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EXPLORE YOUR METROS BEST MERCHANTS

Food Reviews Recipes and Guides

Vol. 1 Issue 6 august 2009

EvEnts calEndar picspEak listings

HOT DEALS & OFFERS!!!See page 56

complImentary copy

alsOinsidE

monsoon fashion tips

hyderabad bangalore chennai pune vizag cochin mysore mumbai delhi-ncr

6

old housesnew coffee shops

23

mumbai through our eyes

46

Hello Friends!

Its serendipity when an old school mate springs up as a friend on a social networking site. Its serendipity when a lost opportunity knocks on your door again. And its serendipity when a city thats been written about in reams of newsprint still throws up a surprise each time. Thats the serendipity which drives us to explore our cities further and bring those surprises to you.

This time, we have brought you interesting things to see and know more about in two additional cities Mumbai and Delhi-NCR apart from the 7 cities that we have covered in our magazine. For instance, did you know that the city of Mumbai boasts of its own Ganges? And were you aware of an Austrian caf in the land of Mysore Masala Dosa? At Metromela.com, weve been lucky to explore our cities and find these hidden jewels for you.

That is why this issue focuses on the new and the old of each city. Whether it is about Irani chai and contemporary coffee shops in Hyderabad or old Madras houses turned into designer stores and hangouts, we have interesting guides lined up. We have even reviewed new places that come with a touch of old; like the designer boutique in Vizag that has revived old Kalamkari art and the heritage hotel in Pune that comes with modern amenities. It sure is an interesting mix.

That apart, we have got you expert tips from designers from different cities on monsoon fashion and even coaxed our chefs and homemakers to give us some festival special recipes. After all, its time for special celebrations for Onam, Diwali, Ramzan and Dussehra.

Heres hoping that you enjoy life with gaiety and happiness that come with these festivities. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome at editor@metromela.com.

Happy Reading!

Barkha Shah

editorial teamBarkha Shah

Unika Prusty / Pranay Rupani (Hyd) Sanskrity Sinha (Blore)

Krithika Sukumar (Chennai) Trupti Shetty (Pune)

Fanny Chakrabarti (Vizag) Nina Nair (Cochin)

Sachin Somanna (Mysore) Divya Nadkarni (Mumbai)

Priyanka Gupta (Delhi-NCR) E-mail: editor@metromela.com

salesArun

PannalalE-mail: sales@metromela.com

photographyLakshmi Prabhala/ Unika Prusty/ Pranay

Rupani (Hyd) Durga Prasad (Blore)

Sumanth Kumar (Chennai) Jyothi Swaroop (Vizag)

Prashanth Nanjappa (Mysore)Prajakti Pai / Divya Nadkarni (Mumbai),

Priyanka Gupta (Delhi-NCR)

DistributionLT Naidu

Design & layoutwww.designeighteen.com

printed and published by Nitin Chowdhary on behalf of MetroMela

Internet Services Pvt. Ltd, Plot No. 244, Kavuri Hills, Phase II, Madhapur,

Hyderabad 500081, Tel0990813 2372 / 73.

www.metromela.com

edited by Barkha Shah. printed at Brilliant Printers Pvt Ltd,

Bangalore

Disclaimer: Utmost care has been taken in scrutinizing the editorial contents of

MetroMela magazine before going to press. However, the Editor and Publisher shall not be

held directly responsible for any inadvertent misrepresentation of fact/facts or misprint,

which may occur despite our best efforts.

VoL. 1 ISSUE 6 AUGUST 2009Editors Note

VoL. 1 ISSUE 6 AUGUST 2009

monsoon FashionKnow what fabric, colors, accessories and hairstyles to flaunt this monsoon.

6Festival Bonanza The right time to share delicious sweet recipes

hyderabad

Chai and Coffee 14Sports Training at its best 16

bangalore

Pause for a cause 18Ham Talk 19Interesting Restaurant Reviews 20

chennai

Its a house, its a cafe 23Move in rhythm 25

pune

Luxurious Stay 27One Life, live it 30Build a Birdhouse 31

vizag

Know your Vizag 32Ethnic Treasures 34Kalamkari Revived 35Home Food Stores 36

cochin

Shop, eat, relax at Amaara 37Art Auditoriums 38Lounge at Ava 40

mysore

Expert Guide on Silk 41Austrian Caf Review; Guide to Masala Dosa joints 42

mumbai

Muay Thai and Mallakhamb 44Pic Speak 46Mumbais Ganges 48

delhi-ncr

Blooming Delights 50Fun Museums 52Historical Peek 54

Hot Deals 56Event Calendar 57Listings 62

10

Monsoon blues are here again, and its back to spending hours squinting into a dark cupboard wondering what to wear; wondering what would look good

after stepping into dark oily puddles and after being splashed by careless vehicles. MetroMela.com catches up with stylists and fashion designers from Mumbai, Pune, Cochin and Bangalore for some monsoon fashion tips.

