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Jamavar,
the super-intricate but now-defunct floral weave from Kashmir has inspired
a restaurant at the Leela Palace, serving both north and south Indian
cuisine. The menu has both innovative and traditional elements-the kebab's
are fashioned from Norwegian salmon and other seafood includes the popular
lobster neerulli. Paisley designs, the decorative foundation of most Jamavars
(and their French imitations), cover the off-white wall, forming a complementing
backdrop to the dining experience. They're probably not made of shahtoosh.
Call (080) 521-1234.
Exhibition
 We
know how Bangalore looked in 1791. James Hunter, an artillery officer
under Lord Cornwallis, was a skilled draughtsman who periodically stopped
to record the fledgling town's landmarks in hair brush detail. The Moorish
Mosque had a knot of columns, each with a different capital, the Delhi
Gate allowed elephants through its narrow portal and carts and carriages
crossed the sturdy Mysore Gate. Now the metro's Pokhran Gallery in Jayanagar
has put on view these rare aquatints along with their reproductions which
are on sale. "These were created when the British just took over
the city," says gallery owner Maher Dadha. Nobody was heard saying
that Bangalore was looking better now. Call (080) 634-3373.
KOLKATA
Restaurant
 There's
nothing By The Way about the new restaurant at Taj Bengal. Certainly not
its Continental-Mexican-Thai menu with dishes like the Canja de Galinha
soup, the whopping Reuben sandwich, Yam Wunsen glass noodles or salad
deux pommes. Hi-tea is big around here too: two special packages (Rs 225
each) include sandwiches, scones, afternoon pastry and several types of
teas. So what's with the name? "The point is, you'll have to pass
the restaurant no matter which part of the hotel you want go to,"
says a spokesperson. Maybe they should have called it "On the Way".
Dinner for two: Rs 600. Call (033) 223-3939.
MUMBAI
On Board Museum
 Want
to see the fighter aircraft the Indian Navy used to pound enemy installations
in erstwhile East Pakistan? Or even see the insides of the formidable
floating airfield from which these aircraft roared off? Welcome to the
navy's Vikrant Museum, allowing people to peek around Asia's first aircraft
carrier, thrown open for eight days during the Navy Week from December
1. You can see helicopters like the Sea King, jet fighters like the Sea
Hawk and anti-submarine aircraft like the Alize, all of them restored
to their former glory. Also pick up Vikrant keepsakes, caps and T-shirts
from the souvenir shop and whet your appetite at the onboard cafeteria.
Entry through Tiger Gate, Ballard Estate. Call (022) 268-8509.
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CURRENT
ISSUE DEC 10, 2001
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