So Cheesy

And the winner for best comfort food is... Peanut Butter and Jelly? Khichdi Kahdi? Nope.

The absolute best comfort food has got to be good ol’ fashioned mac n’cheese. Which is S’Mac in New York’s East Village is the best thing to ever happen on planet Earth.

Owner, chef and desi girl, Sarita Ekya was all ready to pursue a career in biomedical engineering, when she realized what the world really needed was not another engineer but more macaroni and cheese.

At S’Mac (“S” being short for Sarita), she whips up a variety of tasty delights including the 4 Cheese, Manchego, Goat Cheese, and Cajun. Deeeeeeelish!!!!!

Our stomachs thank her.

S’Mac, 345 East 12^th Street, New York. Tel: 212.358.7912.

www.smacnyc.com

Electric Elettaria

Oftentimes fusion food can be soooooo contrived and predictable. So I was presently surprised by Elettaria, where I finally dined on Sunday after much anticipation. Chefs Akhtar Newab and Noel Cruz seem to be more influenced by their Asian-American (India and Philippines, respectively) upbringings more than by a specific desire to cook “fusion” food. The first generation boys use the spices of their respective homelands, while still acknowledging their American upbringings.

I had the triggerfish with sunchoke fondue, ravoli and papadum. When’s the last time you had that at a fusion restaurant? I’m guessing never, which is exactly what I loved about Elettaria. The combination of European, American, and Indian elements was well-executed and blended in such a way I hardly thought of it as fusion. I finished off with the milk doughnuts served with ginger custard and chai gelato. I was licking the plate clean it was so good.

Tres delicious.

Elettaria, 33 West 8th Street, New York, NY. Tel: 212-677-3833 www.elettarianyc.com

Crazy Delicious

Riddle me this. If you could combine the best of desi food with the finesse of an 5 star wine list, what might you get?

Answer: Tanzore.

Los Angeleno Nikki Sood collaborated with her father Sudesh Sood on revamping the classic Indian restaurant, Gaylord in 1994 before creating Tanzore. Adding to the team are executive chef Gautam Chaudhry, former chef at the Oberoi in Delhi and sous chef Vikramjit Singh.

Proving that Tanzore isn’t your typical Indian restaurant, the wine cellar boasts over 2,000 bottles all carefully selected to complement the Indian fusion menu.

Dishes include Seared Tuna and Avocado Raita, Tandoori Seabass, and Kashmiri Lamb Curry. Top it all off with a Bollywood Hamgama, a decadent drink with chai cream liqueur and a dollop of cardamom cream.

Wipe that drool off your lip.

Tanzore, 50 La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
Tel: 310.652.3894. www.tanzore.com

Love Makes the World Go Round

"Ishq ishq karna hai kar le
Ishq ishq mein jee le mar le
Ishq ishq hai sab se pyaara"

Wiser words have never been said. If love is the sweetest of all, then new Miami restaurant Ishq is a spoonful of sugar. Ishq is the brainchild of husband and wife Sham and Kavita Kamlani, with Kavita serving as executive chef. The fusion restaurant remains true to the flavors of India while combining elements from Persia, China, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England.

Some of the highlights? The Lakshmana, a cocktail of chai tea infused rum with pomegranate and mango juice, Ahi Tuna Pondicherry (encrusted with indian spices) and Bombay Baby Back Ribs (grilled with tamarind bbq sauce) with Masala Fries. Yumeroo!

How can you not ishq this place?

Ishq, 530 Ocean Drive, Miami, Fl. Tel: 305.532.4747.

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....

Dosalicious

The children were asleep while visions of sambar and chutney danced in their heads….

Huh?

When most people they think of a “crepe”, they conjure up an image of the pancake-like creation of the French variety, filled with the likes of nutella and bananas.

Of course, if your desi, or even more specifically South Indian, you know better.

Dosa, a San Francisco restaurant dedicated to the almighty rice crepe, is a temple for all those who grew up on the tasty treat. Filled with delicious combos of zucchini, chutneys, paneer, nuts, onions, and yes even mozzarella cheese, these dosas will have your mouth watering for more.

Traditional Indian food this is not. With minimalist orange colored walls and thin hanging lights, Dosa is the place to bring your best friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, cousin visiting from out of state not Uncle and Aunty visiting from India, (mango soju cocktails anyone?).

The French have nothing on us.

Dosa, 995 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA. 415.642.3672. www.dosasf.com

Swiss Cheese

Idyllic green pastures, snow-capped mountains, Sridevi dancing passionately through the flowered fields. If you grew up watching Bollywood movies, you know this scene.

Ah, Switzerland the backdrop of many an 80’s Bollywood film, affected an entire generation of movie goers with visions of blue skies and plump cows, (okay, there were plenty of cows in India too).

Of course, Switzerland soon became too common, and dream sequences moved to more exotic locals in the Caribbean. However, Switzerland will always have a fond place in our hearts.

Which is why the Bollywood Restaurant, is soooo perfect.

After dancing around a few trees, you can climb (or take a train) to the Jungfrau mountain (aka “The Top of Europe”), pose for pictures with the ice sculptures at the top and treat yourself to lovely delicious Indian meal at the very summit of the mountain.

Yes that’s right. The Bollywood Restaurant is in fact located at the top of one of the highest peaks in Europe. Dedicated to all things Bollywood and covered with posters of your favorite stars, the restaurant can help indulge your old school heroine fantasies, while feeding you copious helpings of desi food.

Chandni, oh meri Chandni….

Bollywood Restaurant, 3801 Eigergletscher Tel +41 (0)33 828 78 88.

The Pink City

“Pink is the navy blue of India”, Diana Vreeland, once astutely remarked oh-so many years ago. And when you visit Jaipur, you’ll realize she was right.

SLEEP
Liz Hurley threw Arun Nayar’s 40^th birthday here, French Vogue’s Carine Roitfeld is rumored to have stayed here, and well, it’s fabulous. Devi Garh, the painfully luxurious 18^th century palace turned hotel features suites embellished with marble and semi-precious stones, swimming pools with mountain views. This is way better than Uma’s house. Devi Garh, deviresorts.com

SHOP
French jeweler Marie-Helene de Taillac and Munnu Kasliwal of the famed Gem Palace have partnered together to create Hot Pink, the first concept store in Jaipur. Hot Pink brings together the best of contemporary Indian design and fashion, stocking lines such as Abraham and Thakore, Bounipun,Manish Arora, and Tulsi. Hot stuff indeed. Hot Pink, www.hotpinkindia.com

EAT
Hungry out-of-towners like Naomi Campbell and home grown royalty like Amitabh Bachchan eat at Niros Restaurant for some of the best Rajastani food in the area. It’s not exactly the hottest or trendiest spot, but with a menu that ranges from Rajastani to Chinese to Continental everyone is bound to be happy. Niros Restaurant www.nirosindia.com