TLF by TLF magazinr

02 I Note from the Editor-in-Chief

Hello readers, I hope you will love reading the May issue as much as you have liked our old issues. I would like to thank you all, who have taken out time to write to us and appreciate our magazine. We hope to continue entertaining you in every manner possible. Enjoy the latest TLF to get some relief in this scorching heat! As we show you the coolest destinations to travel, beautiful hotels to stay in, Summer Fashion tips, Celebrity interviews and more... keep writing to me at: editorinchief@tlfmagazine.com

Destinations

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Ladakh

Ooty Shimla In Focus: Bahamas

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Food and Nightlife

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Slow cooking, the latest culinary trend Catching up with a Dessert Chef

New menu at the Jade, Claridges, New Delhi Set lunches at Intercontinental Marine Drive, Mumbai

36 Oak and Barley Mumbai

Fashion and Entertainment

82 70 80 76 86 74 72 75 87 84

Make up trends

Buying the right watch Fashion Police

Lookbooks Fashion buzz

Actor Mia, on beaches and bikinis Designer Pia Katariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer trend list Style notes Snapshots

24 Stay Here

32 33 28 30 34 20

Lemon Tree Chandigarh Corporate Inn Gurgaon Country Inn Delhi

Regenta Hotel and Convention Centre Delhi Waterstones Mumbai Summer Special

Opinion

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Hospitality Re-defined Life in a Metro

Summer must haves

Features

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Service Apartments in India

Inside Mahek Chahalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House

Summer Spas in Delhi Worldwide Spa Trends

Pooja Bedi on being a single mum

Luxury Cars The rise of young restaurateurs in India

Regulars Teasers Last Word

04 I Note from the Editor

CEO Shivani Joon

Editorial Editor-in-Chief ShwetaJoon Editor Natascha Shah

Contributing Writers Reema Moudgil Unboxed Writers Insia Dariwala Raynah Khursheed Dinshaw Sandeep Verma Prerna Jaiswal Mita Singh Esha Narayanan

Marketing Head of Marketing Hiten Rajput Hrishikesh.P. Patil Business Associate Western India (Mumbai) MPEN Associates Mob: 9967429418 e-mail:mpenassociates@gmail.com Pushpa Raj Rathour Mob: 9324284758 e-mail: mpenmktg@gmail.com Sanat Tokas Jyotika

Design and Layout Billantoo Designs

Head of Distribution Siddharth Joon

Published by Blue Butterfly Media House For Ads contactadvertise@tlfmagazine.com Phone no +91 9871871170 +91 9717546999 For editorial queries: editor@tlfmagazine.com editorinchief@tlfmagazine.com DISCLAIMER Printed and published by SHIVANI JOON on behalf of Blue Butterfly Media House. Processed and published at Rave India Scans, distributed in India by IBH. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All Prices are correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change. Manuscripts ,Drawings and other materials must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. However, TLF cannot be responsible for unsolicited material.

Every season has a special, a highlightthe seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best, this issue of TLF is just that! From summer spas to exotic new menus, best hotel deals to weekend mountain escapes, beaches and bikinis to accessorising it right, we tell you how to beat the heat. Our cover story focuses on the Bahamas the perfect destination for this time of the year. With its pristine beaches, buzzing nightlife and exotic food scene, it is a must visit! We also chatted up with some interesting celebrities, each supremely talented, with a unique story to tell- shared with you in form of opinions, interviews and columns. While the quirky VJ from channel V, Juhi Pande gives us an insight into her life in a metro, Pooja Bedi shares her experiences of being a single mother. Actor, Mahek Chahal takes us inside her house and designer Pia Kataria Puri inside her wardrobe. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to read the regulars with luxury watches and cars, best and the worst of red carpet fashion, lookbooks, trend reports, latest events and much more! So flip through for an exciting joyride to cool and beyond. Cheers! Natascha Shah write to me at editor@tlfmagazine.com

08 I Travel

Fresh apricots neatly stacked over yak hair blankets, salty butter tea, village fields coiled like a green snake between the rugged mountains, a serene silence broken only by encouraging shouts from an archery game (an annual event), a bunch of kids with red cheeks, dressed in the traditional outfit and ever—smiling faces running past, a pleasant breeze bringing with it the smell of purity that only exists in happy dreams—this is Ladakh.

A community not hostile in the name of religion or politics, where family values are still given the highest priority, where one can witness the most simple yet mystic phenomenon – a hearty smile on everybody’s face. Ladakh is one such paradise.

In several books, as well as hundreds of websites, Ladakh is described as one of the most beautiful, scenic places in the world. Its recent popularity as a tourist spot has attracted innumerable travellers to its unparalleled beauty, incomparable innocence and matchless diversity. Before my trip to Ladakh (as most tourists do), I read all about the place, the crystal blue lakes, the never-ending deserts, multi-coloured rock mountains, diversely colourful monasteries, the breathtaking journeys through some of the highest motorable passes in the world, the most anticipated camel ride, rich Tibetan culture, food, festivals—almost every aspect that a visitor needs to know. And I was satisfied and somehow felt that at least I know what was to be expected. But I was wrong. Not that I was anyway disap-

pointed with the heavenly picturesque views all around but what I never expected was the feeling to be at a place, which though geographically exists in our very own planet but somehow pragmatically doesn’t. That’s because in today’s cynical world, nobody knows of a society where there is neither waste nor pollution, where crime is virtually nonexistent. A community not hostile in the name of religion or politics, where family values are still given the highest priority, where one can witness the most simple yet mystic phenomenon—a hearty smile on everybody’s face. Ladakh is one such paradise. Present-day Ladakhis descend from a blend of three races—two Aryan groups, the Mons of northern India and the Dards of Gilgit, later joined by a larger group of Mongolian nomads from Tibet.

Culturally, Ladakh is Tibetan and often referred to as ‘Little Tibet’. Language, art, architecture, music, medicine and their philosophy of life all reflect this heritage. Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism is the predominant religion, and the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader. Increasingly, Western culture is trickling down through every region of the world and Ladakh is not an exception. The grand admittance of modern technology, fashion and moral values are chained to many invisible evils like greed, a sense of competition, ego, lack of traditional respect and family values. Sometimes when you look at their innocent happy smiles, the calm way of their life, the unalarmed acceptance of any stranger, you feel a certain urgency to save them from the so-called modernisation. I wish, I could.•

1.Prayer Flags 2.Kiagar Lake 3.Pangong Lake

12 I Travel

1 2

Lush oak and pine forests, winding roads, clear skies and cool air—this is what the drive from Chandigarh to Shimla (117 km) feels like—picturesque and serene. As our vehicle climbed higher, the air became cooler and cleaner, an indication that Shimla was near, ready to welcome us—a much-needed respite from the sweltering heat. Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is situated at an altitude of 2213 m. It is spread along a ridge that overlooks terraced hillsides and cultivations. Its scenic location—being surrounded by green hills of dense forests — makes it a popular getaway that charmed even the British who referred to it as ‘Queen of Hills’. The city was the summer capital of the British Empire in India. A number of high-ranking officials including Governor-Generals of Bengal and viceroy’s had cottages built for themselves. Many colonial structures that dot the city’s topography stand as con-

crete reminders of British rule. The city also has a deep connection to Goddess Kali as Shimla is named after Goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of her. In fact, before the British occupied Shimla, it was known for the temple of Goddess Shyamala Devi. Our first halt was the Viceregal Lodge, also known as Rashtrapati Niwas. It was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Built in 1888, it is located on Observatory Hill. It is an imposing building, surrounded by wellmaintained lawns and gardens. Seeing the stone structure of the building with its arches and green creepers along the walls I felt as if I was transported back into time, right to a British castle. It houses photographs of the British Raj and was designed by architect Henry Irwin. Built in Jacobethan style, it took eight years to complete the lodge. Dr S.Radhakrishnan, the first vice president of India and a visionary

We then proceeded to the Raj Bhavan which, though small, is tastefully decorated with artefacts and gleaming wooden furniture with a neat garden. It was formerly known as Barnes Court named after a commander-inchief, Sir Edward Barnes. A heritage structure, Raj Bhavan was the venue for the Shimla Peace Accord of 1972 between Pakistan and India. It was agreed that bilateral understanding would rule out differences between the two countries. Two other structures, which transport you to the colonial era, are the neo— gothic Christ Church and the new Tudor Library. The large open space in the heart of the town is the Ridge. By the time we reached the Ridge it was nightfall. The sight of the twinkling stars and the unhurried opportunity to admire them was refreshing—a simple joy forgotten in the daily grind of life in the city. One can also get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains from here. Being a complete shopaholic, my favourite spot was the Mall Road where the entry of vehicles is restricted. Hence one has to park and walk to the Mall Road. Parts of the movie Jab We Met were shot here. The mall road is a favourite evening hang -out for locals and tourists alike. One can shop or even take a leisurely walk here or eat at the many restaurants. Shops sell Himachali handicrafts and garments, specially Himachali caps, woolen

The sight of the twinkling stars and the unhurried opportunity to admire them was refreshing- a simple joy forgotten in the daily grind of life in the city. shawls woven with mirror work and embroidery, gloves, sweaters and socks, souvenirs and knick-knacks. Since it becomes chilly in the evenings, the locals sell hot bhutta (corn on the cob) and boiled eggs garnished with masala, and these are also relished with much gusto. Lakkad Bazaar (lakkad means wood) is a good place to pick up wooden souvenirs, specially carved wooden walking sticks. The Gaiety Theatre, a quaint building, is a reproduction of an old British theatre and is also the centre of cultural activities. A word of caution—be very careful in Shimla as monkeys of various shapes and sizes expertly snatch eatables. Also eye-catching (literally) for them are spectacles, which they curiously whisk away. Car mirrors and other outside accessories also attracy their attention.

ital of the Patiala State. It has the world’s highest cricket ground at a height of 2250 metres built in 1893. Cricket lovers, this ground will score a century on your ‘I love cricket’ meter. Wanting to experience the Toy Train we boarded the train at Jutogh station. The compartments were small and clean. The train trudged along and we got to view the forests, the mist and occasionally the valley. Kids happily chatting away, adults enjoying the ride amidst such a tranquil setting sure was a perfect end to a relaxing vacation. We disembarked at Shimla railway station and headed back to Chandigarh. Another advice while in Shimla—the weather is unpredictable so carrying an umbrella everywhere makes sense. Be prepared for sudden heavy rainfall and the weather taking a turn for the worse with chilly winds blowing. And do enjoy your stay in this capital city that embraces everyone who visits it.•

How to get there: By air:

Jakhu Mandir is a must visit in every visitor’s itinerary. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the temple houses monkeys are a class of their own and the guide warned me not to carry any packets with me. Even the vendor selling chana for prasad puts it in a wooden box and locks it up.

Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport is nearly 25 km away from the heart of the city. Taxi is available from airport to City at around `450. The airport is connected to Delhi airport by daily flights.

We then headed to Moshobra located 12 km from Shimla. It is a place of unique beauty whose gardens are spattered with daffodils and hyacinths. No wonder it makes for a popular weekend getaway dotted with delightful villas and innumerable picnic spots. Goddess Durga’s blessings can be invoked by visiting her temple. Chail, which is 43 km from Shimla, was the former cap-

Shimla has a meter gauge railway station. It connects to the nearest broad gauge station at Kalka, which is at a distance of 96 km from Shimla. Taxi services are available from Kalka to Shimla at about `1750/-. Kalka is well connected to all major cities in India by rail.

By Rail:

2: Institute of Advanced Studies

scholar, philosopher and statesman decided to put the lodge to better use, one that would aid academics. Hence, it was converted into the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and one needs to purchase an entry ticket to tour the building. I felt the visible presence of the grandeur of a bygone era, which was reflected in the high ceilings, the huge wooden polished beams and staircases.

1: Ridge Church, Shimla

14 I Travel

The Thread Garden in Ooty, filled with numerous handmade flowers--always in full bloom--is an admirable work of art.

Ooty is one of the most beautiful hill stations down south—a perfect weekend escape from Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore. The hills, tea gardens and lakes—all leave you fresh and mesmerised. From early morning treks to a fresh cup of tea in any many of the tea estates, visiting the chocolate factory, or local sight seeing—there are many things one can do in this fascinating town. A must visit in Ooty is the Thread Garden—the first of its kind in the world. This breathtaking display of a profusion of colours in the form of an innovative, aesthetic garden has been fabricated entirely from thread. The garden comprises of many natural models of plants and flowers, creepers, climbers and lotus ponds. Even the moss floating in the pond is made from thread using four-dimensional embroidery, a technology developed and perfected through a lot of trial and error and

Address North Lake Road Phone 0423 2445145 Price Admission `10, camera/video `15/30 Hours 8:30 am–7:30 pm

finally success. Housed in a closed enclosure to protect the flora, the thread garden is created on the right of a straight walkway with a railing to prevent visitors from touching the exhibits. Every piece of art creation here is an imaginative expression of nature, either as it is, or in a permutation of forms, light, shades and patterns. I confess that like a number of the other visitors I found this presentation of artificial embroidery more attractive than natural flora. The thread garden has been created through many scientific, artistic observations and experiments, which were developed and perfected. About 400 different shades and plain natural coloured embroidery threads can be seen here. This just proves that human imagination and determination know no bounds. It sure must have been a formidable challenge for these artists whose manual effort is there for all to see.

Guides—speaking English, Hindi or Tamil, depending on your language preference— are on hand to explain the laborious process, materials and effort involved in creating the garden and are quite used to the amazed expression of visitors. The artists have been so accurate that the shade of the leaf colour varies depending on whether they are newly formed or are a couple of days old. This garden is the brainchild of Anthony Joseph (a former lecturer of commerce and passionate about craft) and was opened to the public in May 1999, 20 years after its conception. Through this creation, Joseph has provided an opportunity to the world to understand and appreciate the beauty of Indian handmade expertise that is one-of-its-kind.

This breathtaking display of a profusion of colours in the form of an innovative, aesthetic garden has been fabricated entirely from thread. HOW TO REACH OOTY By Air Coimbatore airport is the nearest airport and is around 105 km from Ooty. Pre-paid Taxi fare from Coimbatore to Ooty is about `2500/-. By Train Mettupalayam, which is 47 km away from Ooty, is the nearest major railway station. There are regular train services from Coimbatore and Chennai to Mettupalayam. Taxis are available from Mettupalayam to Ooty at about `1000/-.

16 I Travel

Main Attractions

The capital city of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is found on 21-mile-long New Providence, their 11th largest island. The fine harbour is protected by tiny Paradise Island for a three-mile stretch.

Paradise Island Once known as Hogg Island, Paradise Island is 685 acres of pure bliss connected to Nassau by two 600-foot bridges. The island was developed almost exclusively to delight and accommodate visitors, with resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops, a golf course, an aquarium, and a casino rounding out the amenities. Very few private residences exist on the island. Bay Street Shops, pubs and cafes line Nas-

sau’s historic Bay Street. Considered the city’s ‘Main Street’, it maintains its historic feel while offering all the amenities a tourist may desire. Blue Lagoon Island A relaxing 20-minute sail from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island has several programs that allow visitors to interact with dolphins. One can meet these loving mammals from the edge of the water or get up, close and personal with them in the ocean. Cable Beach Looking for some sand? Look no

further than a few miles west of Nassau. There sits a two-and-ahalf-mile stretch of beach and beach life. Cable Beach is also home to the Crystal Palace Casino, as well as several luxury resorts, nightclubs and the Cable Beach golf course.

Things to do Water Activities The water surrounding Nassau and Paradise Island is gorgeous, but it is not just for show. You’d definitely be missing out if you didn’t spend at least some of your time here on it or in it. Or

both. The marinas have fullyfunctioning slips, most equipped with electric and water hook-ups and fuel. Some even have cable and internet. You will find a wide range of charters, excursions and rentals available—fully crewed and catered sailing trips, “bareboat” rentals for experienced sailors, small sailboats, motorboats, and jet skis. Some operators also offer day cruises and powerboat trips to nearby islands and outlying cays. One can also try reef diving or wreck diving or simply indulge in some water sports. The lazy ones can go for fishing.

