Looking back, it’s no rocket science to state that the year has been a heady rollercoaster ride for restaurants, cafes and nightspots. Going by the number of openings and shutting-downs, many of which we’ve lost count of, to stay alive must be the mantra on every restaurateur’s wish list for 2015.

On a lighter note, little wonder then that we receive celebration alerts, when restaurants and lounges complete their 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversaries. Five years, and we’re sure the bubbly would be flowing free for every patron. This brings us to the veterans, the big boys in the business. Last Saturday, we ran a story in The Guide (Holy Trinity of Bandra) that paid tribute to three iconic bakeries in the suburb American Express Bakery, AI Stores & Bakery and J Hearsch & Co. Any self-respecting Bandra boy and aunty worth their pav and chicken puff will swear by the fresh food that goes on sale from their ovens and kitchens. And non-Bandraites, yours truly included, couldn’t agree any more.