, only to the present Pondicherry. Before this period nothing is known with certainty.

Heritage

Pondicherry, which is a conglomerate of different cultural influences, is a heritage town. It is at a crossroads of eastern and western culture, and of ancient and modern spiritual disciplines.

It has a rich French cultural heritage, having been the capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century.

Sights are manifold, from pastel coloured churches to bright temple towers; Joan of Arc’s heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront; cricket competes with pétanque. Apart from the monuments there is the French Consulate and the Foyer du Soldat for war veterans of the French Army. Of the cultural organisations the French Institute, the Alliance Francais and the Ecole Francais d’Extrème Orient are noteworthy. These movements converge in a practical manner in the twin communities of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.

An Investor’s Paradise

With the status of industry accorded to tourism, the Government of Pondicherry has prepared a master plan to promote tourism in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. This offers a great investment opportunity to entrepreneurs.

It is estimated that about 3000 additional hotel rooms are required in the next five years. The identified areas of investment include resorts, hotels, theme parks, golf courses, water sports, ferry service between Pondicherry and Chennai, operation of regular chartered flights, and so on.

As an incentive to investors, many concessions and benefits are being provided.

Among them are:

• Grant of interest subsidy on loans by the financial institutions.
• Exemption of luxury tax for hotel accommodation.
• Exemption of sales tax.
• No entry tax for tourist vehicles.
• Majority participation by foreign investors in case of joint venture projects.
• Income tax holiday for 5 years.

The Government also encourages Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign nationals of Indian origin to invest in tourism projects. All the incentives offered by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, are available in the Union Territory of Pondicherry as well.

Architecture

The French relinquished their control of Pondy 50 years ago, but reminders of the colonial days remain. Neat, pleasant, and charming, Pondicherry has a beautiful beach and a sea that is always warm and refreshing. Viewed from the sea, the skyline is typical of that of a Mediterranean fishing village. The town has been planned on a grid right from its inception; divided in a French section and Tamil section, with each having its own distinctive streetscapes. The French Town has colonial style buildings with long compound walls and stately gates. The facades have vertical columns and tall windows and are coloured cream, yellow and pink. Streets in the Tamil Town are lined up with verandas and extended porches where residents would gather and passing guests would spend the night. The colours dominant here are green, blue and brown.

People

When you walk down the streets you canhear French being spoken. French words and phrases squeeze themselves into the colloquial slang like Bonjour, Comment ca va, monsieur? The locals speak French with astonishingly Parisian pronunciation and without any grammatical errors; and switch over to Tamil, again with the perfect Tamil accent.

But the hallmark of Pondicherry is the flat-topped cylindrical red kepi - a hat worn by the police. The French have a saying - Plus ça change, plus c’est lr même chose which means - the more things change the more they stay the same. And this could be somewhat the case for Pondicherry.

Shopping

For the avid shopper, Pondy has a lot to offer and is fast becoming a favourite shopping destination. With taxes low or non-existent Pondy is soft on your purse. It is known for its traditional doll making, textiles and silks. It is also the birthplace of several world-class brands in leather, pottery, aromatics, fashion and handmade paper. Scented candles, incense sticks, lamps and other articles made with handmade paper and dry flowers are the flavour of Pondicherry.

Eating Out

The restaurants serve a rich variety of French, Indian, Asian and continental food, with the latest pizza for an American bite.

Hotels

Pondicherry has a wide choice of hotels for most visitors: beach resorts for the leisure traveller, heritage hotels for those who want to experience something different, high class commercial hotels for the corporate visitors and the neat ashram guest houses for the spiritual seeker.

A Lot to See. A Lot to Do.

Monuments abound in Pondy and each one has a story to tell.

Churches

The large number of 18th and 19th century churches in Pondy is yet another legacy of the French. Notable are the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception, the Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, the Eglise de Notre Dame de Lourdes and the Chapel of the Sisters of Cluny.

