Finally a Salon that does not ....

Salons in Bombay as they are usually small and cramped, have very low or no standards of hygene and the staff is just untrained, uncouth and incompetent. When you go to a salon in any other country (I have even been to one in Egypt) you are treated like a queen and the ambience and atmosphere is so relaxing or cool and funkey you want to linger there for ages.

My salon experiences in Bombay have been horrific. I have walked out of salons as their sterilisation facilities were just not upto the mark and the staff did not even know that you can get AIDS from a mini-pedi kit if its not sterilised properly! I have left less then a minute into a facial as my very highly recommended facialist had decided to eat a curry and onion based lunch 3 hours before I came in. The issue was not just something that could have been resolved with a stick of mint chewing gum as she had decided to eat her lunch the Indian way, with their hands!!! Apart from the hygene aspect just imagine the odiferous fingers being waived around your face for 45 miinuites!

I have also been burnt with tongs when having my hair strightened when pregnant which was very scary. And I have been burnt with hot wax meant for someone else's waxing session which just had to be ferried scorching hot across the room and spilled on me in the process.What really got me angry was the shoddy way in which I was apologised to. If I start to name and shame saloons in South Bombay I think I can go an and on and on. So I will only write about my top 3 preferences here. Do note that I did not attempt to go to the Taj, Oberoi or President Hotel's as I have a limited amount of time and did not want to waste time with security checks and the entire drama that goes along with it.

My first choice and really only all round recommendation is the mini heaven in the guise of the new Jean Claude Beginie salon off Colaba. I saw it from the street and walked in to see if the interiors were as nice form the outside. It did not disappoint. It was wonderfully decorated the ambiance was super and the inside was a neat freak's heaven. It was white and looked so clean it could have sparkled. All of the staff I came into contact with were articulate spoke great English, understood what I wanted and were really extremely gracious and obliging.

From the second I set foot in the salon I knew I was in the right place. The ladies who were at the counter were superbly groomed very well versed on the services the saloon offered, confident and very professional. I actually was able to converse with them and that convinced me to have a complete make-over there that very second. On entering most of the other salon's that are supposed to be "super" (which I would barely classify as decent) be prepared to be assaulted by bad mix of attitude, body oder and incompetence I for once am never enticed to even take an appointment let alone insist on an instant one.

As I was prepared to make a drastic change to my look I insisted on their top stylist. They told me she was totally booked but they understood that I needed a lot of guidance so they had a chat with her and she told them she would see me in 5 minutes. As soon as she finished with her clients with no drama Florence heard me out, sympathised with my concerns to dramatically alter my hair in every way and advised me what to do in a very professional manner. She vetoed the cut I wanted as it would not suit my face and the colour I wanted would do little for my skin tone. She also very graciously agreed to squeeze me in between two clients to cut my hair myself as she could feel my apprehension.

Now I had my 6 month old with my that day the staff was outstanding manuvering about her pram and they even took time out to entertain her. I was very pleased Divya the stylist who coloured my hair and also with Vinayak who gave me a nice paraffin mani-pedi. I was thrilled to discover a salon in Bombay with ergonomic seats which could be adjusted around the client. The fact that the chair also had a massage option for one's back was icing on the cake.

I have to say the most impressive thing about my cut was that before Florance began as busy as she was she waited for me to understand and agree to what she would do before proceeding. She did have to repeat herself twice not because of her French but because I was so very comfortable I zoned out. The fact Florance discussed aftercare in the form of tips on how to look after and style my hair was appreciated. I could not find fault with anything at all on any account at the Beguine salon and that something that does not happen often to me.

Some other options for anyone who does not want to go all the way to Colaba is to try the two more Beguine salons nestled somewhere in the suburbs. If that is not convenient then try Anees at the Moksh gym saloon on Breach Candy with a salon. He gives excellent cuts and does a very good colour. The one thing I can say for sure about Anees's cuts is that he has a magic touch all his haircuts grow our beautifully. He is really an artist at creating a hairstyle but had a tendency to cut hair shorter then one intends to go. The main drawback apart from getting an appointment with Anees as he is always booked, is that the salon he is with is miniscule. It is very, very small and I was not keen on their blow dry's or any other services.

