Shirt-less no more!!! -Bombay Shirt Company

I've always looked for clothes that enhance one's individuality with their distinctiveness and the Bombay Shirt Company is one such brand which offers custom made shirts with the right affordability.

Although online shopping is something that all of us prefer because of the convenience factor, looking at and touching the actual product still does matter. So imagine my delight when I got to know that the company which until now was known as India's first online custom shirt brand has launched its first flagship store in South Mumbai.

Located at Kala Ghoda, the store is a modish space where customers can walk in to get a first hand experience of designing a custom made shirt as per their preferences. The store offers a healthy mix of

quirky, trendy designs as well as corporate staples for both men and women. Their collection includes an extensive range of 130 fabrics that can be mixed and matched with different shirt elements (collars, cuffs, buttons etc) as well as design options such as contrast fabrics and pipings - the brand has something for everyone! 

Bombay Shirt Company 1st Flagship Store, Kala Ghoda

Akshay Narwekar,who founded the company feels that location makes for a perfect spot, with its unique mix of historic architecture and a vibrant art, fashion, design and food scene and I couldn't agree less. 

The interiors of the store are simple yet elegant which are tastefully done up by interior designer Aurnab Biswas who has maintained the broad vintage aesthetic of the area while infusing it with contemporary and modern design elements."The Bombay Shirt Company's flagship store is intended to be a compelling intersection of the new and the old, much like the brand itself. Flooded with natural light and framed by old-burma teak doors and windows, the warm interior is dramatically centred around a circular wooden work table, which is complemented by an antique surgical lamp belonging to the family of Akshay Narvekar. The restored furniture has a distinct 'mid century modern'feel to it, while the shop's graphics and colours remain contemporary,” explains Aurnab Biswas.

Interiors of the Bombay Shirt Company

Offering an exhaustive array of colors, contrasts and design elements, Bombay Shirt Company blends international style sensibilities with fabrics sourced from across the world. The brand prides itself on making well designed, made-to-measure shirts that are accessible to everyone.The prices start at approximately Rs.1840 and go up to Rs.2900, depending on the fabric. 

Do visit to get  your very own customized shirt :)

Store Timings: Open Every day; 10:30 am to 9 pm

Address: No. 3, Ground Floor, Sasoon Building, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai

Come forth our humble Abode

This review has been long overdue and I've finally managed to get all my scraps of memory and information together to write about one of my most memorable weekends in the city :)

As part of my birthday revelry, a weekend sojourn was the perfect way to celebrate and we chose to stay at the Abode Boutique Hotel- a cozy new hotel nestled in South Mumbai's busiest neighborhood- Colaba.

Located on the 3rd floor of a heritage building, Abode is fabulously unconventional in its individuality and style. The Bohemian yet chic manner in which the interiors have been designed makes it an instant hit with the SoBo crowd and tourists alike. The designer Sian Pascale  has adopted a unique way of portraying how Bombay has inspired her by using furniture sourced from Bombay's second hand markets and lovingly restored for the hotel. 

The lobby is warm and welcoming with wicker chairs, cane tables and colorful cushions. What really caught our eye was the shelf at the entrance with mini Parle packets which guests can help themselves to at no extra charges. The interiors take us down memory lane when Mumbai was Bombay with interesting artifacts like gramophones, soft furnishings made from vintage saris and abstract art pieces. The library is by far one of the most captivating spaces at the property with books in different languages and some very old classics as well. 

The Lobby/Cafe

The hotel staff uses the lobby/cafe as their workspace as well and Mr. Yogesh was one of the most hospitable gentlemen we met who graciously helped us out with a room despite no prior booking. Abode is one of the select few hotels which offers accommodation to local residents as well. A quick glance around and we noticed that most of the guests staying at the hotel were an interesting mix of tourists visiting India for the first time and even students pursuing creative arts. The hotel gets busy with bookings closer to mid August with rooms being booked for as long as a month. Not a surprise though considering Abode is the perfect option for someone who is on a budget in the city.

