Ski You Later

I hate midtown New York as much as the next person. Lame-o tourists, excessively, bright neon lights, and some dude trying to get me to go to a comedy show, is not my idea of a good time. Thankfully there’s finally a respite from hell known as midtown. Aspen Social Club is a comfy Colorado ski lodge right in the art of the Big Apple.

The themed bar is located in hotelier extraordinaire Vikram Chatwal’s new hotel Stay. Frankly, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to stay anywhere near Times Square, but I digress.

The rugged menu features such Rocky Mountain favorites as Elk Sausage Cranberry Compote, Trout Taco, Colorado Lamb Lollipops, and a tribute to former Aspen denizen, Hunter S. Thompson, a shot of Bailey’s topped off with Chivas Regal.

While, I’m definitely not trekking to Times Square just to hang out in a faux ski lodge, the next time I have to take an out-of-town friend/relative to a Broadway play, you know where I’ll be afterwards getting toasted.

Aspen Social Club. 157 West 47^th Street, New York, NY. 212.221.7200 www.aspensocialclub.com
www.stayhotelny.com

Bombay Dreams, Part 2.

Eat
The Scenester. Indigo. The choice of visiting rock stars (Mick Jagger), local Bollywood glitterati, and listed by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the 60 best restaurants in the world, Indigo is THE place to dine when in Mumbai. 4 Mandlik House, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001. Tel: 91 22 5636 8999.

The Health Nut. Pure. The all white decor and organic international menu (yes organic in Mumbai), and juice bar will wow foodies and macrobiotics alike. Taj Lands Hotel, Bandra West. Tel: 91 22 6668 1234. www.tajhotels.com

The Snacker. Swati Snacks. A vegetarian junk food paradise, patrons can revel in the deliciousness of dal dhoklis, jaggery, and paanki. 248 Karai Estate, Tardeo Road.
Tel: 91 22 2492 0994.

Nightlife
The Clubber: Enigma. THE hottest club at the moment counts itself as one of Aishwarya's favorites. A combo of western and Bollywood music and well-known DJs keep the crowds coming. J W Marriott Hotel, Juhu Tara Road, Tel: 91-22 5693 3287. Couples only.

The Historian: Leopold Cafe and Bar. This Mumbai institution has been around since the days of the British Raj and still continues to attract travelers seeking to swap subcontinental tales. CNR Colaba Causeway & Nawroji F Rd Tel: 91 22 2202 0131

The Chiller: Mocha Bar. This coffeeshop/bar stays open late, plays world music, features comfy sofa seating, and has plenty of hookahs to go around. What more can you ask for? Best location: 82 Veer Nariman Rd. Tel: 91 22 6633 6070.www.mocha.co.in

The Rocker. Ghetto. OK so India isn't exactly known for its raging rock scene. But Ghetto is probably the best you're going to get in Mumbai. A dingy, graffiti covered bar playing a rock/pop mix can be a welcome respite from all of the other glossy Bollywood clubs. 30 Bhulabhai Desai Marg Tel: 022 2353 8418

Bombay Dreams, Part 1

Beautiful people, trendy nightclubs, cows roaming the streets, and crazy rikshaw drivers. Glamorous and gritty, Mumbai has always been a city of vast contradictions. You know about Chowpatty Beach, Chor Bazaar, and Crawford Market, but there's more to Mumbai ........ and its ready to explode.

Sleep
Old school. The Taj. he granddaddy of all hotel is still one of the most luxurious hotels in all of India. Situated next to The Gateway of India, with views of the Arabian Sea and a nightclub (Insomnia) on the premises, you can't go wrong. Apollo Bunder, Tel: 91 22 5665 3366, www.tajhotels.com.

The Modernist. The Oberoi. With butlers on every floor and impeccably trained staff, it's no wonder that Bill Clinton stayed here. Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021,Tel: 91 22 6632 5757. www.oberoimumbai.com

The Minimalist. The Gordon Hotel. Although the Gordon is a boutique hotel, it doesn't mean they don't know how to party. The adjacent Polly Ester's nightclub (not as cheesy as the States) and Stir Fry restaurant will keep you entertained and well-fed until the wee hours. 5 Battery Street, Apollo Bunder, Colaba. Tel: 91 22 2287 1122. www.ghhotel.com

Shopping
The Classic. Ensemble. Home to designers Manish Malhotra, Wendell Rodericks, as well as owner Tarun Tahiliani's own designs, Ensemble is a sure fire bet when you're looking for upscale desi wear. Great Western Building, 130/132, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg. Tel: 91 22 2284 3227.

The Trendster. The Courtyard. A complex of 15 stores (choices, choices!), shoppers can find designers Ashish N Soni, Rajesh Pratap Singh, and Rohit Bal among others. SP Centre 41/44 Minoo Desai Marg, Colaba.

The Beauty Junkie. Forest Essentials. After shopping all day, you'll need to refresh your weary self. So head to Forest Essentials and stock up on all kinds of ayurvedic goodies from honey cleansers to sandalwood and rose lotions. 12 Tirupati Apartments, Bhulabhai Desai Road. Breach Candy. Tel: 91 22 3290 8114. www.forestessentialsindia.com

Now that you're shopped out go back to your hotel and rest. Hot clubs, amazing restaurants and more await you. Stay tuned for part 2....

Bollywood Nights

Ever dream of dancing around a tree while simultaneously changing saris / kurtas, and having Shah Rukh / Aishwarya chase you around?

If so, then Houston, TX has the bar for you. Bar Bollywood, already a hit in London, is bringing its desi flavor to the Houston nightlife scene. With Bollywood movies playing silently in the background, and a mixture of South Asian and Western tunes, the upscale bar will also feature yoga classes and ayurvedic meals before its time to drink. So after you cleanse all the “toxins” you can add them back in with their themed drinks. Concoctions such as Ash-Weary Rai, ShahRukh Sunset, and Madhurita will keep revelers partying til the wee hours.

If you’re in a mellower mood, you can head upstairs to the Butterfly Lounge or if you’re hungry head next door to Yatra (same owners) for some tasty-licious Indian and Pakistani dishes.

So put on your dancing shoes and make your way to Bar Hollywood. “Kajare re, kajare re, tere kale, tere kale naina….”

Bar Bollywood, 902 Capitol Street, Houston, TX 77002 Tel: 713.224.6700