3 different cuisines in 24 hours in Bombay!

If you ever find yourself for only 24 hours in The Maximum City aka Bombay, forget everything else and indulge in some delicious food around town. I know that might seem like a daunting task, especially when there is so much to choose from. While I agree 24 hours may not be enough to sample all the delicacies Bombay has to offer, but what I can guarantee you is a taste of over 3 different cuisines that will leave you wanting more in just 24 hours. Lets kick off our Bombay food trail with Breakfast.

Now Bombay has some great choices for breakfast ranging from simple Maharashtrian fare, south Indian breakfasts to American styled diners and even great continental breakfast options. Since I promised you a minimum of 3 different cuisine, let's pick an American styled diner for breakfast.

Jam Jar Diner (Versova, Andheri West):

A quirky little diner, with kitschy interiors filled with memorabilia from the 70s to the 90s, this place makes for an absolutely delightful destination for breakfast. The menu is elaborate and has some rather interesting choices. You can chose between the burgers and sandwiches or you could go for the favorites listed. I would highly recommend their Giant  Jam Jar Benedict or the Giant Jam Jar Popeye for those who love poached eggs and waffles. Almost all their juices and shakes make for pretty good accompaniments to your main dish. My personal breakfast combination is The Full Monty Breakfast with a side order of Crispy Lotus Root and a glass of fresh watermelon juice. There are options for vegetarians as well, their crepes are quite tasty and so are the sandwiches.

While this giant breakfast will more than ensure a feeling of fullness, you must overcome the same as you still have lunch and dinner to get through and maybe even a little snack of vada pav and falooda at Juhu Chowpatty if the appetite permits!

Take a walk along Versova beach to digest some of the delicious breakfast you've just had and while away some time before heading to Bandra for some delicious Japanese lunch at Kofuku.

Kofuku (Bandra West):

The idea of Sushi always sounded weird to me till I actually had it, and since then my quest for the best sushi in Bombay began, leading me to discover Kofuku. One meal and I have been a fan of this place ever since. Its not just the sushi but even the prawn tempura, their set lunches, their soba noodles and the offer of a variety of drinks including sake and soju have made sure I visit this place quite often, sometimes just for a glass of wine and a sushi platter. Vegetarians, do not worry as this is one of the few Japanese eateries that actually has a good range of vegetarian fare to offer. Go ahead try some vegetarian sushi and maki rolls!

Post lunch, scout Hill Road and Linking Road for some good bargains in clothes, shoes and accessories, or just wash the heavy lunch down with some green tea at 'Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf'. You can event walk around Bandra and take a look at some cool street art on some buildings there. Make good use of your time and whip up an appetite for a grand dinner at The Bombay Canteen, but in case you do get hungry before that, then Jai Jawan on Linking Road serves some lip smacking prawns punjabi masala fry which is a must have!

The Bombay Canteen (Lower Parel):

How can I forget some good old Indian food, not possible right? Hence Dinner shall be served at The Bombay Canteen where you can have a fill of some delicious Indian food with a pleasant twist. One of my recent discoveries, The Bombay Canteen is a fairly new establishment which has already gained popularity because of the delectable food that it serves. While Indian food is simply superb, Bombay Canteen manages to add a 'cool' factor to it as well, making it 'The' place to be at whether its for a Sunday brunch or a weeknight dinner with friends or family. An easy going ambience, good music, great Sangria and brewed beer on the tap and lets not forget the fantastic food is what makes The Bombay Canteen an ideal place to wrap up your Bombay dining experience in 24 hours! Personal favorites include the Tandoori Pork Spare Ribs, Seafood Bhel, Banana Leaf Wrapped Roasted fish with steamed Tingmo, and Jackfruit tart with cashew ice cream!

Surely 24 hours is way too little time to eat your way around Bombay, but atleast here's a start, so cheers to that!
If you are looking for good Malvani and Konakani cuisine then Mahesh Lunch Home (Juhu) and Gajalee (Juhu, Versova, Lower Parel) are your best bets. For some post partying snacks, head to Bade Miyan for some chicken kathi rolls and kheema pav.