Monsoon ColorsBangalore based qualified textile designer, Julie Kagti

who has put together a strikingly unconventional collection of monsoon wear at her popular boutique, says that dark, deep and bold colors promise a bright outlook on a rainy day. Colors like orange can overshadow the paleness of the surroundings and help you stand out in a crowd. Walk out wearing a bright dress accessorized with

a deep colored handbag, brightly colored footwear and a multi-colored scarf for that perfect, chic look in the rains. So bright colors like pink, aqua, blue, lime and olive green are in this season.

Its not wise to wear white or other pale or light color clothes during monsoon as they tend to add to

the dullness and dreariness of this murky weather. Besides, they catch stains easily and get messy while commuting.

Fashion for WomenFreelance fashion designer and stylist Amena Azeez from Mumbai says go for shirts or kurtis with short or elbow-length sleeves, and pick knee length skirts. If you are going traditional, flaunt your most colorful and liveliest kurtis, and pair them with snug-fitting churidars. Heavy salwar

EXPLORE YOUR METROS BEST MERCHANTS6 www.metromela.comAUGUST 2009

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CLOTHInG & ACCESSORIES

Know what fabric, colors, accessories and hairstyles to flaunt this monsoon.

Monsoon Fashion

all cities

kameez with trailing dupattas are unwanted trouble. If you must wear a saree avoid cottons (they get messy and heavy), chiffons, georgettes and crepes (they lose their sheen when wet). Instead go

for silks. They are light yet hardy, very manageable, and add depth to hues, bringing out variances in the colors otherwise not seen.

For casual wear, harem pants and billowing skirts are an absolute no no. Opt for capris, trendy Bermuda pants and short denim skirts; and make sure your skirts leave you enough leg room to run under cover when it starts to pour. When it comes to make-up and hair, Model and Grooming Expert Merita Bernard (better known as Merita DSouza), Miss India Talent 2004, knows exactly how to look stylish in rains, thanks to the endless rains in Kerala, where she now lives. She suggests, keep your make-up light. Use water-proof make-up especially mascara, eyeliner and foundation. In fact, keep it simple by using a light moisturizer and loose powder and some waterproof kajal or mascara. You can also use pencil

eyeliner in fresh, vibrant colors. Give your cheeks a flushed look with pastel shades. For lips, use a matte lip color or lightly tinted lip balm.

For hair, Merita adds that girls should choose a short and simple hairstyle that is easy to manage even if it gets wet in the rain. Avoid too much of straightening, crimping or curling because hair could turn limp in this weather. Wash hair frequently with a mild shampoo and use a light conditioner in small quantities to avoid sticky, damp hair.Carry a handbag that will not get soaked in the rain. So, leave those cloth or jute bags at home. Also, pick up a colorful umbrella instead of the boring black ones. Keep jewelry to the minimum as you dont want your dangling earrings to get wedged in your umbrella. Go for waterproof

Merita Bernard

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EXPLORE YOUR METROS BEST MERCHANTS8 www.metromela.comAUGUST 2009

shoes. Add some style to casual clothing with colorful footwear like sporty sandals or floaters. Whatever kind of footwear you ultimately choose to wear, check if they are anti-slip.

Fashion for MenDesigner Revati Borawake of Reva boutique in Pune is all for tiny floral prints and dots in neutral colors for men this season. Muddy colors in orange, pink green, classic black and white are popular. Monochromes are in for men as well where they can team a black shirt with black denims.For formal parties skip the coat this season and opt for the very stylish waist coat that looks formal and trendy at the same time. In denims, light weight fabric in darker colors

can be opted for. Also cotton trousers where the bottom length can be adjusted are very convenient this season.Half sleeved, half button down shirts with batik, bandhini or floral prints are in. So is religion as Hindu motifs are making a huge comeback. Wear the mantras and the Indian prints as it would add an ethnic touch to your clothes.

In accessories, satchel bags are very popular. In ties, go for the ones in tiny floral prints again. And a definite accessory addition should be the Aviator glasses, she insists. In footwear, men can invest in comfortable chappals this season. Crocs are a good option for them as well.Merita from Cochin adds that

if you have to wear leather, pick up good quality ones and c