Dine out in style. But spend LESS moolah

Image: Debdatta strikes a pose

Text by: Tanya Munshi

wealth takes stock of how working professionals spend their money. And offers some value-for-money spending mantras.

Tanya Munshi spoke to Debdatta Das, 24-year old journalist and self-confessed foodie, who works with a television news channel in Delhi and loves to eat out, for a taste of home.

DEBDATTA recently visited Oh! Calcutta along with six other Bengali friends, to enjoy some authentic Bengali cuisine. The damages: Rs 5,000. Was it worth it? "We could have an identical meal for much less at home. But we all live alone and miss homemade food, sorely. So, Oh!Calcutta provides some respite," she confesses.

Golden rule: go dutch. "We split the Value Added Tax and tip, equally," she adds.1

Dining out, inflation and my wallet

Before her last appraisal, Debdatta would spend approximately Rs 500 per meal, twice a month. Now, the figure has escalated to Rs 3,000 per month and she eats out almost every weekend. Has inflation curbed her dining habits. No! She swears by Rodeo, a Mexican restaurant in Delhi, and Ego Thai, which according to her are expensive (Rs 1,000 per head). "But I feel satisfied with the food, service and ambience, and feel good when paying up!" she adds.

On a date
When she dines out with her boyfriend, whoever has the money, pays. "We don't let money become an issue at least when it comes to food, since he is a big foodie, too!" she adds. "Gone are the days when men had to foot a humongous bill in the name of chivalry," she observes.

Value-for-money nuggets

Before visiting a new restaurant, Debdatta asks her friends who may have dinned at the spot, already. Yet, sometime this can backfire. She recalls her experience at Mozerella, an Italian restaurant in Delhi. "When the food arrived, the fettuccine (long strips of pasta) was boiled too much, the pasta sauce had no salt and the mocktail was bland," she groans. Well, Mozzarella has shut shop, and Debdatta has bought herself a copy of the Times Food Guide. "It comes handy when I decide to eat out," she says.

Published in MoneyControl, on July 30, 2008
Link: http://wealth.moneycontrol.com/features/smarten-up/dine-out-in-style-but-spend-less-moolah-/6441/0

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Masala

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Masala Restaurant, Visakhapatnam
Masala is an authentic Andhra restaurant in Visakhapatnam that we strongly recommend. If you want to binge on sea food blended in Andhra spices, then Masala is a good choice. On Sundays you’ll have to wait in a queue, but since we had arrived early we were lucky to be seated at a table.

Our lunch at Masala consisted of Tavva Vanjaram, Crab Fry, Prawn Biryani and buttermilk. Tavva Vanjaram, a deep fried fish was very well done, the Crab Fry even better, with the Andhra masalas adding a zing to your meal.

The Prawn Biryani was more than enough for a couple, though personally I wish the biryani was a little more fluffy and the prawns had less masalas on them. You’ll have to clear the debris of masalas from the prawns to bite into them. The buttermilk was strictly okay, but it went well to douse the spices.

The staff was courteous even in a busy and packed restaurant. I watched the diners throw their whims, but the staff seemed to have a genuine smile on their faces and that was more than enough to return to this restaurant to eat well and to be served well.

A meal for two would be around Rs. 500/- inclusive of VAT and service charges.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * *
Service - * * * * *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *
Quantity of food served - * * * * *
Quality of food - * * * * *
Price - * * * * *

Location:
Masala
Nandan Hotels
Signature Towers
1st Floor
Next to Sampat Vinayaka Temple,
Asilmetta
Visakhapatnam – 530 003
Phone – 0891 – 2750750/ 2750751

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Tycoon and Heritage Restaurants

Text by: Tanya Munshi

After the popular feedback we received from Kochi and Goa Restaurant Guides, we are now starting a new series of Vizag Restaurant Guide. Hope you find these reviews useful. Happy eating!

We started our Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide with Taj Residency: http://tanyamunshi.blogspot.com/2008/01/food-vizag-restaurant-guide-taj.html

Tycoon and Heritage Restaurants, Visakhapatnam
Yes of course, these two are popular restaurants in Vizag, as you will always see them full and a long queue of people waiting their turn. Tycoon is the non-vegetarian section, while Heritage is under the same brand name, but a pure vegetarian joint. Thankfully, the food in the vegetarian section is far better, but extra oily.

