THEGUIDE
mumbai
FAHTHAI
121
1 _
WHAT WE
RECOMMEND
Mumbai’s
masala chai
fuels city workers, busy
Bollywood starlets and
cricketing greats. One of
the best places to try a
steaming-hot cuppa is the
old-school Yadzani Bakery
in Fort, opposite the Flora
Fountain. Everyone knows
it for its friendly service
and lip-smacking
brun
maska
(buttery buns).
2 _
KNOW THE
NUMBER
Mumbai is known
worldwide for its army of
dhobi wallahs
(laundry
men). At Dhobi Ghat,
tourists can look on
as the men pound the
laundry in the world’s
biggest open-air washing
machine. The city is
home to around 5,000
dhobi wallahs, all men.
3 _
TAJ SALON
Hidden away in the Taj
Palace hotel, this is one
of the sleekest salons
in town. Threading,
manicures and pedicures
are all on offer in
sumptuous surroundings
care of a crack team of
well-trained staffers.
COUNTRY
CODE
+91
EXCHANGE
RATE
INR61 = US$1
FREQUENCY
1 flight per day
DEEP FEELINGS
The Kanheri
Caves attract
couples seeking
alone time
C A V E W A L K
Top 3
insider
travel tips
Rest Your Head
GORDON HOUSE HOTEL
If you need to be at the centre
of things, this dinky designer
hotel is hard to beat: it’s right
in the heart of Colaba. Smart,
minimalist rooms and an
excellent on-site Asian fusion
restaurant round out the
experience.
(ghhotel.com)
WATERSTONES
The main draw of this smartly
designed, all-suite hotel – the
décor is based around natural
elements – is its leisure facilities.
An infinity pool and squash and
tennis courts give it a club-like
atmosphere.
(waterstoneshotel.com)
Top Tables
INDIGO
A stellar wine list, glamorous
clientele and modern European
flavours make Indigo a must for
foodies. Expect a dressed-to-
the-nines crowd in the evening
and dishes like saffron ravioli
and squid risotto.
(foodindigo.com)
MARITIME BY SAN LORENZO
London’s starry San Lorenzo
restaurant celebrated its 50th
anniversary last year and
owner Lorenzo Berni chose Taj
Lands End Mumbai to make
his international debut. Serving
homey Italian food, inspired
by Lorenzo’s family recipes,
the restaurant fills up fast and
attracts an upscale clientele:
dress to impress and book
ahead.
(tajhotels.com)
Bottoms Up
REFLECTIONS
Hidden away in the glamorous
environs of the JWMarriott
on Juhu beach, Reflections is
a great spot for a bit of people
watching with cocktail in hand.
(marriott.com)
Stop to Shop
NIKASHA
Much loved by the media in
India – and with a growing
international following – the
Nikasha label spells glamorous,
bohemian clothing.
(nikasha.com)
Mumbai
TEXT: CAROLINE EDEN; IMAGE: CORBIS
