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Continuing the wave of change after Tamra and much recently Sorrento at the newly revived Shangri-La#39;s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi is this Italian bar import. At the helm of Grappa is international mixologist Mario Gonzalez Cabildo along with one of our best homegrown talent, Gaurav Dhyani, who you may have spotted at Taj’s Blue Bar earlier. We stepped in for a Tuesday pick-me-up and were taken in!
AMBIENCE
Grappa is Italian for a drink distilled from the fermented residue of grapes after they’ve been pressed in winemaking, but this bar is no afterthought. Cross the lobby and you’ll spot a cute lambretta adorning the entrance that leads to warm wooden interiors and muted lights. The tone is decisively contemporary Italian in terms of style and elegance, while exuding a homely living room vibe.
A quick stroll leads you to French windows that open into a beautiful patio, which is where we plonked ourselves to soak in the leftovers of Delhi’s spring. Canopied sofas outside and large wooden tables inside are segmented by faux walls, which lend a very stately yet non-uptight character.
FOOD + DRINKS
The bar menu is an eclectic mix of cocktails that come laden with rare Italian aperitifs next to handcrafted tipples. We recommend you don’t go for the “usual order” here, as Mario has designed unique concoctions and you’ll find the bartenders use their talents well.
With a collection of classic cocktails made using aged spirits, bitters, sours and much more – we started with a round of the highly recommended Grappa Negroni (Rs 799) with gin, Campari, dubonnet and Martini Rosso along with orange and lemon bitters. Packing a big punch, it’s exactly what you need after a hard day. Pair this with cicchetti (Italian for small plates) from the Tapas style menu that includes a platter of hearty Bruschettas (Rs 775) with seasonal tomato and basil rocket salad, roast chicken and wild mushrooms with parmesan snow, figs and mint with culatello ham and oven roasted squash and sage with goat cheese crumble.
Next up was the kitsch Indian Sour (Rs 799) – a balanced drink with walnut infused bourbon and fig puree. Breezy and easy on the palate, this could soon replace our Sangria cravings. For those who are a little more adventurous, there’s Pisco Sour (Rs 799) with Pisco, egg white and angostura bitters that is perfect for anyone who steers clear of sweet mixtures. Selections from here match well with the Frito (Rs 575), from which we picked the lightly fried mushrooms, olives and pickled chilli with a blue cheese dip and crisp fried shrimps in spicy tomato dressing. There are also some salads that you can dig in to or the Lamb Picatta (Rs 575) with chimichuri that got a unanimous thumbs up.
End the night with a New York Sour High Ball (Rs 799) or a Sangria (Rs 799). While the former is for ladies who don’t mind going beyond vodka, the latter is a perfect accompaniment to weekend brunches. In case you need more carbs to soak up all this liquid goodness, the Sorranto menu is available here as well.
IN A NUTSHELL
WH Verdict: A grappa you’ll remember even after the evening has worn off!
Meal for Two: Rs 3,000
Cuisine: Bar Bites
Review Other Details: Grappa on What#39;s Hot
They are also on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShangrilaNewDelhi
**The writer was invited by the bar to preview their menu**
Takar Nabam, the Delhi based musician with roots in Arunachal Pradesh is all set to stun you this weekend with an enthralling live performance at Depot29. His debut album Same Sky released this February and original songs from the album and even newer numbers will keep the audiences engaged for the evening along with some mellifluous strumming of the guitar. Let the music of love play on!
The 4th Pratibimb Natya Utsav is a 6 day theatre festival that shows 6 different plays on each day, directed by different renowned theatre directors and actors
Day 1
Jaisa Tum Kaho
Directed by: Chitra Singh
The play deals with an old couple where the husband tries to fulfil all the desire of his wife and children and says “Jaisa tum kaho” on every demand. On the counterpart, he lives a life which is deprived of love and affection from his children. The play has an essence that prosperity and materialism has reduced the family values
The play is a heart rendering portrayal of the joys, sorrows and the trials of this elderly couple.
Day 2
Khamosh Adaalat jaari hai
Directed by: Rajesh Babbar
The play indicts a male-oriented society, reflecting a feminist viewpoint. At another level it deals with the mask and the real face and the relationship of art to life.
The play in totality would present a perfect package of humour, underlining, at the same time the core message.
Day 3
Gareeb Nawaz
Directed by: Davender Raj Ankur
An NRI opens a BPO Company, which becomes hugely successful. His problems start arising when a man opens a ‘Gareeb Nawaz’ chicken shop nearby his office and he objects against it. The situation complicates when another man opens up a ‘Narayan Bhojnalaya’ near the office and an allegation of spreading violence is put on him. What happens next?