Our dining experience with Tycoon, has not been very memorable in the first visit a year ago and the second time, nothing seemed to replace that. The food is nothing worth mentioning - Chicken do pyaza is definitely worth a skip.

However, I was pleasantly surprised with the food at Heritage, the vegetarian food was good, but a tad bit oily for my palate. A brisk walk after this rich meal is highly recommended.

I was also a witness to an event where one of the stewards kneeled forward to clear the extra spoons and forks and not even bothering that his sleeves were dipping into a friend's plate - this was during our lunch at Heritage.

Both Tycoon and Heritage are popular and packed during the lunch hour, owing to the proximity to several office buildings in the area. A meal for two should be within Rs. 350/- in both these places.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * (nothing extra-ordinary)
Service - * * *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * *
Quantity of food served - * * *
Quality of food - * * (especially at Tycoon)
Price - * * * *

Location:
Tycoon and Heritage
Balaji's Mangalagiri Chambers
Sirpuram
Visakhapatnam
Phone: +91-891-2540202 (Tycoon)
Phone: +91-0891-540202/540606 (Heritage)Fax: +91-891-2717444
Email: daspalla@andhranet.net

Books> Folk Tales from Africa - Re-told by - Tanya Munshi

These are my latest books published by Tumbi, DC Books.

Books> Andersen's Swineherd - Retold by: Tanya Munshi

Trivial and fancy gifts impress the emperor's daughter who sadly rejects the true gifts the prince offers her. The vain prince takes revenge on the unsuspecting princess.

Links: http://www.tumbi.org/Book.aspx?BookID=2

http://librarykvpattom.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/new-arrivals/

Travel> Weekend hotspots for you to explore

Text by: Tanya Munshi
When it comes to short breaks, one's spoiled for choice in India. Choosing from the numerous hill stations, beaches, lakes and waterfalls can be quite a task. To help you decide, Tanya Munshi lists some of her favourite escapes. From Himachal Pradesh in the north to Kerala in the south, Diu is the west and Orissa in the east -- take your pick to beat the blues, relax and rejuvenate or just have fun.

Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
About 115 km from Vizag (Visakhapatnam) lies Araku Valley, located at an altitude of 900 m above sea level. Although it is a year-round destination, the monsoons are a good time to visit Araku. The drive up the ghats offer spectacular views of the lush green hills playing hide and seek with the mist and clouds. Araku is neither too far nor too close to the city. You can even make a day trip to Araku from Visakhapatnam!

Visit the tribal centre museum and pick up souvenirs from the gift shop. For the adventurous, Araku offers quite a few trekking trails. On the way to Araku, you will come across the Ananthagiri Hills, known for their coffee plantations.

It is advisable to first visit Borra Caves and then head to Araku. Located 29 km from Araku Valley, Borra Caves, one of the largest natural limestone caves in Asia are a must see! Hire a guide (Rs 30) for a tour of the caves.

Where to stay
Lodging options include Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's Punnami Yatri Nivas,
Punnami Hill Resort (Phone: 08936 249491),
Jungle Bells Nature Camp (Phone: 0891 2713135, 0891 2746446) and
Padmapuram Hanging Cottages (Phone: 08936 249225).

How to get there

• Visakhapatnam airport is 112 km away.
• APTDC conducts a Rail-cum-Road package tour to Araku from Visakhapatnam.
• Vizag Railway Station is about 136 km from Araku. You can drive up from Visakhapatnam or take an APTDC Bus.

Balasore/ Chandipur at Sea, Orissa
When you reach Balasore railway station, it looks like nothing more than a dusty little town. But don't let this fool you as the beach at Chandipur is one of the most unique I have ever seen. If you are hiring a rickshaw to your hotel, haggle on the fare. Chandipore is 16 km from Balasore.
What's interesting about the beach at Chandipur is that during low tide, you can walk up to almost four km (maybe five km; that is how much the sea water recedes) towards the sea. During high tide, you will be lucky if you can see even an inch of the beach.

Take a stroll by the sea during low tide and watch the locals picking up mussels, which is a delicacy. The famous horse shoe crab can be found on this beach. My weekend trip to Balasore was one of the most beautiful and memorable.

Other places of interest in and around Balasore are the Khirochora Gopinath temple in Remuna (nine km from Balasore), another smaller Jagannath temple at Niligiri, Bhudharchandi temple in Sajanagarh (30 km), the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (100 km) and the Shakti Shrine of Deokund.