Suzie at Touch of Joy is gives a decent cut and colour if you can put up with the fish market ambiance of the salon. Another thing about Touch of Joy is that you really need to know people who go there to guide you as to which stylist and therapist to go for what or you will end up with disasterous results.

A good place for a blowdry and wax is Beyond the Fringe its tucked away in Altermount Road across the standard Chartered ATM. I cannot remember the name of the man who used to do my hair or the girl who waxed my arms as it was over 6 months ago but I was happy with the service, and again do not expect too much from the salon per se.

Salon Des Amis is an option for those who are scattered around Napien Sea Road and Malabar Hill.It is a small mum and pop type place but far more expensive then the other little salons scattered in the area. The staff is warm and gracious and they are very competent at what they do. Khursheed who pops in there form time to time gives good cuts and does a great job with colour too.

The last place I care to mention in Bombay is a place in Worli called Sizzors over Comb that I had been to over a decade ago. One of the perks about it was parking right by the salon which is huge in Bombay. I do not know the saloon still exists. I recently admired a friend's hair and discovered Anu Yousef, who owned or still owns Sizzors over Comb cut it so that may be an option worth checking out.

Although I love my hair, nails and the new salon I discovered I missed having my hair done by the coolest hair personality in the world Ms. Josephene Sattout in all her Lebanese-Aussie awesomeness. I missed being spoiled and treated like a queen at her just opened the Pastels saloon in the Mercato Mall in Dubai. Josie thank you for teaching me what to expect from a saloon and how to just chill out and appreciate .... so this blog is dedicated for you...

Return to the 'Bay: Sushi Therapy

Return to the 'Bay: Sushi Therapy: "Last week I was supposed to leave Bombay and return to where I came from. I was so happy and excited I had international roaming set up on m..."

Sushi Therapy

Last week I was supposed to leave Bombay and return to where I came from. I was so happy and excited I had international roaming set up on my blackberry, presents were bought for friends I missed terribly and my meals were pre planned, sushi everyday until I got ill. .

And then the Indian passport office just did such a good job with my babies passport that I am still here ten days later. After a day of crying and expressing not so nice things about the Indian passport office I decided to try and look on the brighter side of things. I realised although I was stuck in Bombay I did have the budget I saved for my holiday for sushi and a lot more.

So I decided to treat myself and a friend to sushi in Bombay and see what I can get here. A few years ago I visited a restaurant in Mumbai and was entertained with some pomp. A note to all non returned NRI's beware is only reserved for you while you are overseas if your lucky when you return you will be asked to join someone for dinner at a club! Anyway that establishment was hilariously expensive so much so that I have had cheaper meals and Zuma and Nobu and the sushi was at best a tad above what one gets at Yo Sushi!

Fenix at what used to be the new Oberoi (I have no clue what the hotel is called now but its the little building by the old Oberoi tower just as you turn into Nariman Point) was what everyone I spoke to said I should try. Security as expected was omnipresnet. Our cars were checked, bags screened and we went through a metal detector and a wand was waived around us. My friend seemed oblivious to such screening procedures which seem to be very common in India theses days for me its still something I have to get used to.

The restaurant was modern and a bit soulless in its ambiance but it was made up for by super attentive and very gracious staff. The menu was extensive and really one is spoilt for choice there. While I selected my sushi I was very apprehensive of how some of the ingredients would combine together and taste. The food took a while to get to our table but it was so good that sin can be forgiven. The fish was very fresh, presentation good, the taste exquisite and the portions surprisingly sizeable.

When we reached the point when we were just on the verge of feeling like we had enough to eat we decided to overeat and ordered the soft shell crab roll, which was a mistake. The crab encased in the sushi through very presentable was barely there they seemed to have used the tentacles only and it tasted like some Indian bhajiya! My friend very used to my voicing my honest opinions regarding food in restaurants managed to restrain me until we had finished the dish.

I did say my piece when the plates were cleared and in less then two minuites Rubin Santos came out and met with us. He explained that he had used a five spice on the crab not an Indian masala and he was most apologetic about us not liking the flavour of the crab. He accepted our praise for all the other dishes gracefully and he had such a pleasing personality we managed to forget about the crab altogether. He offered to immediately replace it and when we declined he or whoever the powers be at Phoenix took the dish off our bill.