The Aayi Mandapam

Located at the centre of the Park, it is the best known monument. Built during the reign of Napoleon III in France, the Aayi Mandapam is named after a 16th century courtesan, Aayi, who demolished her house and built a water tank instead. This reservoir served French engineers later to bring water to the town.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Sri Aurobindo, the great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century, made Pondicherry his home from 1910 till his death in 1950. His vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the world.

Auroville

Located 10 kms north of Pondicherry, Auroville is envisioned as a universal town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony. This international City of Unity was constructed under the guidance of The Mother, a Paris-born painter and musician who became Sri Aurobindo’s disciple and close companion. The development of this utopia is still in progress.

Pondicherry Museum

On display are the findings of Arikamedu, the Chola bronzes and sculptures, glimpses of French heritage, specimens of traditional handicraft, paintings, armouries and carvings.

Chunnambar Resort

Known for its virgin beaches and backwaters, Chunnambar has a water sports centre which offers exciting boating experiences. It is also a great tourist spot.

Botanical Garden

Established by the French in 1826, it preserves a large variety of exotic species of plants from all over India and abroad.

Villiayanur

Architecturally the finest in Pondicherry, the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswarar Temple attracts hundreds of devotees during Brahmo-thsavam, a ten-day annual festival held in May-June. The temple car rising to a height of 15.25 metres is profusely decorated, pulled out from its usual position and taken on a procession around the town. It is an awe-inspiring sight.

Mansion of Ananda Rangapillai

Built in 1773, this mansion is a fine specimen of Indo-French architecture. Ananda Rangapillai was the courtier of Joseph Francois Dupleix, the Governor.

Anglo-French Textile Mills

Established over a century ago, a visit to the Anglo-French Textile Mills is an education in itself. The mill gives a ten percent rebate on purchases made by tourists who go on guided tours. The acclaimed fabrics and products of this mill make ideal mementoes and gifts.

The Government Park

It is the centre of the old colonial part of the town. The Park provides a cool and lush green anchor around which most government buildings are situated: the Lt. Governor’s Palace, the Legislative Assembly, Government Hospital, the Ashram Dining Room in a beautiful Villa, the Cercle de Pondichery, a private club, and old Hotel Qualité.

Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus

Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church is noted for its gothic architecture and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ.

Festive Cheer

Almost every month, there is an important fair or a festival in Pondicherry. Some are religious in nature, others cultural and spiritual and still others, purely gourmet. There is the International Yoga Festival in January, Maasi Magam in February - March at the beach of the Fishing Village and Fête de Pondichery.

A private beach for the asking

If you want to stay right on the beach then the Pondi Ashok is the place for you. On the outskirts of Pondi, this ITDC hotel has its own private beach Blue seas, white sands, palms, a hammock and an interesting book…it’s sheer heaven.

Sightseeing Tour

The Pondicherry Tourism & Transport Development Corporation conducts a daily sightseeing tour in and around Pondicherry. There are both half-day and a full-day trip programmes. For more information and bookings, contact: Tourist Information Bureau, 40 Goubert Avenue, Beach Road % 413-339497

Beyond Pondicherry

Pondy is a perfect base to explore the rich destinations around it. The cool and lush hill stations of Yercaud and Kodaikanal; the imposing Gingee Fort, the holy temple towns of Kanchi-puram, Tiruvannamalai and Chidambaram, the heritage sculptures and magnificent rock temples of Mamallapuram, are perfect for a day trip.

Tribute to Tradition

CityInfo, Mumbai
Cover Story

Tribute to Tradition
The conventional Dal Bukhara served in Khurja pottery at the Peshawri has won the restaurant accolades for being the best Indian restaurant in the world.