Sight Seeing There are a number of must-see landmarks in Nassau, including Rawson Square, which is directly across from Prince George Wharf, the cruise dock. There you’ll find historic government buildings and the old goal, now reborn as a public library and museum. Other places of interest are The Queen’s Staircase, The Water Tower, The Forts, Gregory’s Arch and The Caves. Dining The restaurants of Nassau/Paradise Island offer virtually every type of cuisine, from simple dishes

to exotic Bahamian and international menus. If you’re looking for local specialties, the fish fry at Arawak Cay provides excellent outdoor dining and offers other Bahamian delicacies like conch salad and fried fish, while the stalls at Potter’s Cay dock serve up scorched conch— all made before your eyes. Whatever it is you’re craving, you’ll find it here. Shopping Bahamians continue the tradition of the early Lucayan and Taino

Indians by producing distinctive arts and crafts that reflect the skill and artistry of our heritage. Bahamians utilise local resources to create unique foods, spices, ceramics, crafts, art and music. Visit the world-famous Straw Market on Bay Street, where you will experience Bahamian life closeup and can polish your bartering skills while sampling the work of some of the local artisans.• Source: For further information visit: www. bahamas.com Email: tourism@bahamas.com

19 l Travel

Sofitel’s So Spa Mumbai’s swanky new rejuvenation haunt, the Spa at Sofitel BKC will give you a true taste of luxury. Sofitel Mumbai BKC has now launched its very own signature spa-So SPA. On a dedicated floor, sprawling over 6,000 square feet, the So SPA hosts six treatment rooms. Of these, one is an exclusive couple’s spa area with a private jacuzzi and other amenities. The So SPA treatments draw inspiration from a French gourmet restaurant menu, another area of Sofitel’s sphere of excellence. The starters and desserts last for 30 minutes, the main course lasts between 30 & 90 minutes. There are a few Specials and menu suggestions that last up to 150 minutes per treatment. At So SPA, the abundance of peace meets the abundance of space and it promises a unique personal experience—original music and exclusive signature treatments, which include the So Rejuvenating Facial, So Exhilarating Massage and Le Diamantaire Facial by Gemology, exclusive to Sofitel Mumbai BKC. Mr. Bernd Schneider, General Manager Sofitel Mumbai BKC says, “Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s So Spa is an exhilarating, uplifting and rejuvenating experience offering a mix of treatments from India and around the world. So SPA is a true escape from the hustle of Mumbai city and is an exceptional spa with a unique experience.” Designed by renowned French designer, Isabelle Miaja, So SPA at Sofitel Mumbai BKC leaves you mesmerized by its beauty. The entrance of the SPA is designed to create an instant tranquil feeling, using soft sheer drapery dotted with decorative Indian posts. The interiors of the spa are bright and pleasant with controlled lighting, predominantly displaying the colour gold, which is a shared passion by the French and Indians alike. The angular placements, tilt-glass style and use of gleaming gold remind one of the designer’s fervour towards gold and diamonds. Miaja has created the Tree of Life in the spa area, which is symbolic of the body renewing its life by means of the mysteriously rejuvenating spa treatments. However, she claims her personal favourite part of the spa to be the “Golden drops of luxury” that float above the water fountain and along the far wall. Her inspiration behind this element, she says, was the depiction of an exotic golden rainfall. Water features and landscaping elements are installed to create a harmonious feel with natural elements, soothing the senses while relaxing the mind and body.

20 I Second Homes

Quench your thirst at HRC

Since lengthy, summer days can be exhausting, mocktails make the perfect drink to feel reinvigorated without consuming alcohol. Colourful and full of flavour, mocktails give you all the fun of a cocktail with none of the bite! Hard Rock Cafe has come with the best of summer special mocktails to quench your thirst for cool! HRC’s three sizzling drinks are Mango Berry Cooler, Groupie Grind, and Wild Berry Smoothie. Most of the mocktails are made up of fresh fruits and fresh fruit juices topped on crushed icewith something special in each one of them. “Groupie Grind is a refreshing drink that consists of mango juice, orange, strawberry and a splash of pina mix. It is a very popular drink to enjoy

all year and it makes a perfect drink for hot days,” says Pemba Sherpa, Head Bartender, Hard Rock Café, Delhi. “The Mango Berry Cooler has a great blend of juices of mango with orange and pineapple. The Wild Berry Cooler smoothie is for the smoothie lovers, prepared of pina mix with coconut flavour, orange and granidine syrup,” he further adds.

Holiday at The Oberoi

The special ‘Summer Holidays’ offer by The Oberoi Group gives the guests an opportunity to experience the gracious hospitality of Asia’s best hotels and resorts —The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore.

1.Wildberry Smoothie at HRC 2.Oberoi Rajvilas

43 21

2 Whether it is the romance of TajMahal, the grandeur of forts and palaces or the thrill of sighting a tiger in its natural habitat, guests can choose from several holiday options. With a wide range of activities in a warm and caring environment, one can now enjoy extraordinary savings by booking two rooms and getting the third one complimentary. Keeping in mind the interest of families, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is offering a complimentary additional room for two children, up to 12 years of age.

Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; `46,400* at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and `47,400* at The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore. Lunch or dinner can also be included at an additional cost.

Another wonderful offer is the ‘Unforgettable Holidays’ package, which includes breakfast. The package offers a two nights stay on double occupancy priced at `43,850 at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur; `44,400* at The

Validity -The offer is valid from 16th April to 30th September, 2012 -At The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore offer is applicable till 30th June, 2012

Package includes -Complimentary car transfers between the hotel and local city airport or railway station. -Accommodation in a Premier Room (Luxury Tent at The Oberoi Vanyavilas) -Meals as specified above -15 % savings on spa therapies.

Imperial’s Summer Delight

The Imperial at Janpath, Delhi presents the Summer Collection Menu in three of its restaurants— The Spice Route (15th May to 30th July, 2012) San Gimignano (15th May to 31st August, 2012) and 1911. TLF highly recommends the grills at San Gimignano, which are light with the right amount of flavour and are accompanied with heavenly tasting sauces. The artichoke sauce and the sundried tomato salads are a must try! The meal will leave you feeling satiated, yet light. The Spice Route The award-winning Southeast Asian cuisine restaurant offers a perfect tease for the senses with mango flavours delighting you in every bite. Discover the sweetness of this king of fruits in special-

3.Traditional indian drinks 4.Summer collection at Spice Route 5.Taj Safari

4 ties like Yum Ma Muang-spicy & tangy fresh grated raw mango salad, Tom Yum Baan- spicy hot and sour clear vegetable or chicken, soup, flavouredwith raw mango, lemon grass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves and Gaxao hot dieu- stir-fried chicken with fresh mangoes & cashew nuts Vietnamese-style, carefully crafted by the master chefs. Meal for two: `6000 + taxes; for reservations contact: 01141116605 San Gimignano & 1911 Have an extravagant treat at the Italian fine-dining-San Gimignano and all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant 1911, as the Chefs dish out delectable and succulent selection of grilled meats and salads creating a summer collection extravaganza. Savour the flavours of perfection and enjoy a variety of meats like Double Lamb Chops, Grilled Jumbo Prawns, and more grilled just right

5 with a choice of flavourful sauces and salads like Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Salad, Corn and Capsicum Salad and the list goes on with a dash of panache! Meal for two: `5000 + taxes ; for reservations contact San Gimignano at 011-41116608 and 1911 at 011-41116602/03 Indian Traditional Drinks at the Patiala Peg and The Atrium all May. Guests can succumb to the incredibly fresh flavours of Indian traditional drinks to beat the summer heat in the ambient oldworld architecture and handsomely paneled bar of Patiala Peg and in the sun-drenched surroundings of The Atrium! A country familiar with sweltering summers, a wide selection of traditional Indian beverages like Nimboo Paani, Masala Chaach, Aampanna, and more are a perfect delight. They act not just as simple refreshments but are

characterised by natural cooling properties making you feel fresh and rejuvenated. Contact: 011-41116606/6609; Timings: Patiala Peg: 4:30 pmmidnight; The Atrium: 8 am to midnight.

Tajâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Safari

Discover the unparalleled beauty of the Indian jungles at the Taj Safaris properties in Kanha, Panna, Pench and Bandhavgarh National Parks in Madhya Pradesh. Experience a heady thrill as you catch sight of the majestic tiger stretching his lithe body and greeting the day. All this at exciting summer rates! Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first luxury wildlife circuit, Taj Safaris, has announced special rates for tourists travelling at any of the four Taj Safaris properties between 16th April and 30th June, 2012. Rates starting at `6000 + taxes per person at any of the four Taj Safaris properties.

24 I Second Homes

A new yet fast growing concept in India, Service Apartments have taken the hospitality industry by storm

With the growing economy and mushrooming of job opportunities for local and global personnel, there is a huge demand of creating ‘home-away-from-home’ stay options. - Manju Sharma, Director, Jaypee Hotels

Service Apartments are proving to be the biggest competition to business hotels—the cost effectiveness makes it an excellent option for expatriates, entrepreneurs, multinational executives, corporates and tourists alike. India is witnessing a huge demand of service apartments with the growing trend of guests opting for accommodations with complete hospitality solutions for a certain period of time. Service apartments providing niche facilities, like complete furnishings, gymnasium, shopping arcade and home-like environment, has picked up the preference for corporate travellers. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of diplomats and business leaders travelling into India, for whom staying in hotels for weeks or at times months becomes tedious and does not give them a feeling of

being at home. The service apartments are a comfortable and cost-effective option for these travellers. Also, the numbers of corporate travellers are increasing and the percentage is set to rise over the next three years as the volume of business is growing at a faster pace. This enhances the role of serviced residences, which offer them a convenient luxury stay option at a cheaper price than the hotels. According to Nayan Seth, General Manager, Taj Wellington Mews, Luxury Residences, “India’s strong economy makes it the epicentre of major business and investment opportunities.” The trend of service apartments in India is relatively new but is steadily increasing. Service apartments are popular in the IT city of Bengaluroo and Chennai and this trend has caught on in cities like Mumbai too.

3 4

Service Apartments @ Four Points by Sheraton, Pune

the features of the service apartments at Four Points by Sheraton, Pune.

The service apartments at Four Points by Sheraton Pune, offer the perfect base when you are exploring a new city, with more space to relax after a hard day’s sight-seeing with friends and family or work with colleagues. With amenities similar to a hotel, including housekeeping, room service, travel desk and security, the apartments are designed keeping in mind the comforts of a discerning guest. Air-conditioned rooms, fullyequipped kitchens along with a cook, free unlimited internet facility, club house facilities, laundry service, round the clock security and, power backup, attached bath, cable TV, refrigerator, washing machine, electronic safe, direct dial telephone, parking and fire safety are some of

“We have seen an excellent response to the service apartments. With the rise of expatriates in a booming city like Pune, we knew that a luxury comfort stay is what they look for and what better than feeling at home even when you are miles away from it. The concept has worked very well for Pune”, says Pankaj Mathur, General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton, Pune. There is potential for this market to grow, particularly due to the services sector and increased penetration in not just primary, but secondary and tertiary markets as well. The sectors generating this demand are IT, BPO, KPO, bio-technology infrastructure, telecom and to a greater extent visitors for medical tourism.

Four Points by Sheraton Pune is located on Nagar Road, and guests can enjoy convenient access to the airport, leading retail centres and offices. The hotel features 216 rooms (168 hotel guestrooms and 48 serviced apartments) along with two food and beverage outlets, a lounge bar and nearly 10,500 square feet of meeting and function space. The serviced apartments are designed for extended stay guests and will consist of a bedroom, living area and kitchen.

Jaypee Delcourt, Noida Located at the Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida, along with the Greg Norman-designed 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, Jaypee Delcourt has multiple dining options—a 24 hr restaurant ‘Café Resto’, ‘Silver bar’ a lounge bar, ‘Wrap It Up’ a quick service restaurant, ‘Body n Bliss’ spa s alon

1.Arial view, Jaypee 2.Room at Jaypee 3 & 4.Shereton four points service apartments

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6 and wellness centre and a swimming pool called The Lagoon. The Jaypee Delcourt offers 27 well -appointed deluxe rooms and 36 service apartments, which is in close proximity to the Greg Norman Championship Golf course.

jects in the past and is also a pioneer of the serviced residences concept in Delhi/NCR. The company has successfully delivered and managed the ‘Cabana Serviced Apartments’, which is a well-known brand in its segment.

Jaypee Delcourt is a brand that offers ‘Hospitality with a difference’, with an unconventional approach providing facilities that are not common. With the launch of Jaypee Delcourt, the brand has introduced a Town Centre concept where global lifestyle retail brands, a flower shop, a book and gift shop, handicrafts, ATM, adequate basement parking will be present addressing larger number of residential guests

Assotech Realty is now expanding its offerings in the serviced residences arena to the next level of ‘Living Experience’ and is increasing its hospitality footprint with a chain of high-end 4-Star level serviced residences under the brand ‘Sandal Suites’.

“With the growing economy and mushrooming of job opportunities for local and global personnel, there is a huge demand of creating ‘home-away-fromhome’ stay options,” says Manju Sharma, director, Jaypee Hotels adding that the demand is highly driven by executives of multinational companies (MNCs)and expatriates who come to India on deputation for periods ranging from weeks to months. There is a huge demand for high-end serviced apartments in the National Capital Region (NCR), especially Noida / Greater Noida, due to the presence of a large number of MNCs and upcoming cor-

porates. Thus, growing business opportunities for people from across the country and world will increase the demand of service apartments in near future. Jaypee Delcourt, is a totally new concept of ‘creating hospitality with a difference’. The first project under the name of Jaypee Delcourt has been recently launched at Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida.

Assotech Realty, New Delhi Assotech Realty is a foremost real estate player with an impeccable track record of delivering high quality projects on time. The company has delivered many commercial and residential pro-

Assotech Realty will be taking a pan India stride by opening Sandal Suites in 25 cities across India with the first launched recently at Sector-135 on Noida Expressway. Sandal Suites offers deluxe and premium accommodation options with an ultra modern clubhouse with gymnasium and spa, terrace swimming pool, a poolside lounge bar, a 24-hour restaurant, etc. These residences will be managed by experienced hospitality professionals to ensure worldclass service standards.

Taj Wellington Mews, Mumbai Carrying its legacy forward in the best tradition, Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences was

5.Taj Wellington lobby 6.Taj Wellington kitchen 7.Fraiser bedroom 8 Fraiser kitchen

43 27

7 launched in August 2004 that marked Taj’s foray into luxuryserviced residences in India. Taj Wellington Mews, the luxury residences from Taj Hotels, has elevated gracious living to a new level offering guests the service of a hotel with homely comfort. Since its launch,Taj Wellington has become a premier residential address in the country for businessmen, NRIs, expats and diplomats alike. With a strategic location, Taj Wellington Mews is close to the important business hubs and government offices in Mumbai. It offers an elegant blend of traditional and contemporary facilities like a business centre, gymnasium, spa, jogging track, babysitting services and pet friendly policy. Situated in South Mumbai, just minutes away from the city’s commercial centres, Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences offer the privacy and comfort of a private residence, combined with the amenities and services of a luxury hotel. Designed by John Portman and Associates, USA and spread over 2.6 acres of beautifully landscaped greenery, the complex houses 80 exquisitely designed and fully-furnished homes covering 124,000 sq ft, which include 4-BHK Penthouses (5300 sq. ft.)—4 units, 3-BHK (1900 sq. ft.)—18 with maid’s room and

8 4 without maid’s room, 22 units, 2 -BHK (1500 sq. ft.) – 2 with maid’s room and 30 without maid’s room 1-BHK (1100 sq. ft.) – with larger living area and balcony—6 units, 1-BHK (700 sq. ft.) with smaller living room and no balcony—4 units and Compact Studios (350 sq. ft.)—12 units Interior designed by Sue Freeman, each apartment comes with its own 42” flat screen television and home theater system; fully-equipped modular kitchen with cooking range, crockery, cutlery, dishwasher, glassware, microwave oven and refrigerator, marble-furnished bathroom with Grohe fittings, ample storage space, and a separate utility area with washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board. At Taj Wellington Mews, recreation comes in a variety of forms such as jogging track, swimming pool, gymnasium and the Jiva Spa. An in-house library and lounge help you unwind, while a well-stocked delicatessen offers the choicest of salads, meats and cheeses. Keeping with the demands of modern business travellers, Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences also houses a state-ofthe-art business centre offering a choice of six business centre rooms for up to 12 people.

