Mumbai Reviews

Moving

2009-11-25T02:50:00.000-08:00

Moving the blog here guys. Sorry for the trouble.

Library On The Net

2009-11-04T04:11:00.000-08:00

I love to read. There is barely any space in my house for more books. I am a lazy person. If all the above apply to you reach out for www.librarywala.com

It’s an online library that home delivers books to you anywhere in the city ( also available in Pune and Bangalore).

You can select a plan based on your appetite for reading. They have an ok collection. It’s not very cheap, but the advantages are huge. All I have to do is to pay a returnable security amount, punch in a plan and start ordering. The books will be delivered to you within 24 hours of you having ordered. They will also pick up the books once you’ve finished reading them.

What I like: They give you a choice of 2 addresses – home and office- for pick up and drop. So it’s not like they have only my office address and I cannot have something delivered or picked up on Saturday. I have that option each time I log in.

Check it out.

www.librarywala.com

Karaoke at MERLIN'S

2009-10-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

Merlin’s is a bar inside The Orchid, a hotel next to the domestic airport. The bar is open from 4 pm onwards. However, the karaoke begins at 11 pm and goes on till 2.00 pm.

It’s a small, cozy, carpeted place and you need to reach early in case you want to be seated. They serve great cocktails and some delicious finger food. But the best part is the enthusiasm with which the audience participates in the karaoke. Especially on Saturdays, one sees a very loyal crowd, aware of the karaoke bit. You’ll get a mixed variety: those who sing well and those who think they sing well. It’s amazing fun and helps banish your blues.

Direction tip : Take the road that leads to the domestic airport off the western expressway and then take a left instead going straight towards the terminals.

What I like: There’s a lot of bonhomie between the audience which develops as the evening wears on. There are a couple of regulars who are a complete delight to listen to.

Merlin’s. Ground Floor. The Orchid Hotel. Nehru Road. Ville Parle (E). Mumbai 400099
Ph: 022- 6164040

Taxxi & Vitamin K store

2009-10-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

I ran into Taxxi and Vitamin K store by chance while actually looking for another store. The name sounded intriguing so I wandered in.

My first impression? There are some stores that seem magical. As if there is a surprise or a hidden treasure around every corner. This one was exactly like that. With masses of clothes and accessories that are not massy at all.

Vitamin K is a young brand by two young designers – Prachi and Arti while Taxxi is a brand owned by Karishma.

I met the threesome over an afternoon to discuss their store ( all very journalistic) while they giggled and tried to count the number of times they had related the same story to other journalistic types.

So the three met during an exhibition and hit it off. Pained at the consignment system of supplying to stores – where you basically send your stuff and the payment comes in after a stipulated time depending on the number of unite sold, with the balance goods returned to you – they toyed with the idea of opening their own store. Taxxi and Vitamin K store happened in August 2007.

They do supply to other stores as well namely Either Or in Pune, Marmalade in Bangalore, Tamara in Hyderabad among others.

Since it is a designer store, the chances of finding clothes and accessories in duplicate is rare, thankfully. Very pretty tops, dresses, clutches, bags dot the store which is itself done up very eclectically and in soft lighting.

The pricing ranges from Rs 700- Rs 4000 for most clothes. A bit steep. My recommendation in to put yourself onto their SMS list. That way you’ll know about the sales and you can go loot then. I have done that.

What I like : The store appeals to my creative sense. I love the dresses which are versatile enough to be worn both during daytime and for an evening out.

The winning punch : Their sales….. awesome clothing at reasonable prices.

3 & 4, Kusum Kunj, 371, Linking Road, Next to Mango, opp Citibank, Khar (w), Mumbai, - 52
Ph : 022 – 65229200/65259382
Mail : taxxidesigns@gmail.com, kay2981@gmail.com

Sabai Foot Spa

2009-10-13T01:02:00.000-07:00

With all the stress one faces in day to day life there is nothing like sinking into a comfortable chair, surrounded by soft lighting and softer music and have someone knead away the tension from your knotted muscles.

This is probably the reason why Mumbai has seen spas mushrooming all over.

Sabai is only a foot spa. Which is what is nice about it. It doesn’t confuse you with it’s plethora of confusing services. I have often experienced deep mind battles standing at reception counters of various spas, torn between trying to understand the difference between deep tissue massages, detoxifying massages, invigorating massages, ache relieving massages, relaxing massages etc.

Sabai has exactly 5 types of massages on it’s menu, each clearly defined.

1. Thai traditional foot massage @ Rs 1000/-
2. Thai traditional foot massage with Herb Bun @ Rs 1350/-
3. Thai foot massage with scrub @ Rs 1500/-
4. Thai foot massage with volcanic stones @ Rs 1750/-
5. Thai foot massage with back, head & shoulder massage (with 2 therapists ) @ Rs 1850

(all prices as of date)

Each of the above has a distinctly different offering.

I have been there about thrice. Each time I have opted for the traditional foot massage. It lasts an hour and is deeply relaxing. A therapist will give you acupressure on your feet with a short wooden stick followed by a regular massage on you feet and legs. The same will then be followed by a head, neck and shoulders and back massage.

The therapy is rounded off by a cup of herbal tea and 2 slices of very delish apples.

In ambience, the spa would be very like any other Thai massage place. Lots of candles, soft thai music and minimal lighting. However, in spite of being situated on a very busy street, it manages to cut off the noise leaving you with a sense of calm.

Tip : It would help to book beforehand on weekends.

What I like :
Does not confuse me with its services.
Very calm and quiet place.

The winning punch : It leaves me feeling that I’ve got more than I paid for.

Address : F-32, First Floor, Link Square, Above Croma, Opp KFC, Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Ph: 022-66233888, 26469264. Mob: 9769783888

Mumbai....as I see it.

2009-09-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am a foodie…and a shopaholic….and a movie buff.

So it was only inevitable that I start this space. Addicted as I am to blogging, this seemed like a logical next step.

So here is Mumbai Reviews. Reviews of restaurants, shops, clubs, cafes to markets and even movies- it is bollywood city after all. It’s going to be a fun blog with some surprises thrown in.

All reviews are going to be mine- for the time being. (There may be contributory sections later. Let’s see how this develops). You are, of course, welcome to share your opinion. You deserve the right to agree or disagree. However, I do promise that each review will be carefully thought out and put down, without any angst, anger or impulse. The idea is to be fair and present a viewpoint that is unbiased.

You will, of course, get the usual addresses, phone nos, prices, locations. However, there will be an attempt to try and go beyond the facts, to try and provide a sense of the atmosphere, a feel of the place.

So stay tuned. For the best….and the worst that this city has to offer.

Cheers!