#HappyHigh at SulaFest 2015


The literal definition of music concerts is strictly a bunch of friends dancing in an open ground, (or doing whatever they feel like) with some heavy metal background playing in the background, drinking away, and plastering blurry, retro pictures on social media the morning they can find their phones. 

If you remove friends from this statement, you find a sad lonely person, who hates loud music, doesn’t understand a word played by a random artist he has never heard of, choosing to find another lonely person, just to get away from their misery. That’s exactly how I had imagined my weekend would go, when I received the invitation for SulaFest 2015. 

It was a media invite and I sincerely don’t know many Mumbai journalists, the only concerts I had attended were Bollywood nights at colleges in Mumbai and NH7, where inspite of being with friends, I had no idea what was happening.


So if a non-concert lover can do bhangra to Young the Giantlose their voice completely within 24 hours, then yeah, I can safely say that it was a weekend to remember.


Heading out from Thane, all the way to Nashik, with a bunch of fellow bloggers and journalists it looked like a promising weekend to everyone, except me, considering my fear of concerts and loud music.
 

The wine tastings
We started with Sovna Puri’s tour of the vineyard and to some of Sula’s signatures, out of which Seco Rose emerged to be an absolute favourite. This was followed by the Hardy’s tasting lounge, where we drank to our heart’s content at this Australian wine label. Hardys Stamp Sparkling Chardonnay-Pinot Noir (red; priced at Rs 1320) and Hardys Stamp Riesling Gewurztraminer (white; priced at Rs 960) were the clear favourites there.
 

The concerts
Since most of the bands are new and you can’t expect Ed Sheeran or David Guetta, but hey, that’s the way you discover music, right? And stereotype me all you want, but a couple of drinks down, even Shreya Ghoshal would sound like Shakira, so the point is to just dance away. Some of the highlights were Young the Giant, Lucky Ali, Nucleya and Hamza feat. Manu Idhra.  Since I just tried wine and nothing else, the Punjabi in me remained safely sober, and continued to dance away to glory, without any alcoholic help.
 

The crowd
Label my orientation however you wish, but after witnessing decked up South Delhi lasses at NH7, Delhi, I thought I had seen the best crowd India can boast of. I don’t know where the crowd from Sula came from, but it was happening and how! By Day 1 evening, journalists who I only knew by their by lines, had become friends, so my lack of company was taken care of. But people expecting to ‘bump into someone new’ will find opportunities galore and how!

The food
Obviously overpriced, but the food ranged from some of the finest restaurants of Mumbai, including Café Zoe, Woodside Inn, Busago and MM!Maaroosh, paired perfectly with Sula wines. See the wine pairings for the Indian palate Sovna and I worked out here.
 

How it fares over other concerts
I have just NH7 and a bunch of college concerts for reference and SulaFest was the first concert which I attended without knowing a single artist or having any company. But after making new friends and a host of memories and pictures, which broaden my grin every time I see them, I can safely say, you will be fine even if you are all by yourself. Go with company, to keep it exciting and safe, but for the rest of us, there’s always an interesting stranger to lock eyes with.

Facts
From Mumbai- Drive down to Nashik or take train or bus. You can take city autos or rent a car once you are in Nashik. Accommodation options are available at several budget hotels.

Festival tickets- May vary next year, but for SulaFest 2015, it was
1-day
Regular: INR 1,900
2-day
Regular: INR 3,000
VIP (Limited passes and only 2-day available): INR 5,000

Text and pictures by Avni Mehrotra


The Ayurvedic getaway of India: Kairali, Kerala



Slow down, take things easy; lie by the poolside and count stars, because the place just serenely demands so!



I walk in with the Tamil rendition of Hindi songs lingering in my mind, as I sip on freshly squeezed orange juice and diced fruits, straight from the farm at my residential cottage at Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort, a premier destination for Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala. The hour long drive from Coimbatore airport (Tamil Nadu) to this idyllic village, Palakkad, Kerala, flanked by palm-tree avenues gave me a glimpse of why Indians crave to travel to South India. I know I am Indian and this should have come earlier, but Ayurveda, yoga and meditation, were three words strictly out of my dictionary, leave alone lifestyle. A tough and exhausting past year had taken a toll my physical and mental being. As is the scenario with most of our lifestyles, my impromptu trip for Ayurveda in Kerala couldn’t have magically come at a better time, reinstating my faith in the term God sent.
 

