Hey people, have started my own eating out group. Do join in if you have the time or inclination to write about your gastronomic adventures.
Other than that, yesterday brought more food my way. First, we (my buddy Alan and myself) headed for the brunch at AD Singh’s Olive. It was a fashion-related event and there were some designers and models in attendence.
Laycelles Simmons, looks sooooo good I could hardly take my eyes of him. He is of course married, as are all the good-looking and remotely interesting men these days.
Other than that, designer Nandita Mahtani was in attendence looking very trendy-cool in a pair of stylish black shorts, a feminine white sleeveless top, a necklace with lots of baubles, and flat pumps of some sort of animal print (not real people). Nice style sense.
There was another designer called Anupama, who spokeslots of sense, but was dressed in a very ghastly sort of outfit. I asked her for some personal style tips and she recommended a skirt with a bias-cut in vibrant colours, slim fit basic tops and eye-catching necklaces and bracelets. She hopes to see me at the Lakme Fashion Week in the same. I of course asked her very candidly what, er…was a bias cut. She patiently explained. Maybe I will practice her advice.
Alan has just coloured his hair from Javed habib and was having second thoughts about his new look. Anupama said he has a Jamaican/Creole sort of look, which he took very happily. So now he has a ‘hot Jamaican’ chip on his shoulder.
Next, the food.
Had raw oysters for the first time EVER. And they were DIVINE! Wanted to have some more, but each comes in a shell the size of a monster, and two monsters on my place would reveal my true gluttonous nature to all the fru-fru crowd.
There was an absolute feast of seafood — squid pizza, calamari salad (squid again), shrimp salad, a tuna gravy etc etc — the BEST I have ever tasted.
And NOTHING was spicy or greasy. Yup, this was the best bland food I have ever tasted. And definitely the best seafood.
For dessert, I nibbled on my favourite fruit — kiwi. The Tiramisu was excellent and everything else was slightly forgettable.
Evening we headed for The Tasting Room, a new wine bar located, surprise, surprise at Meera’s and Ankur’s favourite place — Good Earth.
Good Earth is a home accessory and furniture store that smells and looks divine. The prices are not so divine, but a trip to Good Earth is good enough, if you have a keen aesthetic sense. Some parts of it reminded me of a Chemistry lab, as the walls and ceilings have that ‘cracked-up paint look’ and you have lots of glassware, some of which resemble beakers and testtubes. Some of the stuff and arrangements have a Moulin Rouge feel about it (which appealed to Alan, a lot) – flamboyant.
I had a glass of pink-coloured Zinfandel, popped a few strawberries into my mouth and then then found a cosy (and expensive) sofa to lounge on. I wonder what happens if you drop something on it. Do you have to buy the damn thing?
hmm I definitely have to go out with you next time I come to Mumbai. By the way, the most heavenly thing about oysters is that they are virtually inexistent calorywise- and enhanced with a vinegar-oignon dressing. Makes you forget that you can catch lots of bad diseases eating raw sea food…the first and only time I was next to death for 3 days was after a raw seafood platter in the Quartier Saint Germain in Paris.
I like the low calorie bit…but the second bit…unnerving! Alive and kicking for now, though :))
The next time you come to Mumbai, Altaf ‘n’ me can take you on a gastronomic spree.
What about me? Dont forget to take me along…though no oysters for me, thank you!
Hey Pooh, for the last two years have had pure vegetarian roommates. One of them, a Jain who does not touch even garlic and onion. So now it’s a reflex action for me when it comes to sharing the same cutlery or ingredients. I’m constantly thinking — have I touched something non-veg?
Also, can’t forget that incident with you and the fish. How your face turned really pale and you sported an expression of horror when the waiter placed a plate of fried fish in front of me. Your nostrils curled up and you actually got up and plonked yourself on the next table! It was at a tiny little joint near Anand Bangalow. So we had lunch at two separate tables…a first for me!
oh my god, your description is so hilarious! Yeah I remember that one too. I think the smell was just overpowering that day!