Restaurant Review: The Bombay Canteen (Bombay)

A quirky concept cafe and bar that serves Indian food with a delightful twist is how I'd describe the newest addition to Kamala Mills' ever growing population of cafes and restaurants. I am a big fan of Indian food and love to relish it by the dozen, having said that, whenever i thought of brunch or a night-out with friends, an Indian restaurant barely crossed my mind as an option. I am sure that must be the case with many others as well. But The Bombay Canteen probably saw this an an opportunity and created an exciting menu using everyday elements of popular Indian food and snacks from all corners of the country, along with it they (thankfully) chose to stay away from kitschy Indian interiors, instead gave the restaurant a very New York pub like ambience and a never ending bar! Suddenly Indian was the new cool in addition to being delicious. I recently visited The Bombay Canteen and believe me when I say this, a 2 hour cab ride in the Bombay rains was worth it!

In addition to the great food, the service was excellent and the chef himself would make rounds of the restaurant, recommending what to eat and generally chatting up with the guests. That according to me is a great way to ensure that people leave the restaurants happy. The menu was interesting with a variety of snacks and main course items that one would be familiar with, but there was that one added element to each dish that made it stand out. For instance almost every Indian has had a rasgulla at some point in his life, so when you see rasgulla in the dessert section, you are familiar with it, but having coffee flavored rasgulla with caramel and butterscotch is a whole new take on this simple Indian dessert. That's what The Bombay Canteen's menu is all about.

I ordered 2 non vegetarian starters to go with my red wine sangria (which btw was superb) ; Seafood Bhel and Tandoori Pork Ribs. The pork was deliciously tender and well marinaded in the sauce and was served with some green beans, which was a nice touch, and the seafood bhel was quite interesting, savory and with a chat like quality about it, it was like an Indianised shrimp cocktail!

Red Wine Sangria

Seafood Bhel & Tandoori Pork Ribs

The pork ribs were quite filling but I was determined to make it till dessert. Next came the main course a generous helping of Banana Leaf Wrapped Roasted Fish with Tingmo (steamed dough bun) and a bowl of Tawa Chicken Kothu Roti; a combination of cabbage slaw, chicken, shredded roti in a coconut gravy topped with a fried egg. Both were outstanding to say the least!

Tawa Chicken Kothu Roti

 

Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish

Dessert looked next to impossible but when the chef recommended that we try the Jack-fruit Tan-Tana-Tan aka Jack-fruit Tart with Cashew Ice Cream, I simply couldn't resist as this was something I had never had till date. It sounded strange enough to be interesting and was actually quite delicious. I am not a big fan of ripe Jack-fruit but this is one dessert I wouldn't mind having again. And the cashew ice cream was fantastic as well.

Jack-fruit Tan Tana Tan

All in all, I would definitely recommend this place, equally enjoyable with friends or family and any day of the week!

24 Hours In Geneva: A To Do List

24 hours is more than enough to explore the city of Geneva. Primarily known for housing the headquarters of The United Nations, Geneva holds prominent political importance. It’s quite exciting to visit the Palais Des Nations (the UN), where you can take a stroll through the Historic Center and also have a look at the 193 flags of the different member countries. You can also make a quick photo stop at the massive installation of the “Broken Chair” which is not only a brilliant piece of contemporary art, but also has an important significance, it stands for opposition to landmines.

Make your way to Lake Genève from here, where you can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and marvel at some beautiful European architecture that lines the lake. You can also opt for a ferry cruise here, the prices vary according to the type of cruise you choose, while Geneva can be very expensive, if you choose wisely you can get ride for something as low as 8 Euros (which is cheap by Geneva standards).

Here at the lake you can marvel at the iconic Jet d’Eau, Europe’s highest fountain at 140 meters, with seven tones of water being airborne at a time! It is a sight to be seen. Tired of walking? Then find yourself at one of the many tiny cafes along the lake where you can opt for some hot coffee or some cold beer.