Dal Bukhara, a dish served at The Peshawri, has won the restaurant accolades for being the best Indian restaurant in the world by the US-based Restaurant magazine, thrice in a row! Wonder what could be so very special about the ordinary dal, the staple diet of every Indian family?
Chef Bhaskar Sankhari, the man who has been creating magic in the kitchens of the ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton which is where the Peshawri is located, would tell us only so much: “I prepare the dal with spices and cream and leave it to slowly simmer on the tandoor overnight.”
Well, chefs have to be allowed to keep their secrets or eating out would never be the same. As the chef elaborated, “Every table at Peshawri calls for a plate of Dal Bukhara.” He takes a whopping order for 90 plates of Dal Bukhara everyday!
Tandoor is a clay oven used to cook food in the Indian North West Frontier province, which is the cuisine served at The Peshawri. The cuisine has been inspired by the Bukhara style of cooking, which is basically cooking of mildly flavoured meat directly over the fire.
“We serve the dal with a dollop of white butter,” added Sankhari. The Dal Bukhara tastes best with Indian breads, since the dal is thick in consistency. They have a special bread - Naan Bukhara - which serves 6-7 people and is the perfect accompaniment to the Dal Bukhara.
The restaurant is set amidst a charming rustic ambience. Unlike most restaurants which have a feminine feel to the décor, The Peshawri has a rugged and masculine look. The walls and the floors are made of stone. The seating is low, carved out of wood logs. Seasoned teakwood has been used for decorations on the walls.
To complete the rustic picture, the food here is served in Khurja pottery — glazed bowls made in the villages of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. The pottery is showcased in wooden racks along the walls.
The chefs at Peshawri believe that fine dining is purely a sensory experience. You need to have all your five senses stimulated if a meal is to be truly satisfying. In keeping with Indian tradition, guests are encouraged to eat with their fingers so as to enjoy their meal better. The staff is dressed in traditional Pathani suits and jhuttis (typical Indian footwear).
Once seated, the guest is handed an apron instead of the regular table napkin, which double up as hand towels too.
Other dishes from the Peshawri kitchen include Murg Malai kebab, Reshmi Kebab, Kastoori Kebab, Tandoori Chicken, Sikandari Raan, Burra Kebab, Peshawri Kebab and Seekh Kebab in the non-vegetarian selection. They also have a Seafood Platter of Tandoori Prawns, Tandoori Promfret and even Tandoori Lobsters.
Besides Dal Bukhara, vegetarians can choose from their Tandoori Aloo, Paneer Tikka, Tandoori Shimla Mirch, Tandoori Phool (cauliflower) and Sab Sheekh Kebab.
All the food served here comes with a distinctive smoked flavour since it is cooked over amber charcoal doused with pure ghee. And the dishes are served with raita — thick curds with a garnishing of your choice.
Good food is obviously accompanied by good drinks. The bar at Peshawri is well stocked with an array of imported spirits and wines, along with choice of cocktails and mocktails. Scotch and whiskey however, remain the most preferred drink accompaniments with the kind of food served here.
As is the popular trend, Peshawri too has an open kitchen and encourages guests to take part in the fun session of cooking meals. “Foreign guests are often inquisitive to know how a Rumaali roti is made. And we put up quite a show,” smiled Sankhari.


The Peshawri
ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton
Sahar
Ph: 2830-3030

Old World Charm Meets Contemporary Fashion

CityInfo, Mumbai Cover Story

Old World Charm Meets Contemporary Fashion
Fabindia. The Jeero building which houses the store, is more than a 100 years old.