Shattering myths
I couldn’t be more wrong when I perceived Kairali as another spa getaway, where all I would do for four days was binge on junk, get spa massages and sleep to my heart’s content. On the contrary, I found myself waking up at 6 am for yoga sessions, enjoying every bite of the meal we often skip (breakfast), followed by traditional Ayurvedic massages and enjoying simple, vegetarian, spice-free Ayurvedic diet. Peacocks flock by our side, as we sit by the stream of water that runs through the property, nestling on some erstwhile English chairs, sipping herbal tea.
 

The food
An ideal day starts at 6:30 am for yoga, post which you can relax by the pool, or head to breakfast. Completely Ayurvedic, the meals are from a pre-fixe menu, for regular guests and for those undergoing treatment, strictly customized according to your diet chart. I am a food writer, who survives on masala-based Indian fare, but if 4 days of eating here, could make me fall in Ayurvedic food, then trust me when I say the food was brilliant. Plus, I lost 2 kgs! There is no rocket science, just that the food uses sunflower oil instead of refined, less salt and absolutely no spice. A simple cookbook and a bunch of recipes are all you need to get going!

Meditation and massages
The guru told us, “You don’t meditate, it happens to you”. Acceptable as my mother couldn’t get me to meditate for 10 years and now, any how, I make sure I take out 20 minutes, every day just to be by myself and meditate.
All Ayurvedic treatments focus on holistic healing and use a lot of therapeutic oils. The most relaxing abhyangam eases muscle stress and focuses on complete relaxation, while shirodhara puts you in deep slumber by a focused stream of oil on the forehead. Customized according to the treatment you are undergoing, your massage will vary, along with the frequency.

Residences
Cottages are decided based on Malyali star signs and each room is assigned to you based on your birth date. Every cottage is unique and houses a conch shell kept at a specific location to garner positive energy.

My experience
I sat by the poolside, one with my thoughts and nature, listening to the silent rustle of leaves. Even though my age doesn’t qualify me to be very experienced, this is the closest I have come to nirvana. A getaway, which was more a necessity than a luxury, I laud myself for not carrying my laptop, not because they don’t have wi-fi in the rooms, but because for the time I was here, my real, ‘fast-paced’ life couldn’t catch up with the serene pace which I found myself getting accustomed to.
It’s been a month and I can’t say that I have completely adopted the Ayurvedic way of eating, but having felt much energetic and relaxed post eating Ayurvedic food, I was forced to consider my dietary choices. I find myself meditating every day, avoiding junk food as far as I can, with restricted alcohol intake, all giving into the effects this lifestyle had on me.

Who should visit
Not your regular typical leisure getaway; Kairali is a healing health resort, where people come for Ayurvedic treatment of diseases ranging from obesity to arthritis to sclerosis. There are regular detoxification packages, which last 7 to 21 days, and everything—right from your diet to massages are customized depending on the treatment you are undergoing. We were there barely for 4 days, and stress being the ailment which binds us all, we were given a combination of abhyangam and shirodhara, along with ayurvedic medicines. But there were regulars who visit yearly, from all over the world, or come here for weeks together, just to detox or relax.


Why you should visit
Upon arrival you will have a consultation with your doctor to identify your ailments, post which you will be assigned a series of bespoke massages, exercises, diets and Ayurvedic medicines, including treatment methods of Panchkarma. The combining effect of all, coupled with the acclaimed Indian hospitality are all you will need for a resounding wellness getaway. Let nature serenade you with its warm embrace as you head to this soul-searching experience in India.



For details



Restaurant launches and summer promotions in Delhi


Social opens in Defence Colony

 Social arrived on the scene in Delhi nine months ago, and has, may we say, stirred things up. Dilliwallahs got themselves their first collaborative workspace meets café meets bar (a space where you can work AND play). And Hauz Khas Village got its mojo back!  And now it’s time to stretch out a bit and spread the love. We are opening one more haunt  and it cou ldn’t have been at a better location!
The idea of co-working is dedicated to openness, accessibility, and sustainability. It is a community of people sharing resources, as well as a space to meet and work. Social is a concept; an initiative; an idea. It provides a legit physical space for inspired minds to come together to work, to interact and to explore creative collaborations. 


