Illy Afogatto at Barista is Magic!!

If only Barista gets their act together in terms of quality and cleanliness standards, and offering a better experience to consumers!!

 

Ajay Jain

 

Dropped by to Barista in Green Park in New Delhi after a long time for a near midnight snack and desserts with some friends. (That's a daily coffee drinker, who switched loyalties to Costa when it came to Delhi).

 

Keep the general April evening heat factor in mind, and lack of air-conditioning at Barista, I ordered an Illy Afogatto (hope the spelling is right!!). That's vanilla ice cream over a shot of espresso. Coffee was not the regular one, but from Illy from Italy (believe they entered into a tie-up with Barista recently). I have had Afogatto many times before, but with the regular Arabic coffee.

 

And did it taste WOW!!! Simply magic, the flavour of the coffee. It's a must-try for everyone with a taste for coffee and a sweet tooth to match…or have it even if you don't. You are gonna love it, especially on summer evenings!!

 

Footnote: Not sure if I will frequent Barista very often though, given the state of shoddiness their outlets are slowly sinking into, not to mention their falling standards of food presentation and quality, sense of hygiene and cleanliness and disappointing poor air-conditioning. So my experimentations with Illy might not be so regular. They should take a leaf out of the way Costa is setting the standards.

 

This one is literally an experience over coffee.

 

You may comment below, and feel free to agree or disagree  or share your experiences at ajay@tcp.in

Fashion this winter

JASLEEN KAUR

Well, the winter season is here again. The days are getting colder and the shops are once again flooded with all kinds of warm winter-wear. But if you are thinking that winter means an end to fashionable clothes, you couldn’t be more wrong. Winter brings with it self textures, vibrant colors, smart jackets and so on. So if you are also planning to re-design your wardrobe, then here are some useful tips for you.

• Western wear is considered to be the most convenient form of dressing during winters. So you can match the same old jeans with leather jackets, pullovers and coats. Knee length and long coats are in vogue.
• Though black and earthy tones may be the colors of the season but markets are filled with bright colors like orange, blue, red and many more. So don’t forget to try them.
• Stoles, silk scarves, mufflers, ponchos and woolen caps are the best accessories one can adorn oneself with during winters. After visiting some markets, I have found that fur is really ‘in’ this season. From stoles to scarves, jackets to pullovers, all include a little bit of fur in them.
• Go stylish with matching shoes and bags which you will easily find at a fairly reasonable price.
• And last but not the least; don’t forget to use a good winter care moisturizer for your skin.

So happy wearing and enjoy your winters!

One special coffee please!!

PANNA RATRA

With coffee becoming the drink du jour and Cappuccino, Latte and Espresso the buzzwords of the youth, we decided to check what students in the capital have to say about their favourite café joints.

Standing out distinctively were the die-hards rooting for Barista, the original coffee company in the country. Says Trishima Rao, “Barista is responsible for bringing the Starbucks culture to India. It's amazing and will always be the coolest hangout.” Adds Sonia Narang, “Barista is the original. The others are mere copies.”

The swanky Mocha with outlets in GK-I and Noida seems to be gaining on popularity with every passing day. Says Shalini Kapur, a south campus student, “I think Mocha is cool, very stylish and very different from other cafes. And it's at a convenient distance from my college.” Agrees Aditya Vikram, “Mocha is the best as it offers a brilliant variety of coffees, shakes and desserts.”

Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) seems to be the unassuming one, but with a sizeable following of its own. Says regular CCD visitor Karan Sharma, “CCD has its unique charm. And its Irish coffee is simply tops.” Agrees Tara Jehan, “What works for CCD is that it doesn't try to copy anyone else. And it’s far more reasonably priced than others.”

As for new-comer Costa, wait a while for the verdict. With just one outlet in Connaught Place, it still has to corner a good share of the market. But watch out for Costa. It will do well as it expands.

Shopping haunts in Delhi

Numero Uno launches autumn collection
Numero Uno (NU) heralds the new season with ‘Whitened Indigos,’ a new range of stylised jeans priced at Rs 1,149 upwards for men and between Rs 949 to Rs 1,249 for girls. NU also brings ‘full sleeved over dyed’ printed tees and sweats with a hint of embroidery and soft washes. All these are available at Numero Uno exclusive stores at Lifestyle, Shopper’s Stop, Central, Pyramid, Ebony etc.

