In our new series, TravelDiners scout around for the most interesting options for the bon vivant and ever curious amongst you. Be it a pristine book nook, an elegant restaurant, a fresh new fashion studio, a buzzing nightclub, an art walk, or a space for flexing your intellectual muscle, it’s all here for the picking. We start with Mumbai.
Mumbai may be the city that never sleeps. But it’s also the city that’s never caught napping! There’s something new and exciting going on almost all the time. While there’s always something for everyone and so much to do, here is our curated list for you this month, from everything that’s fresh and exciting in this vibrant metropolis.
Heritage goes hip
What: KhotachiwadiAlive 3.0
Why: The third edition of this artistic event celebrating the quaint heritage precinct that is fast turning into a cultural hub will have, among a host of other exciting things, fashion by designer James Ferreira, an Art Deco-inspired collection created by Sangeeta Khanna, a group art exhibition centred around Art Deco.
Who: The heritage home-turned-guesthouse-turned-creative studio (now called 47-G) of fashion designer James Ferreira, is the beacon that has brought 47-A, the exhibition venue for design by Srila Chatterjee’s Baro Market and Mortimer Chatterjee and Tara Lal’s Chatterjee & Lal, to the neighbourhood. During KhotachiwadiAlive 3.0, expect to see work from Kedar Maddula’s Wunderhaus Handmade from Goa, timeless jewellery by Hanut Singh, among others.
Where: Studio 47-G, Ferreira House, Khotachiwadi, Girgaon | When: October 14 to 16 | How: Besides this three-day event (for which all you need to do is show up!), there’s always something on, so check their Instagram (James Ferreira Fashion and 47-A) to see what to expect.
It’s raining art!
What: The Mumbai Monsoon
Why: The love-hate relationship between the city and its most dramatic season is documented in this equally ambient and atmospheric visual art exhibition, which includes a dozen celebrated creators such as veteran photojournalist Padmashree Sudharak Olwe, filmmaker Sunhil Sippy, artists like Anjana Mehra and Sanjeev Sonpimpare, Ranjit Hoskote, etc.
Who: After their recent art show called The Monsoon Room at Method, Bandra, and Badal Raag, and intimate concert celebrating monsoon awakenings by Harpreet at the Salt Water Café, the team behind Red Earth Art led by Himanshu Vermahas curated this interesting exhibition.
Where: At the Tao Art Gallery, 165, The View, Annie Besant Road, Worli | When: October 8 to 23, 2022 | How: Walk right in, 11 am to six pm.
Walk into history!
What: Haffkine Institute Heritage Walk
Why: There are now scores of walks you can join in Mumbai, to explore neighbourhoods, eras, and more. This newest one is unique because it takes you around a lovely little museum tucked inside the premises of the Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing in Parel. This site has been important for more than 300 years. From the ancient Parli Vaijnath temple to a Jesuit chapel to the Governor’s residence.
From a place where plague and cholera vaccines were developed, to a popular location for films, to one of India’s premier institutions for biomedical research leading the way in antidotes to snake venom, and vaccines that offer protection from polio, rabies, and more, there’s a wealth of history hidden behind Haffkine’s imposing façade.
A few of the highlights are: Vintage photographs, the cloning process explained with a unique, interactive exhibit, models of various microbes plaguing the world today, seeing how vaccines are developed, specimen cases with venomous and non-venomous snakes, as well as moths, roaches, rodents, etc, and a mega model of the DNA matrix.
Who: Explore the stunning premises with an expert tour guide/tourism facilitator, see various aspects of the beautifully curated museum housed inside, and enjoy a ramble through the bio-diverse garden with the groundskeeper to understand various medical applications of common plants.
Where: 40/W, Acharya Dhonde Marg, Parel | When: Saturdays and Sundays | How: Bookable viabookmyshow.com soon.
Eclectic gets electric
What: Someplace Else
Why: After building a fanbase in Kolkata, the popular pub from The Park there, which has hosted iconic bands over many years, Someplace Else is now Mumbai at Jio World Drive. Expect 3,500 sq ft of space with a cheery aesthetic, island bar, and comfy seating. While the food is unbelievably good, all eyes on the stage for a stellar line-up of all kinds of musical performances and more. We recently visited to listen to Mihir Chandan, India’s only handpan musician and came away impressed by the entire experience, from ambience to zippy zen vibe.