I had some delightful coffee and cakes at this café called Fifty-Fifty which was a little away from the lake but within a walking distance of it. If a stroll in the park is not your thing, why not take a ride in the slow toy train, that will take you around the park!

Most of Geneva is focused around the lake itself, here you can also see the beautiful Flower Clock, which is a large functional clock that has a body of a variety of flowers.  On a clear day, if you are lucky you can event spot the summit of the famous Mont Blanc.

You will be doing a lot of walking in any European city and Geneva too is no stranger to the same, walking is often the best way to explore and see a new city. Lined with stores selling high end luxury goods ranging from Louis Vuttion to Rolex to Cartier, shopping in Genève is only for the rich, but who says you can’t do some window shopping!

Be sure to visit a chocolaterie and pick up some sweet treats to take back home with you, Martel is a good option for some authentic Swiss chocolates. If you still want to take in some more of the architectural goodness, then head to the cathedral in the old town for stunning views of the city from atop. I am not a big fan of museums so I didn’t visit any, but if you are keen, then there a quite a few options for you to visit.

Geneva is an expensive city, and you must plan your expenses wisely, if you are having dinner at a restaurant, I suggest packing a picnic lunch from the supermarkets and enjoy it at the park. Take a comfortable but decently priced room at any of the budget hotels if you are on a tight budget. I stayed at the Movenpick Hotel, which was a little away from the city center. Breakfast is complimentary (or pre included in your room price).  With little to see and expensive prices, 24 hours is the perfect amount of time required to explore the city of Geneva.

Things To Do:

1. A picnic lunch by Lake Geneve

2. Try some hot chocolate/coffee and Molten Lava cakes at any of the cafes

3. Window Shop some of the world's most luxurious brands all on one street

4. Take a ferry ride on the lake

5. Try some cheese fondue

Serene Sikkim Amidst Thunderstorms And Tremors!

With summer heat getting to me, I longed for some pleasant weather and a distant view of snow capped mountains while I sipped some hot tea sitting on a bench in a pretty little garden. Having built the perfect picture in my head, it was time for me to look for a place well within my reach that could turn this imagery into reality. I remember having had a conversation about Sikkim with a friend a few weeks back and I had told him that how I don't really recall anything about the place since I had visited when I was little. I guess somewhere at the back of my head Sikkim was still lurking and I soon realized that it would be the perfect place to getaway to for a few days. With only 4 days in my hand to explore the 2nd smallest state in the country I left for Bagdogra airport from Bhubaneshwar (after changing a flight at Kolkata). Gangtok is a 4 hour drive from Bagdogra and don't believe Google maps when it shows the drive to be only a mere 2 hours, Google never drove in the mountains now did it!

To break it down for you, here's a small day by day account of how I spent 4 days in Sikkim.

Day 1:

After a long and winding drive from Bagdogra airport to my hotel at Rumtek, I finally arrived there at 5 in the evening. I checked into this beautiful little property called The Bamboo Retreat which stands amidst lush paddy fields and herb gardens. 

Bamboo Retreat

This boutique property is situated at a distance of 45 minutes from Gangtok city and is for all those who are looking to getaway from the maddening hustle bustle of the city life. With gorgeous views of the Himalayas from your hotel room, this was just like the little picture in my head. While the summer heat no longer bothered me, unluckily Sikkim had been facing early and untimely rains since a few days. Not one to let this bother me, I spent my evening by the fireplace indulging in some freshly prepared chicken momos and herbal tea. Once my Momo cravings were satiated I sat down to chalk out my schedule for the next three days. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do - in and around Gangtok for a day, Tsongmo and Natu La on another and Yumthang Valley on the last remaining day, unfortunately due to the weather conditions the road to Lachung, from where you have to go to Yumthang was shut, and so were the roads to Natu La and Tsongmo. It was then that I decided to to take each day as it comes, nevertheless I did submit my documents (passport photos and ID photocopy) to try to make permits for both.

