Moroccon coffee, anyone? Cafe evenings at Mocha

How exclusive can a coffee parlour get? Check out Mocha, a speciality coffee and gourmet desserts café. Modelled after the Quaveh Khaneh (coffee houses) of Morocco and Turkey, individual teakwood pieces, chess tables and stained glass lamps lend to the Mediterranean ambience. A variety of rare coffees like the Jamaican Blue Mountain, Yemeni Mocha, Sumatra Mandheling and Indian Monsoon Malabar add up. The desserts seem more familiar in comparison: Sorbets, Flans, Crème Brulees and Tiramisu. Costs range from Rs 30 upwards for coffee and Rs 75 upwards for dessert. At 82, Nagin Mahal, Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-20. Call (022) 230-1368.

DELHI
Clothes Store

The Indian retail industry has competition. UK clothing major Marks and Spencer is now in India, at Ansal Plaza in Delhi and at Crossroads in Mumbai. For starters, the stores will sell a range of adult clothing-womenswear (suits, lingerie), menswear (classic suits, jackets, trousers) and toiletries. Richard Sweet, head of the international franchise group for Marks and Spencer, says the clothes, as in the parent store, will be sourced from around the world.

The 7,000 sq.ft Marks and Spencer store at Ansal Plaza in Delhi

An understated fashion show-which began fashionably late-at the residence of the British high commissioner last week marked the Delhi launch. Marks and Spencer, along with its India partner Planet Sports, have the task of understanding the Indian market and competitive pricing. Check the price tags: a pair of dark indigo jeans with white stretch lycra comes for Rs 2,350, a perfect stretch white cotton shirt costs Rs 2,758. The lingerie looks promising: satin nightwear, Gabriella lace lingerie bras and knickers. Call (011) 628-1476/84/85.

-Contributed by Natasha Israni and Methil Renuka