Bayaan
Directed By: Ravi Taneja
The play deals with the struggle of a couple, where both the people are theatre artists. There is not much money in the theatre business and the husband decides to do another job, which does not bring any fruit. This causes distress in the couple and their marriage.
A strange turn of events causes the husband to die a natural death, which appears as a suicide with the wife to blame. She gives her explanation, the bayaan, which forms the core of the play.
Time: 7:45 PM
Day 4
Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya O Jamya Nahi
Directed by: Ravi Taneja
The story of the play, set in 1947, is about an old Hindu woman in Lahore who, robbed of her son and family as a result of the riots at partition, refuses to be robbed of her home by a Muslim refugee family from Lucknow.
Day 5
Madhavi
Directed by: Ashraf Ali
This play revolves around Madhavi, who is the daughter of a king, who leaves his kingdom with her and stays in an ashram. She is donated to a disciple of Rishi Vishwamitra; Galav. She is multi talented and the king hopes that she would help Galav to collect the horses. She keeps up to her promise and at the end when Galav collects the desired number of horses, he abandons and leaves Madhavi.
Entry Fees: Free (First-come-First-Serve basis)
Sufiana Rang 3 brings together two sufi maestros together on one stage, Sabri Brothers and Nizami Brothers, for a live performance. Sabri Brothers - Saeed Sabri , Fareed Sabri and Ameen Sabri(Jaipur)along with Nizami Brothers - Ghulam Sabir and Ghulam Waris will be sharing a stage for the first time, capturing the beautiful traditions of suifism, as a Holi special performance, in the capital.
Some of the famous qawwali’s of the Sabri Brothers are - Zinda Rehne Ke Liye Teri Kasam (movie Sirf Tum), Ho Ggaya Hai Muhe Pyaar (movie Pardes) and Der Na Ho Jaaye Kahin (movie Heena). The popular hits of Nizami Borthers include Chap Tilak Sab Chini, Man Kunto Maula, Dama Dam Mast Qalander, to name a few.
Entry: Rs 500 (silver), Rs 1,000 (gold), Rs 2,000 (platinum) and Rs 3,000 (VIP)
Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com
One of the best and the funniest Stand up Comedy show by Karunesh Talwar, Gaurav Kapoor and Abijit Ganguly will performed at Manhattan Craft Brewery. Abhijit ganguly is a very known comedian who is good at performing in English and hindi both. On the other hand karunesh Talwar is a 23 yrs old talented stand up comedian and a writer at Weirdass Comedy and All India Bakchod as well.
Entry : Rs. 500
Note : For 25 years old and above.
As the sun gets warmer and winter slowly paves way for spring and then summer, we prepare to bid adieu to the smoky barbecue season but not before a final bite into some divinely delicious grill at the Chutney, Bar + Tandoor, The Metropolitan Hotel Spa. This 18 day festival beginning on the ides of March will continue till the last day of the month and will delight guests with their mouth watering meat and vegetarian kebabs and other Indian delicacies. Vegetarians will find themselves busying in Corn Makai Ke Kebab, Multani Paneer Tikka, Anjeer Ki Seekh while the meat lovers can find solace in Murgh Garlic Tikka, Sunhari Macchi, Mutton Husani Seekh and much more. And it all comes accompanied by a warming shot of alcohol. The dinner services start at 7 pm and continue till 11 in the night.
Price: Starting at Rs 555 plus taxes
Directed by - K. S. Rajendran
The play takes you through a journey of one of the most violent and controvertial ruler of his time; Aurengzeb. He is believed to have save his empire by capturing his own father after he nearly bankrupted the empire.
The play depicts the struggles and the mindset of Aurengzeb, when Shahjahan had nearly destructed his empire with his passion for the Taj Mahal and planned at building another one opposite to it. Aurenzeb decided to stop his father and capture him in the fort opposite to the Taj Mahal, with just one peephole to look at it.
Duration – 1.5 hours
Tickets available at Bookmyshow.com
Note - For 16 years old and above
The oldest city in the world doesn#39;t just come with a myriad of temples, ghaats, rituals and painted faces; it also comes with flavours that speak of a history as rich as the city itself.