 Where- 28 A, Defence Colony Market, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024




Mahabelly launches in DLF Place Saket

Taking forth the sudden spurt of restaurants specializing in regional cuisines, a zimbly Malyali restaurant, Mahabelly has opened in DLF place Saket. The menu comprises of the good ol' favourites Dosas and Idlis to Malabar Parottas and Biryanis

Where- MA-05, Restaurant Place Block, DLF Place, Saket



SUMMER FOOD FESTIVAL@ BASIL TREE RESTAURANTS

Zap away that summer heat and celebrate summers with their especially designed Ala-carte menu which includes
Alfredo Pastas or Carbonara Pasta with mushroom, broccoli, bacon and parmesan
Ravioli with sun dried tomatoes and green veggies
Roasted Chicken with peppers and feta
Greek or Caesar Salad and many more
Along with variety of cool mocktails like:
Cucumber Mint Infusion
Holiday Isle
Italian smooth
Pot Pourange
Date: Till April 30th 2015
Timings
Lunch and Dinner
Address
G - 43 & 44, Main Market, Near Radisson Hotel, Sector 18, Noida
223, IInd Floor Moments Mall, Block K, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi 
For Reservation +91-8373912011/15


Think National, Eat Local And Game On With This Menu Inspired By Our 8 Teams!

What: Menu of the Match at Monkey Bar Delhi
Where:  Monkey Bar, Vasant Kunj and Connaught Place
When: 8th April, 2015 - 24th May, 2015

Monkey Bar’s Menu of the Match is fun, eclectic and truly celebrates the diverse regional flavours of India. From the hearty flavours of Punjab, to the subtle seasoning of Kolkata, much like the different teams, Monkey Bar’s menu brings it all together in a contemporary avatar, with that Monkey twist of course! With dishes from all the team cities, you get a pick of the lot, from the Rajasthani Laal Maas,a fiery red mutton curry simmered with yoghurt and freshly ground spices; served with parantha, to the Bangalore Pandi Curry, which again celebrates a not so traditional combination of spicy melt-in-the-mouth Pork Curry with warm grilled Pita Bread, served with Onion and fried Chilli. If the nail biting excitement is getting you down, our take on the ultimate comfort food, the Punjab Butter Chicken Khichdi, which combines the ubiquitous butter chicken with a creamy mung dal khichdi promises a fulfilling meal. Step out and support your favourites through the season from 8th April 2015 to 24th May 2015 only at Monkey Bar, Vasant Kunj, Plot No 11, Pocket C 6 & 7, Commercial Complex, (Adjacent to Kotak Mahindra Bank and Mini Cooper Showroom), New Delhi – 110070 and at Monkey Bar, Connaught Place, P-3/90, (Opposite PVR Rivoli), New Delhi 110001.

Monkey Bar has an equally exciting set of special cocktails for celebrating that win or drowning the disappointment of loss. Be warned, though, these are potent and combine at least 4 spirits. The Beamer LIIT, a combination of vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and red bull will get you flying, while the Free Hit LIIT is a burst from the orient featuring kaffir lime leaves and ginger. If nothing else works, then pull out all the stops and just go for the Barakhamba, an ode to Delhi and a secret recipe featuring an extremely potent yet refreshing blend of twelve ingredients including seven types of alcohol.



Chinese delivery Happy Hakka opens in Delhi

Here comes HAPPY HAKKA! Bringing to you delicious oriental flavors packaged in an innovative format, designed for convenient consumption on the go, in your offices and your homes. Happy Hakka literally translates to ‘Joy of Chinese ’ symbolized through brand values of fast, fun and fresh Asian food portrayed through the ‘Happy Lee’ brand mascot, always out to deliver the best culinary experience. Happy Hakka is a place that fuses affordability with taste while being quick, smart and hassle free.