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like Orissa Tourism Development Corporation's Panthanivas, Hotel Subham, Hotel Chandipur, Hotel Anandamayee and Hotel Pacific Inn. For details, check www.orissatourism.gov.in/hotels.htm#Chandipur.

How to get there

• The nearest airports are at Bhubaneswar (215 km) and Kolkata (220 km).
• The closest railhead is Balasore.
• Balasore is well connected by road to Bhubaneshwar, Puri and Kolkata.

Diu, Daman & Diu
A tiny island in the Gulf of Khambhat off the coast of Gujarat, Diu is perfect for those looking for sun, sand and sea. You will also find some of the most beautiful churches at Diu. Those who have visited Goa may find Diu quite similar since it was also a Portuguese colony, until 1961.

You can go swimming or just laze around on the pristine beaches: Gomtimata beach, Nagoa beach, Jallandhar beach, Chakratirth beach and Sunset Point.

When you have had enough of the sea, head to the massive Diu fort or the Panikotha (Fort de Mar) built by the Portuguese in 1541. Other places to see are the St Thomas Church which is now a museum, Jallandhar Shrine, INS Khukri Memorial and St Paul's Church, one of the most beautiful Portuguese churches in India which is adorned with beautiful wood carvings and old paintings.

You can even visit the Gangeshwar Temple, three km from Diu, in Fudam village. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Shiva lingas of this temple are washed by the sea waves. According to legend, the five lingas were set by the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata.

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like Hotel Sao Tome Retiro (Phone: 02875-253137), Heranca Goesa, Hotel Cidade De Diu and Super Silver Guest House. For more information, visit www.diutourism.co.in/hotelguide.php.

How to get there

• Diu is 295 km from Rajkot and 495 km from Ahmedabad.
• Jet Airways connects Mumbai to Diu.
• The closest railhead is Veraval, 90 km away.

Pondicherry (Puducherry)
This 'French Riviera of the East' offers quite a world of its own. Don't miss the Walk on French Heritage along the beach road starting from the north end of Goubert Avenue that will take you through streets with unpronounceable French names and charming colonial-style villas.
Another must-see is Auroville and the Aurobindo Ashram.

Paradise, Serenity, Auroville and Promenade are the popular beaches in Pondicherry.
Paradise Beach about eight km from town is a cosy spot to relax. Tree houses are the hotspots here, and an overnight stay is a good idea.

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like the Hotel Ashok (ITDC), Anandham Residency, Hotel L'Orient, Le Dupleix, Anandha Inn, International Guest House, Park Guest House and Auroville Guest Service. For details, check www.pondicherry.ind.in/pondicherry_hotels.php.
For more information, check http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/.

How to get there

• The closest airport is at Chennai, 150 km away.
• The closest railhead is Villupuram (36 km).

Amba Ghat, Maharashtra
Looking for trekking options in the Western Ghats? Head to Amba Ghat on the Konkan belt. Located 3,200 feet above sea level, about 65 km from Kolhapur, Amba Ghat is an ideal spot for nature lovers.

You can go trekking, bird watching or take a nature walk in the forest. Other places of interest around Amba are the Parshuram temple, Jagrut Shiv temple at Marleshwar, Vishal Gad, Pavan Khind and Panhala Fort.

Where to stayPavankhind Resort is a beautifully done up, homely place where they serve some of the most delicious Maharastrian cuisine. Phones: 09420480913, (02329) 264860
Another option is the Hornbill Deluxe Hill Resort:Phones: 09867034243, (02329) 264758E-mail: sunil.gupte@rediffmail.comWebsite: www.hornbill-deluxe-hill-resort-ambaghat.com/index.html

How to get there

• Amba Ghat is about 65 km from Kolhapur and 62 km from Ratnagiri on the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri highway, the closest railway stations.
• Ratnagiri is about 375 km from Mumbai and 331 km from Pune.

Chilka Lake, Orissa
Located about 100 km from Bhubaneswar and spread over an area of 1,100 sq km, Chilka is the largest brackish water lake in the country. Also called the Honeymooners' Paradise by some, Chilka Lake is dotted with a number of islands and the area attracts a large number of migratory birds.

About 45 km away is Gopalpur-on-Sea, a peaceful seaside resort and a great place to spend your day on the quiet beach sprinkled with coconut and casuarina groves. If dolphins are what you want to see then head to Satpada Island. Mornings are the best time to visit the island which is located where the Chilka Lake meets the Bay of Bengal.