Who: Hotelier Priya Paul, chairperson of the Apeejay Surrendra Parkk Hotels, has always ascribed to a design-first philosophy and been all about immersive experiences before they were a thing. The Park’s high-energy bars and clubs have been the hip hub of Kolkata for over 25 years. She has now brought the same energy to Mumbai, and we are excited by the design and direction that Someplace Else is taking the party/performance scene.
Where: Jio World Drive Mall, Bandra Kurla Complex | When: While they’re open earlier, the night starts to get vibey only post-11 pm. Weekends see a limited but well picked F&B menu to keep it simple. | How: Get yourself on their guestlist or be prepared to pay a cover charge.
Culture it up
What: Art and Charlie
Why: This culture house is part-gallery, part-performance venue, part-gift shop, part-café, and wholly in the heart of Bandra. The bright red heritage bungalow just off Pali Naka even boasts a mini Subko coffee shop in its premises. Guests can expect thought-provoking and culture-centric theatre or art performances, film screenings and workshops every weekend at the space. The current multi-artist show titled Kal, sees them grounding the chaos of time in practices that transcend scale, focusing on aspects of past and future, showcasing it in the present moment.
Who: Ayesha Parikh wanted to create a space where Art was off its pedestal and accessible to anyone, literally every Charlie. What started as a nomadic gallery in 2019 (you may have seen some of their work at The Bombay Canteen and other venues), pivoted to virtual during the pandemic, and is now manifested in the physical realm in this gorgeous culture house.
Where: 71A Pali Village, Bandra | When: Kal is on until the end of November | How: Check their Instagram or website for events and how to register/pay/turn up for each.
Bring home some brilliance?
What: Sage & Olio
Why: These festive-looking carefully curated cheese platters and grazing boards are much in demand at events, private as well as public. The quality of ingredients, the attention to detail, and most importantly, the tasty accompanying condiments are what make them so special.
Who: We loveChef Amal Farooque’s punchy flavours, especially what she does with lemon and Ishka Farms capers in multiple ways, and all her mind-bogglingly good desserts. With multiple catering businesses — SugarOverDose, Sliders & Fries, Sage & Olio — and a spanking new mother kitchen at Lower Parel, one would think she has a full plate. But just when you think she’s at the peak of her innovative prowess, she’s taking it up a notch yet again.
Where: Anywhere in Mumbai! | When: Any time. | How: Call on 9967333903, chat with Amal on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sageandolio/, or order on Thrive, Swiggy, or Zomato.
Scrap made sublime
What: Song to Self
Why: WOLF, an artistic collective in Jaipur, works with scrap, waste and found discards to create a new world of objects that you are invited to share, get enchanted by, and use the experience to make much needed change. Fourteenth century Kashmiri mystic, Lal Ded, affectionately called Lalla, is the heart and voice of Song to Self as it traces her path through fields and forests towards enlightenment. It honours ancient feminine wisdom and leads us inwards by tuning in to the body and breath.
As we journey through a particularly dark and tumultuous era, this seems a relevant time to reawaken the Lalla in each one of us, and sing a song to self in the hope for a better world. The artists say, “We travelled to Kashmir looking for Lal Ded, to hear her songs amidst the mighty deodars. We followed the sounds of nature, voicing her words as we walked amidst large open spaces. It left a deep impression and created space! Objects and impressions from the travel have found their way into our artworks.”
Who: Producer-turned-design- evangelist Srila Chatterjee’s Baro brings Jaipur’s WOLF by Ritu and Surya Singh to Sahil Arora’s sophisticated art space in Sobo.
Where: Method Kala Ghoda, 86, Mezzanine Floor, Nagindas Master Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort | When: October 7 to 21, 2022 | How: Walk right in on any day except Monday, between 11 am and nine pm.
Fry by
What: Nair on Fryer
Why: Because sometimes the best meals aren’t found in air-conditioned comfort! Nair on Fire was a cloud kitchen that brought you Kerala home-style food. Their newer Nair on Fryer is a kerbside kitchen that fries up a storm of deliciousness. Reminiscent of the hygienic hawker stalls in Singapore, you’re served Kerala street food in paper plates at a table on the pavement. Mumbai has lots of such joints, but the difference is that these are people like you and me who have quit their cushy jobs to follow their culinary dream. They certainly know their clientele. The banana fritters and Kerala Fried Chicken (SO much better than the fast-food chain with the same acronym!) are worth a drive there.