Fraser Suites- Luxury Apartments & Furnished Luxury Suite, New Delhi Built to meet the needs of the today’s way of life, the magnificent nine-storey Gold Standard Fraser Suites-New Delhi offers the ideal living environment for even the most tech-savvy guest, along with exceptional levels of personal service. Located at the District Centre of Mayur Vihar, Phase-1, New Delhi, Fraser offers both luxury apartments and well-furnished luxury suites. Equipped with LEED compliance features and every ultramodern space that provides true environment-conscious living with emphasis. The 92 ultra-modern serviced residences offers studio apartments, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites with abundance of facilities right at your doorstep. The residence features offered to the guests includes a fully-furnished serviced residence with integrated living, dining, and kitchen, Wireless internet access, air-conditioning with individually controlled thermostats, exclusive elevators access to residence with security key card system, health club and fitness centre, steam and Sauna Jacuzzi, snooker and foosball table, golf simulators, kids room, a fully-equipped business centre with meeting facilities.•

28 I Second Homes

The newly-built Country Inn, Saket, New Delhi shows off its stupendous services at a perfect location, in the city’s entertainment centre, DLF South Court, Saket. The property offers the best facilities and amenities, like admirable admirable high-speed internet, a swanky fitness centre, on location dining with free breakfast, and conference facilities—all these for you to enjoy and savour during your stay.

Accommodation

Wine and Dine

Country Inn Saket, New Delhi offers 57 superior and deluxe rooms which are well-equipped with latest amenities including a 32inch LCD TV, climate control, free high-speed internet access and 24-hour room service. The hotel greets their guests with a complimentary delicious breakfast.

Guests at the Country Inn Saket, New Delhi can choose from an array of dining options. Mosaic is the global cuisine restaurant that offers an all-day dining as well as complimentary buffet breakfast. This 51-seater restaurant is open from 7 am till 11:30 pm. Big Shot, the chic bar and lounge, is perfect for meeting with friends or business associates and opens opens from 11 am –11 pm. The 74-seater open Terrace Garden ‘Barbeque’ is the perfect place for a business dinner or just to relax in an open environment with friends and colleagues. The

Other additional facilities in the rooms that let you have a great time and feel at home include, a hair dryer, electronic safe, Iron/ironing board, mini-bar with scrumptious snacks and drinks and a tea/coffee maker.

restaurant opens only for dinner. The hotel also promises a 24-hour room service to cater to your needs anytime of the day.

Leisure and Business The guests at the hotel are greeted with a variety of excellent services designed for a calm and cozy stay. Conduct your business by staying connected with complimentary high-speed internet access or burn some calories at the fitness centre. The services at this inn would help you work and play in luxury. The property also features an expansive function area and

1.Country Inn room 2.Mosaic restaurant

2 boardroom and pick-up and drop-off services for each guest. The Country Inn by Carlson, Saket offers flexible space where public events and parties can be very well organised. It is a perfect place for business meetings and social gatherings of any size. The Terrace Garden can accommodate about 100 guests, while the board room can accommodate 35 people for more personal events.

Location The hotel is located at a close proximity of 20 km from the New Delhi Railway Station and 12 km from the International Airport.â&#x20AC;˘

30 I Second Homes

With an aim to set a new milestone in the business hub, Regenta Hotel and Convention Centre is the first luxury brand of Royal Orchid Hotels and is the second property in Delhi NCR region. With 20 hotels operational across India, the hotel is strategically located 10 minutes away from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on NH 8 (Delhi Gurgaon Expressway). The nice blend of sophisticated urban flamboyance with a relaxed attitude makes Regenta Hotel & Convention Centre, New Delhi an ideal stay for the discerning global travellers. With a significant number of three banquet halls and three extensive banquet lawns, this newly launched property is not only an urban retreat for all discerning clients but also a desired wedding and event destination for all.

Accommodation

The hotel offers 48 rooms with luxurious amenities and stylish furnishing including 18 premium rooms, 28 deluxe rooms, two suites. The comfort and expediency are evident in all the rooms that are hosting all quintessential amenities including wooden / Italian marble Floor, complimentary access to the fitness centre,

1 and full-sized work desk with executive chair and well equipped mini bar. The suites offer a separate living and dining room with attached washrooms and a separate luggage room.

Wine and Dine

The dining options at the Regenta Hotel & Convention Centre New Delhi include the 24-hour InRoom dining, “Limelight” a 24/7 coffee shop and Pinxx, which is a multi-cuisine restaurant offers delicacies for travelers.

Leisure

Regenta Hotel & Convention Centre New Delhi has a beauti-

ful swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and salon for guests to unwind and relax during their stay.

Meeting and Events

Spread across more than seven acres of land with four lush green lawns, four spacious banquet halls and conference rooms, Regenta Hotel & Convention Centre New Delhi offers efficient facilities like conference cum banquet halls with space ranging from 850 square feet to 6500 feet for business meetings and personal events. The Hotel boasts of their extensive lawns to cater upto 2,500 pax, ideal for banquets and weddings.•

1.Regenta Hotel 2.A room at the Regenta Hotel and Convention Centre

32 I Second Homes

TLF reviews two new properties, perfect for the always-on-the-go businessman.

Lemon Tree Hotel, Chandigarh One of India’s largest independent chains of upscale business and leisure hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels launched an 81-room hotel in Chandigarh. Located in proximity to the city’s IT and business hubs, the property offers a refreshing experience for the corporate traveller. It features top-of-the-line conference facilities, a fully equipped business center, a rooftop Life Fitness gym, a mini-spa and a rooftop swimming pool to address every need of the business traveller. Guests can choose from an array of cuisines including Indian, European, American and pan-Asian at the 24 hour coffee shop – Citrus Café or hip recreation bar – S Lounge. For a relaxed dining experience in the comfort of one’s room, the hotel offers a comprehensive in-room dining menu, 24 hours a day. The spacious rooms and suites are ergonomically designed for

1.Citrus cafe at Lemon Garden, Chandigarh 2.Executive suite at Lemon Garden, Chandigarh 3.Room at Corporate Inn, Gurgaon 4. Reception at Corporate Inn, Gurgaon

2 greater comfort to make business on the move productive. The hotel also features a separate floor for women and a specially designed room for people with disabilities. A stylish aesthetic and the extensive use of green, yellow and other vibrant colours, creates the signature look. Every Lemon Tree hotel is unique in character, yet connected by a common thread â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fun. Placemats with caricatures, jokes and framed baby tees with smart one-liners, bring to life the brand essence of Lemon Tree.

Corporate Inn Gurgaon by Laurent & Benon Group Corporate Inn Gurgaon is the first 4-star deluxe property by Laurent &Benon Group. An established player in the hospitality sector, the group, in just two years has grown from a nine-room establishment to 1800 rooms offered in various locations, including service apartments and a budget

hotel under the name Corporate Residence. The property, with its location and unmatched capabilities to service business needs, the hotel ensures that the facilities required by business travellers are effectively made available, and further strengthens their footprint in the country. Located in Cybercity Gurgaon, the hotel is in the hub of the corporate world, proving to be a huge advantage to the guests. Easily accessible from Airport, South Delhi, and Connaught Place, it offers business travellers a supreme combination of accessibility and facility. Apart from the 102 pleasingly furnished rooms, the hotel facilities includes everything a business traveler looks for, such as pick - ups by luxury car, indoor heated swimming pool, state of the art spa, banquet facilities, room service, laundry and a specialty restaurant- Martin Brownsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; serving world cuisine. These are built to make sure that the guests can unwind and relax along with getting their work done.

34 I Second Homes

Chosen as the Trendiest Hotel in India by Trip Advisor Traveller Choice 2012

Waterstones integrated development community comprises two swanky properties in Mumbai—The Waterstones Hotel and Waterstones Club offering the best in design and luxury to the urban business traveller and leisure-seeking families.

Sprawled over 10.5 acres of prime land, in the vicinity of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in north Mumbai, the two properties have been designed to provide a peace of mind that no other hospitality giant in the bustling metro of Mumbai can match. Waterstones Hotel is a contemporary luxury business hotel consisting of 10 suites and 85 rooms spread over five floors, each with a different theme. The five unique, luxurious, nature-inspired themes that adorn each floor reflect the creativity and individual taste of the promoters of MARS Enterprises. The second floor has

a Marine Theme, inspired by the sea and the design elements bring about a calm and serene feeling, similar to being by the ocean. The room décor includes white marble and sea shells. The third floor has a Rainforest Theme, inspired by the freshness of the forest. The colour and elements used in the room give it a natural, tropical feel. The marble used in these rooms is called the rainforest green marble. For the décor different tree trunks and wooden flooring made from the famous sheesham wood from North India have been used. The fourth floor has a Fire Theme—rooms here are known for their rustic appeal. The use of honey onyx, brick

flooring and vibrant colours convey a sense of warmth and earthiness. The fifth floor has a Mountain Theme rooms that have been designed with a log cabin in mind. The elements of pine and wood depict a cozy and inviting ambience. The sixth floor has a Glacier Theme with minimalistic interiors , which reminds one of the Arctic region. The flooring is made of glass which gives a feel of walking on ice. This design strategy surely provides something fresh and interesting to the eye, adding to the experience of staying at Waterstones Mumbai. The property provides the best of modern facilities giving the guests an inimitable, high-quality experience in warm and friendly hospitality. This has been made possible by focused stress on safety, technology, space, qua-

ity and service. Waterstones hotel is a highly-secured, property with state-of-the-art security and safety systems. The use of the latest technology throughout the development, guarantees that the valued guests are seamlessly connected. Lavish use of open spaces ensconced in lush green landscaping creates a true sense of escape from the congestion of Mumbai. Waterstones integrated development use the highest quality of materials and

a specialised training program with personalised attention to ensure consistent and exemplary service. In addition Waterstones Hotel also has a library, movie lounge, music lounge, billiard room, games room, card room, business centre, banquet hall, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, a wide range of culinary experiences and world-class beauty and health treatments. A wide range of meeting rooms, bars, numerous F&B options, a convenience shop and a lobby lounge facility have been provided at the hotel to meet every needs of the guests. Waterstones - Bar & Grill, the restaurant in the property, has a nature-inspired theme, reflecting ecological values. Set amid lush greenery and waterfalls, the res-

taurant offers an eclectic palette of the finest grilled cuisine, together with a wide range of beverages. The restaurant is an ideal place for hosting private parties and spending quality time with friends and family over the choicest of grilled foods and cocktails. It has simple yet elegant flooring, with an upturned potted plants ceiling, a comfortable outdoor lounge opens up to a clear sky, to the accompaniment of soft music. The delicacies include exotic sea food and a variety of wine from around the globe, as also a wide variety of soups, salads and desserts. Bar + Grill reflects the unique taste of the promoters of MARS Enterprises. Its elegant interiors and superior cuisine is well-aligned with the MARS tradition of redefining exquisite hospitality and dining delight. Waterstones Bar + Grill offers professional and courteous service under the stewardship of Executive Chef Zubin D’souza, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, while the open kitchens add theatre to the dining experience. Van Gogh’s Bar at Waterstones hotel serves quality liquor and beverages. Drawing inspiration from one of the most famous artists of all time, the bar is a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh and his

works of art. Replicas of his work like ‘The Self Portrait’, ‘Sunflowers on Gold’, ‘a Wheatfield with Cypresses’, ‘Bedroom at Arles’, ‘La Siesta’ and ‘The Starry Night’ line the walls. The famous lyric ‘starry starry night’ sung by Don Mc lean is painted on the ceiling walls under a skylight. Waterstones Club, a spacious, exclusive and luxurious expanse, is surrounded by lush landscaping and waterfalls and offers a rich spectrum of recreational facilities. The restaurants overlook the picturesque lawns in which are located the Olympic-size lap pool, outdoor jacuzzi, spa, a state-of-the-art gym, outdoor tennis courts, squash courts and multi-purpose courts. Future plans of Waterstones integrated development include modern, comfortable Serviced Residences and Offices.•

38 I Palate Pleaser

Prashant Sabne, Pastry Chef, Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel talks to TLF about all things sweet and delicious.

What made you want to be a chef after engineering? I come from a family of engineers. It seemed to be the most natural choice for me, but a year into it I realized that it was not something I was genuinely interested in. I knew that I was armed with creativity and the aspiration to do something different. So, after engineering I enrolled in for a bakery course at Sophia College in Mumbai. Soon, learning the ropes of being a pastry chef and loving it, I went on to make a career out of it. Tell us about your journey this far. It has been very exciting and on a fast growth trajectory. I started my career at Taj Lands End, Mumbai and went on to work at Jumeirah International in Dubai. From there I went to Scotland and worked there for two years, only to return to Taj Lands ends, followed by a short stint at Westin Mumbai, I have been at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel for a little over a year.

CHEF’S CHOICE Cream Caramel Ingredients: Cream, Milk, Eggs, Sugar, Bread Procedure: Boil the milk and cream together. Mix the eggs and sugar and stir till the sugar melts. Pour the mixture into the cream milk and stir for 5 min. Pour the custard like liquid on to the bread placed in the baking mould and bake in the oven at 160 degree Celsius for 10 min, till brown.

The biggest misconception about a chef, at the workplace and outside? The biggest misconception about a chef is that all he/she can do is cook. I think most of us have a very creative side. For instance, I take keen interest in photography and would love to pursue my passion further. Thankfully my job allows me to take photographs of the desserts I create. What is the most unusual demand a guest has ever made to you? Were you able to deliver? I once had a customer who ate pancakes and honey with alookisubzi at our breakfast buffet. Baking daunts many people. If you were giving them a pep talk you would say.... Honestly, baking is not as difficult a task

as people make it out to be. It’s all about practice and using the ingredients to the right measurements. I advise the first time bakers to just go for it. Cook from your heart and the results will follow automatically. As a pastry chef what do you have to say to people who give up dessert to get skinny? It’s not every day that one indulges in dining out. So, make the same exception for dessert. If you weren’t a chef you would be.... I would have been in the navy. The best thing about your job is? My job gives me an opportunity to interact with my guests and network. Also, the creative aspect of the job is extremely satisfying. …and the worst? You are always working. What is your favourite food and dessert? I love Chicken Tikka Masala, Goan-style Pomfret and ice-creams. If you were to make a sampling platter out of four desserts, what would they be and why? I would have an Apple Tartatin, Baileys Soufflé, Chocolate Marquise, Vanilla ice-cream and Balsamic. These are four unique desserts that would work well together. Also, they are contrasting in texture, flavours and two are cold desserts and two hot desserts, that would suit different palates and moods. If you were a dessert what would it be? I would love to be chocolate in any form. What’s one dessert that could pass off as a full meal in itself ? Raspberry Thyme Brioche Bread and butter pudding.•

39 I Palate Pleaser Don’t be startled when you glance up to see the jaguar descending through the ceiling just above the bar—its all for impact.

Replacing popular Southeast Asian eatery Nish is 36 Oak and Barley, replete with uniqueness in décor, menu options and services on offer. Raynah Coutinoh tells you why it’s worth a try!! One of the most rare species of eatingout joints in India is the kind that lets you visit alone, without occasionally brushing your forehead for a loser stamp. Among its rather long list of rarities, 36 Oak and Barley makes this possible with free Wi-FI and magazines sitting around the bar so as to give single guests the option of dining/ drinking alone without having to feel uncomfortable. Not to mention that they’ve got facilities for screening the IPL and other sporting happenings. If you didn’t hand your car over to valet and walked around the corner from where you parked, chances are that you’re grumbling about the oppressive heat in Mumbai on your way through the mirrorlined lobby. So if you haven’t set your heart on cooling off with a beer, try the melonice tea—tossed up with fresh melon and no sugar. Mind you, it’s seasonal and will only be served during melon season. On the bright side, seasonal ingredients alone flavour their ice tea selection. Bread sticks are baked in-house and the ubiquitous peanuts/salad wedges are replaced by sprouts in a Thai preparation, inspired by forerunner Nish. The all-day dining restaurant was to go the New York chill-zone way and has a grungechic aura to it. Don’t be startled when you glance up to see the jaguar descending through the ceiling just above the bar—its all for impact. The mini-jaguars set in grillstyle cubes surrounding an overpowering photo-frame mirror on a red wall make for a pleasant backdrop to drinks, dinner or brunch. The Roasted Beet, Orange, Arugula & Goat Cheese Salad with Orange Dressing (`275) could turn the most hardened burger-holic into a health enthusiast. TLF found

that the secret is in the orange-juice dressing—you’ll find even the leaves have that characteristic zing of citrus. The Steamed Vegetable Dumplings in a Coriander Broth (`250) seemed tad too mild-flavoured in comparison but a dash of their su-yam sauce gives it a one-way ticket to our list of recommendations. If you’ve scoured even Mumbai top-notch eating out spots for calamari done nearly as well as the simplest of shacks in Goa, you’ll be thrilled to bits at the Shrimp & Calamari Ajillo with Ciabatta (`450), where it just melts in your mouth. Caution: you might end up wanting to slurp up the sumptuous sauce when the seafood is over. The Tomato Risotto (`350) is authentic, addictive and serves about two. The Herb Crusted Barramundi Fillet with Mustard Kasundi Cream (`750) is heaven on a platter and don’t be fooled by it’s size, you’ll be satiated by the end of it or even halfway through it. Chef Nachiket Shetye sure brings out the flavour of the fish through its crunchy rainforest-looking coating. If you think you’re too full for dessert, ask for the Vanilla Strawberry Panna Cotta, which is feather-light while being just delectable.•

Surprise!