People’s Tree
An interesting place to get hold of some catchy inscriptions is People's Tree at Connaught Place. Almost every youngster can find an illustrated attitude coupled with a statement of confidence to match his or her belief. People’s Tree has provided a platform for various groups with a cause. It houses hand-painted T-shirts, handicrafts, organic food, ThongKong-tyre chappals, folk art, stationery, books etc. A haven for those seeking alternatives to the mundane.

Levi’s Factory outlet
If you feel that Levi’s jeans and jackets are a bit heavy on your pocket, head to the Levi’s factory outlet on Jasola-Sarita Vihar Road to get a 30 per cent discount on all products.

Greater Kailash M-Block market
Looking for another place besides Janpath and Sarojini Nagar Market for ladies tops and kurtis? Head to GK M-Block market and get them for as cheap as Rs. 125!

News challenged, are we?

MONICA VARMAN

Watching TV the other day really got me thinking. Are we getting too much information? Is it possible to know too much? Of course, it would all boil down to what information one is searching for. Then again, every single day, hour and minute we are bombarded with tons of irrelevant trivia, that, if I may say so, we'd die perfectly happy not knowing.

Like for instance, while searching the TV listings in the newspaper supplement the other morning, I chanced upon a truly ludicrous "tip for the day" which suggested that I soak almonds at noon to ensure prosperity. Well, I ignored it and was virtually robbed by a couple of well meaning friends that day who had mastered the art of emotional blackmail. Got me wondering if my reticence in following the tip of the day had anything to do with it?

That apart, while trying my hand (quite unsuccessfully) at Su-Doku, my latest addiction, I was distracted by write ups on a series of meaningless parties, thrown and attended by a string of people who simply seem to have nothing better to do. I wonder how we would all ever get by without knowing every minor detail about the "Bore of the Week". And really, if you don't like someone's outfit, leave the poor thing alone. Do you really have to devote an entire column on how "ensembly challenged" the poor wannabe is?

Let’s not forget the ubiquitous reality shows. The "previously unknown" deep, dark details of the lifestyles of the rich and famous have always fascinated the public. But this trend has grown out of proportion with new "original" reality shows springing up everyday devoted to dating, talent competitions and even the life of Victoria Gotti. Did anyone even know she EXISTED before "Growing up Gotti" was aired? And blogs! To think people actually spend time reading about how a total stranger is spending his or her day. It's almost pathetic.

In conclusion, I feel that while the naming of Britney Spears' child may be of immense interest to some people, I would be perfectly happy not knowing. Thank you very much. Now where's the REAL news??

Hangout Joint: Brown Sugar

PRIYANKA VERMA

Before you read this article with the drugs angle in mind, let me divert your attention to a small detail. Brown Sugar is the hangout joint (no pun intended) of this month and no, they do not serve what your mind is telling you right now.

So coming back to the topic, let’s track this quaint outlet situated in Greater Kailash I, the best place in Delhi for quick bites and great coffee. You can visit the place at any time of the day and find it crowded with either hungry students or those who love to eat here anyway. This place is great for mocktails in the summer and coffee with steaming hot momos in the winters.

In case you aren’t into momos, you can hog on the other varieties of goodies available. For vegetarians TCP recommends the pasta and for the non-vegetarians, the kathi rolls. For those with a sweet tooth, the brownie cake is a must try. Talking to students there on why they like this place, TCP heard one couple from DU answering, “This place is great. My girlfriend and I come here almost every other day for coffee and chicken momos.” Another student finds this place very economical. They even have happy hours on food and drinks. So if you want to save more money, visit them during happy hours between 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm and save up to 25 per cent on whatever you order.

If you find the sauce accompanying the momos a little too spicy for your liking, do not expect any water unless you buy it from the shop across. Brown Sugar does not sell or serve water surprisingly. But I settle for their Iced Tea instead which is super. So visit BS and have a momo-mia gala!

