Crystal

It is difficult to locate Crystal on the Marine Drive promenade. It lies opposite Girgaon Chowpatty a block away from the Marine Drive Police Station and a few shops away from Sukh Sagar. Its old, small and rough façade can be missed easily. But ask the people who frequently roam the area and they will precisely guide you to this restaurant.

The best time to visit this place is after sunset. The ambience is old and hardly romantic. The restaurant has an untidy interior which unusually adds to its beauty. A few yellow bulbs are the only ones to provide light after sunset. The paints from the walls have started falling off. Agreed, that the lighting and the ambience is dull, but there is something in the restaurant itself that will compel you to visit it another time; and that is the old and historic feel attached to it.

An old uncle (who seems to have known father time since the latter's childhood) sits on the counter always wears his smile along with his spotless white kurta. The waiter who served us was courteous and there wasn't anything fake in that warm smile of his. The aroma of Indian dishes just fills the air. The dull lights and the rugged walls keep the ambience subtle. The quiet feel is worth every minute spent there... One wouldn't even notice the busy Marine Drive road once he is in! The mezzanine is a wood structure that blends beautifully with the tone of the small joint. The wooden furniture, the old Hindi music and steel plates give a home-like feel.

The food is definitely good. The prices are also low. Having the kheer or fruit cream just makes you ask for another one. It obiviously cannot compete some other high-end restraints in the vicinity, but it is a relief for those who stay in the area and want to have some inexpensive but delicious food. It is an apt place for those who would want to treat themselves or others for some small joys or occasions.

This place is worth a visit. It in itself is so welcoming that no one would feel that this place lacks class. In fact it doesn’t lack class. Try it out once and you’ll know why I say sO.

Woodside Inn

The 13^th of March, 2010 was the second time I went to Woodside Inn at Wodehouse Road, opposite Regal Cinema in Bombay. It is an amazing place. The pasta out there is really good. The ambience is excellent. The waiters are courteous and the food is simply outstanding. The food is prepared keeping the Indian taste buds in mind. Even the continental food over there contains Mediterranean herbs and spices that please the Indian senses; and is moderately priced. The drinks are slightly overpriced, but it won’t matter to someone who would want to savour the experience over there.

The interior décor in the lower level of the restaurant is cutely done. It is a small place that is complete with a bar and sitting space enough to accommodate 20 guests. The bar is carefully designed to accommodate a huge variety of drinks, glasses and the barmen in a petite space. Air fresheners don’t bother the nose to spoil the aroma of the food. The sitting space is also designed in a very careful manner. Stools, tables and seats are placed cutely between pillars alongside the windows.

The mezzanine is a complete family space. It too reflects the brilliant décor that has been done in the lower level. But the mezzanine is majorly designed using light colours whereas the lower level is designed using dark shades to give it a natural woody effect.

The lighting during the day time is majorly provided by the sunlight trespassing through the window glass. The music played just complements the ambience. I must add that the management does have a great sense of art when it comes to music, colour, décor, photographs, etc… Talking of photographs, the walls are filled with many photographs of Bombay taken by different photographers.

I would recommend this place to anyone who wouldn’t mind spending an extra dime to enjoy his fooD. 

Segments in 3D

Like the picture in the previous post, this one too was taken from the same 3.2 megapixel Nokia phone-camera.

The depth of this picture is vividly visible as the GEOMETRIC SEGMENTS, in their various forms, flirt with concept of 3D. The train's window shutter and the racks above, along with the shadows created by the light, have an absolutely outstanding effect of depth on this photograph.

The pixilation might take away some of the charm, but I really like the depth in the picturE.

:)

This was clicked with a 3.2 MP phone-camera.

What I really like in this picture is the expression on her face. It is so natural! All I did was let her walk in front of me and then I called her name. The result was an innate trick and a natural reaction. Although the picture quality is technically not that great, I really like the effect on the picture. The obscure background further adds to the picture in a way. The slight softness in her features is also really very cutE.