Now the only real let down of the evening was the hot chocolate chip souffle which Chef Santos I am told was not responsible for. It was awful. Egg puffed up and heated with a few chocolate chips on top doth not a dessert make. It really would have been the perfect egg based dessert!

Fortunately our dinner did not end there that would have been a very inappropriate end to an otherwise super evening. We were given some delicious petit fours. The chocolate nut concoction was nice that it made up for the slightly stale chocolate chip financier which if a bit fresher or baked a few seconds less would have been perfect.

And now for the finances... the bill surprisingly was far less then we expected to shell out for a meal like the one we had had. It was not cheap but it was priced appropriately to reflect the quantity and quality of the food. As long as the Phoenix maintains their standards I know I will go back again and again. I really recommend it to anyone who has sushi cravings.

Return to the 'Bay: Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue Kala Ghodha

Return to the 'Bay: Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue Kala Ghodha: "In a city that never shuts up in an area that is at the epicenter of commerical and legal activity there is an oasis of peace ironically sur..."

Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue Kala Ghodha

In a city that never shuts up in an area that is at the epicenter of commerical and legal activity there is an oasis of peace ironically surrounded by armoured cars and many policemen. If you want to get in you need to ask the police if you can enter then you need to go through one other security measures.

I was lucky enough after a few failed attempts to be allowed into the Synagogue in Kala Ghodha. The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue is situated in a bylane behind Rythem House. Its facade is as beautiful as any other building credited to David Sasoon. It is unique in every way from the other equally magnificiant but grey stone buildings for it is painted a pastel baby blue with its facade highlighted in sharp white. If you want to go there land up in Kala Ghodha you just can't miss it.

Once inside you climb up stairs and are transported into another world of sheer tranquility. Its unread how at peace you feel even though through one of the windows you look into a fashion house and the other some manically chaotic business. I would have loved a tour or even just to meet the rabbi and have a chat learn something about the faith I know the least about and more about the synagogue. But that was not to be someone who worked there cleaning the place escorted me in and hung around to make sure I would not nick anything.

The first thing I noticed about the synagogue's interiors was that she was a grand old lady who although did not look her age had been through better times. The ceilings were high, the dome exquisite and beautifully maintained as were the alters and the stained glass. But the Torahs had seen better days and the comfortable sofas were naked of their tapestry or had been refurbished very cheaply as the fabric bore the stamps of the manufacturer of the undergarment of the sofa.

None of it mattered as I sat down in a corner with the protector of the synagogue eyeing me very suspiciously! When he realised I was in meditation and logically I suppose came to the conclusion with a 5 month old baby in a sling I would not be able to steal a sofa or anything large so he left me for what I presume was a few minutes. The peace that overcame me was wonderful and I really did enjoy a few moments of clarity and a bit of bliss.

Now although visiting most religious places are free and this is something you can do for free, one should compensate for the spiritual gains one has attained so on leaving I popped some money into the charity boxes. I am ashamed to say I had very little change on me which I am sure was not enough to compensate for the tranquility I gained from it so I will have to go back soon to pop in more money into those boxes which will be a pleasure.

If you work with or are in anyway a supporter of the synagogue or a member of its congregation it would be lovely if you could convince the rabbi allow tours which are educational on the synagogue its history, the history of the Bagdadi and the Maratha Jewish people and in general something about Judaism as well.

Return to the 'Bay: Corporate Downsizing reflected on my Plate: Sea Lo...

Return to the 'Bay: Corporate Downsizing reflected on my Plate: Sea Lo...: "One of my fondest memories of my childhood was going to the Sea Lounge to have what my mother called 'high tea'. All I remember is sitting b..."

Corporate Downsizing reflected on my Plate: Sea Lounge

One of my fondest memories of my childhood was going to the Sea Lounge to have what my mother called 'high tea'. All I remember is sitting by the window and looking at the boats bob up and down in the Arabian Sea. When I first returned to Bombay last year a few things cheered me up as much as friends who visited from overseas. And so it happened that one such friend dragged me to the Taj and re-introduced me to the Sea Lounge.

