Looking Glass

May 29, 2000

INDIA TODAY | DAILY NEWS | ASTROLOGY | HOME

Little sailors

Bare with Dhaka

Dead designs

Calcutta

Mumbai

Delhi

Pune

Calcutta: Bar

A sporty club must have a sporty bar. At The Circle Club in Calcutta, they call the new watering hole The Racquets. Just the place to go after that sweaty squash match. This 50-seater bar has the usual stock of drinks, but also some innovative mocktails like Spaced Out, Formula One, Runway and Take-off (the last two a reminder that the airport's just round the corner). Unfortunately, the decor at this daytime bar isn't too imaginative and the snacks (so far only vegetarian) could do with some pick-up. But this is just the first for the Circle Club -- they're planning a poolside bar soon. However, The Racquets has a magnificent view of the main highway leading out of the city. Open from noon to 10 p.m. For more information call (033) 573-8242/3/4.

Virtual school

School was never this much fun. At schoolcircle.com, launched in Calcutta last week, you can take virtual lessons, interact with teachers or bond with logged-on buddies. This website has all the cool stuff teens like to do. There's studycircle that deals with syllabi, innercircle, an online hangout, and funcircle for extra-curricular activities. There's even some value education tucked away somewhere. The website kicks off with an online summer camp this week. But the best part of this cyberschool: no homework!

Mumbai: Restaurant

Chenab, a Punjabi restaurant, has a dhaba-type appeal with a spacious open-air terrace and Punjabi music to listen to. There are khatias that substitute for chairs. And the Thane Creek substitutes for the river Chenab. Diners can gaze at the Creek and the shimmering lights of a new township at Powai. Authentic Punjabi food, finally. A must-try is the Murg Talwari -- chicken legs marinated in green masala. A word of caution: book your table, or rather khatia, in advance. Meal for two: Rs 600. Call (022) 782-1722/1726.

Delhi: Bookshop

Booklovers in DLF finally have something to look forward to. Chapter 1, the first bookshop in the area, is a reader's delight. Small and cute, it offers a wide selection to choose from. Management books, biographies, fiction and some beautifully produced coffee table books make it perfect for all ages and tastes. A special section on puzzles, comics and colouring books makes Chapter 1 a popular stop for children. If a book you want isn't available, the store can order it for you. For more information call (0124) 6387515.

Pune: Restaurant

Craving something different? Puneites can now check out a new Japanese restaurant, Tampopo. Named after a Japanese hit film it claims to have cuisine so authentic it transports you toTokyo! So traditional, that you find yourself sitting on the floor. The specially designed non-vegetarian meal (Rs 600) has a combination of tuna sushi, prawn tempura and miso soup. Veggies can feast on a tofu appetiser and veg sushi (Rs 400). A trifle expensive, Tampopo says it imports the seaweed and horse radish. Timings 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Call (020) 687-6999.

Issue Contents