Check outs

When was the last time you bought a pen? How much did it cost? Was it made of plastic or coated with gold? Yes some pens are made of gold and can cost up to a couple of lakhs. Cross pens. Pic: Anisha Nair Brand name, as in any other retail product is a key factor with the pricing of pens too. From Parker, Pierre Cardin, Cross, Sheaffer, Baoer, Waterman, Mont Blanc, Caran d’Ache, Q, the list is long. You have a plethora of designs, trends and styles to choose from. It also depends on the material from which pens…

With so many coffee joints sprouting up around town, us Bangaloreans are pretty much spoilt for choice. Along with coffee that you can pick up and drink on-the-go, meals that are made to go with that fresh cuppa are the new deal. Mixed Berry Cheesecake. Pic: Gaana Srinivas Several upmarket coffee joints offer great combos so that your coffee becomes a full blown meal. Pairing it with freshly baked pizzas and sandwiches is a current favourite. Of course, muffins and cookies remain constant companions of the brew. But what kind of coffee do you choose? Caramel laced, chocolate laden, or…

With all the traffic around it is easy to miss Star Briyani near Silk Board junction. But once you step inside the food will definitely catch your attention. The menu seems too short. But the taste more than makes up for the length of the menu. They have only three types of briyani - chicken, mutton and egg. In fry or kebab we were left with limited chicken, mutton and fish items.Ambur Briyani has a royal legacy.  It is said to have evolved from Arcot briyani, from the kingdom of Nawab of Arcots.  Ambur is a small little town in…

The waiter opens the door for me with a warm smile. It is a breezy rooftop restaurant at the four floored Tibet Mall. Though the ambience is simple, Hotel Tibet serves some of the most popular and authentic Tibetan cuisine. Tibetan Veg Platter. Pic: Anisha Nair Though this restaurant serves continental and Indian cuisine too, Tibetan cuisine is definitely the first choice. Tingmo is the Tibetan soft bread rolled and baked with orange colour on the sides. This is the bread that is used by Tibetans regularly. What stands apart is the Silky Noodles with vegetables soup, also called Thenthuk.…

The aroma of the coconut oil being heated on a pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God's Own Country's food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Koramangala and HSR layout.When you set foot into Kumarakom in HSR layout, it feels like you have stepped into open courtyard house in Kerala with all the woodwork and high ceiling. It has with some typical kerala features like the chuttu vilakku and some fine cane and wood furniture. Meen. Pic courtesy: Oyster Bay The pearl…

The movie 3 Idiots, has this famous scene with Kareena Kapoor and Aamir Khan that refers to Gujarati dishes - Dhokla, Faafda, Thepla, Haandva. Watching the movie again made me yearn for those yummy delicacies. I set out to find some in Jayanagar. Khandvi. Pic: Wikipedia free A typical north Indian village setup where you are welcomed with vermilion on your forehead. Village, Jayanagar, has the perfect atmosphere for a wonderful dining experience. Such an unusual welcome in a restaurant! You can play Dandia-raas in the open space. The puppet shows will definitely keep the children engrossed. The Mehendi counters…

Do you want to taste authentic Chinese cuisine without the tadka? Here are some options you can check out in Jayanagar. Three Quarter Chinese at Jayanagar is a perfect place to hangout during weekends as it is a part of a set up that includes Amoeba bowling alley and games floor for children and grown-ups. The restaurant specialises in authentic Chinese and north Indian cuisines.The ambience is posh and the hospitality is good. Golden Fried Babycorn and Chicken Taipei are the most sought-after starters here. The restaurant serves buffet lunch at Rs.350 without alcohol. "The best of all the buffets I…

The urge to eat Chinese cuisine made me hunt for a smaller version of China here in Bengaluru and I searched for some genuine Chinese cuisine restaurants here. When that sour and spicy taste mixes on the tongue, China does not seem far away. Check out some of the best restaurants serving Chinese cuisine in Koramangala and HSR layout. Chilli Basil Fish in a Clay Pot Pic: Main Land China The pungent aromas from the Sichuan province attracted me to Sichuan, a Chinese restaurant in Koramangala. The vegetarian dishes here prominently feature Broccoli, Zucchini, Red and Yellow Bell Peppers, Bok…

Birthdays are not just simple affairs with a bunch of friends, cake, balloons and candles, anymore. Today, childrens' birthday bashes can be quite a fancy event with everything from bouncing castles to magic shows, all managed by professionals. Pic: commons.wikimedia.org Hotels/party halls have tie ups with event management companies for the décor and theme of the party though it is optional. "The basic décor starts at Rs 3000, magic show at Rs 2,500, tattooing at Rs 1,500 and caricature at Rs 2,500", says Srinivas N, an event manager."My five year old son is always excited to go to a birthday…

Birthdays are not anymore a simple affair with a bunch of friends, cake, balloons and candles. Today, childrens' birthday bashes can be quite a fancy event with everything from bouncing castles to magic shows, all managed by professionals. Pic: Wikimedia commons Hotels/party halls have tie ups with event management companies for the décor and theme of the party though it is optional. "The basic décor starts at Rs 3000, magic show at Rs 2,500, tattooing at Rs 1,500 and caricature at Rs 2,500", says Srinivas N, an event manager. "My five year old son is always excited to go to…