Who: When Vinod G Nair, agency bigwig turned culinary entrepreneur and cook, along with Chef Sarah Jacob Nair, and his former colleague Toral Sanghavi joined them to form a trio, magic was made. All the top chefs from Sanjeev Kapoor to Ranveer Brar have visited and given their food a wholehearted thumbs up.
Where: Grace Residency building, SV Road, Bandra West | When: Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 1.30 am daily | How: Drive up and eat in your car or grab a seat and people watch as you eat.
Connections galore
What: IFP World
Why: Formerly the India Film Project, this one is a ‘creator ecosystem’ that hosts some really unusual activities, virtual as well as on ground. For example, at the IFP Season 12 Festival last weekend, attended by thousands of creative people across genres from various parts of the world, there were 200+ artists on stage from over 10 creative fields.
Plus, debate rings (like a boxing match, but with words thrown instead of punches), brain dates (speed dating for creators to collaborate on ideas rather than emotions), immersive discussions, rap battles, gaming, interactive art installations, watch and listen parties, and plenty of fab food. Watch out for the next season, but meanwhile, you can wangle an invite to one of their Invite-Only Labs, which help creators to level up and network.
Who: Founder Ritam Bhatnagar started IFP with a social media post on a 50-hour filmmaking challenge (still their flagship) in Ahmedabad in 2011. On a growth curve, IFP moved to Mumbai in 2016, became a two-day affair with 40,000 participants by 2017, had two shows on MTV by 2019, had 85,000 participants from 32 countries by 2021, and kept adding unique genres and collaborations along the way.
Where: Filmistan Studio, SV Road, Goregaon West | When: While the festival takes place once a year, you could check when their next Lab is planned and register for it in advance | How: Check their Instagram or website for events and how to register/pay/turn up for each.
A place to just be
What: IF.BE
Why: A 143-year-old ice factory close to the shipping area in Fort has since been repurposed into a fantastic 10,000 sq ft design space that lends itself to everything from architecture to art to music to knowledge-sharing to food. We love their all-day cafe that’s built around the ancient banyan tree in the courtyard. IF.BE may be the acronym for Ice Factory Ballard Estate, but the period between them stands for the space to be, think, imagine…
Who: A collaboration between architect Kamal Malik who chanced upon the space because he spotted the beleaguered banyan tree, and the family that owns the Pritam Group (remember Pritam da Dhaba?) is behind this space, proving that good hospitality need not be stuck in a time warp and that successive generations innovate in their own way. They are readying to open a progressive Indian fine dine restaurant and bar called Native Bombay on the upper level here any day now.
Where: 7, 9, Calicut Road, Ballard Estate | When: Depends on the event you want to attend, but the Banyan Tree Café is open from nine am to 11 pm daily | How: Walk in for the café, register or purchase tickets for events.
And a ‘Diwali bonus’ from us: Sweet beginnings… or endings!
Here are two mithai shops that promise your sweet tooth progressive Indian mithai in surprising ways.
Bombay Sweet Shop: By the same team that brought you The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro, is this delightfully desi candy shop tucked away in Byculla. We love their Cheat Sweets like Vegan Barfi as well as their full-on indulgences such as the Dulce de leche Pedhsa, and their very Indian innovations such as the Parle-G Fudge.
Where: JAK Compound, Dadoji Konddeo Cross Lane, Byculla East, Byculla | When: 11 am to seven pm (Monday to Thursday), 11 am to eight pm (Friday to Sunday).
Meetha By Radisson: It feels like you’re stepping into a high-end jewellery boutique. But the gems on offer here is an array of more than 60 varieties of really scrumptious sweets, including vegan and sugar-free options, made à la minute using the finest ingredients. While all their classics are fab and authentically made, we love to stock up on their luxury range, such as the rose petal-embellished gulkand laddoos.
Where: Radisson Mumbai Goregoan, SV Road, Veer Savarkar Flyover, Goregaon West | When: Eight am to 10 pm daily.
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Source: https://www.traveldine.com/top-10-new-and-interesting-things-to-do-mumbai/