As part of Rivaayat - The Indian Culinary Conclave, the nine day long Banaras Ka Khana festival at Threesixtyone° will showcase some of the finest food right from its street fare to eternal classics, all curated by Chef Ravitej Nath and Sangeeta Khanna. And of course, when in Banaras you can#39;t possibly miss the trail of rich dairy dishes, as the menu clearly indicates. Start off your sojourn with Chhene Ke Dahi Badey, and then go on to Khoya Matar Makhane Ki Subzi, Bhuni Kaleji and Chicken Ishtoo. An assortment of rotis such as Bajre, Missi and plain old Tawa alongside Khoye ka Parantha will keep you perfect company while the extensive dessert menu doesn’t disappoint with Pedas, Malaiyyo and much more. So head there between March 18th to 26th and indulge in the divinity of ancient flavours from an unforgettable city.
The festival is available in buffet, a la carte and as a special set menu for lunch and as a la carte and set menu for dinner.
Lunch Buffet: Rs 2650 plus taxes per person
Set Menu: Starting from Rs 2950 per person plus taxes
Break away from your midweek crises with a generous serving of RnB and soul music at The Piano Man Jazz Club.
Acapella artist and composer Kamakshi Khanna Collective will bring your evening alive with some soothing tunes in the warm interiors of this cosy jazz club. The Collective’s debut EP ‘Much Mellow’ was launched in December 2014 and since then, they have only soared in popularity. So drop in and indulge your senses in a soulful extravaganza.
Continuing the wave of change after Tamra and much recently Sorrento at the newly revived Shangri-La#39;s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi is this Italian bar import. At the helm of Grappa is international mixologist Mario Gonzalez Cabildo along with one of our best homegrown talent, Gaurav Dhyani, who you may have spotted at Taj’s Blue Bar earlier. We stepped in for a Tuesday pick-me-up and were taken in!
AMBIENCE
Grappa is Italian for a drink distilled from the fermented residue of grapes after they’ve been pressed in winemaking, but this bar is no afterthought. Cross the lobby and you’ll spot a cute lambretta adorning the entrance that leads to warm wooden interiors and muted lights. The tone is decisively contemporary Italian in terms of style and elegance, while exuding a homely living room vibe.
A quick stroll leads you to French windows that open into a beautiful patio, which is where we plonked ourselves to soak in the leftovers of Delhi’s spring. Canopied sofas outside and large wooden tables inside are segmented by faux walls, which lend a very stately yet non-uptight character.
FOOD + DRINKS
The bar menu is an eclectic mix of cocktails that come laden with rare Italian aperitifs next to handcrafted tipples. We recommend you don’t go for the “usual order” here, as Mario has designed unique concoctions and you’ll find the bartenders use their talents well.
With a collection of classic cocktails made using aged spirits, bitters, sours and much more – we started with a round of the highly recommended Grappa Negroni (Rs 799) with gin, Campari, dubonnet and Martini Rosso along with orange and lemon bitters. Packing a big punch, it’s exactly what you need after a hard day. Pair this with cicchetti (Italian for small plates) from the Tapas style menu that includes a platter of hearty Bruschettas (Rs 775) with seasonal tomato and basil rocket salad, roast chicken and wild mushrooms with parmesan snow, figs and mint with culatello ham and oven roasted squash and sage with goat cheese crumble.
Next up was the kitsch Indian Sour (Rs 799) – a balanced drink with walnut infused bourbon and fig puree. Breezy and easy on the palate, this could soon replace our Sangria cravings. For those who are a little more adventurous, there’s Pisco Sour (Rs 799) with Pisco, egg white and angostura bitters that is perfect for anyone who steers clear of sweet mixtures. Selections from here match well with the Frito (Rs 575), from which we picked the lightly fried mushrooms, olives and pickled chilli with a blue cheese dip and crisp fried shrimps in spicy tomato dressing. There are also some salads that you can dig in to or the Lamb Picatta (Rs 575) with chimichuri that got a unanimous thumbs up.
End the night with a New York Sour High Ball (Rs 799) or a Sangria (Rs 799). While the former is for ladies who don’t mind going beyond vodka, the latter is a perfect accompaniment to weekend brunches. In case you need more carbs to soak up all this liquid goodness, the Sorranto menu is available here as well.
IN A NUTSHELL
WH Verdict: A grappa you’ll remember even after the evening has worn off!
Meal for Two: Rs 3,000
Cuisine: Bar Bites
Review Other Details: Grappa on What#39;s Hot
They are also on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShangrilaNewDelhi
**The writer was invited by the bar to preview their menu**
Resident at Guildhall School of Music, this bass clarinet and percussion duo will be playing out an evening of contemporary and unique notes. The duo came together in 2010 and have since performed at Wigmore Hall, St Martin the Fields, Milton Court, TripSpace, Guidhall School Music Hall, Valencia Music Hall, Quartell Auditorium and Valencia International Performance Academy. David Six will also be a part of the evening and premiere the works of Delhi based composers.
