Monday, 21 December 2015

Christmas Cake Shops In Pune And Mumbai

Kayani Bakery

Address  6, Opposite Victory Theatre, Camp, East Street, Pune
Phone Number +91 20 26360517
Opening Hours  7:30am 1pm & 3:30pm 8pm  
Cost for 2 Rs 150 (approx.)


Theobroma, Mumbai

Address 24, Cusrow Baug, Electric House, Colaba, Mumbai
Phone Number  +91 22 33716011
Opening Hours  8am 12am
Cost for 2 Rs 600 (approx.)

Le 15 Patissere

Address 1st Floor, Palladium Mall, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Ground Floor, Siffin Apartments, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai, Shop 11, Ground Floor, Windermere 1-B Chs, Near Mega Mall, Oshiwara, Andheri West, Mumbai
Phone Number  +91 22 30151151, +91 22 30151175, +91 22 30151181
Opening Hours  10am 9:30pm
Cost for 2 Rs 500 (approx.)

Love Sugar & Dough (LSD)

Address Bandra: Bajaj Arcade, Union Park, Near Olive Bar & Kitchen, Khar(W), Andheri (W): 2, Meera Towers, Opposite Mega Mall, Oshiwara, Andheri (W), Ville Parle: Vora Kunj, Behind Shiv Sagar Hotel, Shraddhanand Rd, Vile Parle West,Kemps Corner: Chinoy Mansion, Warden Road, Next To Precious Hair Dressers, Breach Candy
Phone Number  +91 22 32229654, +91 22 26325333, +91 9820062957, +91 22 61635632
Opening Hours  11:30am 12am
Cost for 2 Rs 400 (approx.)

Forennte

Address  2, Princeton Flair, Lane 8, Koregaon Park, Pune
Phone Number +91 20 30162236
Opening Hours  10am- 9pm    
Cost for 2 Rs 350 (approx.)

Amsterdam Must-Dos By National Geographic Travel Guide


Anne Frank House
“It is powerful to stand in the room where she [Anne Frank] wrote, see the chestnut tree she saw, and hear the church bells she heard."—Tracy Metz, arts and architecture writer, NRC Handelsblad. Faithfully preserved rooms in the back of the 17th-century canal house in the Jordaan, where the Frank family hid from the Nazis, and where Anne wrote her diary. Prinsengracht 267; tel. 31 20 556 7100; fee. www.annefrank.nl
Rijksmuseum
“Worth going for the Vermeer painting ‘The Love Letter’ alone, with its glimpse of a tranquil Dutch interior.”—Guus van den Hout, curator, Museum Catharijneconvent. 400 of the collection’s top Dutch master masterpieces—including work by Rembrandt and Frans Hals—are on view in the Philips Wing. Jan Luykenstraat 1; tel. 31 20 674 7047; fee. www.rijksmuseum.nl

Lisbon for Foodies

Lisbon is the essence of Portugal. The hilly terrain, the roads which swirl around its historic, colorful buildings, the view of the Tagus river, the traditional Fado music all are the highlights of the city, but the food is its foundation! The food in Lisbon offers humble flavors and fresh ingredients with a creative spin. Lisbon for its sheer variety is nothing less than a miracle on a plate. From Michelin star restaurants to local markets flooded with anything you can eat or simply its cozy cafes and bistros.

Lisbon is an assorted mix of all things good. While planning for things to do in Lisbon you can also try out many yummy food dishes which can fulfill your trip. Whether you decide to travel to Lisbon’s exotic hotels which will leave you licking your finger-tips or simply go crazy at one of their majestic grocery stores, the foodie in you will thank you for years to come! When in Lisbon do what ever foodie does and visit its most loved food hubs.

1. Mercado da Ribeira The place serves a killer cremeBrule and Pork with crackling with sweet potato puree. Slurp on the fresh oysters here and if you are missing junk food, try the burger from Chef Alexandre Silva.

2. Pasteis de Belém bakery Indulge in the best sweets in town as you sip on the warm coffee served in a tall glass. Their classic tarts and cakes are to die for and do remember to carry enough on your way out to indulge in them some more! The Pastel de Nata- a custard tart served with sprinkled cinnamon and powdered sugar takes the prize anytime.


3. AmorinoChiado AmorinoChiado serves the best ice-cream in Lisbon without a doubt. The ice-creams are known for its classic flower design with petals of ice cream. Grab a waffle cone and explore the city on foot as you taste Lisbon’s best flavors!