The menu is packed with a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies from all over Asia. A wide selection of soups and salads, such as ‘The Whopping Wonton Soup’ and ‘Glass Noodle Salad’ are options worth a try. The dim-sums section has an array of dumplings including the unique ‘Cheese ’n’ Peppers Pizza’ dim-sum. The Happy Hakka House favorites ‘Fried Rice Extravaganza’ and ‘Fun Flat Noodles’ are renowned as well. 
For those in a rush, the ‘Meal in a Bowl’ is a favorite. Meal deals start from two people to a whole party making the experience a whole lot convenient and fun.

Our outlets:

- A-117, Lajpat Nagar Part 1, Delhi, India
- E 578, Savitri Road, Greater Kailash(GK)2, Delhi, India 
- 149, Jaipuria Plaza, Sector 26, New Okhla Industrial Development Area, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India.

Delivery across Delhi/NCR


 Yauatcha launches summer cocktails 

We love Summer and heat that comes with it; it gives us the perfect excuse to indulge in some exotic and refreshing cocktails and mocktails.

This season, Yauatcha Delhi is treating you to a range of cocktails like the citrusy P & P, the sweet Below 36o, the comforting BBC, the refreshing Na-Real and more. In this regard we would like to invite you to review our Summer Cocktail Menu.

Where - Yauatcha, Vasant Kunj

                               

Guppy by ai presents The Hanami Festival with a delicious new spring summer menu 
7th April to 10th May


Guppy by ai is celebrating Hanami, the cherry blossom festival with a delicious new spring summer menu and all things Japanese.

Savour Sakura wood smoked pumpkin soup, Seaweed and mesclun salad, Salmon tartar, Cold soba or udon noodles served with bonito say broth, Chilled Ramen noodle topped with prawn and crab stick and more such delicious offerings. At Guppy, the contemporary Japanese  kitchen and bar

Highlights :
Anime Pop-Up Shop: 7th April to 10th May
A limited edition anime figures and key chains from Japan on display and sale.

The Art Wall: 7th April to 10th May
A showcase of art, by artists from the Orient and from India. The works are painted using the traditional Japanese ink and brush techniques on paper.

Sushi Master Class, 22nd April
Master the different techniques and delicate flavour pairing essential for authentic sushi.

If you are looking to find weekend getaways, these are best places to visit near Delhi



Restaurant Week India and IPL promotions across Mumbai



Get bowled over with Chili’s® Grill & Bar’s Beer & Burger Menu

This IPL season, enjoy a perfect ‘match’ with the new Beer n Burger Menu With nail biting actions on the cricket field, American leading casual dining restaurant chain, Chili’s® Grill & Bar, located in Powai welcomes you and your friends from April till end of May to indulge in delicious house made chicken burgers as you sip on a variety of beer cocktails and international beers!

The menu introduces house-made chicken Burgers made with minced Chicken and peppercorn spice and the patty is then grilled to perfection! Some of the original Burgers served at Chili’s will be served with the Chicken patty including Chicken Bacon Burger, Chicken Taco Burger, Chicken Jalapeño Burger and Chicken Guacamole Burger, all served with home style fries.

Forming a perfect match for the delicious Burgers, the menu will also have a long list of international beers from the lands of England, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Portugal and Italy such as Amigos Tequila Flavor Beer (England), Sagres Beer (Portugal), Estrella Damm (Spain), Murphy’s Irish Stout (Ireland), BirraMoretti (Italy), Amstel Light (Holland), Paulaner Beer (Germany), ChimayRed Cap (Belgium) and many more. The outlet will also serve ice cold tap beer varieties from India and Germany.

Address: 13, Ventura Building, Central Ave, Hiranandani, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076
Phone: 022 6741 9001
Opening Times:  Open 7 days a week from 12noon  1:30 am