Day 2:

The rain gods were being a wee bit over generous in Sikkim, but that didnt stop me from exploring the attractions nearby. A drive upto Rumtek Monastery was first on the agenda followed by a quick stop at the Chorten Stupa and Namgyal Institue of Tibetology. 

Rumtek Monastery

The Rumtek Monastery may not be as grand as the monasteries in Ladakh or Bhutan, but it is highly revered by Buddhists and is a must visit. The Namgyal Institute is quite interesting as it has a large variety of ancient Buddhist artifacts. Next on the day's things to see was the Ban Jhankri waterfalls, a small waterfall with beautiful lush greenery around it. The place is well maintained and I think the rains added a bit of drama to it as well. Since Yumthang Valley was going to be a no show for me, I decided to visit the botanical gardens in Gangtok to see the varieties of Rhododendrons and Orchids that are familiar to the terrain. The varities of flowers on exhibitions was astounding! I visited a small handicrafts market to buy some Tibetian weaves, post which I headed straight to MG road in Gangtok city to do some shopping and ended the day with a Tibetian meal of Shyaphale at Taste Of Tibet on MG road. Back to the hotel and the first thing the manager asks is - Did you guys feel a small tremor while you were out? Well I hadn't but a lot of other people clearly had.

Day 3:

We still didn't get a permit to visit Natu La and Tsongmo due to bad weather, I was almost getting disheartened as I had just one more day left in addition to this. But a quick change in plans after consultation with the driver and the hotel, we decided to head to South Sikkim. On our way we would pass a beautiful stretch of step cultivation of paddy which is also locally called as The Rice Valley. 

Paddy Cultivation

I don't think growing rice elsewhere can be this picturesque! The trip to Namchi included a quick stop at Temi tea gardens, Sikkims only tea estate. All organic and simply delicious I walked away with atleast 5 boxes of classic Temi tea boxes from there. 

Temi Tea Gardens

We stopped for a quick bite at one of the small huts serving tea and momos, only to be told that there had been quite a tremor just 20 minutes back, once again we had felt nothing as we were on the road, little did I know that meanwhile Nepal had taken a big hit and this tremor in Sikkim was due to that. Ignorant of the fact we continued our journey to see the towering statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Namchi, post which we made a quick stop at the chardham, which is very popular with tourists as it houses replicas of the actual chardham spots all in one place.

Statue Of Guru Padmasambhava

It was pretty interesting to see the place. After a long drive back to the hotel we received the shocking news of the Nepal Quake. While it was sad to hear the news, it was also a bit scary since Sikkim had been experiencing minor jolts daily and an earthquake in close proximity can very well cause landslides. Now completely sure of not being able to go anywhere on my last day in Sikkim, I went to bed with mixed emotions.

Day 4:

The persistent knocking on my door woke me up, a little irritated I opened the door to find a member of the hotel staff smiling and telling me that permits were being given to tourists to visit Tsongmo and Natu La. That news completely changed my mood for the better. Bundled in warm clothing and boots we set out for a uphill drive to Baba Mandir and Natu La and a quick stop at Tsongmo (Changu Lake) on the way back. 

The weather was brilliant as we started out but in a matter of few hours it began to snow and there was a white out of sorts while we were driving back. It was pretty exciting and adventurous, but one must remember its essential to have a skilled driver behind the wheel who knows his way around such roads.

While I couldn't do Yumthang Valley during this visit, I still managed to have a serene yet adventurous break despite the thunderstorms and tremors. And like they say, there's always a next time! So see you soon again Sikkim..

10 Days. $1750. 3 Southeast Asian Countries. One Hell Of A Trip!

More often than not, the first international trip which we Indians take is usually to good old Thailand- convenient, fast and more importantly easy on the pocket for first timers. But what if we can add another two most sought after destinations in southeast Asia and make this 1st trip abroad even better! Throw in Malaysia and Singapore in addition to Thailand, and you will return to the homeland proudly with entry stamps from 3 different countries instead of one! Expensive? Hell no. Having a good time, staying at good hotels and gaining the best of experiences will not cost you more than $1750!