•Waiting for your turn in the loo has been made easier with a TV •Too drunk to drive? Don’t be surprised if the valet parking staff offer to drop you home •Smokers are hereby no longer aliens – French windows let you stay a part of the restaurant and give you a view of your table so you know when your order has arrived.

40 I Palate Pleaser

1 2

Lava rocks sear the food without burning or creating carbon fumes hence ensuring a clean and complete natural food flavour, not achievable with predictable cooking methods.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lava rocks are natural volcanic scoria rocks found on the slopes of old Auvergne volcanoes, around craters that are now dormant. They are usually red or black in colour,â&#x20AC;? explains Chef Elangovan Shanmugam, head of the food production team at Vivanta by Taj, Pune. In the Stone Age, men would primitively crush and remove dust in order to finally obtain round, pleasant and proportionately calibrated shapes with no roughness that were almost evenly smooth and highlighted an endless number of cavities. A single lava rock was placed on the grate, created over natural fire, to heat up. As the rock was porous, heat was distributed over the entire cooking surface creating a homogeneous fire. Archeologists have identified prehistoric stone pits that were used by early humans throughout evolution. Researchers deduce that these archaic cooks discovered and took advantage of the ability of rocks to retain and emit heat. Australia and New Zealand along with South Africa have some of

the earliest evidence of cooking with stones. As early as 1896, Australian archeologists were writing about a remarkable prehistoric 50-foot table-top rock having numerous deep depressions, what is believed to be, the ovens of the Aboriginal people. In New Zealand, the native Maoris continue their own ancient tradition of cooking with stones placed in a hole in the ground and the meal is referred to as hangi. In Fiji, food is cooked in the traditional way of lovo, which is an earthen underground oven of hot rocks where the food is slow roasted to perfection. In the Americas, Native Americans made good use of stones. In Texas, one researcher found evidence that stones were being used as griddles for baking bread. Proper, flat rocks were heated in a bed of coals and once hot enough, they were removed. Then, a mix of ground flour from acorns and water was poured over the hot stones and baked into a tortilla or flatbread. It is the quality of stone to hold heat and to radiate it at even

seafood like jumbo prawns may take about 8-10 minutes.

The ancestral method of cooking on lava rocks gains popularity again, as it’s healthy as well as makes for interactive cooking. Chef Elangova Shanmugam of Taj Vivanta, Pune tells us more

temperatures over its surface that makes it ideal for cooking. Even Vikings and Egyptians are believed to have adopted lava rock cooking.

bon fumes while cooking hence ensuring a clean and complete natural food flavour, not achievable with predictable cooking methods.

“Because of their origins, lava rocks are particularly suited for this style of cooking. Formed from molten materials embedded deep in the Earth and spewedup in great cataclysmic events, they change from magma to solid rock. Once lava rocks are formed, they have the same characteristics as their origins,” explains Chef Elango.

Accompaniments include preparations of mash/baked/roasted potatoes, couscous and polenta. Broccoli, asparagus, zucchini and baby corn with sauces like red wine, brown sauce, vegetables coulis and salsa are also served. However, cooking with lava rocks requires professional skill and training to handle the stones and equipment that is installed in an open space.

We thankfully don’t have to cause inconvenience to ourselves like our ancestors. Lava rock cooking has been incorporated by fine dining restaurants. Diners can simply sit back on comfortable chairs or couches, chat and catch up with friends and relatives while their fresh, healthy and nutritious, hot meal cooks in front of them. This uniquely presented food uses the dry method of cooking where no fats or oils are used. Lava rocks sear the food without burning or creating car-

“Some precautions that need to be taken involves heating the stone to the required temperature, removing the rocks from the oven with the oven scoop provided and placing them on the stainless steel tray contained within the specially designed ceramic under plate,” adds Chef Elango. The time required depends on the type of food cooked over the rocks. A poultry chicken breast of 120 gm would take around 8 minutes to cook while

During cooking the stones should not be touched with bare hands. The provided food knife and fork should be utilised for the food on the lava stone. Once done the stones are easily cleaned in seconds with warm water and stainless steel scourer without detergent, followed by rinsing. “The lava rocks are heated to their required stone grill cooking temperature of 400 degree C (752o F) by a preheated purpose built oven operating on 240V power and capable of heating the stones economically. The rocks retain a prime cooking temperature for 30 minutes and remain hot for more than 60 minutes,” adds Chef Elango who has designed an informal, personalised and unobtrusive lava rock meal at Grill@11 at Vivanta by Taj, Pune. Lava cooked meals pair beautifully with Zampagne Soiree Brut Sparkling wine, Viognier Clairette, Cabernet Syrah, Sulet Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Diners can cook, talk, sip wine, turn and slice an entrée, and talk and sip some more. The ceramic under plates are uniquely designed to safely contain the food heated within the platter, exposing only the cooking surface. “Heated rocks are removed from the oven scoop provided and placed over the stainless steel tray contained within the ceramic plate. The selected food is then placed on the stone, vegetables, garnish and condiments are placed in the side compartments of the under plate,” explains Chef Elango of how the cooking is actually done. So now you know what to do for a tasty and healthy, hassle free meal that your tummy and senses will thank you for.•

1.Lava Cooking 2.Stone Cooking

42 I Palate Pleaser

Located close to Mumbai’s business and financial districts of Nariman Point and Churchgate, the Kebab Corner at InterContinental Marine Drive, nurtures a long history of serving Mumbai’s best Kebabs, and now, with the introduction of its ‘Set Lunch’ concept, this jewel in the Queen’s necklace, has a new gleam, yet again.

1 Situated on the first level of the InterContinental Hotel, the Kebab Corner boasts of a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea. Not surprising then, this feature is definitely the focal point of the restaurant. The rest of the ambience, with its minimalist décor and stark walls, is easily negligible. But who’s one to complain, when you are standing before one of Mumbai’s finest views.

As soon as I arrived, an entourage of friendly staff warmly escorted me to the best table in the house—the one by the window. The Mughal Raj may be a thing of the past, but all this attention will surely makes one feel like royalty. The menu in hand, I began to wonder, Light Lunch or the Signature Lunch? My dilemma was quickly solved by Executive Chef Paul Kinny, who asked me to try out a little from both menus. “There goes my morning walk.” I thought. The meal started with a refreshing-deliciously light Mango Panna drink and as I sipped on it

and watched the world go by, a delectably colourful platter was placed on the table. The dish looked and smelt great. It was Pomfret Tikka-small filets of fresh Pomfret soaked in a spicy, tangy marinade, cooked to perfection in a clay oven. The first bite instantly coated the tongue with a lingering taste of Ajwaiin- the hero of the dish, which rode in proudly on the chariot of a wellbalanced marinade. Next was the Murgh Afghani-tender breasts of chicken marinated in a therapeutic yellow chilli marinade; succulent and satisfying with the beautifully textured yellow chilli powder. The Adraki Jhinga-large sweet crustaceans marinated in a ginger garlic paste and char broiled, was low on flavour and a bit dry. However, the Lamb Seekh kebab was the one that took away the crown. The finely hand ground meat, the tender, juicy bites that melted on my tongue, and the sweet freshness of mint that breezily waltzed into my mouth, shamelessly brought out the glutton in me. The next batch was the vegan fare, which surprisingly,

didn’t disappoint. The Kumbh Dak Bangla—huge button mushrooms gently stuffed with chopped mushrooms, in a vibrant mustard marinade, had a nice smoky flavour, and married to the right amount of pungency. The Malai Paneer Tikka, on the other hand, was quite predictable with its creamy taste. The Subz Nawabi Seekh, true to its name, had all the ingredients fit for a princely palate. Different textures mingled peacefully in this luxurious morsel. The insides were soft with a crunchy bite from the cashews. The rich mawa held the fort together for all the other ingredients, and on the outside I had a flawlessly grilled seekh with zero oil. My only grouse—it tasted sweet. The Bharwan Aloo, too, was perfect. Baby potatoes, stuffed with mashed potatoes, generously slathered with an exotic Kashmiri marinade, and then ceremoniously sacrificed to the clay oven. However, rest assured, this was a sacrifice that didn’t go to waste. The appetisers done, it was now time to try the main course, which came in cute little ceramic pots.

The delicious Lehsooni Palak, pureed first and then tempered with some aromatic roasted garlic, was deliciously healthy. Paired with Tandoori Roti and the Yellow Dal Tadka, this combination could make heaven wait. The Lamb Roganjosh too was light and non spicy, with the meat tenderly falling apart. And lastly, my royal affair ended with the KK Khaas Dal Makhani, cooked overnight in a copper vessel, was surprisingly weightless on the butter, allowing me to appreciate the real flavour of the kaali dal. My soul sated with such an abundant, tantalising spread, I personally thanked the chef for his exemplary and innovative culinary skills. ‘Set Lunches’ is a unique and simple concept that believes in serving light, pre-set menus for the busy, time-constrained executives. No deliberation, no fuss. Once the order is placed, food arrives within five minutes, giving you ample time to catch up on a lunch meeting. Keeping the Indian palate in mind, the portions are apt with the on healthy

and light meals. At an affordably priced `850 (excluding taxes), this concept is a sure shot winner, which aims to please both the corporate world, as well as the people who just want to get together and enjoy a relaxing home-style meal. And with such a spectacular show how could you ever go wrong?•

The Kebabesque and curry LunchesKebab Corner Reservations: +91-22 3987 9999 Address: InterContinental Marine Drive, 135 Marine Drive, Mumbai 400020

1.Non-veg set lunch at Kebab Corner 2.Veg set lunch at Kebab Corner 3.Kebab Corner

44 I Palate Pleaser

With Master Chef Lin Lin Yang on board, Jade at The Claridges-New Delhi has put across a new menu with a delightful selection of dishes. TLF checks it out to help you decide your platter.

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Serving authentic Chinese cuisine from Mainland China in a contemporary ambience, Jade at The Claridges-New Delhi is an exclusive experience in refined dining. With plush interiors and exquisite jade carvings lending a sleek and modern look, the restaurant provides an ideal backdrop for a true Chinese meal. The place recently revamped its menu and turned more appetising. Coziness speaks in this 45-pax fine-dining restaurant where the warm welcome and background music will instantly transport you to the Orient. Chef Yang brings with him some traditional homemade ingredients and methods, having mastered the Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan cuisines in his 16-year career. An array of seafood dishes with a wide variety of vegetarian options dot the menu. Many

new dishes have been added while hot favourites retained. A must try is the Five-Spiced Duck Salad with Cucumber and Schezwan Chilli Oil, which is an absolute delight. The tenderness of the chilli duck is perfectly suited to the cucumber and makes the dish very light and refreshing. This new addition is sure to win some hearts. The new menu is quite comprehensive, with interesting options for vegetarian and non-vegetarian lovers. Special attention has been paid to the vegetarian fare with over half a dozen delectable options for each course. TLF recommends the, Mushroom, Bamboo Shoot and Sticky Rice in Lotus leaf, the classic Mapo Tofu, the Shao Mai Dim sum and the Crispy Stir Fried Water chestnutâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a break from the spicy starters, mildly sweet with a crunch lightly tossed in Chinese spices

and peppers. Dumpling lovers should definitely try the Bamboo Shoot Dumpling and Green Bean Dumpling. Chef Yang specialises in seafood preparations and that is evident from the choices that are on offer. You can choose from lobsters, crab, duck, prawns, and a variety of fish—pomfret, sea basa, river sole, and Vietnamese basa. The Chef’s signatures like Seafood Soup, Chong Ching Chicken, Ginger Prawn Dumpling with chilli oil, Chilli Celery Prawn, Fried Fish with Gan Shao sauce, and Stewed Chinese cabbage with Chilli Tenderloin will leave you spoilt for choice. The 5 Spice Fish is a melt in your mouth starter with a strong flavour cooked to perfection. Interesting combinations like Chicken and Fennel and Chicken and Pumpkin have been introduced in the dim sums—all of

course with a whisk of the master Chef’s magical hand. The Vietnamese Basa in Chilli Hunan Sauce is a great choice, being steamed in little oil making it light, moist, tender and flaky—all in all a complete culinary delight. The Chicken and Tofu Soup, Butter Garlic Lobster and Schezwan Chilli Crab or the Spicy Pepper Crab should definitely make it to your plate if you are dining at Jade. Even though the food is all too appetising, make sure you leave some place for the desserts, like the Caramelised Banana Toffee and Mango Pudding with Green Tea Sorbet. The new addition to the desserts is the Sweet Fungus, a dish that serves as the perfect end to your journey to the East. Other than the change in menu, Jade still continues to maintain its warm welcome and prompt service, the soft music and inviting

ambience. If you are just getting hooked to Chinese—cause after a meal at Jade you sure will be— don’t forget to take chopstick lessons from the pleasant staff. So, on a sunny Sunday (or any other day!) in Delhi, do tempt your taste buds with some mouthwatering Chinese delicacies and you are sure to be in for a wonderful surprise! Pricing: ` 2500/- meal for two, plus taxes Timing: Lunch 12:30 pm–2:45 pm m / Dinner 7:30 pm– 11:30 pm For table reservations call: + 91 11 3955 5082 / 99717 18202 Address: Jade, The Claridges, 12 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi -110011

1.Dimsum at Jade 2.Chinese Master, Chef Lin Lin Yang 3.Chili celery prawn with pan fried noodles

46 I Opinion There is not even a single member of the staff who would not make an eye contact with you and smile when you pass them. India maybe witnessing an all time high in the number of hotels, but can we say it is a boom in hospitality? Sadly, today very few hotels are hospitable. Most of the new properties are uncomfortable, unfamiliar, overtly business institution-like haunts, with attached malls and interiors that are too futuristic for one’s liking. The ones that have been in business for too long, either have nothing new to offer or are being converted (in the name of revamping) into the above-mentioned urban structures. However, there are still a few rare jewels that manage to shine, with never fading brilliance and The Imperial in Delhi is one of them. From beaming bellboys to extremely helpful staff at the reception, efficient waiters at the restaurants to the lovely masseuse at the spa, there is not even a single member of the staff who would not make an eye contact with you and smile when you pass them. Now, that’s genuine hospitality. Having extensive menus and expansive lawns is easy but managing a smile? Only a few can do that. The Imperial, has also managed to preserve its old-world charm, which can easily be its USP. From the 24 king palms that lead up to the porch, to the unique blend of Victorian, old colonial and art deco in the architecture, the property reflects the history of the city, whose creation it witnessed. The Imperial was built in 1911 when King Emperor George V had declared New Delhi as the capital of India. Currently, Sardar Hardev Singh Akoi and Sardar Jasdev Singh Akoi, grandsons of the Late Sardar Bahadur Ranjit Singh, own The Imperial and needless to say are doing a stellar job. They hotel has not only managed to keep the history alive but keeps offering something new to the guests. Be it luxury rooms for single lady travellers, an uber luxurious spa or ever-changing menus at the restaurants—they know what ‘welcoming change’ means. TLF wishes, more hotels could up their service, and cut down on the urge to be ultra minimalist because when it comes to hospitality, less is not more!•

47 I Opinion 23

Besides being a soulful writer (www.therunawayjuiceincident.com), an avid traveller and music, love and rocket addict JUHI PANDE is a VJ with Channel V.