4. Madragoa Cafe Enter the Madragoa Café without a reservation and you will be thoroughlydisappointed. But if you manage to make bookings, gorge on the signature steaks with a complimenting wine and you will regret leaving that table after the meal! The owners go out of their way to accommodate your taste preferences and your budget.

5. Cervejaria Ramiro The sea-food hub taste of Lisbon, the Cervejaria Ramiro offers the best of prawns, crabs, clams, lobsters- name it and they have it! A must-eat isTiger Prawns with butter sauce infused with garlic.


6. Enoteca De Belem The smallest restaurant you will see in Lisbon, the Enoteca De Belem makes up for its size by offering some seriously scrumptious food! Try the Potato Risotto and the Pork Cheeks when you visit the place.


7. Wine Bar do Castelo Enjoy a beautiful selection of wine with some delicious Tapas along with other starters. Wine –lovers will love to see how evolved Portuguese wine is. To sum it up, wine-tasting at the Wine Bar is one of the things you simply must do when in Lisbon.


8. Clarasemcastelo A small heavenly place which breathes food, you can smell the fresh bakes coming straight form the oven and the spices fill the air asyou eat their signature pork dishes and lip-smacking desserts. 9. Feitoria Feitoria has 1 Michelin up its sleeve. The place oozes flavor and technique with detailing making the huge difference! Start up with the Ceviche and relish in their Alentejo black pork to end with a sinful treat of Desserts.


10. LX Factory The run-down factory changed into the present day ‘all-under-one-roof hub’ is one of the best places to see the whole of modern Lisbon in one view! The art and book shops, design stores and other retail outlets are perfect to spend a day but its eateries rule the place. Try the famous chocolate cake at Landeau or simply try out bites at the maze of restaurants which spread across the factory.


If you are Lisbon and still waiting for finding that place you can boast about later? A few of these restaurants will get the job done!

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

My first trip to Bangkok for three days


Unabashedly loud and free spirited, Bangkok might look like too much to take in from afar but once you get closer, you start to fall in love with the chaotic rhythms of Asia’s most swag city. Got only three days here? It might be a bit of a race to unravel this grand mystery but there’s lot you can cover if you have the enthusiasm and energy to match.


Let’s make it easy and organized. What is Bangkok all about? Extravagance, culture and unmatchable nightlife! Here are some of our suggestions for an three days in Bangkok with which you’d be able to cover most of its highlights.
DAY 1 Assign day one for some culture and temple hopping. Bangkok is replete with gorgeous Thai temples with golden pagodas and vivid adornments. Kind of like the city itself, the temples are graphic and vibrant. Start with Wat Arun which is unquestionably Bangkok’s most famous cultural landmarks, sitting pretty on the banks of the bank of Chao Phraya River. Then head to Wat Pho where you can finally see for yourself the beauty of the reclining Buddha and also get an authentic Thai massage at the adjacent masseuse training center.. Also, make a visit to the Wat Phra Kaew and ogle over the Emerald Buddha. Pat Khlong Talat is a beautiful flower market that is pretty sight in the morning and can be covered on the way to Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Don’t forget to visit the dazzling Grand palace and wear full clothing when you do. If you’re up for it, head to RCA at night to sample Bangkok’s rocking nightlife. It is a street full of interconnected clubs that cater to the swish crowd of Bangkok.
DAY 2 Day two is for Bangkok’s colorful side, it’s fascinating old neighborhoods and streets. Head to the city’s pompous Chinatown and walk around the alleys to breathe in the atmospheric sights. Sampang lane is the cluttered lane where you will find everything from incense sticks to flip flops. Also visit Wat Traimit where you can experience the grandiose of the largest gold Buddha in the world. Then, take a ferry on the Chao Phraya River and experience all the faces of Bangkok- the rustic one where you will find small slums and the posh face where you can see glitzy skyscrapers reaching for the sky. At night, eat at the food stalls at Yaowarat road or if you’re in the mood for some bar hopping, head to Thong Lo-Ekkamai area in Sukhumvit.
Day 3 Day three is a feel good, retail therapy day. Bangkok is world famous for its fabulous shopping. Whether you are looking for a bargain or wish to splurge, Bangkok is ready to indulge every fantasy of yours. To save a few bucks head to MBK center or Patpong road. For expensive treats, there is the Siam Paragon Mall and the Asiatique Riverfront that envelopes many shopping options under one roof. After your shopping spree, head to one of Bangkok’s glorious rooftop bars like Vertigo or Sky Bar.