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Valentine's Day guide for every budget |
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By: Aastha Atray Banan and Shikha Shah |
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Date:
2009-02-10 |
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Place: Mumbai |
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A candlelight dinner at a five-star costs the earth, and is on every lover's agenda. Reason enough that it should stay off yours. iTALK helps you plan an action-packed V-Day, whether you have 500, 5,000 bucks, or nothing to spare
 Dil maange more than beach pe vellagiri
Just because the wallet's not loaded, doesn't mean you let Valentine's Day pass by with nothing more than an evening of cuddling by the sea. There's loads to do this February 14, and not all of it costs the moon.
Hum, tum, aur... khamoshi
italk brings you private dining spaces in Mumbai
Take her to China
At: Aromas of China, Crystal Paradise, The Mall, Off Veera Desai Road, New Link Road, Andheri (W).
Call: 67254444
This one serves authentic Chinese food, offers two VVIP private dining rooms that can seat up to 8 people. Choose from General Mao's Tai Chin Chilli Chicken, Crispy Lamb With Honey Pepper Sauce, Imperial Vegetables With Lettuce, Crispy Shitake Mushroom In Honey Pepper Sauce or the Taiwanese Chilly Baby Corn.
MEAL FOR TWO: Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,500.
Make her feel like a queen
At: Angeethi, Station Road, Vile Parle (W).
Call: 67253333
This North Indian specialty restaurant claims to make couples feel like raja-ranis. The restaurant has a special private dining room called the Patiala Room, that ensures privacy. They have an LCD TV, in case you want to kick off your shoes and enjoy a movie. If you like the outdoors, pick the Hawaii Room on level 2, with a dedicated butler service. The fixed menu includes 12-15 dishes. Their Lamb Kebabs and Biryani are specialities.
MEAL FOR TWO: Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,200.
Get your own khana, booze to save on cash
At: Indigo, 4, Mandlik House, Colaba, Call: 66368985
This SoBo eatery makes sure you share sweet nothings in the privacy of the terrace area. They can tailor-make a package to suit your budget. But if you really want to save on the moolah and still take your date to Mumbai's A-list eatery, carry your own wine or food and the staff will readily serve it. The only condition: You order something small off their menu.
Meal for two: Rs 2,500 approx., (without drinks).
Dinner at a rooftop pool
At: Orchid, 70-C, Nehru Road, Vile Parle. Call: 26164040
Orchid, the eco-friendly five-star hotel, offers a rooftop pool area for private dining pleasure. The hotel will help you pick the lights of your choice, flowers, cutlery, even thematic decorations. A butler is at your service through the evening, to serve you Indian, Chinese, Mexican or Continental cuisine.
MEAL FOR TWO: Rs 5,500 approx., cover charge per couple
Hop into a limousine
At: Club Escape, 108/A, Crystal Plaza, New Link Road, Andheri (W).
Call: 9324542552 / 67021691 / 26736923
If you want to dance the night away, head to Club Escape to groove to retro and hip-hop hits at their private VIP lounge. The staff will set up a romantic table for two with candles, flowers, cake and champagne. They will even pick you up, and drop you home in a swanky limousine!
MEAL FOR TWO: Rs 10,000 cover charge, all inclusive
Laze in a Shikara
At: Poush, Malji Pada, Next to Ghodabandar, Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway (Western Express Highway).
Call: 9821219258
Laze in a shikara with your lover, without flying to Kashmir. Poush is surrounded by lush gardens, and lets you gaze at the stars through a see-through area of their ceiling, while you sample Kashmiri Wazwan fare. Hand-ground spices make the mouth-watering Goshtaba; meatballs moulded from pounded mutton and cooked in a light yoghurt gravy.
MEAL FOR TWO: Rs 2,500 approx.
iTALK's 9 hot V-Day must dos
Damage Rs 650
Enrol for Paintball shooting
At: Thane.
Call: 65259195.
Cost: Rs 650 for three games
Curious to know if your lover will stand by you or scoot when the going gets tough? Enrol for a game of paintball shooting. Paintball is the sport for the quick and brave, with high-speed gelatin-shelled, paint-filled balls propelling out of special guns resulting in a hazy tangle of colour. People in cameo suits crouch behind obstacles protecting themselves as they consider their next vital move.