Malaysia (Kulala Lumpur & Genting Highlands)

First country on the list is Malaysia. Fly out from Kolkata for the best airline prices or you could book well in advance from wherever else you intend on traveling from as well. Kolkata to Kuala Lumpur is a short flight of 4 hours, not too tiring, and if you arrive at KL at a decent time, you still have some free time on that day for some local shopping at the Petaling Flea Market.

Next morning with the help of your hotel, or you could even pre-book in advance for a day of local sight seeing that will include a visit to the Twin Towers of Petronas. If you want to walk across the connecting sky bridge of the towers, you will have to ideally pre-book your tickets and ensure you aren't visiting on a Monday as its closed on that day. One adult ticket costs about Rs. 1500 and visitng hours are from 9 am to 9 pm, but do go there earlier than 9 am because tourists start queuing up early. If a view of the capital 170 meters above the ground isn't really your thing, visit the KLCC Suria Mall to indulge in some retail therapy.

Petronas

Post your visit to the towers go on a day tour and cover the orchid and hibiscus gardens where you will see beautiful varieties of flora. Next on the list is a visit to the National Monument followed by the National Mosque of Malaysia (non Muslims cannot enter). Drop yourself off at Berjaya Times Square, where you can shop, eat and party before heading back to your hotel.

At The National Monument

The next day set out for a visit to Genting Highlands and visit the famous Batu caves on your way. Batu Caves is a limestone hill that has a series of caves that house many hindu temples and is a popular shrine outside of India. You are welcomed by the world's tallest statue of Murugan- the deity this cave temple is dedicated to. Other than strolling in the caves you can also try a hand at getting some pythons and boas wrapped around you, or feeding some iguanas!

Batu Caves

Batu Caves

A few more minutes of driving and you will reach Genting Highlands. While there are buses to Genting, its best if you hire a cab and keep it overnight as well to return tot he airport the next day. Total return fare should't cost you more than Rs. 2000-2500. Once you reach your hotel and freshen up, you can take a walk around the huge theme park that Genting Highlands is, or take a cable car ride above a thick tropical forest.

Genting Higlands

The weather gets quite chilly so better have a sweatshirt tucked away in your bag.There are lots of options to choose from for meals and entertainment. Genting is like a little man-made resort getaway with family or friends! Amusement parks, Jurassic World type of a theme park, restaurants, roller coaster rides, shopping arcades, horror houses, cable car rides over lush tropical forests etc. give this place a lively vibe 24*7! Plus the First World Hotel is the world's 3rd largest hotel in terms of size, not very fancy and is inexpensive. Good for an overnight stay.

The next day check out of the hotel and drive to KL international airport to depart for the city state Singapore!

Total Cost (Approx. figures)
Flight to KL: Rs. 8000
Malaysia Visa Fees: Rs. 1000
Hotel at KL (2 Nights for 2 people): Rs.1800 per night i.e Rs. 3600 total
City Tour: Rs. 1500 + Petronas Sky Bridge ticket Rs. 1500 i.e. Rs. 3000
Return Taxi Fare to Genting: Rs. 2500
Hotel at Genting (1 Night for 2 people): Rs. 1500 per night
Meals: Rs. 3000
Total: Rs. 23,500- 24,000 approx.

Singapore

Merlion

Singapore's plush Changi international airport will give you a glimpse of what to expect in the coming days. Be sure to pick up a free booklet from the airport which states the 'Dos & Don'ts'  while in Singapore! Head to your hotel, a stay at Little India or China Town will be comparatively cheaper than elsewhere, besides Singapore is well connected with the Hop-On Hop-Off buses which are a convenient and affordable way to get to places.