If you ask the locals where to buy some trendy cotton or silk clothing, they would answer you in unison, Fabindia at Kala Ghoda. If you ask them where you can see a bit of old world Mumbai, they will say Jeero building. Jeero building houses Fabindia.
Fabindia, Mumbai has built itself a twin reputation. Not only has the shop been associated with fabric that will make your stay comfortable in Mumbai, but also with being one of the few stores to take antiquity into modernity so seamlessly.
The Jeero building is more than 100 years old. Situated in Kala Ghoda, the store is located in that part of Mumbai which is full of history. The building which now houses the store was a horse stable many years ago, which was subsequently turned into a restaurant called Albela by the actor Raj Kapoor. Years later, Bank of India came to be housed in the building. The bank occupied the building for 40 years. The beauty of Jeero building deteriorated over time and it became a forgotten structure like many others in the city. Until Fabindia came along and recognized the building for what it is – a beautiful structure. Jeero building was given a makeover.
With generous assistance from noted heritage restorer Abhama Lamba, the unfeigned beauty of this architectural structure came to light. Meanwhile, Shimul Khatri, who groomed the interiors, made sure the sanctity and old world charm of the place remained untouched. “The ceilings are 19 feet high! We have stripped off the POP which was concealing the edifice underneath. It had the original wooden ceilings well-preserved beneath,” said Poonam, store manager. Some repairs to plug the leaking roof, the teak rafters were scraped down and re-polished till they shone, cement tiles were laid and walls were disrobed of their plaster; and suddenly the building and its interiors began to shine, like it did all those years ago.
Fabindia is a hotbed of hand-woven and hand block-printed furnishings and made ups. Your house as also your family can be “furnished” at the shop. Ethnic kurtas, kurtis, shirts, skirts, parallels, salwar kameez and dupattas meet here. Dhurries, linen, upholstery, ready-made curtains and towels complete the store. The fabric used is mostly cotton, though there is a bit of silk too (kurtas and dupattas).
Fabindia is always promoting the season and the local artists. From UP to Andhra to Madhya Pradesh, interior Tamil Nadu and even across the shores from Vietnam. In keeping with the season, Fabindia has culled together a new prêt line – their silk and celebration collection. The collection features a whole new range of furniture for bedroom and living rooms. Said Poonam,”Until now we had bed linens, dhurries, pillow cases, curtains; but they were not a complete selection. Our new collection has everything matching, so Fabindia is just a one-stop-shop for all home furnishings.”

Fabindia
Jeero Building
137 MG Road
Ph – 2262-6539/40

Relive 468 Years Within 4 Hours

CityInfo, Bangalore Cover Story

Relive 468 Years Within 4 Hours
Experience Victorian Bangalore with Bangalore Walks: The City’s Latest Tourism Stop

A chilly Bangalore morning, unsure of the walk I was about to undertake, I tugged myself lazily out of bed. Quite sure that no one would turn up this early, I was astonished to see an enthusiastic bunch of people geared up to learn more about the Bangalore they have all known.
Bangalore is now what we call India’s Silicon Valley and the country’s pub capital. But very few actually know much about the history of this pleasant and beautiful city. Legend has it that in the 11th century, an old woman shared her meal of boiled beans with a king who was lost. He later named the place ‘Benda Kalooru’ or town of boiled beans. The name changed as time went on and what we are presently left with is a corrupted version of the original, Bangalore.
The Bangalore Walk however, is far from a guided tour of the city. The walk covers MG Road – yes, I stop short there. Just MG Road. Every person who has ever stepped into Bangalore recognises this buzzing road, which is just over 2 kms, as the main artery of this business city.
The roads of Bangalore come alive earlier than I had ever known. While Arun Pai, who is the brain behind Bangalore Walks, asks you to close your and go back in time where troops are marching into Bangalore. It’s not hard to imagine MG Road bereft of the traffic. Led by Lord Cornwallis, the army trooped down to the city market where they captured Tipu’s Fort. This was the foothold of the East India Company, which helped them gain control of South India.
From then on the city has grown in magnitude, emerging into what you see it and know it. The city has slowly found a place in the country’s history and on the world map too.
There is an eclectic mix of people – right from inquisitive school kids to well travelled tourists and housewives. Even veteran Bangaloreans who have lived here all their lives were surprised at the facts which were brought to light by Arun during the walk.
This is the best bet for someone who is new to Bangalore and wants to learn about the rich culture and historical significance. As had been the British policy, Bangalore was clearly divided into Old City and the Cantonment area. Bangalore grew from a mere military station to a flourishing administrative center, which set it apart from other cantonments. It was separated from the Old City, which had the fort as it nucleus. For over a 100 years Bangalore has been a tale of two cities existing side by side!
Part of the charm of the walk is that much of what happens is kept as a surprise. Do take a look at www.bangalorewalks.com for more info and testimonials.

Do you know?
- What is Tom Hanks’ connection with Bangalore?
He used the Bangalorean Torpedo in Saving Private Ryan
- Which country does Bangalore export wine to?
Bangalore wine is exported to France!
Mayo House is named after…? Lord Mayo, who was the only Viceroy to be assassinated in office
- What was MG Road formerly known as?
South Parade Road