Where to stay
The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation offers accommodation at Rambha, Barkul and Satpada. For details, check www.panthanivas.com.

How to get there

• Bhubaneswar is the closest airport, about 100 km away.
• The closest railheads are at Balugaon, about seven km from Barkul, and Puri, about 50 km from Satpada. Barkul, Satpada and Rambha are the three entry points to Chilika Lake.
• Regular buses and taxis are available from Puri and Bhubaneshwar.

Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Situated on the Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh, this sleepy village town is dotted with 16th and 17th century monuments. A former princely state, Orchha was the capital of Bundela Rajput chief Raja Rudra Pratap.

The 17th Orchha fort is a must-see for its ornate Jehangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal (for its beautiful, bold colourful murals) and the Rai Praveen Mahal, a two-storied brick structure in the gardens of Anand Mahal.

The Laxminarayan temple, the Ramaraja temple and the Chaturbhuj Mandir are other interesting attractions that form part of Orchha's rich heritage.

Where to stay
Lodging options include Orchha Resort, Sheesh Mahal, Palki Mahal and Betwa Cottages. For more details, check www.mptourism.com/dest/orchha.html.

How to get there

• The closest airport is at Gwalior about 120 km away.
• Khajuraho is 170 km away and Agra is 225 km from Orchha.
• The closest railway station is Jhansi, 17 km away.
• Shatabdi Express connects Jhansi to Delhi and takes about four and a half hours.

Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
This charming hill station in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh is divided between upper and lower Dharamsala.

Mcleodganj (upper Dharamsala), located at 1,800 metres offers beautiful views of the Dhauladhar range and is a bustling town with its bazaar (with shops selling Tibetan handicraft), hotels, restaurants, Buddhist monks and of course the seat of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. The Tsuglag Khang temple complex is the most important Buddhist site here as it houses the Namgyal Monastery and the residence of the Dalai Lama.

Do visit the Dip Tse-Chok Ling Gompa and the Tibet Museum that offers a pictorial account of the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

In lower Dharamsala you can visit the famous Kotwali Bazaar and the Kangra Art Museum for its exquisite works of miniature art. Other places to visit in and around Dharamsala are the Bhagsunag temple and waterfall, St John's Church, Dal Lake (yes, Dharamsala has a Dal Lake too!), Naddi and Dharamkot (picnic spots with panoramic views), Kunal Pathri (rock temple) and Chamunda Devi temple (25 km away). Don't miss delicious Tibetan dishes like the momos and Thukpas while in Mcleodganj!

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like White Haven Estate, Club Mahindra Kangra Valley, Anand Palace, Asia Health Resorts, Glenmoor Cottages, Surya Resort, Anupam Resort, Grace Cottage and Snow Hermitage Resort. For more details, check http://himachaltourism.nic.in/hotdir/hotdisp.asp.

How to get there

• The closest airport is at Gaggal, 13 km away.
• Pathankot is the closest railhead, 85 km away.
• Dharamsala is well connected by road to Chandigarh (239 km), Amritsar (200 km), Delhi (514 km), Shimla (322 km), and Dalhousie (55 km).

Published in Rediff.com on July 24, 2008
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2008/jul/24sld.htm

Solutions for Power Crisis

Text by: Tanya Munshi
I had recently visited one of the popular hotels (Hotel Green Park) in Visakhapatnam, where I noticed that a porch built-in the parking area was lit up by several light bulbs, while no one was even using the space. Does it justify the action that if one can financially afford it, he/ she has a right to waste electricity, especially when the entire city is going through the power cuts on a regular basis?

A lot of wastage of electricity can be prevented if malls or shops shut down their lights in the night and refrain from using extra lights during the day to light up their premises. Since everyone is facing a severe power crisis, they too should join hands in saving electricity.

All commercial establishments, except - 'Day and Night' chemists, hospitals, fire brigade (or any emergency services) and ATMs, should switch off the lights to their hoardings, at night. Keeping such lights on all night, is a complete waste of electricity.

Several letters poured in (to the Deccan Chronicle, Letter to the Editor), that they missed watching their favourite television shows during the power cuts; its time we all rise above such petty issues. We should learn from the Hyderabad University that has gone completely eco-friendly.

Published in Deccan Chronicle, Visakhapatnam, July 22, 2008