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My Mumbai
Sumit Chatterjee, Chef Concierge at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, shares his favorites of the city
By: Sumit Chatterjee
GET TO KNOW THE SCENE:
Nothing beats Mumbai's chaotic traffic and spirit - but a city rich with a vivid colonial culture and an enormous selection of flamboyant cuisine restaurants enchants me.
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MY RESTAURANTS:
For dining outside The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, a popular choice for Indian cuisine would be the ‘Konkan Café' at the Taj President hotel. It serves authentic seafood in a wonderful themed ambience. Seafood is the essence of Mumbai and one must taste the local delicacies prepared in the typical coastal Indian curries. Prawns, Pomfret - and Bombay duck - are at the top of the chart as the best-selling items.
Another seafood suggestion is ‘Trishna’, a ten-minute drive away. Also I would recommend ‘Khyber’, another ten minute drive away, specializing in authentic Mughlai cuisine from the Northwestern part of India.
But, honestly, I really recommend our own Palm Lounge, adjoining the magnificent Sea Lounge at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. The Palm Lounge is perhaps one the oldest restaurants in the city. After its re-opening, it still attracts the local and high-heeled socialites in a big way. Known for its typical ‘Mumbai- local cuisine’, the restaurant is popular for its well made Toasty sandwiches, Sev Puri, Bhel Puri (local delicacies) and an amazing selection of 41 varieties of specialty teas and 16 varieties of coffee. It adorns a unique charm for its location overlooking the historic gateway of India.
MY RETAIL:
Mumbai is the fashion capital of India, and retail therapy is simplified - or complicated, however you look at it - for its myriad of fashion options.
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai offers a bouquet of exclusive retail outlets. The Palace wing shopping arcade houses a number of International brands, Louis Vuitton, Mont Blanc, Moschino, Zegna, and so on. The Tower wing houses a number of local retail outlets, including, Zodiac, Maharaja and Moorthy’s. Besides these, the entire shopping arcade has a substantial collection of outlets selling jewelry, handicrafts, Pashmina shawls, Indian clothing, shoes, leather products, and the list goes on.
Outside The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, for Indian attire and Indian wear, including bridal wear, I recommend Queens Road at Marine Lines, 15 minutes' drive away. Here there is a conglomeration of various reputed outlets. For men, you have Brioni and Raymond's. For Indian cultural dressing and handlooms, try Fab India, Bombay Store and the Cottage Industries Emporium (a government store).
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For art and antiques, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, is ideally located in the center of the art and cultural precinct of Mumbai, the Kalaghoda. Just a few minutes away you find the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Prince of Wales Museum and a horde of private art galleries and antique retail outlets.
MY SUGGESTIONS FOR A SUNDAY WITH THE FAMILY:
Sunday brunch at Shamiana, next to the pool at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, is a carnival, multi-cuisine affair: you also have live music - and unlimited wine is poured.
A ROMANTIC EVENING OUT:
For me, romance and Mumbai are synonymous with each other. The city has lovely options for a wonderful date. Perhaps you would like to dine at Indigo, a petit fine dining European restaurant in a colonial bungalow a few minutes away. Alternatively, stay in, and head for Souk, on the top floor of the Tower of The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. You have spectacular views down to the Arabian Sea and the 85-foot Gateway of India, finished 1924 (photo). For extra exclusivity, book Souk's Casablanca private dining enclosure Casablanca, where your meal comes complete with Christofle and Versace tablesetting. One other idea is to take one of our Bentleys or Jaguars along for a drink at the Dome, along Marine Drive.
MY SPORTS:
For Golf, the best option would be the Willingdon Club, a half an hour's drive from The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. For an amazing first-hand flying experience - of course along with a trainer - the Royal Bombay Flying Club offers a bird’s eye view of the entire skyline.
Sumit Chatterjee, the Chef Concierge at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai has been in the business for ten years, and his experience includes Kolkata and New Delhi. He is a member of Les Clefs d’Or.
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, India
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