Ever wondered about the sounds of South America? Well, here’s your chance to get a firsthand account of music across countries and continents. The indie project Ensamble Transatlántico de Folk Chileno brings together musicians from Chile and the world to produce a balance of folk and classical music. Cueca, Huayno, Huachaca jazz, Mapuche singing, and rhythms of African descent are some of its signature sounds. Give your weekend an early start at The Piano Man Jazz Club and get grooving to some authentic world music.
Bangalore based Audio Units known for their futuristic sound topped off with house influences will be taking Informal by storm this weekend. The dynamic DJ duo have already played at festivals across the country such as Sunburn, Supersonic, Go:Madras and have an impressive repertoire of both Indian and international labels such as Bermudos, Balkan Connection, 3AM, Qilla, Wind Horse Records, Juicebox Music and many more. Entry to the event is free so all you need to do is simply drop by and groove.
Entry: Free
An interactive play, where Priyanka Patel takes you through the musical journey of Sufism from the 8th Century A.D. to the present. Anurag Dhoundeyal, with his soulful voice and compositions, helps you touch upon the lives of Sufi saints.
Through narrations and live music, the play explores how Sufi music has, and still continues to touch our lives.
Entry – First-come-first-serve basis.
The annual Holi celebration at IHC is here, with Raag Rang Rasiya and Hori Dhoom Macho Ri. Both the segments for the evening comes with its own unique performances. Enjoy an evening of live music with renowned vocalist Vidya Shah as part of Raag Rang Rasiya; while the later will present a beautiful kathak performance, choreographed by Kathak Kendra, which reenactes the play of colours, illustrating the joyful scene in Vrindavan where Krishna, the timeless dancer , connect with his devotees in the fun , beauty and joy of Holi.
Adding colours to this Holi with flowers and fragrance, there will be delicious wares to taste, like Thandai, Dal Pakori with mooli Lachcha, Papri Chaat, Aloo Tikki, Machhi Pakora, Chicken Tikka, Keema Kaleji served with Kulcha, Soya Chaamp, Paneer Masala Kurchan served with Kulcha Malpua with Rabri, Khoya ghujia and More.
Entry: free
Food: Rs 100 – Rs 300
A storytelling studio is organizing a story session for small kids titled “Kaahani in Chopat Style”.
There will be fun activities for kids like story telling technique in traditional chopat style ,treasure hunt , learning to appreciate colors in life and holi celebration. Also kids will also enjoy stories like “”How birds got colorful feathers”, “A South American folktale celebrating colors and much more….
For more details contact : 9818885554
Age group : 3.5 yrs to 7 years
The quintessential Mumbai Irani café and bar, Soda Bottle Opener Wala, is here with their Parsi New Year celebration - Navroze Bhonu, across all four days. Celebrating the occasion with great music and delicious food, with dishes like Engna Nu Achar, the Parsi favourite brinjal pickle to be paired with - Saria, Parsi Papad, Salad Shirazi, Chutney Eeda Na Pattice, home-style Masala Ni Dal, hearty Mutton Pulav, Kachumbar (mixed salad), Jardaloo Chicken cooked the Parsi way with apricots and Rotli, (Parsi rotis).
For dessert, one can can go for Ravo, the sweet semolina pudding with Falooda or Rose Milk with vermicelli and ice-cream, to end the meal on a sweet note.
Price: Rs 500 (vegetarian) and Rs 600 (non-vegetarian)
Note: This offer is available across all their outlets.
With Holi around the corner, Dao celebrates the spirit of the festival with colourful dim sums varieties which comes with a dash of style. The restaurant blends it with the most awaited festival of the country to make it the most exciting combination of the season.
Steamed snack with variable dips to bathe your taste buds into the flood of colorful flavors. Colourful Thai dim sums, with its melt in mouth dough and uniquely appealing stuffing will definitely brighten up your festive day.
Be spoilt for choice to choose your favorites from the wide menu that seeks to perfectly balance the sweet, sour, salty and fiery flavors of True Thai Dining.
This show by Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood of Whose Line Is It Anyway fame is a 90-minute improv comedy piece that is entirely driven by audience participation. Guests from the audience are often brought up on the stage to add to the unexpected. The opening act of the evening will be by Anu Menon, one of India’s funniest stand-up comedians.
Note: Suitable for ages 21 years and above
Ticket prices: Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,250
Tickets available on BookMyShow
Teen Natak is an initiative by Ateleir to promote theatre in colleges.