Hangout Joint: Alfina - Good Taste, Quality Service

PRIYANKA VERMA

Located in Khan Market, this is the ideal place for rolls and quick take-aways. After a late night party when hunger strikes, the party crowd usually stop by at Alfina to pick up the famous paneer and chicken tikka rolls. The ambience has nothing much to offer, but the food and service speak volumes about the place. Try the Gosht Alfina Special or the Gosht Achari. For the vegetarians, TCP recommends Paneer Lababdar and the Vegetable Zal Fraezi. An average meal per person would cost you approximately Rs 75. You will find lots of cars packed with young people parked outside in the parking lot munching away on Alfina goodies. Incase you want to sit inside, the place is air conditioned.

With great food to offer, fast service and a central location, this place has everything going right for it.

An offer Godfather fans cannot refuse

NIMISH DUBEY

The Godfather Returns, By Mark Wunegardner, Ballantine Books, Rs. 252

Writing sequels to bestsellers penned by other authors is always a tricky business. Eric van Lustbader messed up matters with Ludlum’s Bourne series and while Scarlett did sell a fair number of copies, it was universally acknowledged that Alexandra Ripley had been unable to replicate the magic of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. So people could be forgiven for feeling cynical when it was announced that Mark Winegardner had been assigned the task of writing a sequel to Mario Puzo’s The Godfather.

However, most Godfather followers are fans of Coppola’s epic movie series, rather than Puzo’s novel, which many consider to have been sloppy with sporadic flashes of brilliance. And this is where Winegardner scores - as a pure novel, his effort is definitely superior to Puzo’s. The Godfather Returns is far more readable and has much more depth than its famous predecessor!

The Godfather Returns picks up the story from where The Godfather left off with Don Vito Corleone’s son, Michael, attempting to not only consolidate the empire left behind by his father but also attempting to legitimise it. The book tries to fill in the gaps between the first and second Godfather movies, detailing the changes in the relationships within the Corleone family. Godfather followers will be delighted to see most of their favourite characters occupying centrestage on various occasions – from Michael to Fredo to Tom Hagen to Johnny Fontane. The book has all the ingredients of a staple Mafia bestseller - dramatic exchanges, corruption, betrayal and, of course, blood and gore aplenty. Adding further fizz to the mix is Nick Geraci, who confronts Michael Corleone in a brutal gang war.

But even though The Godfather Returns is a better book than The Godfather, it fails to capture the dark, brooding atmosphere of the movies. Winegardner’s tendency to get a bit too wrapped up in descriptions and introduce characters at the drop of a hat often costs him the readers’ attention. The novel also takes some time to pick up speed, notwithstanding a gruesome mafia-style execution in the first few pages. And if you are looking for classic quotes (“I will make him an offer he cannot refuse”), forget it.

This is a book purely for Godfather followers. If you haven’t read The Godfather or seen the movies (and where have you been if you haven’t?), there is little chance that you will understand or appreciate many of the proceedings.

But if you have, buy it.

Rating: A-

Make way for… PUNK!

VANDANA PURSWANI

The USP of Punk is it stands up for its name. Everything you find here is different.

The store has a stylish collection of accessories. The 'most-wanted' item being their bags which are available in the range of Rs. 295 to Rs. 2, 995. If you really want to know how much they are in demand, consider this: they sell around 20 bags every day!

The ambience as well as the music played at the store is in perfect tandem with what the name suggests. The icing on the cake is Punk being ranked one of the top five stores of India by Elle magazine. And if you manage to become one of their regular customers, you might get a chance to get a tattoo done at the store - for Rs.1200/ sq. cm mind you - on certain occasions.

The store basically caters to the age group of 15-21, but anyone who is young at heart is most welcome to acquire the experience of a lifetime!

Located at the Mezzanine Floor of Centrestage Mall, Sector-18, NOIDA.

Has cricket killed every other sport?

RITIKA SABHARWAL

Should the media be blamed for the status endowed on the game of cricket? Why do people blame cricket for killing every other sport? Is there really any point in blaming the advertisers?

If other sports are dying, that might well be due to their inability to survive. Media support for cricket stems from the fact that it garners huge revenues in the form of advertisements and sponsored features. Not to forget that it is one of those few sports where we do have laurels to show at the world stage.

Cricketers also garner the lion's share of brand endorsements amongst sports persons in the country. Media also follows suit covering their lifestyles extensively. Cricket also tops the charts because it produces heroes who others want to emulate; after all, people love icons. Other sports often lose out as they have no icons to show. But take Sania Mirza: her winning streak and endorsements that are following are making tennis more popular; this trend could continue positively the more she appears in the media.