Damage none
Walk around Crawford Market
Call: 65055034
Never had the time to explore one of Mumbai's busiest markets? Today is the day. The walk begins at 10 am outside Elphinstone Technical Institute, near Metro Adlabs. Or you could take in the view of the city from the top of an open-deck bus, by signing up for the Heritage Ride that starts at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya at 6 pm.
Damage Rs 5,000
Boat at a lake
URL: www.empowercamp.com
Phone: 9967043732
Price: Alpine Tent at Rs 5,000 per couple (stay+food+activities)
Swiss Tent at Rs 6,200 per couple (stay+food+activities)
Cottage at Rs 7,000 per couple (stay+food+activities)
Empower Activity Camps tells you how to spend an adventurous Valentine's. Pitch a tent, build a raft and boat on the lake. Try your hand at couple archery, para-sailing and zorbing.
Damage Rs 1,000
Catch Anoushka Shankar live
At: Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mills Compound. Call: 40332300
Entry: Rs 1,000 per person, first come first serve basis.
One of India's most talked about sitar players is all ready to woo you and your lover. Once she exits, DJ Heath will be at the turntable, from 10.30 pm onwards. A special a la carte menu has been put together for dinner.
Damage none
Catch Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy live
At: Asiatic Library steps, Horniman Circle. Call: 65055034
Time: 8.30 to 10 pm
This is a rare chance to catch Bollywood music composers Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonca live in a beautiful open-air setting. These are the guys behind catchy tracks like Kajrare, Kal Ho Na Ho and Bawre. Woh bhi muft mein!
Damage none
Watch a boy turn into a pigeon
At: Rampart Row, Kala Ghoda.
Time: 5 pm.
Call: 65055034
Aas Mohammad Khan and Babban Khan are traditional magicians from Delhi who come here to show you what they call real magic. And these guys mean business. They can perform the mango tree trick (a tree sprouts out of a single mango seed right in front of the audience) and the Indrajal, where a boy is turned into 52 avtaars, including a snake and pigeon.
Damage Rs 1,600
Western Classical recital
At: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, 7 pm.
Tickets: Rs 800, Rs 1,200, Rs 1,600 and Rs 2,000. Call: 22824567
The Symphony Orchestra of India presents a musical show by world-famous British composer Karl Jenkins.
Damage Rs 2,500
Party with DJ Aqueel
At: 001/B, Krystal, 206 Patkar Marg, Bandra (W). Call: 26423006
Entry: Rs 2,500 for a couple, full cover
Spend the night shaking your booty to Bollywood numbers, with DJ Aqueel at Bandra's hippest nightspot, Poison.
Damage Rs 500
Karaoke at Not Just Jazz By The Bay
At: Not Just Jazz by the Bay, Soona Mahal, 143 Marine Drive.
Entry: Rs 500 per couple, Rs 300 for stags. Call: 22820957
If you've always wanted to shout out your love from the rooftop, do it before a house full of revellers at this Karaoke night. Sing together, and you could win a prize too.
V-day specials
Valentine's with Louis Vuitton
At: Louis Vuitton India Retail Pvt. Ltd, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Apollo Bunder.
Say it with flowers with the tribute to Stephen Sprouse Roses monogram collection. Vivid and wildly romantic, the Stephen Sprouse iconic digitised rose print, re-interpreted by Marc Jacobs for LV, is the perfect way to say, I love you, if you have serious moolah to spare.
MOET & CHANDON's book of seduction
Call: 40796500
The Book of Seduction by MoEt & Chandon celebrates Rosé Impérial. The sparkle of champagne is enveloped by the refined beauty of Toile de Jouy, a traditional fabric. It's a tribute to the 18th century fascination for secret romance.
Candies Bazaar
At: MacRonell's Building, Pali Hill, Bandra (W). Call: 26424125. Noon to 8 pm
Buy funky designerwear, accessories and hand-made jewellery while you munch on the sandwiches synonymous with this snack joint.
Home Shop 18
Log on to www.homeshop18.com
The online retailers of home appliances and beauty products offer heart-shaped toys and herbal products.
Titan Cleo watches
At: Holland House, Colaba Causeway. Call: 65023928
Price: Rs 2,350
Titan's Cleo watches have faux leather straps and white steel dials.
Vinegar
At: Mount Apartment, St. John Baptist Road, Bandra. 26459927
Want to look like a million bucks for your date? Vinegar's consultants help you pick the right outfit.
Barista's special menu
At: All Barista outlets
The new menu features love potions, a section with drinks called Hot Myan Mocha and Strawberry Dream. |
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