We chose the basic room which is priced at Rs 3500/ plus taxes per night and includes a complimentary seasonal breakfast. With an ensuite shower plus basin, an LCD TV, Queen size bed, wardrobe, a writing desk and in room-safe the basic room is ideal for couples and individuals looking for some tranquility. What we liked best were the fluffy pillows and soft lights which make you feel at peace with your surroundings. The bath products made with natural ingredients are definitely worth a try with their lingering fragrance and ayurvedic properties. The only downside being the shared toilets across the hallway. However, the staff ensures that bathrooms are kept clean and impeccable day and night.

En-suite Shower

The Basic Room at Abode

There are 3 different room options available for guests apart from the basic rooms- the simple, luxury and superior luxury rooms. Each room has been done up distinctively and features handmade deco art, wood and teak flooring, and restored Indian furniture. Another service that we found quite helpful was a direct dial mobile phone placed in each room with a prepaid SIM card recharged for a particular amount via which one can reach the hotel staff. This is definitely helpful for expat tourists who seem to love the hotel with rooms booked for as long as a month. Additionally, every room also has high speed complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi to keep you connected to the world outside.The hotels also offers a spa/ treatment facility for its guests to unwind and relax.

Abode's proximity to some of the best restaurants and clubs in the vicinity make it an ideal destination to unwind within the city itself whilst enjoying a relaxing, peaceful ambiance which makes you feel like you're away from the hustle- bustle that is Mumbai.

The complimentary seasonal breakfast is something health aficionados and foodies would love to indulge in alike with a spread of fresh fruits, freshly squeezed juices, cereals, breads, homemade yoghurt, Indian breakfast items and eggs made to order. We chose the cheese omelette which was perfectly seasoned and oozed with delicious, cheesy goodness.

Table laid out for breakfast in the cafe

Our delicious cheese omelette

The hotel also facilitated the option of a late checkout if required without any extra charges and that definitely made it to our list of favorite places to stay at.

We came back feeling happy, rejuvenated and revitalized after this blissful experience at Abode. A must visit for its ambiance and the lovely service from the friendly and very accommodating staff.

For further details and bookings you can log on to:

www.abodeboutiquehotels.com

A Beachy Affair- Sagar Tarang Beach Resort,Alibaug

The month of April been full of long weekends and I couldn't think of a better place to go to than Alibaug The salt in the air, the expansive beaches (which may I add are relatively much cleaner), fairly pleasant weather and not to forget a delicious choice of local coastal delicacies make it the perfect weekend getaway for families and couples alike. Although bookings were full at almost every place that we checked owing to the long weekend, we still managed to zero down on a place which according to me not many people know about. So here's one of my recommendations for an affordable and beautiful place to stay at the next time you visit Alibaug.

Sagar Tarang Beach Resort is the ideal getaway for a peaceful and fun weekend near the sea. Located at Nagaon at a distance of about 5 km ( around 20 minutes) from main Alibaug, the resort comprises of A/C and Non A/C deluxe, super deluxe and sea facing rooms and a private opening to a beautiful beach which one can visit at any hour of the day. With its homely setting and an extremely hospitable staff, one can enjoy a relaxing and memorable experience.

The Rooms

The resort has some of the finest rooms to offer priced at Rs 2500/- for non A/C rooms and Rs 4000/- for A/C rooms with extended checkout till 5 pm without having to pay extra which is something I really loved. The rooms are done up in a simple and rustic manner, keeping in mind that cleanliness is most important for the guests. Each room has an attached bathroom and facilities which include an LCD TV, Refrigerator and Hot Water. 

We chose the non A/C room which surprisingly didn't feel stuffy and was airy and roomy on the contrary, so brownie points for that!

The Food (Unfortunately I don't have pictures)

This was the best part of our stay! Think authentic, home cooked Konkani cuisine. We opted for the Fish Thali and the Chicken Thali each, thinking that this will be one of the regular thali experiences with small bowls of dal, fish curry, chutney and so on. However, we were quite surprised when our food was brought out! The food is prepared by local folk, the way one would see it cooked at their own house and is served quite simply in steel vessels. No fancy presentation and none required I'd say because nothing quite beats the simplicity and flavor of the food served to us. The quantity served is extremely generous and all items are prepared fresh and piping hot. Everything was cooked to perfection and I must say that this was one of the meals I've truly enjoyed and relished. The fish thali is priced at Rs 275/- only with options of pomfret or surmai and the chicken thali is priced at Rs 180/- only. They also have other options like mutton thali, veg thali and egg thali apart from serving breakfast items like upma, poha and shira, evening snacks and tea. I'd say you have to visit especially for the food 