From the second I walked in there I knew I had found a space I would love for however long I find myself in India. The decor was just to my taste - simple and elegant. The baby blueish powdery paint and white mouldings went a long way to add to the very relaxed energy and the sounds of the grand piano drowned out everything that was chaotic. Although I have been there many times in the last few months I am unable to describe anything else about the place, my attention is on every visit has been focussed on getting a table by the window. If, like me you are not a “spa person” and you want to treat yourself to some peace and quiet I can't think of another such peaceful luxurious sanctuary in Bombay.

The Sea Lounge is a treat I am not a great bill discetor but I am aware that the bill would be in the general viscinity of ‘I am spoiling myself’. It is a nice place to share with a close friend or a special date. However, a word to the wise, the Taj has a lot of security checks and at times the entire street near it is cordonned off by the police and is not accessible even if you are going to the Taj. So if your date is someone who will be irrate about waiting for the car, walking a bit in the sun or going through the secuirty checks and handbag searches perhaps the Sea Lounge is not the most appropraite place on that occassion.

The staff at the Sea Lounge are always polite and welcoming. There was an occasion once though when a friend of mine and I walked in and we could not find a single member of staff. After waiting a while the pianist gallantly showed us to a table. As my grandmother would say the service at the Taj is not what it used to be like in the good old days.

Then there was the occasion that my friend ended up having her pani puri and chutney served to her on her dress. It was an accident we understood that. The staff were very apologetic but they made no effort to get my friend’s clothes laundered which I felt is the least they could have done through their in house laundry. An establishment of similar standing in another country would have offered to compensate my friend for her laundry bill or they would have given us a complimentary meal or simply taken something off our bill. That was not an enjoyable lunch as we spent most of it in the ladies room trying to clean all the food off my friends dress. On a positive note though the lady who works in the ladies room was exceedingly helpful and kind.

I have to admit that I am not a chaat fan. I do not like Indian snacks and I have never tried chaat at the Sea Lounge. However I know lots of people who visit from overseas to like to go there and pay a heafty permium for what I like to call "street food served posh". However I would like to point out that the chaat is served so exquisitely that the food presentation can compare to any fine restaurant in the world.

I am a tremendously fussy eater. I have a wide ranging palette but I loathe food that is not upto the mark. On all my visits I have always stuck to munching down the tenderloin sandwich. I really liked the generous bit of avocado (hard to get in Mumbai) a sprinkle of scallions and one is always pleased with chips by ones sani.

A tip to those who are not very clued in on Indian beef, when one orders beef in India one must never have high expectations to the extent that one must really expect to be served beef. It is a fact that more often than not you will be served buffalo meat, which if prepared well can taste quite pleasant.

Now when you order any beef or whatever is served masquerading as beef beware Indians only eat overcooked meat! In my opinion it is a total waste if you can actually manage to get a sliver of decent beef in Bombay to have it cooked till its a shade of something positively unattractive and has the texture of chewing gum. So all those who risk ordering beef and want it cooked rare, medium rare, medium or medium well is to describe it by colour of the meat so simply request  "Please make sure the middle is ..." "bloody red","red no blood", " light pink" etc.

The Sea Lounge unfortunately is not an exception to overcooking steak. I have complained about the meat in that sandwich almost every time I have eaten it. On my last visit my friend a usually very kind and mild lady had my sandwich returned when the staff mumbled an apology and said they would inform the chef. So another Bombay lesson learned, do not complain subtly in about the inadequacy of the preparation or quality of your food simply state "Please take it back and repalce it"!

Now as I waited for my replacement sandwich I was hungry, hot and wanted a pep me up so on a whim I ordered a cold coffee with ice cream. I am aware it is not anyones choice for a pre-lunch aperatif but I am thrilled I did for all I can say about it is that it was outstanding.

My overall verdict on the the Sea Lounge, ditch the lunch, have a few cold coffees and if your brave try a snack.

PS - I visited the Sea Lounge last week and have a post script as a result...if you order the Tenderloin Sandwich it is not the same as described above ...do NOT expect more then a few sparce slivers of avocado in the sani and forget the chips they are not included with the sandwich anymore. What can I say... apart from beware the effects of corporate downsizing on your plate!