“

The city is an amusement park gone wrong. There are rides of all kinds, monsters of each type, turning each day into an exciting battle to look forward to.”

f late I’ve decided to get up early, go for a run or to the gym and then start my day. I didn’t think much of it. I just started sleeping earlier and waking up earlier and I’ve managed to have some really good days. Till it struck me today, how much I loathe early mornings. I mean, who in their right mind would want to wake up to a shrieking alarm when they could just throw that phone out the window and sleep another half hour…or four. I’m going to put the entire blame on ‘phases’. It’s a phase. Now, how long it lasts is something of a mystery. This is a healthy phase, so I’m hoping as a well-wisher for myself, that it be longer than my ‘let’s learn the guitar/flute/piano/ harmonica/drums/kathak/ballroom dancing/nib painting’ phase. Living in a metropolis is taxing. We don’t realise it but it’s pretty much in our face. Everyone works really hard, spends copious amounts of time commuting, occasionally indulging in fast food and partying on weekends to make up for lost life. Sleep patterns go out of the window. People who sleep early are almost made fun of. Cities never sleep, hence people in cities should follow suit and show their loyalty. No rest for the wicked. But is it really fun? That question brings me back to putting ‘phases’ in the limelight. It’s all good as long as you do one extreme for a while and ricochet back to another, right? It seems to be the norm. I say it because I’ve done it, as have many people around me. The city is an amusement park gone wrong.

There are rides of all kinds, monsters of each type, turning each day into an exciting battle to look forward to. But only for a while. Then it weakens us, tires us and we want to go home. Only, we don’t know where home is. This may sound crazy, but there is life outside of cities. The simpler life—which most people go running to once they’ve managed to burn out. R&R on a permanent basis with a side order of work. A place where people go for a stroll every now and then, because they can, or because they won’t get run over or be honked at, and because it’s not an alien concept. I have lived that life, before I nose-dived into Delhi and Bombay. Endless summer days, bicycle rides, being able to see the Milky Way at night. It all seems storybooklike now, also because it was a long time ago, enough time to let me romanticise it. But I do remember the beauty in mild boredom and to not have insubstantial worry, the sorts which is completely unnecessary. Would I go back to that life? Sure. Would I go back to that life right now? I don’t think so. Regardless of how much we may whine and complain about a city, we do like it the way it is right now. Our lives moving at warp speed without giving us a warning. Clutter, chaos, confusion are as much silver linings as they are dark clouds. We like it because we can take it. Head on. Crazy work schedules coupled friends, family, travel, art, culture, money and dreams. We are all Atlas, with the weight of our worlds on us and hopefully when we’re done enjoying that, we will shrug. And go on a bike ride.•

48 I Beau Monde

Haute Wheels The result of a collaboration between two Italian giants known for luxury and design had to be an uber luxurious, supremely stylish product and the Maserati Gran Cabrio Fendi super car is all that and much more! The limited edition Maserati Gran Cabrio Fendi by Fendi and Maserati blends Fendi’s signature colors with Maserati’s sleek aesthetic design. This convertible sports car, priced at `2.4 crore has been launched only in limited numbers globally. Powered by a 4.7-litre V8 engine churning out 433 horsepower, it will be the most expensive Maserati sold in India.

The Million-Dollar House A one-bedroom apartment with Italian flooring, walls and doors and the furniture custom designed by Cecott Collezioni and a Hibachi-style kitchen—the 4,400-squarefoot apartment located in Japan’s Minami-Azabu neighbourhood has it all. Listed at a staggering $21.7 million, although it’s a oneroom unit, it’s been rightly named The House—at least according to its price!

A Sip of Luxury Fancy a bottle of whisky worth a crore? Diamond Jubilee, a whisky made to mark the 60th year on the throne of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is on sale in Singapore for $198,500 (approx `1 crore) a bottle! Calling it a premium sip would be an understatement. Only 60 such bottles were made by Johnnie Walker from a blend of whiskies distilled in 1952.

49 I Beau Monde

Women entrepreneurs are taking the world by storm and another one joins the list. Shagufta Farooqui, quit her full-time job in the BPO industry to start her own businessBombay Supplies, in 2011. A bold move, but where there is passion, success soon follows!

Bombay Supplies manufactures and supplies leather products and corporate gifting items such as wallets, belts, cardholders, clutches and purses. They also create durable products such as backpacks, portfolios, trolley bags and other travel accessories and customised gifting items. Shagufta chats with TLF about what it takes to start one’s own venture and how has her experience been. TLF: Tell us about your new project. How did you come up with the concept? SF: My Dad has dealt with leather goods before; we’ve had boutiques and dealt in the retail and wholesale market, too. So, I already had an idea about this field. While working with a BPO, I realised that the corporate gifting market has lot of potential. So, it was just a matter of taking the same business and modernising it to match the current market situation. TLF: Before this you were working fulltime, why did you decide to quit? SF: I come from a family of businessmen and always knew that being an entrepreneur would come naturally to me. Although, I loved my job, I just couldn’t get the satisfaction of working on a project of my own where I was in control all along and the result, be it for better or worse would be an outcome of my hard work. So, the decision was finally made and I bid adieu to the BPO industry for the pursuit of happiness. TLF: What inspired you to start your own business? SF: When you work for a big organisation, most of your work seems to get lost in translation and very rarely do you see the end result. I decided to dedicate the same 12 hours that I spent in office to something that not only interested me, but also gave me a sense of achievement at the end of the day. Then, be it securing the smallest of corporate orders to the best bargain on procuring supplies for the business everything had to be done to perfection.

TLF: How different is the work pressure now that you are running your own business? Does it require more time? SF: There definitely is pressure, but it’s only from me and my will to make this a successful business. The feeling is great though! Everyday, I feel more empowered by challenging myself and achieving the desired results, slowly but surely. As for the time, it just flies by. When the quality of time is good, the quantity really doesn’t bother you! TLF: How has the response been so far? SF: The response has been overwhelming. We have been able to bag some orders. We have created customised gifts for many companies in diversified sectors—Pharmaceuticals, retail and banking. TLF: On a scale of 1—10 where will you rate Shagufta the Business woman? SF: As of now, I would say 5, because taking the big step towards being independent is half the job done. How things go from here on will totally depend on God’s will, my effort and little bit of luck. The target however is definitely 10/10. TLF: What according to you is the most important thing to remember/follow while starting your own business? SF: Patience is the key; don’t give up if you have a shaky start. Nobody gets it right the first time. So learn from your mistakes and stay updated by constantly researching and improvising. TLF: What are your future plans? SF: Bombay Supplies has a lot lined up—we are in the process of creating our own brand, thereby launching BS branded merchandise. We constantly come up with newer concepts and want to promote our brand more aggressively, by tying up with retailers. We recently launched our online shop, www.bombaysupplies.com and are putting in a lot of work in researching and promoting that platform, to better reach our customers.

50 I Palate Pleaser

India is witnessing a tremendous growth in young and dynamic individuals wanting to open their own restaurants. Is it a new hobby of the rich? A freedom to follow one’s passion? Or a very good business investment? TLF talks to Ardahun Pinky Passah of Yeti, Delhi, Vardhaman and Rushabh Choksi of Escobar, Mumbai and Abhimanyu Rai, former owner of Lucia, Gurgaon who is just beginning a new project and they tell us what it takes to be a successful restaurateur and why did they choose this field.

Ardahun Pinky Passah, Co-owner Yeti-the Himalayan Kitchen

Ardahun Pinky Passah and Tenzing Sonam

“I wanted people to taste homemade food from the mountains, which is not available anywhere in the city,” says 24-year-old Pinky, owner of Yeti-the Himalayan Kitchen. This cozy and comfortable eatery is nestled in a corner of Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village—a location that has evolved as the food hub of the city with numerous restaurants popping up every month. A place serving Himalayan food is however a first, “Chinese and Italian are most available in the city, and there are many places that serve good world cuisine. But we realised that people here are restricted to momos and chowmein, when

there is a lot more to try,” says Pinky and that’s how she along with her partner Tenzing Sonam (28) came up with the concept. “Sonam is from Nepal and I am from Northeast India, thus we already had a strong knowledge about the kind of ingredients, presentation and the taste of food we would want to serve,” she explains. Starting a restaurant however, requires much more than that. “It takes a lot of decision making, you need to be sure of what you want. You should do a proper study on hospitality and restaurant management before starting a restaurant of your own. We started Yeti in a very impulsive way, but our families gave us a lot of financial help,” says Pinky. The way the place has picked up and become one of the favourites amongst many food lovers shows that with passion many things can be achieved.

Vardhaman and Rushabh Choksi, Owners, Escobar At only 31 and 24, Escobar owners, Vardhaman and Rushabh-

Vardhaman Choksi

Choksi, have overcome many hurdles to taste success. In April 2010, after just five months of being in business, Escobar was abruptly forced to shut shop due to some red tape. Failure in their first venture should have been a deterrent. Instead, this dynamic duo bounced back with more hunger to achieve their goals. In October 2010, Escobar yet again opened its doors to the Mumbai nightlife, and today, one and a half years later, clearly establishes that they were always here to stay. With their father in the jewellery business, it would only seem natural that both sons forge ahead the legacy, so while Rushabh stayed back to study finance, Vardhaman was sent to California to get a degree in Gemology. However, destiny surely had something else in store for them. Vardhaman realized that his tryst with Mumbai’s hippest nightclubs, and his penchant for fine-dining had to be translated into something worth remembering. Together with his brother, they scripted a story that went on to becoming a big hit in Mumbai—a story called Escobar. Their diverse backgrounds only helped validate their business. Vardhaman reveals how his eye for detail, constantly helps him strive for excellence. “I used to spend hours grating gems, measuring grids and sifting for quality stones. Eventually, that became me, and now it helps when I am in the kitchen manning the staff, or choosing fresh produce for the menu. Good standards can never be compromised you know.” From the Burma teak wood used for the decor to the pizza oven, every aspect has been designed

Rushabh Choksi

by Vardhaman and his younger brother Rushab, who has incorporated his finance expertise to develop customised accounting systems, not only saving time but also minimizing confusions while keeping tabs on the ongoings. Both brothers work in complete unison and there is no delegation of work. This ensures that one can pick up where the other has left off. Their quest for carving a niche in the industry led them to inventing the country’s longest bar (77 ft.), which took three months to design. Ask them about their choice of name, and pat comes the reply, “We wanted to highlight the bar aspect in the name. Besides, it is a tapas bar, so we wanted a Spanish sounding name.” Quite influenced by the rain forests of South America, the siblings have also concocted a signature drink called the Margarita Dela Carteyana-a spicy drink with jalapeno. Surprisingly, though, both are teetotalers. Words of wisdom from the new restaurant owners: Vardhaman: “Passion is a must and focus too. Location is extremely important. Also, one needs to start young as this industry functions on high energy levels.” Rushabh: “Learn the business thoroughly while setting up, and only then delegate. Secondly, make sure you treat your staff well.”

Abhimanyu Rai, (Co-owner of a project in planning process) 29-year-old Abhimanyu Rai, along with his school friends and

now business partners Gaurav Gupta (30) and Nitin Chaudhary(29) is currently working on a ‘Back to School’ themed eatery in MGF Mall, Saket, New Delhi. Converting a dream into a plan in action is certainly a very hectic place to be in. From meetings to decide the design and ambience, to long discussions about the pros and cons of a theme-based restaurant, from food tasting to decide the menu to sourcing crockery, budgeting, collaborating—the list is endless, “Planning a restaurant requires a lot of research and strong attention to detail, even the shape of the bowl in which you choose to serve the pasta can make or mar your image,” explains Abhimanyu. A themebased restaurant however might be a risky venture considering the dearth of such places in the city, and maybe for their demand as well. “It is not going to be a garish, top-to-bottom theme-based place, there will be subtle elements of the theme, popping here and there. The idea is to give the guests a place they can identify with and connect to their life, where they will enjoy spending hours,” says Abhimanyu. School is something everyone can connect to, everyone’s been there, done that and thus it may strike a powerful note with people. The three partners also have many memories attached to their school life and this is almost a way to celebrate those. The restaurant is under construction and will be launched in August 2012. TLF wishes them all the best! With inputs from Insiya Dariwala and Mita Singh

52 I Beau Monde

TLF: What is your relationship like with your kids? PB: I have a very loving, open, and hands on relationship with my kids. From childhood it’s been about our pillow fights, our carom matches and about playing together, running on the beach together and having holidays together. We share a lot of trust and warmth.

TLF: How difficult was it raising them alone?

I believe in not just bringing up the kids but the upbringing of kids.

PB: It is very difficult being a single parent as children need constant care, love, and attention—Omar and Aalia were 2 and 5 years old respectively when I got divorced. There was a lot of juggling between handling the home, finances, investments, social life

and career. This can be emotionally and physically draining. Fortunately, I am blessed with a lot of energy and could manage to do all this while keeping my kids as my top priority. TLF: Ever thought of sending them to boarding school? PB: Well, there were many times when my family and close friends suggested; but for me, if I could not give them the time required I would’ve send them to a boarding school. But I chose to give them my time and energy. I know these years would never come back. When they are 16-17 years old, they will spread their wings and fly away and I’ll miss the years that I could have spent with them. In a boarding school for eight months of the year they

1. Omar, Pooja and Aalia 2. Pooja with her kids and father, Kabir Bedi

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2 are someone else’s protégé and for four months they come back home to me. But here I can shape them, guide them and I can give them the best of everything. TLF: How has the experience been for you? What have you learned and gained? PB: I believe in not just bringing up the kids but the upbringing of kids. It matters enormously to me to put in the personal attention and details. Which means there are a lot of shackles on you geographically and time wise, and constraints on your calendar. At least, till the time the kids are ten years old, things that you instill in them in their day-to-day life are very crucial to their fundamental well-being and development. But I have to say that it’s given

me the opportunity to be a kid again for so many years. Whether its pillow fighting with them, having fun holidays and vacationing with them, swimming or rolling with laughter on the bed, or just watching cartoons—it’s given me the chance to be childlike. TLF: What has Pooja Bedi the person learned from Pooja Bedi the mom? PB: I have always been responsible but it is wonderful to be utterly responsible and I have certainly learned a lot of patience, tolerance and have developed an incredible nurturing quality. I love to fuss and pamper people but the quality of nurturing one gives one’s child is insurmountable, and unparalleled. I surprise myself sometimes with my ability to co-

coon, love, squash, cuddle, and smother etc. (laughs) and multitask effectively. It has been a fun experience and added new dimensions to my personality, life and journey. TLF: How did your kids take to your divorce? PB: My daughter asked me just once that why her father and me not together when everyone else’s father stays with them. So, I told her that two parents can choose to stay together, fight and scream and shout, and be generally upset with each other all the time, which will affect the children. Or, we can choose to move away and have our own lives and be happy. So that when you are with Papa you are happy and when you are with Momma

54 you are happy. They understood that very well and that’s the way I brought them up, being more accepting of relationships and situations.

money, while Omar is tight-fisted. They are poles apart. TLF: You are a spiritual person. How do you inculcate the same in your kids?

TLF: Have they expressed any concerns about missing a father figure?

PB: I teach them to tune into themselves, because the universe is the world within. So, the more connected you are to yourself the more connected you are to the universe. I talk to them about the world at large. They realize there are parallel worlds out there.

PB: My ex-husband got married last year to Laila (Khan) and we all went to the wedding, had fun, danced and had a great time. They don’t see anyone coming into their parent’s lives as a threat but as a reason to celebrate and have one more person to be loved by. She is a lovely and wonderful person and great to the kids and same will apply to the person in my life, too. We’ve only had people who have been fantastic, affectionate and caring and not scarred them in any way.

TLF: Do you see yourself settling down again, for your sake and the kids?