While media may be all over, it may not necessarily be the sole influencing factor. When we had only radio in the country, hockey was the country's most popular game only due to our Olympic successes leading it to be declared our national sport. And there was no television, no mega sponsors, no multi-million deals and simply no marketing at all. It was only the gold haul at the Olympics.

The Sports Authority of India and all sports federations in the country have to put their houses in order to popularise any other sport in the country, and revive treasured ones like hockey. Players have to be encouraged and hard work pays.

Media, sponsors and advertisers only follow success. The classic case is of Anju Bobby George who reached the peak without any support.

North campus goes healthy and trendy

All fitness buffs of North Delhi have a reason to cheer about, with 'Fluid', a professionally managed Health Club, opening at 6, L.S.C., Derawal Nagar, Delhi in the North Campus area of Delhi University. It brings with it machines from 'Precor', a leading name in fitness equipment in USA. Another attraction is 'Bubbles', a swanky Juice Café, offering you a complete range of exotic beverages and health drinks to energize your spirits and to refresh one's mood.

What is fashion?

SHWETA TRIPATHI

of NIFT explains…

Fashion is the accepted day-to-day way of dressing at a given time. If you see everyone wearing the same colour or style which have not been the trend before, it is "in-fashion".

Why does fashion change?
Fashion changes because people change. We always want something new. Clothing changes for practical reasons and to be appropriate to the season as well as climatic conditions. Every time you change your clothes you are setting yourself up for judgement by others. Going to the office in a sexy cocktail dress is not only impractical, it is confusing and inappropriate. People will be staring at you wondering what is wrong as your image would look incongruous because of your clothing.

Solution?
Wear an outfit keeping in mind the ambience of the particular place. Any place we go, there is such a thing as a dress code, whether it is announced or unannounced.

Tip: The easiest way to invite confusion about fashion is to behave in a way that contradicts your clothing!

'The joy of living is in being alive'

TCP's Neal Kartik caught up with the well-known celebrity, Pooja Bedi for a chat about her show 'Just Pooja'.

What made you take up 'Just Pooja' when there are so many interview chat shows on air?
I think what I love about my show is that we get celebrities to talk about issues that deal with problems or situations that they encounter in their life. Issues like homosexuality, divorce, complexes, life after divorce, second innings for women and other such issues. I am having fun with the show!

How easy is it to establish a level of comfort while interviewing a celebrity?
Well, most of the people interviewed are friendly, whether I know them personally or not. They are also briefed about what they will be discussing, the issues they will be dealing with and thus, are very comfortable talking about them.

What according to you is the essence of existence and living?
The joy of living is in being alive. It is a one-way street, so live whole-heartedly because you will not pass this way again. I read somewhere that in the end, only three things matter - how deeply you loved, how fully you lived, and how well you learnt to let go of things not meant for you.

Given the popularity of your show, where do you see yourself going with 'Just Pooja'?
Well, I have to say that when I look back, I just want to scream and run! Every time I feel: "This has gotta be better, that's gotta be better, look at this, look at that, should I ask the question like this, should I put it that way...". There is so much scope - all I can say is that I am constantly dissatisfied because only then can I really grow, think and make the show what I want it to be!

Panda Passport

Most of us are concerned about the state of the environment and the dangers faced by different species of plants and animals. However, we are often unable to contribute in this regard due to constraints of distance, time and finance. Well, now we can make a difference, thanks to WWF's online campaigning tool, Panda Passport. By registering as a Panda Passport holder (registration is free, incidentally) at http://www.passport.panda.org/, you can take part in a number of conservation campaigns. Your actions can range from signing petitions to sending e-cards to making donations. All you need is a conscience, an Internet connection and a few minutes.

And it does work-you can see a list of successful campaigns conducted by Panda Passport holders at http://www.pass-port.panda.org/campaigns/success.cfm?uNC=56133881&uYe ar=2003#1.