Celebrate the Citibank Restaurant week at The Westin Mumbai Garden City

As part of the 5th edition of the Restaurant Week, fine dining venues such at Kangan and Prego at The Westin Mumbai Garden City will join the celebration from 17th– 26th April, 2015. Exhilarated about participating for the second time The Westin Mumbai Garden City has prepared a delightful set of delicacies at their Indian specialty and their fun dining venue. During the week, patrons can enjoy a multi-course dinner at fixed price.
Citibank Restaurant Week India is a celebration of the finest culinary experiences in India held across Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. They offer one the opportunity to dine at each city's finest restaurants at a fraction of the price it would normally cost through a three-course prix fixe menu.
The culinary team at Kangan and Prego has created a special menu using seasonal ingredients for Restaurant Week that offers something that will entice everyone. First course selections at Prego include Mushroom and Fontina melts, Calamari Fritti, Salsa Tartare, Calzone d Verdure. Entrée choices will include Lasagna di Pomodoro e Verdure, Linguine al Pesto and Melanzane alla Parmigiana and for dessert one can enjoy from the home made gelatos or a Coffee pannacotta. While Prego will be open for lunch and dinner, Indian specialty venue, Kangan would be an only dinner venue. Kangan will be serving some of the Restaurant Week signatures such as Diwani Handi and the Butter Chicken amongst other Kangan specialties.

Aamlicious - Mango festival at Khandani Rajdhani begins!

Its that time of the year, when Maharaj’s at Khandani Rajdhani are all geared up to create a magical feast for you with the most spectacular fruit of the season – the delightful Mango! India’s favourite & largest vegetarian thali chain Khandani Rajdhani presents one of the most sought after food festivals of the year; Aamlicious – Mango festival at Khandani Rajdhani.

Spread across 2 delicious months, the Aamlicious - Mango festival at Khandani Rajdhani brings together royal Rajasthani & Gujarati recipes cooked with raw as well as ripe Alphonso mangoes. The freshest mangoes are sourced to bring out the best traditional recipes that will not only tantalize your taste buds; but will keep bringing you back for more. The rotating menu ensures there’s always some new Mango dish in your thali each time you visit during the festival.

Duration: 15th April to 15th June, 2015

 
Yauatcha Mumbai - Summer Special Cocktails & Mocktails

This season, Yauatcha Mumbai is treating you to a range of cocktails like the cool SPF 2015, the citrusy P & P, the sweet Below 36o, the comforting BBC, the refreshing Na-Real and more. 


Where- First Floor, Raheja Tower, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051





Café Mangii presents Fondue Festival
The Fondue Festival is a one of its kind festivity that brings to you the very best cheese and accompaniments sourced from the world over, giving you an unparalleled gourmet experience!

The festival is the perfect way to relish a meal.The Fondue Festival revels in this spirit of community living, through epicurean cuisine. You don’t need a reason to fondue – it’s a moment to relish, a perfect companion for any kind of a day. Pick up your phones and ask your loved ones – “Do you want to Fondue today?” An exhilarating experience is sure to follow!    
 
On Till: April 30th

Khar West
Mangal Bhawan, 14th Road,
Off Linking Road, Khar West,
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052

Powai
3, Transocean House,
Hiranandani Business Park,
Powai, Mumbai

Go Howzat with IPL Specials at The Irish House
Live action on large TV screens, delicious food, beer buckets and crazy shots is all you need to support your favourite team this IPL season. Starting from 8th April, grab hold of your cricket crazy friends and enjoy the IPL Fever across all outlets of The Irish House.
Cheer for the men on the ground as you gulp down the cricket excitement with Kingfisher Beer buckets or dive right in with the Chef’s Special Platters with fantastic vegetarian and non-vegetarian options such as Wine Glazed Mushrooms, Veg Falafel with Hummus, Baked Stuffed Chillies, Chicken Skewers, Lamb Chilli Con Carne in Brioche, Fish n Chips and much more.

Finally, raise a toast to the win of your favorite team or drown your sorrows at an unexpected loss with the Helicopter Shot, Hat-Trick, Sambuca Slinger, Straight Drive or a platter of all shots- the Gayle Storm!

So this cricket season go all out and get bowled over with #IPLatIrishHouse.