TLF: How do your kids take to you being a celebrity single mom? PB: They haven’t known any difference because they’ve always grown up in a celebrity world. They’re used to accompanying me to events, seeing me photographed, and fans coming up and taking autographs. It’s nothing new, shocking or startling. It’s a reality they see every day. TLF: Who is more like you? PB: Well, I’d definitely say my daughter is more like me. She’s a little more precarious, more open and laughs a lot—a social charmer, entertainer, very fond of kids and nurturing and very strong headed. She fights for what she believes is right and that’s why she wants to be a lawyer. I see a lot of similarities and a huge reflection of me in her. My son, on the other hand, is very sensitive and introverted. My daughter loves to read and so do I; my son loves computers, PSP, Xboxes, etc. Alia is very generous with her

Whether its pillow fighting with them, having fun holidays and vacationing with them, swimming or rolling with laughter on the bed with them, or just watching cartoons—motherhood given me the chance to be childlike.

PB: Well, not for anyone’s sake but for the sake of love itself and having a wonderful life partner. I think that’s the most important thing. If we do it for the sake of settling down we might make mistakes all over again. I think it’s about the right person and not about the right time. I definitely look forward to meeting that one person and somebody who makes a perfect life partner for me and a fabulous and brilliant example to my children. TLF: Have your children ever asked you to settle down? PB: Oh my God! They’ve been after me to have kids for the last ten years. I tell them it’s not so easy—you have to find someone, get married, and then have children. They told me to look around among the wonderful people I meet every day. Finally, they gave up, and said , “ If you can’t get babies in the house at least get puppies!” So I got them puppies to get them off my back and keep them busy. (Laughs) TLF: Has being a single mom made you overprotective? PB: I think in general I am a very protective parent. I am a disci-

3. Aalia, Pooja and Omar ice-skating 4. Farhan, Laila Khan, Omar, Pooja and Aalia

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4 plined parent yet real fun, full of love, surprises and mad holidays. I indulge them yet am a happy, crazy mom but am extremely strict and disciplined in many ways. TLF: What is your worst fear concerning your kids? PB: Sexual abuse. I know how scarring it can be for small kids. This has made me overprotective and I have their nannies accompany them everywhere. They don’t quite like it but I tell them it’s better to be safe than sorry. I think for every parent the fear would be their child’s physical safety. TLF: What are Pooja Bedi’s tips for being a successful single mom?

PB: Prioritize, prioritize, and prioritize!! Learn to prioritize and pay attention to yourself. Only if you are strong, healthy and feel good about yourself everything else will fall into place. TLF: Any wonderful memories you’d like to share? PB: Once I came back home from a party late at night and found a note on my bedside. It was from my son who must have been about eight at that time. The note said ‘Mumma, I love you the most in the world but I love God a little more because he takes care of you.’ Little things like that make your heart swell and overflow with love and give such astounding happiness. Little gestures

like pooling their pocket money to buy me things for my birthday, just to see a smile on my face. If I come home tired and say I have a headache they jump on me, press my head and hug and kiss me and say, “Mumma, your okay.” Their little actions make everything so worthwhile. TLF: One word that describe Pooja the Mom? PB: (After much thinking) I would say amoeba—a loving amoeba—because it has no boundaries, no real shape and gets into your system, spreads and stays there. It’s shapeless and has no clear definitions just like my love for my kids.•

56 I Beau Monde

Much has been written about Mahek Chahal, the sylphlike item girl, who shot to fame after bagging the runner-up title on the very controversial ‘Bigg Boss’ Season 5. However, not too many know that when it comes to her personal space, this leggy lass has so many surprises up her sleeves that even Houdini would hide in shame.

Mahek’s philosophy of ‘less is more’ is perfectly characterised by the contemporary, warm, and functional home that she has designed.

A Norwegian with Indian origin, Mahek’s journey has been long drawn and spans across several countries across the globe. At a very tender age, she won a beauty pageant in Europe, along with a prize ticket to the city of her dreams—Mumbai. And the rest as they say, is history. Forthright and unapologetic about life, the Mahek I met is not even remotely close to her onscreen image. Sitting pretty in a leopard-print outfit at her cozy, sea-facing, 8th-floor pad in Bandra, her endearing smile, warmly welcomes me into her home and life. As I enter this charming onebedroom apartment, in a building aptly named ‘Aashiana’, I am somewhat taken aback by

her décor style. To be fair to me, going by Mehak’s on-screen persona, I expected her home to be rather flamboyant. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to see an extremely down-to- earth and minimally stylised home. A great deal like the Mehak I got to know later. When queried about her minimalist style of living, Mehak is quick to point out that she is very connected to nature, and passionately follows yoga and meditation. “Meditation empties out the mind and makes it clutterfree, so why not do the same for my home?” Having a clutter-free home means the right usage of space and furniture. Walk into her house and one can clearly see how she has keenly applied life’s principles in designing this nest.

Her bright and airy apartment cleverly separates the kitchen and living room with a simple wooden frame, frosted glass panel. The modular kitchen, which, in my opinion, is the highlight of her home, has a Breakfast Bar that is basically an informal area where you can have your day-to-day meals. They are great space savers and most suitable for homes where a separate dining area is just not feasible. Extremely functional, these bars can moreover, double up as a decorative item in the kitchen. All you need to do is use a different bench top material for the island. Another unique feature of this kitchen is the concealed washing machine that neatly sits below the counter top and blends in with the rest of the cabinets.

Keeping in mind the overall natural theme of the house, the flooring stone tiles are in an earthy two-tone colour and shine brilliantly when the lights bounce off them. The overhead kitchen cabinets are in a silver-grey tone, combined with frosted glass shutters, lending it a cool and elegant look. Outside the kitchen stands a compact unit, which opens up to a small bar and also houses a concealed shoe rack below. The overhead alcove near the kitchen has a hidden storage space and neatly tucks away any unwanted stuff. However, what really attracts me is the splash of greenery in Mahekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. Exotic orchids are not something I would expect to find blooming in a Mumbai

apartment, but here they are, in all their charm, adding that perfect touch of colour to her home. Plants, I am told, not only provide a nice aesthetic quality to the home, but are also a health benefit known to reduce stress and depression. The modest, small living room is sans any frills and makes use of contemporary clean lines in a very sophisticated way. On the right is a lovely seating area, which boasts of a beautiful seaview, set against a backdrop of the tall high-rises, Mumbai is infamous for. A plush, chenille sectional sofa, with attached veneer end tables, combine both elegance and functionality and eliminate the need for excess furniture, making

1.Mahek Chahal

Right from the tiles to the faucets, I made sure that I was a part of the entire designing process.

it a perfect cozy corner to retreat into. One wall in the living room is highlighted with embossed brown and white wallpaper, and the beams on both sides sport metallic grey textured wallpaper. Again, sticking with the minimalist theme, all electronics and wires are concealed. Mahek’s philosophy of ‘less is more’ is perfectly characterised by the contemporary, warm, and functional home that she has designed. “Right from the tiles to the faucets, I made sure that I was a part of the entire designing process. And while I do love colors, I wanted a muted, neutral tone for my home, something that would calm me down,” she says. I second her thought, especially when she quips about how she spends most of her time surround-

ed by bright, garish sets and loud sounds. Considering that nothing in her home is out of place, I am compelled to ask if she is a perfectionist. Brandishing her innocent, throaty laugh, she replies, “I try, but I do make mistakes and learn something new every day.” Mahek’s candid and unpretentious nature is truly mirrored in every corner of her home. The toned down backgrounds, the natural textures, the warm and welcoming spaces—all, an assertion of the beautiful person she really is. I found her as one of those few people who dare to break all stereotypes. Not someone who has had it easy in life, Mahek battled hard to keep her head above water in the most trying times. Just before ‘Bigg Boss’ could hap-

pen, Mahek was grieving the loss of two very precious people in her life—her father and niece. Moist eyed, she says, “My dad and niece both succumbed to cancer in the same year. Their untimely deaths were like an eye-opener for me. I feel life is too short and we should plan to make the most of it now.” “How?” I ask. “I have already started my own clothing line in Norway. It’s called Mahek Chahal Clothing. I love making people look good, and I love fashion design. So what better way to put all this knowledge to use?” Yet again, this dynamic, young woman’s joie de vivre has bowled me over. On my way out as we hug, she whispers in my ears, “You only live once you know, so live without regrets.” •

2.Living room 3.Clay Show pieces 4.Plants arranged in the living room

60 I Beau Monde

A sculptor with Lladro (the Valencian Porcelien figurine makers) since the past 10 years, Raul Rubio has designed many India-inspired pieces like the Rama & Sita and the limited edition Ganeshas. TLF caught up with him on his first visit to India to find out more about his artistic pursuits and the fascination for the country.

TLF: What inspired you to get into this profession?

I always start my work taking in account that these pieces (based on Hindu mythology) belong to a culture, which is very different from mine, and it is very important to document it well.

RR: I come from a family who has been directly associated with sculpture-making and Lladró has always respected the handmade trades as part of its savoir-faire. My training as a sculptor started when I was very young, at my father’s workshop. Later, I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and I reinforced my artistic education at the Lladró Art School. This was followed by the Lladro Training Program for five years and then working full-time for them. There has been no looking back since then. TLF: What’s the most challenging part of the sculpting process?

RR: It’s always a great challenge to work on pieces based on the Indian mythology. When I say that, I am not only referring to the modeling process, but also because I try my best to bring out the serenity and spirituality that needs to reflect in these kinds of models. I always start my work taking in account that these pieces belong to a culture, which is very different from mine, and it is very important to document it well. TLF: What are the different sculptures you have designed for Lladró? RR: I have carried out various projects—some in accordance with the profiles of the brand’s general catalogue and others in collaboration with international designers.

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There also have been a few personal proposals with the brands aesthetic and they have been inspired by other cultures and traditions. The ones that particularly have been designed for the Indian market are: Rama & Sita, limited edition Ganesha, and the latest one’s being the Guest, which we will soon be introducing in the Indian market.

TLF: Which is your personal favourite and why?

TLF: What sculptures are you currently working on?

TLF: Tell us about your Indianinspired sculptures.

RR: Nowadays I’m working on two projects inspired by the Hindu iconography, Lakshman and Hanuman. Two deities, which belong to the scene of Rama Darbar and accompany the couple Rama & Sita.

RR: The Indian iconic representations, beyond its symbology, have always attracted me because of their decorative qualities, colourful wealth and formal and ornamental characteristics. Above all, the balance and serenity sensations, which they transmit, are indescribable.

RR: One of my favourite projects is the Limited Edition Ganeshas collection. I’m especially proud of its result because for me it was a challenge to deal with a new thematic conception and treatment, different from what I had carried out until then.

TLF: You had never been to India but had been designed some of the most famous Indian spiritual sculptures. How do you relate and work on such culture specific sculptures? RR: It was tough but I tried my level best to give absolute respect to the cultural and spiritual aspects of these images and tried to be faithful in my interpretation with the brand’s trades. We did a lot of research. TLF: What are your expectations from your stay in India? RR: I want to learn something new each day, absorb the beautiful aesthetics and take a lot of creative inspiration back with me.

2 1.Raul Rubio with his creation 2.Raul Rubio making a Ganesha

The Indian iconic representations, beyond its symbology, have always attracted me because of its decorative qualities, its colourful wealth and its formal and ornamental characteristics.

62 I Beau Monde Stranger than fiction, the world of spas is diving into unexplored territories. The options are tempting, enticing and the sole reason to go on holidays. From old estates getting refurbished into rejuvenation centres of old-world luxury to ice cabins and a metaphysical approach, there is a lot to try!

Old is Diamond Now! It’s déjà vu all over again at a slew of new spas housed within refurbished historic sites—think medieval castles like Tuscany’s just opened Castello Di Casole, Casole. Like their painstakingly restored decors, the treatment menus at these properties tend to nod to old-fashioned details while incorporating the most modern technologies. Inspire by Castello di Casole, Tuscany, Italy : Hotel Castello di Casole, set amidst rolling hills, olives groves and vineyards, offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the rich amenities of a restored Italian castle on a country estate in Tuscany. The castle’s rich history dates back to the end of the tenth century, when it was built and christened Querceto Manor.

Essere Spa At the heart of the Castello di Casole estate, located within the hotel, an inviting spa awaits your arrival. Originally the estate’s wine cellar, Essere Spa, which in Italian translates to, ‘to be’, offers a serene setting within one of the most dramatic spaces at the hotel. Barrel-vaulted ceilings and restored stonewalls create a theatrical setting accentuated by long views across an expansive valley. Whether it’s the centrepiece of a day on the estate or a treat after touring Tuscany, you’re in for an unforgettable spa day. There are seven treatment rooms, secluded men and women’s areas, a room for couple’s treatments, and private outdoor gardens. A full treatment menu inspired by local ingredients will soothe and nourish your mind, body and soul. Contact:+39 888.548.9429; Fax: +39.0577.948161; reservations@castellodicasole. com

“Barrel-vaulted ceilings and restored stonewalls create a theatrical setting accentuated by long views across an expansive valley.”

The Big Chill After the recent boom in sweatinducing hammams, spas are turning down the thermostat. Hot stone massages are now cold stone facials, hot plunge pools are now cool basins, and eucalyptus steams are getting some stiff competition from arctic cubbies and mist rooms. Chilly temperatures are said too increase circulation while reducing inflammation and shrinking pores. Inspired by ESPA Edition Hotel, Istanbul: One could hardly build a lavish new spa in Turkey’s largest city without including a hammam. What’s unexpected about Istanbul EDITION’s extravagant threestorey ESPA retreat is its snow cave. Like some artic yurt abandoned by explorers decades ago, the cabin has real icicles hanging from the ceiling, snow

blanketing the walls, and hidden light fixtures that cast a cool bluish light. Bronze fountains collect the ice that falls from above – the better to rub your body with. ESPA by the Istanbul EDITION, Buyukdere Caddesi No. 136, Levent, Istanbul, 90-212-317-7700

“Like some artic yurt abandoned by explorers decades ago, the cabin has real icicles hanging from the ceiling, snow blanketing the walls, and hidden light fixtures that cast a cool bluish light.”

Metaphysical Approach From burning sage in a sweet lodge to meeting privately with a holy man, spiritual ceremonies and related energy treatments have crossed over into the mainstream. These days, to revive, release, cleanse or detoxify the body, a spa’s resident shaman is your guy. Inspired by Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Los Cabos, Mexico: It’s all elemental at the newly revamped spa at Las Ventanas, where treatments are based on earth, air, fire and water and corresponding herbal and floral essences, depending on your needs and preferences. But before you enjoy a 90-minute evening service in an indoor/outdoor suite under the date palms, the spa recommends a stop at the candlelit, palapa-shaded solarium, where its signature holistic twilight ceremony commences at 6 pm. The energy cleansing Mayan ritual includes the playing of frost-

ed crystal bowls with suede-covered wands (the vibration is said to promote deeper healing, and their luminescent color symbolizes new beginnings), shamam prayers and meditation mantras, and the burning of herbs to remove low frequencies of negative energy. The spa at Las Ventanas, Transpeninsular, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California, 52624+144-2800; www.roosewoodhotels.com

“The energy cleansing Mayan ritual includes the playing of frosted crystal bowls with suede-covered wands, shamam prayers and meditation mantras, and the burning of herbs to remove low frequencies of negative energy.”

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The sun is shining as bright as ever and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to make sure our skin is ready to face the heat! A good scrub-wrap and facial will not only add a glow but also prevent severe damage like sunburn and rashes, leaving you feeling cool inside out. TLF tells you about the best summer treatments at spas in Delhi.