Jurong Bird Park

Take a city tour by yourself and visit the Merlion Park, China Town, Orchard Street etc. and spend the evening having some fine dinner at one of the many restaurants at Clark Quay before heading out to Ku De Ta or Altitude One for some heavy duty partying. On the next day keep yourself entertained by visiting the Singapore Botanic Gardens, followed by a visit to Jurong Bird Park where you must absolutely watch the bird show, after which while away your time till evening and visit the Singapore Zoo for an entertaining night with some exotic wild animals. The Singapore zoo is cage-less and one has to take a ride in a toy train around the zoo to get a look at the animals, they even have a show with the animals post the zoo visit. Keep all of next day for a visit to Sentosa Island where there is lots to do and see.

At Universal Studios

While Universal Studios may be a part of Sentosa Islands, you cannot cover both in a day, keep Universal Studios for the day after, believe me it will be totally worth it! Avoid shopping in Singapore because if you are going to Bangkok next, shopping in Singapore is a really pointless idea.

The next morning catch a flight to Bangkok, Thailand!

Total Cost (Approx. figures)

Flight to Singapore: Rs. 1200

Singapore Visa Fees: Rs. 3500

Hotel Room (4 nights for 2 people): Rs. 4500 per night i.e. Rs. 18000 for 4 nights

Sentosa World Ticket: Rs. 10250 (2 Day pass including S.E.A Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Maritime Museum and Universal Studios)

Jurong Bird Park: Rs. 1300

Singapore Zoo: Rs. 1500

Singapore Botanic Gardens: Rs. 300

Singapore Flyer with cocktail (Optional): Rs. 2800

Food: Rs. 4000

Commuting: Rs. 4000

Total (excluding Singapore Flyer): Rs. 44,050 - Rs. 45,000 approx.

Thailand (Bangkok & Pattaya)

Bangkok is a vibrant city and is one of my favorite cities to holiday at. Its always buzzing, it has plenty of entertainment options, the rejuvenating Thai massages, the food, the cheap shopping and the best part being how amazingly affordable all this is! Keep the first day for local sight seeing, visit the Grand Palace, the floating market etc. and end the night at Suan Lum night market before taking a tuk-tuk back to your hotel. Keep one whole day reserved for shopping at Pratunam (cheap clothes, shoes and bags), MBK (electronics), Siam Paragon (designer labels) etc. Personally I require atleast 3 whole days to be able to shop my fill in Bangkok, but 1 whole day dedicated to shopping for first time visitors is fine. Enjoy a relaxing massage or head to some of the happening nightclubs like Levels to end your last night in Bangkok city!

Walking Street, Pattaya

The next day take a cab to the beach city of Pattaya, which is notorious for its night life aka The Walking Street. Its buzzing till the wee hours of the morning and you can choose from a host of ways to while away and enjoy your time there. Massages, clubs, cocktail carts, street food options etc are available in plenty. You can even enjoy the famous Transvestite cabaret show- the Tiffany's Show at Pattaya. The sets are elaborate and performances are mind blowing!

One Of The Performers At Tiffany's

The next morning take a ferry ride to the nearby Coral island where you can engage in some fun water sports or just laze on a sun-bead and sip some beer!

All good things have to come to an end and while I can guarantee you vacation withdrawals while you drive to the airport at Bangkok, I can also assure you that once the travel bug has bitten, there will be much more to come!

Total Cost (Approx. figures)

Flight to Bangkok: Rs. 4000

Visa: Rs. 3800

Hotel Room Bangkok (2 Nights for 2 people): Rs. 2500 per night i.e. Rs. 5000 for 2 nights

City Transport (Metro/Tuk Tuk/Buses): Rs. 2000

Taxi to Pattaya and back: Rs. 7000

Hotel Room Pattaya (1 Night for 2 people): Rs. 4000 per night i.e. Rs. 8000 for 2 nights

Ferry to Coral Island: Rs. 1000

Food: Rs. 3000

Flight to Kolkata: Rs. 8000

Total: 41,800

Grand Total: Rs. 1,12,000 or $1750 approx.

So what are you waiting for?!