Date: 8th April to 24th May 2015
Timings: 12 pm onwards



Go Panda launches summer menu

This summer, Go Panda brings a Riot of flavours to your palate. The new seasonal offerings, which include appetizers, entrées, side dishes and a signature Mini Indulgence, will be available through the months of April and May. It has been designed to capture a delicious and exciting range of flavours, textures and aromas. 
With a burst of innovation, ingredients and imagination, they bring to you Eur-Asian Burgers served with the options of Vegetarian, Chicken, Lamb and Fish fillings, all loaded with cheese along with fries and home-made Aioli; Kunji Vegetables; Panang Curry with Steamed; Japanese Teriyaki Stir Fry with Hakka Noodles; Sticky - Glazy Grilled Chicken and to complete the journey of amazing dishes they have Panda Oreo Chocolate Brownie.
Where- hop No 7,Grenville Building, Lokhandwala Complex,Andheri West, Mumbai




Made in Punjab introduces a special Jain Menu
Made in Punjab, the smart-casual dining concept from Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., situated in Inorbit Mall, Malad (W), welcomes you to experience a special a la carte menu, curated to cater to Jain dietary specifications, showcasing authentic dishes from the undivided province of Punjab.

Begin exploring the menu with refreshing aperitifs and shorbas such as Aam Panna, Olive Almond Lassi, Truffle Lassi, with morels peda, Chaar Grilled Pepper Tomato Shorba, Broccoli Shorba and more, followed by scrumptious spread including, but not limited to, delicacies made without the usage of onions and garlic such as Khasta Kachori Nasik Orange Chaat, Creamy Fruit Salad, Paneer Kesari Malai Tikka, Tandoori Stuff Trio Simla Mirch, Bhutte Ke Kebab, Cheese Kurkuri, Malai Kofta, Punjabi Kadhi Pakora, Vegetable Dum Biryani, Grapes Pomegranate Raita and more, along with a variety of Traditional Indian Breads to choose from.

Wrap up this enticing meal with a spread of traditional Indian desserts made without the use of eggs such as Chocolate Gulab Jamun, Kashmiri Phirni, Crispy Jalebi with Rabri, Kesari Ras Malai, Kulfi Sundae ‘Made In Punjab’ amongst others.



Double the Happiness with Serafina’s Cocktail Hours!
~ Buy 1 Get 1 free Monday to Friday from 4pm to 8pm~

Take a break from the monotonous 9 to 5 work life 5pm as you bust the weekday stress with Serafina’s Cocktail Hours every Monday to Friday, from 4pm to 8pm.

Take your pick from a range of White, Red, Rose or Sparkling domestic wines or cocktails such as Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Margarita, Whiskey Sour and many more and get the next one on the house.

So sit back and sip on oodles of happiness at Serafina as you beat those weekday blues!

Timings for cocktail hour: 4 pm – 8 pm

Reservations: 022 49150050 / 55
Address: Serafina, Rampart Row, 30K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai 400023

Beat The Heat @ Cafe Ambrosia

Since the scorching summer is back again - we've found a way for you to escape the heat at Cafe Ambrosia this season. 

Enjoy sipping on the cooling kokum as it refreshes you instantly or we also offer a  Gazpacho - a cold soup with a freshening taste served in Spain. This isn't  all, we have a range of salads which include the seasonal fruit too. Don't forget to try our mango salads that tingle your tastebuds and drive the heat away. Finally, what's a good meal without dessert? The favorite ice-cream of summer - GOLA's. The chatpatta gola's will be a perfect icy end to your meal. You can also dive into the beautiful swimming pool at the property and build up a good appetite for the delectable meal. 

Where: Cafe Ambrosia, Ramada Powai Hotel & Convention Centre
When: April and May
Contact:  022 6777 6000

 
RAMADA SCREENS IPL SEASON 8 @ SKKY & UNO BAR  

The Indian Premier League is back again and this time with a glamorous opening ceremony. Come watch the 8th season of this enthralling game at Ramada Powai Hotel & Convention Centre.

Enjoy our dishes that will totally get you in the mood. The "Maxwell's blaster" is an all time favourite and is even better when you watch Glen Maxwell on the big screen. Maybe, you can try "Rohit Sharma's super cut" when you're rooting for the captain of the underdogs himself. Go on and compliment your night with some "cricketails" - a funky concoction made especially for you. "The Devil's Dew" and "Mumbai Magic" will ensure that you have plenty tales to share with your friends. That's not all, there's a beer bucket available at just Rs. 555 + taxes and other unlimited offers too.

Where: Ramada Powai Hotel & Convention Centre
When: 8th April to 24th May (IPL Season 8)
Contact:  022 6777 6000