Things to do there

I personally think that the resort brings together everything that you'd love to do. Eat, relax, read a book or take a stroll on the beach or if you'd like to explore your surroundings then take a walk towards main Alibaug and you can even stop at one of the many tiny food stalls and grab a chai or eat hot vada pavs! Since I'm the lazy sort, most of my time was spent lying in the hammock admiring the beauty and tranquility that nature has to offer :)



For more details log on to:
http://sagartarangbeachresort.com/

(Please note that this is an anonymous review)

B.Merwan & Company- The legacy comes to an end

My keen interest in everything related to food has now prompted me to start writing reviews and I hope they are helpful to everyone who loves food as much as I do. And what better way to start with than breakfast! 

A lazy Saturday morning and I was up at 8 am, excited to start my day with some yummy breakfast at B.Merwan & Company which will be shutting shop this month. Unfortunately :(

To start with, the bakery is very convenient located, bang opposite Grant Road Station. One look and you know that this is the place you want to begin your day at. The aroma of freshly baked bread and hot tea being brewed greet you as you enter. The bakery is roomy and homely and they have a separate section for families too :)

They don't believe in a physical menu but instead the friendly waiters announce a very well memorized array of breakfast items. The service is quite prompt and within the first 10 minutes our steaming hot plate of egg bhurji with pav arrived followed by kadak pav generously smeared with butter and the famous Bun Maska- an Irani specialty with a filling of butter accompanied by two cups of steaming milk tea.

To start with the egg bhurji was perfect, not too spicy and not too oily and it was wiped away in seconds. The kadak pav is best eaten dunked in chai and its crunchy texture is delightful. Next up, the bun maska is something one must try and it was true to its description. Light yet buttery and so soft. Again best eaten with chai. We were very keen to try the mawa cake too but being one of the most sought after items, it gets all sold out by 8 am.

We ended our meal with a soft, heavenly piece of bread pudding. Succulent and specked with bits of tutti frutti. It literally melts in the mouth and is definitely worth a try.

And the catch??? All this only for Rs 63/- Extremely filling and such a brilliant spread.

The bakery sells mawa samosas, khari biscuits an kaju cakes along with various other confectionery products.

This was my very first visit yet I left with a heavy heart hoping that this iconic establishment did not have to witness its end so soon.

Do visit B.Merwan once before it shuts which is rumored to happen sometime this month. P.S I don't have proper pictures to go with this review but from next time onward expect a visual delight :)

Address: Frere Bridge, Bharat Nagar, Grant Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007

Phone: 022 2309 3321

Timings: 5:30 am- 6:30 pm

Image Courtesy: Google Images

Re-Born

“Find out who you are and then follow your heart” 

― Kujtim Retkoceri

Writing comes to me only when I'm at the threshold of my most extreme emotions- profound sadness or bright happiness. But when I think deep down its only because I've conditioned myself to believe so.To use writing as a medium only to express myself when I'm overflowing with a particular emotion which happens to be sadness. Probably some of the best poems that I've written are all a result of heart break and gut wrenching pain and that is exactly why I decided that NO MORE.

My writing shouldn't be dependent on how I feel because I love to write and the more I do, the more I'll find myself. Find what I love.Find what makes me happy.Find what my weaknesses are and find the best way to hone my skills.So, here's presenting to you my BRAND NEW Blog 'Some Cheez Pleez' where I will share not only my emotions but bits and pieces of my life. So I haven't found what inspires my writing really, but I hope to be re-born through my words and delve deeper into what life means to me and to begin with I've chosen the title after deep thought. Its light hearted, funny and describes me to the core.I'm cheesy in every way possible :D

So this is just to introduce the new look of my blog. I hope all of you come back to it with more interest and many more suggestions on what I can write about and what is it that you like about it. This is just the beginning and I look forward to a lot of encouragement and support and criticism too :P

Cheers!!!!