What: Sheetal Body Mask Where: Amatrra, The Ashoka Hotel Amatrra, at The Ashoka Hotel stands on the strong foundation of spiritualism, purity, truth and modesty. The luxury spa has a unique touch of healing and fighting stress and welcomes walk-ins as well. On offer are many treatments and therapies for a summer perfect skin. Takradhara (60 minutes) is the most revitalising treatment that will leave your body decompressed. It includes the use of medicated cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buttermilk, which is poured over the head after a body oil application. This calms down the mind and cools down the body. Sheetal Body Mask (45 minutes) is another treatment that helps to get rid of the stubborn tanning

and sunburns. It leaves your skin smooth and glowing. This body mask is prepared with refrigerated essential oils and herbs, such as, sandalwood paste, vetiver, mixed with fullers earth. It is excellent for reducing body heat, induce relaxation, improving complexion and skin tone and is also an ancient therapy for beautification. Diplomatic Enclave 50B Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Phone-011 2611 0101

What: Strawberry & Rose Facial, Coconut Strawberry Scrub Where: R the Spa, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel R the Spa is the personal luxurious spa and fitness centre of Radis-

son Blu Plaza Hotel, NH-8. The spa has a lotus theme representing calmness and freshness. The ambience of water fountains, dim lights, aromatic candles, wooden furnishing, soothing music, and scent of fresh flowers will make you feel relaxed as you step into this heaven. The R spa was designed around the three concepts of rejuvenation, relaxation and replenishment. The first level of the spa is about rejuvenation; both western-style exercises in the form of gymnasium and fitness centre, as well as a yoga studio for those who look out for a more holistic exercise routine are offered. The Spa bar serves healthy and nutritious, high-fibre, low-calorie snacks, energy drinks, fresh juices, herbal teas and salads. The second level of the spa is about relaxation, with a range of therapeutic treatments in a lavish artistic setting. There are two

1. Hydro Therapy Suite 2. Spa Suite 3. R The Spa

single rooms, (Aromaveda and Kalpaveda), four couple rooms (Rudra, Moksha, Mardarin and Iris), as well as three couple special suites (The Orchid Suite, The White Lotus Suite and The Frangipani Suite). You can chose your treatment from a variety of therapies, and customise your massage by choosing the pressure as in mild, middle or strong. You can select your treatment from a variety of options including face therapy, massage, body therapy, or hands and feet therapy. The signature treatment, Synergy Signature Massage, combines Aromatherapy and Balinese massage to ease the muscle tension and soothe the nerves. Accented with pevonia exclusive synergy oil blends of romance , i inspire or dream, awaken your senses, rendering a truly invigorating experienc. It is a 90-min treatment and has a value of `4,800 + taxes.“Treatments like Detox, Acupressure, Aquatherapy and Facelift are very famous, but our most selling treatments are Aromatherapy and Synergy which are for an hour. Our guests just love it,” says Alka Katar, Director, R the Spa. The spa has a rarity treatment called the Dry Floating Bed, which makes you feel as if you are flying in the sky. It is a realm of comfort. Best for summer are the special fruit-based treatments such as the Strawberry Treatment, which includes Strawberry & Rose Facial, Coconut Strawberry Scrub and a relaxing Strawberry Body Massage. Strawberries contain salicylic acid, which helps to remove the dead cells, allowing it to absorb moisture more efficiently. Strawberries also have a mild bleaching effect on the skin and help heal blemishes in summers. Coconut contains natural moisturisers in it, which will protect your skin from the dry skin problem. This superb spa treatment is priced at `6500 + taxes. R the Spa @ Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, NH-8, Delhi is the first hotel spa in India that has qualified for NABH (National Accreditation for Hospitals & Healthcare) accreditation under the aegis of the Quality Council of India.

What: Natura Bisses Citrus Drench Where: The Spa, Imperial The Imperial Spas’ collection of therapeutic rituals are designed to restore one’s inherent inner peace. The spa environment and joyful rituals are sure to restore your vital energy. The beautiful spa has been designed to make one feel like royalty with white walls, marble floors, Moghul paintings and carvings and furniture in rich colours. Amongst the many treatment rooms, the Imperial Hydro Therapy suites are for pre-and post-treatment.The Kerala Suite offers a beautiful and traditional approach to ayurvedic therapy with the availability of a doctors consultation, two specially designed rooms and the benefit of authentic oils and herbal remedies for ancient healing. The Moghul Suite is the luxury private spa facility, with an exquisite Tikri- mirrored artwork ceiling, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, day bed and salon for indulging couples or a family enjoying spa therapies together. The Kabir Room is for Thai massage, Yoga and Meditation. Rumi’s Relaxation room, Mirabai’s Room, Hafiz’s Room, Jaipur Room, The Mahadeva, Prana and Anahata Room are for all spa therapies. The Imperial Spa also has a line of its own signature products. These products embrace the essence and restorative qualities of some of the world’s most renowned flowers. Effectively blended with pure active botanicals that include protective age-defying resins, roots and cold-pressed oils to maximise absorption into the skins surface. All the massages are blessed with the vibrant energy of their special healing ‘Indepth’ massage oils. Six pure cold-pressed oil blends such as the indulgent Mahadeva with Damascus Rose and Mysore Sandalwood or Kabir with spiritually uplifting Frankincense and exotic

Neroli Blossom and essential oils, you will be assured of resting in a state of divine consciousness. TLF highly recommends the Summer Energy Boost treatment. It aims at providing deep nourishment and hydration from the inside out with Natura Bisses Citrus Drench Body and C + C Facial for the ultimate skin therapy that boosts your skin with a burst of pure Vitamin C. Feel the purification of superb body brushing, exfoliation, masks and deeply nourishing creams. `7500 for 2 hours. The body wrap will remove all the toxins from your skin, leaving a warm glow and long-lasting freshness. While the wrap sits in, the therapist massages the feet and the head, which leaves one re-energised and de-stressed. It is a full-body treat! Unfortunately, the Spa is open only for the hotel guests.

urious, spacious and professionally equipped retreat that allows you to rejuvenate your senses. Its holistic approach is inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies. All treatments take into consideration your individual needs and desires for best results. The must-try summer treatment here is the Papaya Body Polish followed by an Aromatherapy Massage. The Papaya Scrub has a cooling effect on the body and the papain enzyme is a great exfoliator for dead skin. The therapist’s special hand techniques ensure that the scrub is relaxing and rejuvenating. A shower and then aromatherapy massage follow the scrub treatment. “Sandalwood oil is used in the massage, due to its cooling properties,” says Vikram Sood, Director of Rooms, Shangri La, New Delhi.

Janpath Lane, Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110001, Phone- 011 23341234

19, Ashok Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Phone- 011 4119 1919

What: Papaya Body Polish Where: Spa at Shangri la

What: Sandalwood Scrub Where: Three Graces, Vasant Vihar

The Spa at Shangri La offers a lux-

Three Graces is the dream pro-

ject from the House of Amatrra Spa. According to Greek mythology, the Three Graces were the three goddesses of joy, charm, and beauty. The daughters of the God Zeus presided over banquets, dances, and all other memorable social events, and brought joy and goodwill to both gods and mortals. At Three Graces the three goddesses have been interpreted as pillars, with Body - the first Grace, Beauty the second Grace, and Lifestyle -the third Grace. The spa offers all the usual treatments like scrubs, aromatherapy massages, ayurvedic therapies but what’s different is that they customize and create massages to suit each individual’s need, body and skin. This is done by pretreatment discussion with the inhouse doctor. A must try this summer is the Sandalwood Scrub, which leaves the skin smooth. Sandalwood has cooling, calming and antiseptic properties, perfect for the Indian summer.• Plot No A, BasantLok Community Centre, VasantVihar, Phone - 011 4607 5757

4. Oil Therapy 5. The Imperial

68 I Beau Monde

For years a Limousine has been on every man’s drool list. It is a symbol of power, bankbalance and style all rolled into one—the ultimate combination of utility and luxury.

Time has changed and this shiny sedan has become an easy-totaste luxury—as it’s now possible to hire, for a night out on the town, a wedding, or simply to show-off! But just because you can rent them, doesn’t mean they are any less expensive. Here is a list of some of the best.

Stretched Hummers

Arrive in style at your next special event in a Stretched Hummer that offers a plethora of options to choose from. From good old H1 to add-ons H2 and H3, this iconic and muscular traditional Limo offers plenty of space, style and power to boast about. The strong features of this limo are the lighted dance floor, chrome rims, full chrome mirrored ceiling, laser light shows, eight bar areas, fibre optics and lighting disks in the bar. Price Range: The base price of a 2008 Stretched Hummer starts from approx `30,00,000 and up, depending on special optional packages.

Beetle Limousine

This has all the features of the limousine in general—a bar, Champagne coolers, mirrors the ceiling with shining lights, a privacy screen with a VW Beetle and cut glass lamps, neon bar lights that can change colour. It also has a flat screen television and DVD system and CD stereo system, air and privacy glass. This limo can accommodate six passengers and has a 1.8 L turbo engine that offers a power drive. Price Range: Starts from `23,00,000 approx.

KAZ, The Electric Limousine

KAZ stands for Keio Advanced Zero-Emission Vehicle. An ItalianJapanese joint project, it took five years and 4 million dollars to build. It has six electric engines powering the limousines six wheels, each producing 74 horse-power and 74 lb-ft of torque that takes it to a remarkable speed of 311 km/h at ease. Though an electric fit, this car boasts of all the luxuries that one can find in a limo and

the styling is as immaculate as it gets.

Mini Cooper S

The six wheel, four door, six-seater stretch Mini Cooper S features John Coopers Works Tuning Kit and was built by a specialist coach maker in LA. Loaded with all the toys that would widen your eyes up, it comes with a retractable flat screen TV, a DVD player, sunroof, and a telephone in the rear so that passengers can communicate with the driver. It includes features like the Limo Touch Control Panel, strobe lighting, laser lights and lighting dish to name a few. However, the showstopper for the MINI XXL is a whirlpool integrated into the rear section of the car that can accommodate two people easily and is easy to operate. Its detachable roof means that it can be covered when not in use and emptying it is a simple matter of pulling the plug to release the water.â&#x20AC;˘ Price Range: Starts from `28,00,000.

1. Streched Hummer 2. KAZ, The Electric Limousine 3. Mini Cooper S

Kink Factor

The last couple of years have been more about bling than anything else. But now watch manufacturers are coming out with more colourful alternatives as fashionistas look— to add spunk to their looks whether it is a fresh pop of colour for a monochrome outfit or to add to their colour-block ensemble for the day.

Catwalk trends that have transcended to wrist-style include studs and angular-looking strap designs, with a mild hint of masculinity. Check out the Armani Ceramica watch and the square-dial, square strap – links anti reflective sapphire piece by Tissot. Or look for leather straps with S&M-inspired buckles.

In keeping with this season’s trends, pick a bright colour —one that offers a contrast rather than matches with a majority of the colours in your wardrobe.

Here’s a tip—If you’re confused about how to catch up with this trend, a good benchmark is to find a watch with a strap that looks somewhat like one on a gladiator sandal— complete with studs, buckles and leather detail.

Romance of the Metals Once a fashion faux pas, gold and silver are now being seen together more often. Gold and silver tend to look especially chic when combined together in organic shapes— in the diametrically opposite stark geometric shapes. While it might take a good deal of convincing for women to get used to breaking a cardinal fashion rule, if done right, this combination could be just the class act that your wrist could use. Take a cue from the Rado Womens’s R20750702 Integral Grey Dial Watch.

Integral Grey Dial Watch

Return of Colour

Tissot Odaci-T Black PVD Square Black Dial Women’s Watch

The Octea Chrono by Swarovski

70 I Fashion and Entertainment

hile it’s true that timepieces must be timeless, there’s always a little detail here and flourish there to keep your wrist looking as up-to-date as the rest of you. Here are six simple rules for your next watch hunt.

Turn back time

Irregular

Large Dials

Retro-inspired is the way to go, from satin straps to lady-like clasps and elegantly-shaped dials. Take a cue from the oval-dialled, satin-strapped Breguet’s Reine de Naples Automatic Mini.

In complete contrast to the retro-chic trend, watches are starting to be less “even” in their appearance, giving them an edgy futuristic look.

With bright-coloured hair, countless colours in one ensemble, sheer dresses and dare-to-bare lace, this season is all about bold BIG and chunky accessories are part of the brigade. Large dials, dripping with bling are the way to go.

Cartier’s Libre collection brings you up-to-date on three counts with satin straps, roman numbers and futuristic-shaped dials. TLF especially likes the Temps Moderne de Cartier timepiece.

Prints, motifs and intricate detail on large dials are the way to go—check out the Bees Decor watch by Cartier or ornate minute hands on timepieces in the Carl F Bucherer collections.

Cartier Bees Decor Watch

Neoud Watch Cartier

Perlesde Cartier

Elaborate roman numbers on dials complete the look.

72 I Fashion and Entertainment

These are a few of my favourite things: Summer day-wear Printed silk lycra dresses and tunics as they are comfortable and light.

Summer party-wear Halter neck or strapless gowns in solid colours, for a classy and elegant look.

Recent purchase LancomeLipgloss, which was for `1800.

Five items from her wardrobeChanel mini flap bag in black, white, golden and pink, from Dubai. Bottega Golden Bag, from Dubai. Sleeveless Tunic dresses, with scarfs in different prints from LV and my own brand PKP.

A fiesta Fashionista, sassy Socialite and a dynamic Designer all rolled into one, Pia Kataria Puri is extrememly passionate about her work and loves to dress well and look good. TLF takes you inside her closet, to reveal her favourite trends this season.

Black Tom Ford glasses. Feather earrings from H&M and River Island.

Footwear 8 inch-high platform heels from Christian Louboutin

Summer 2012 trends

Zara Long feather and shell earing `990/-

Mango Maxi-dress `11,290/-

Zara Metal Necklace `1,390/-

Mango V-neck gown `6,790/-

Mango Fit line short `1,490/-

Mango Short Jumpsuit `2,990/-

2 Shorts and jumpsuits for people with great legs, also mini dresses. 3 Hippie sheep, Kaftan inspired dresses and tunics. 4 Gowns with high slits, thigh high tunics, blouses with shorts and denims. 5 Accessorise with sunglasses, hairbands, flowers, hats, and chappals in different prints like flowers and butterflies.

zara Ethnic Vamp shoe `3,390/-

1 Vibrantcolours like yellow, orange, red and fuschia.

74 I Fashion and Entertainment TLF: What are your favourite beaches in India? MU: I just love Goa. There are so many different beaches to visit—and —depending on your mood, and what kind of holiday you want. I have also been to Pondicherry and seen the beach there. But I was shooting so I didn’t get a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery. I have heard there are many beautiful beaches in South India, I can’t wait to explore more!

Canada-born actor and model, Mia Uyeda, recently seen in ‘Blood Money’ as the sultry seductress, talks to Esha Narayanan about her love for the sun and sand and how to get that perfect beach body.

TLF: What are your favourite beaches abroad? MU: That would have to be any beach in Thailand. I love Koh Phi Phi. I have been to Thailand many times, and I always find a new exciting beach. I also want to take a trip to Bali. It’s supposed to have a super nightlife, too! TLF: What’s your favourite style of swimwear and why? MU: I always wear a bikini! I have too many to count. I’m a beach bum, and I can be hanging out in my bikini from morning till night! TLF: What can one find in your beach bag? MU: Sunglasses, tanning oil, SPF 20 cream for my face, and some cash. I don’t need anything else. TLF: What are you favourite beach accessories? MU: A nice beach towel to lay on and nice big earrings. TLF: How do you get yourself bikini ready? MU: Well, I don’t do anything different than my day-to-day fitness. I like to be bikini ready year-round. TLF: Take us through a day in your fitness routine? MU: I train at Freestyle in Mumbai with my trainer Ahmed. I train five times a week. I do a mixture of interval training and weightlifting. I don’t do too much cardio, as I want to have curves. I believe in a healthy, sexy body. No size zero for me, please. If I’m too busy shooting, then I don’t go to the gym, but I make up for it later when I have time. TLF: What is the one thing that you wouldn’t be found without on a beach? MU: Water and seafood!•

75 I Fashion and Entertainment

GUESS Who’s Back?

Simon for Dior

CR by CR

Carine Roitfeld has revealed that her new magazine will be named CR Fashion Book, after her own initials— the handwritten signature with which she signed off her editor’s letters during the decade at French Vogue. “The name’s not a big surprise,” said Roitfeld, before describing the publication as a “celebration of fashion and creativity” with contributions from a mix of well-known and new fashion talents. “Vogue is a very beautiful magazine—an institution; and I learned so much working there,” she said of her former employer. “You can’t put yourself in competition with Vogue; you have to create something new, something different.” Exciting! We are looking forward to your new venture Carine!

Christian Dior has confirmed that Raf Simons has taken the place of John Galliano at the design house. The designer, who left his post as Creative Director of Jil Sander in February, will show his first collection for Dior during Couture Week in July, and will hold the official title of “Artistic Director”. “It is with the utmost respect for its tremendous history, its unparalleled knowledge and craftsmanship that I am joining the magnificent house of Dior,” Simons said. “Mr Dior has always been for me the most inspiring couturier. Around the globe, the name Dior symbolises the ultimate in elegance and refinement. I am truly honoured to become the artistic director of the most celebrated French house in the world.” Well with your credentials you surely will be able to handle all that pressure that comes for free along with the post!