It will feature 3 different plays on 3 days, performed by different colleges.
Blithe Spirit - Play
Date - 18th March, 2016
Time - 7 PM – 8 PM
Directed by - Vishwas Sastry
Cast - Uday Mathur, Vidushi Chadha, Saniya Khan, Tarunika Sharma, Abhinav Rai Gupta, Sanjula Yadav, Parth Singh
Set up in the heart of Delhi, the play involves protagonist and skeptical writer Kabir Mathur along with his socialite wife Devika Mathur who host a dinner at their residence. They invite their friends Dr. Pranav Sinha and his wife Rhea, along with a self-proclaimed medium Anna Arcati who performs a séance to talk to the dead. During the séance, the hapless psychic accidentally summons the spirit of Kabir#39;s late wife Naina, who wants to destroy his second marriage and kill him.
Humor strikes as Kabir’s life and home are quickly turned into a shambles as his wife#39;s ghost torments both himself and his new wife, Devika. What follows is a comedy of Kabir torn between the angry spirits of Naina and Devika.
Note - For 12 years old and above
Characters Revolt
Date - 19th March, 2016
Time - 7 pm – 8 pm
Director - Aakash Ahuja
Destiny has two ways of crushing us - by refusing our wishes or by fulfilling them.
Karan, Vivaan and Lakhan have finally reached home on the night of their graduation with three girls to complete their pact. But destiny plays a cruel game and their story comes to a halt. What happens when they decide to disturb fate and write their own story on the blank pages? Will fate bend to meet them halfway or have the blank pages already been filled?
Note - For 12 years old and above
Snoop Dogg
Date - 20th March, 2016
Time - 7 pm - 7:40 pm
Directed by: Ruchi Chaudhary
It is an original play inspired by Saadat Hasan Manto#39;s short story, #39;The Dog of Tithwal#39;.
It follows the fate of an unassuming stray mongrel that gets caught in the crossfire of two staunchly opposed rival camps of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Each camp plots viciously to lure the dog to their side, wanting to make a citizen out of him.
This darkly comedic satire uses exaggerated caricatures, song, situations and objects to jibe at everyday-prejudices and discrimination based on food habits. Using the languages of Hindi and English, Snoop Dog is a socio-political satire on brazen intolerance and jingoistic patriotism.
Note: Language - Bilingual
We’ve admitted before that browsing food delivery apps and websites is our newfound obsession. So while the world wide web throws up many an interesting option every time we log on, the recently launched Foozy caught our attention, and boy are we glad it did! The slick looking newbie really serves up food to match some of the suburb’s best eateries. Run by a team that includes Food Consultant/Chef Manav Sharma and other fanatic connoisseurs, their global (we abhor the term multi-cuisine) menu reads like a hungry mind’s wet dream.
Easy to browse and delicious to look at, the interface is clean with six basic categories. What’s Trending includes the du jour options that change daily, so you’ll find comforting flavours of Mumbaiya Ishtyle Pataka Keema Pao (Rs 250) next to the more refined Chargrilled Veggie Thai Satay with Peanut Dip (Rs 150). We’ve tried the Lentil Tender Kebabs with Apricot and Mayo Dip (Rs 150) from there, also listed under Small Plates, and polished it off in minutes. Also from the Small Plates came the Asian Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers (Rs 175) that were juicy and succulent down to the last bite. There’s a Lighter Side too for the healthy eaters with salads, soups and super foods including a wholesome Moroccan Couscous Salad with Grilled Chicken (Rs 225) packed with subtle spices and grilled chicken that held the dish together.
The main event is the Big Plates with contenders like an indulgent Creamy Chicken Stroganoff with Parsley Rice (Rs 250) alongside the piquant regional favourite Coorgi Tender Lamb Curry with Buttered Rice (Rs 300) as well as a Khao Suey that you shouldn’t miss considering it used to be a specialty at Manav’s last restaurant – The Kitchen. For a carb hit, Between Breads features burgers we’re eyeing for our next meal or you can just go sweet with the Moist Banana Cake With Butterscotch Sauce (Rs 110) that has light caramel-y tones. Portions are excellent and made for sharing, so order more and eat in a group.
As a plus, the packaging is cheery and sent in convenient microwavable boxes, though they need to be careful with curries. Foozy is doing most things right and if they maintain standards at these prices, they’ve got a clear winner on their hands! Currently delivering to areas that include all DLF and Udyog Vihar phases, Golf Course Road and even Sohna Road – it has made it to the top of our delivery list.
Click here or call 9810063275 to order