Sleep in Style

Claudia Schiffer is returning to GUESS, the brand that created one of her most iconic images, as the face of its 30th Anniversary Collection. Inspired by GUESS pieces worn by famous GUESS girls over the past three decades, the 15-piece collection features —amongst other pieces—wideneck T-shirts bearing images of Line Gost and Anna Nicole Smith, jeans with a cut-off waistband originally modelled by Adriana Lima, and a sleeveless monochrome gingham top worn by Eva Herzigova. “GUESS will always have a soft spot in my heart, and I’m excited that 23 years later we can still work together so successfully,” said Schiffer. Well, blonde bombshells like Claudia can never be forgotten, can they?

Anna Sui, the fashion entrepreneur has expanded her brand into the bedroom. While on vacation with her nieces in India, Anna Sui was inspired by the intricate geometric patterns of the saris prints. Taking these ideas of intricate symmetry and applying them to pillow covers, bedding, and more, Anna has fused ethnic authenticity with modern boutique flair. “I had always loved hand-printed textiles from India, and I came up with these ideas, which turned into this little bedding collection. I hope everyone’s dreams will be sweeter in these sheets,” said the renowned designer. We hope so too Anna!

76 I Fashion and Entertainment

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78 I Fashion and Entertainment

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80 I Fashion and Entertainment

Accentuate!

Brooklyn Decker in Stella McCartney: Stunning is an understatement-this siren looks ten times more beautiful in this two-toned, super sensuous gown. Accentuating and highlighting the beauty of Brooklyn’s svelte figure, the gold waistband adds the necessary bling to it.

Jennifer Nettles added summery freshness on the red carpet with this sheer soft bubble gum pink gown. The fun element—the yellow waistband, added the perfect accent colour to this otherwise mellow look.

us Promisctuso Prin

ught our gowns ca d te rin p the tegically ts to give These stra se of prin u l a ok su lo u r n eu ise sobe intrigue. Th an otherw to in h Er : c n ft u p celebs. Le necessary on these ll e n w a y ry a e worked v ebecca D n; Right :R Heatherto

osen: Too s in Zac P Lily Collin r the too o floral, fo s pretty, to lamourou g ollins!! It’s C ly Li th te u u c e yo not take th and does ss. In fact, e tr c a lil the away from oms and us of bloss s d in m re it y side—a tr n u s and co meadow appeal. fairy tale new age

Crisp Cocktails

in L’Wren Scott: Nicole Kidman s is quite clever The sheath dres a ularly the lin ro to look at, partic Emily Blunt in Ca amount rht go is rig s e collar. Just th Herrera: The dres always ck ric ct bla ele ch e pit th of sheer in geous with esn’t do the But it works wonders. blue stripes and good k loo ing to h bead really take muc delicate black . The an m al re Kid le he when it’s Nico to create an et d an t style herwise lady’s got inbuil effect to the ot so is ich e, wh of the enchanting grac casual appeal . ys da rare these striped dress.

New season, new trend. Some to be followed and some to be set. Here’s a look at some celebs who got it bang on and a few who set new records in poor dressing.

White can be a tric ky colour. If you get it wrong you are ruined and if all goes well you are sure to land in the best dressed list. No points for guessing who got it right, Genius ! Ramona Narang Ro della has issues with the drape and styling. So, it’s a disaster in totality. Looks like she tied her dupatta aro und her waist which is obviously un appealing. Taylor Swift, the mo ther of red carpet looks, has na iled the white gown effortlessly. The hint of gold detailing is adding 5 stars to the sober look.

Midriff Mania

Sizzle Reds

Dita Von Teese looked perfect in this darling red-buttoned vintage dress —very ladylike and fragile! Old is simply gold.

Poorna ga Ja nnathan, in Gaurav Gupta, looks easy in her skin in this sexy and playful red number, appropriate for spring time. We quite like !!

Analeigh Tipton in Elie Saab sor Re t 2012 pantsuit looks like she was born to wear this and needs to patent it! Those extra long legs take the simple pants to another level all together. The flirty lace blouse brings an additional daredevil character to the look.

Isabel Lucas: This is the perfect example of the mid-riff fashion this summer. The silk dress fits Lucas very well and the mid riff exposure simply looks natural, without looking too loud or unwanted.

Katy Perry in Gerlan Jeans: She has her signature style and we do give her a thumbs up for this neon green colour selection but the skirt is poorly executed.

Dakota Fanning

It’s a miracle—one tee nager knows how to carry herself over the red carpet. Super talented Fanning ha s blown us away with her sense of style and the way it naturally blends with her disting uishable, responsible and elegant persona lity. Left: Wearing Halston; this beaded number blends with her skin an d hair color and looks spectacular. Right: Wearing Elie Saa b; the choice is excellent. The hint of lace over her deep cu t neck is at its artistic pe ak.

Heide Klum in Roland Mauret: Wow! Look who landed in our Kirsten Stewart in disaster list! Project Stella McCartney: Runway hostess, sualmost always permodel Heidi Klum!!! on our disaster Looking like a house list—the world faunder construction, mous newly born half whitewashed, half vampire—Kirsten wall still chipped and Stewart! dilapidated.

Selena Gomez in Do lce and Gabana: She looks like a perfect damsel but a fitted pencil skirt would ha ve taken her mid-riff exp osure to another level, right now its just a tiny pretty girl wearing a bra and skirt! That’s no t ideal!!

said Accessorise this summer, t wha saw he If u! gur h: a fashion Simone Sing ood erst und ies lad gtwo ima se ld the who cou r of it, he’d elope to anothe ine she was the rn! retu er nev galaxy and raging bombshell res Haseena Jethmalani sca in a KJO movie? ds bea nd rou big se tho com ss with dre us Fancy mrese t and an ugly thing tha petition contestbles a flower unfortunately. ant – Simone, is y wa f Pixie Lott took the advice probably hal f hal y seriously and decided and ver an to Jap ld to throw whatever she cou way to a football ion fash al loc a in possibly find game where she street. Tragic! plays a mascot in re! atti creepy

82 I Fashion and Entertainment The Spring 2012 runway shows offered a glimpse of what to ex-

pect this summer in makeup. Lovers of pop art would be extremely

glad to hear that orange and red lips are here to stay. Bold statement eyebrows and cat eyes

along with some heavy-duty eye-

lashes are the shortcut to diva. TLF brings you the hottest and

the most wearable looks of the season.

1 Bold Brows When it came to brows at shows like Thom Browne, Altuzarra, Thakoon and Alberta Ferretti, the bigger and bolder, the better. Lately, makeup artists are emphasising the eyes by intensely defining and darkening the brows. Stop plucking your brows this summer Ladies. Experiment a bit!

2 Babydoll Lashes Exceptionally long feathery lashes featured prominently at Anna Sui, Phillip Lim, Elie Saab and Jeremy Scott. However, we’d anticipated the popularity of this look after seeing innumerable celebs bat their lengthy falsies on the red carpet. Whether created using full strips or individuals, baby doll lashes always have flirty feminine appeal.

3 Spunk and Shadows Brights are nothing new when it comes to springtime fashion, but some unique colour combi-

nations and applications have inspired new ways of wearing vibrant hues. Prabal Gurung, Nanette Lepore, Cacharel and Meadham Kirchhoff offered up fresh options for wearing all the boldest shades.

4 Icy Metallics Light reflective finishes are always a great way to add a little pop of prettiness to your look. Sheer washes of the softest silver and pearly pewter showed up on the runway at Phillip Lim, Etro and Prabal Gurung inspiring us to apply metallic accents in creative new ways.

5 It’s an owl thing, kohl-rimmed eyes

Surprisingly, this typically wintery look has appeared at several spring runway shows. Rodarte and Gucci offered the most seriously blackened eyes, featuring smoky shadows heavily encircling models’ sockets. This effect works beautifully to balance clothing constructed using lightweight fabrics in softer springtime shades.

6 Up in the air; Cat Eyes Non-traditional cat eye liner was recently featured prominently at several shows. Ruffian, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Marni, Matthew Williamson, Fendi and Jeremy Scott all sent models down the runway with sexy sweeps of colour along their upper lash lines. The retro-inspired look is fresh and ultramodern when done in unexpected hues ranging from orange to khaki.

7 Babydoll Lips Baby doll lips, reminiscent of delicate pale pink rosebuds, can be found in abundance. Pretty pouts sprang up at Peter Som, Elie Saab and Jeremy Scott, where models strode down the runways wearing the softest pearly lipstick with just a whisper of pallid pink.

8 Orange Pantone proclaimed tangerine tango as the colour of 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only appropriate this juicy shade would be popping up

everywhere. Orange has been featured frequently on the runways, making bold statements at Nanette Lepore, Yigal Azrouel and Marni. Used sparingly, the hot hue can be incorporated into a variety of lovely look.

9 Red Lips Reds blazed on the lips of models at Thom Browne, Thakoon and Alberta Ferretti. Matte or patent leather polished, the fiery shade was especially impactful with minimal foundation and eye makeup. The crimson pout has been a red carpet staple lately, too, with celebs working the 1950s-inspired glamour girl trend.

10 Incredibly shy, extremely flushed cheeks

Makeup looks at Tory Burch, Jeremy Scott, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Tracy Reese incorporated heavy applications of vibrant berry and warm terracotta blush, mimicking the look of a healthy, athletic-looking flush. The bold cheek is a great-unexpected way to play up a single feature.

84 I Fashion and Entertainment

This season step out in style, with this ultimate guide to dress up!

STORY l THE LEneG rs agree to ful

Most desig length lowers, sleeves and full otient to antaking the style qu tantly give a other level. To ins rdrobe add face lift to your wa and throw in the extra cloth arette pants, some printed cig g bright leggings or shockin harems.

PRINT UP

Pair some funky pr inted trousers with plain button down shirts or T-shirts. Unconven tional prints with pastel leggin gs or single colour ankle len gth trousers and chinos are ho t this summer.

COLOUR PLAY Keep

ing up with trend s and the colours of sum mer, throw in some bright bags , shoes, trousers, and tops to electrify your look.

! E IT ON BANGLrun ways of Fendi,

Seen on the Saint Laurent Balenciaga, Yves bangle look and Balmain, the Sport a single is the new black. and match a bold piece or mix u’re going to stack of styles. If yo ngles, try varopt for multiple ba similar design. ying versions of a obvious. Use Don’t go for the casual sporty the bangle with the delicate looks rather than ir them with darling appeal. Pa ed Tees. the pants and print

SHE’S THE MAN

Try dropping your heels and step in tomboyish sho es. It gives an instant kick and is a very pleasant change fro m the stereotypical heel look.

86 I Fashion and Entertainment

Brit brand comes to India UK-based top most beauty brand Montagne Jeunesse was unveiled in India by Ritu Makhija, CEO/Director, SmartBrands Products Pvt Ltd. The First Minister of Wales, Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones, at the cocktail event, unveiled the product. Introducing the UK-based beauty brand, Ritu Makhija said, “We aim to provide the Indian customer with the best, reliable and caring beauty with a difference. Montagne Jeunesse committed to using natural ingredients. They’re against animal testing and do everything within their power to ensure that the raw materials they use are not tested on animals. All their products are 100 % vegetarian approved and in many cases suitable for Vegans too. Our ranges are available for Face, Body, Hair, Eyes, Feet and Men’s range, and also lip balms.” The guests who attended the event included NeelamPratap Rudy, Owain Llwyd, Paul Lane Export Director of Montagne Jeunesse UK, First minister of Wales Carwyn Jones , Singer Azaan Khan, Designer-duo Kapil & Mmonika, Vandana Bhargava, Amarjyot Singh, Preeti Bahll, Anju Kumar and Keith Rock hill to name a few.

Taj’s new Khazaana Taj’s in-house lifestyle store, Taj Khazana, recently unveiled its all new look at Taj Palace, New Delhi. With this, Taj Khazana also marked the launch of an eclectic and enhanced collection of accessories and attire. The store captures the heart of Rajasthan and the spirit of Punjab that comes alive through the vibrant pink, white, silver and black interiors of the store. The Banarasi brocade that clads the pillars, leather cabinets, jewel boxes and odd pieces of furniture at the store, straddles the Alice in Wonderland meets enchanted garden look. The floral theme of the bed, table lamps, basket holding the carpets are reminiscent of the floral gardens of Delhi and interesting installations represent lives and times of Punjab, Rajasthan, and colonial India. The collection includes an extended range of men’s wear, a fun collection of resort wear and office accessories and quirky gift options; an enhanced jewellery (silver, semiprecious and precious) and accessory collection; a home range with hand block printed bed linen and quilts; semi-formal wear for women; and a vast book collection. Sarita Hegde Roy, COO, The Taj Khazana said on the occasion, “We are trying to create a shopping that is experiential with designs rooted in regional influences and product range that provides artisans, weavers and upcoming designers a platform to showcase their talent”. The launch was followed by a wine and cheese get-together witnessed by the crème de la crème of the city rejoicing the evening in style.

87 I Fashion and Entertainment

store launch 1. Gaurav Gupta’s

Neesha Singh and Tanisha Mohan

Pradeep Hirani and

Naresh Qureshi, Shivan and Gaurav Gupta, Pernia

Little Shilpa and Carol Gracious

Narendra Kumar and Bandana Tewari

Michelle and Yohan Poonawalla

Aki Narula

4. Zarine Khan’s multi-designer studio- “Fizaa” launch

Madhur Bhan darkar

2. Le Mill’s 1st annive rsary

Laila Lam ba

ciation d Rohit Bal’s asso 3. Arjun Rampal an ated udio being celebr with the Chivas St Rocky

Rohit Bal and Arjun Rampal

Tarun Tahiliani

Gauri Khan

Sussa Roshannne

Sheetal Mafatlal

Zayed and Malaika Khan

88 I Last Word

Tiger Shroff, son of actor Jackie Shroff, stands tall as an exception purely because of his fitness crazy approach to life and the passion to change the face of action cinema in India.

Envy and admire! Don’t complain if this is exactly how you feel, (especially if you are a boy) when you see this young sensation, all of 21 sweating it all out in the gym, training hard in his martial art classes and when he puts-on his dancing shoes. “I have a simple goal in life and that is to be the Bruce Lee of Bollywood. I have been training very hard for a long time now to be in an absolutely supreme physical condition and to be able to perform my stunts on my own or rather take it to a whole new level,” says Tiger. All this of course comes with a lot discipline and a certain amount of sacrifice. “I’m a pretty boring guy. I don’t smoke nor do I drink, I don’t go out much with friends either because of the time that I need to dedicate to my training every day. I dance all morning, and in the afternoon I either hit the gym or go for acting classes. My evenings are normally reserved for either martial art practice or gymnastics and that’s the cycle every day.” Such is the dedication of this young aspiring actor, that to perfect his landing skills he trains at the beach side in Mumbai regularly and now can do the same lifts anywhere with ease. “The sandy part can be very testing on the body but it helps in gaining strength also. The idea

was to perfect the art so much that I could do the same lifts anywhere and anytime that I wished to.” How difficult it is to be a ‘Shroff”, to which he says, “One good thing about my dad is that he never made us feel that we are the children of a star. He would always tell us to keep life simple and work hard on our own to get what we want in life. He is the biggest inspiration of my life-a true legend by all means. I hope I achieve at least half of what he has. Though he doesn’t talk much about work while at home, but we do communicate at times about the trades of the business.” Believe it or not but this young starlet has no inclination towards designer wear clothes and has a tantrum free life. “Though I did shoot for the cover page of few magazines but have no real interest in fashion or anything of that sort. I actually wish I could roam around naked everywhere (now that is where all would decide to join a gym ASAP). With such a body, a great female following comes naturally. So how does he handle that? “Female following are non-existent! May be I shall take some tips from my dad on that. He is one super cool person who still attracts a lot of eyes. Though on a serious note, I don’t really have time for all this. I am married to my work and my training my commitment.” He has given himself one more year before he finally makes an official entry in Bollywood and if the saying “Hard work pays-off well” is true then we sure are talking about a deserving name.• -As told to Sandeep Verma