- ND

A tragic tale, well told

Gazza: My Story, By Paul Gascoigne, Headline Publishing, Rs 268/-

BOOK REVIEW

In the summer of 1990, Paul Gascoigne had the world at his feet. He had played outstandingly in the football World Cup and was being hailed as perhaps the greatest player England had ever produced. Today, his international career is long over, no club wants him and his personal life is in a shambles. Gazza might well have been titled "The Rise and Fall of Paul Gascoigne" because that is exactly what it is - a tale of decline in the man's own words (with a little help from journalist Hunter Davies).

Gazza is a narrative of self-destruction. Gascoigne takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride - from his childhood in Newcastle to the pinnacle of his career in 1994, to the messy state he currently finds himself in. And while one may not agree with everything he writes, he does deserve credit for not ducking issues. It is all there - his aborted transfer to Manchester United, his fight with Glenn Hoddle on the eve of the 1998 World Cup, and of course, his drinking problem and broken marriage. It is a shocking tale, and all the more shocking because it is told in graphic detail, and told well at that. Wine, women and violence are recurring themes in the book and unlike that other great waste of football talent, George Best, Gascoigne does not spare himself. Time and again, he tries to justify his behavior only to admit that in the end, it really was his own fault.

In terms of incident, this has got to be one of the most eventful sporting autobiographies ever written - rare is the page that is not embellished by pranks, controversy, brawls, and at least one four-letter word. There is even an appendix containing details of the pranks Gascoigne is alleged to have played.

It is difficult to sympathise with anyone who wasted his ability like Gascoigne did, but there are times when one does feel sorry for him. He may have got what he deserved, but that does not make his story any less tragic.

A must-read for anyone who wants to know the perils of being a celebrity.

Rating: A+

- NIMISH DUBEY

Game Pad

The latest from the world of computer, mobile and video games

Gamers to tackle Cuban Missile Crisis
Strategy First and leading Russian publisher 1C Company have announced that they will be releasing Cuban Missile Crisis: The Aftermath, a game based on - you guessed it - the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. There is a difference, though - in the game, the USA and USSR unleash their nuclear arsenal on the world, turning most of it into a radioactive desert! Players will don the roles of the remaining citizens struggling for survival. A number of stunning environments and weapons have been promised but the biggest attraction is likely to be the rewriting of one of the world's most famous standoffs!

Gaming version of Chronicles of Narnia to be released in November
High-profile movies inevitably inspire gaming spin-offs. And Walt Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is no exception. A game based on the film is scheduled for release in November this year. Gamers will play the roles of four children destined to free Narnia from evil. Needless to say, this will involve a fair deal of war-fare against a variety of creatures including Minotaurs, Minoboars, Cyclops, Werewolves, and more. There will be plenty of puzzles, action and even some footage from the movie.

Caesar IV plans announced
Vivendi Universal Games has announced plans for the launch of a sequel to Caesar III. Titled Caesar IV, the game will come packed with cutting-edge 3D graphics and realistic citizen behavior alongside the intuitive gameplay that made Caesar III a worldwide success. Players will assume the role of an aspiring provincial governor as they build and manage an ancient Roman city and its province. The ultimate goal, as always, is to rise to the rank of Caesar. The game is due for release in 2006.

Age of Empires III Collector's Edition!
Microsoft has announced that it will be releasing a special Collector's Edition of its forthcoming epic strategy game, The Age of Empires III. Available for pre-order at US $69.99, this will include a hardbound "The Art of Empires" book, a "Making of Age of Empires III" DVD with behind-the-scenes video and commentary, the official Age of Empires III soundtrack, a huge (43-in. x 27-in.) full-color poster of concept art, an exclusive Age III Player's Guide, and a Collector's Edition Game Manual. The game is due for release in October.

- NIMISH DUBEY

Hungry kya? Omelettes kha!

RUCHIKA GOYAL

Imagine a fast food hub where the food is totally egg based. A joint with the most tempting and unique dishes made from eggs like egg uthappam or egg pudding! I'm talking about Omelettes!

Situated at 34, Rajindra Place, 17-UB, Jawahar Nagar and Kamla Nagar, Omelettes was inaugurated in August 2003 and since then has been a great hit with the student community. In the era of fast food, it provides tasty yet healthy food at very affordable prices. The joint has everything that will fit the definition of a full meal as well as desserts, beverages and snacks. It can easily satisfy your taste as well as your appetite for a mere Rs. 60-75 per head!

My personal favourites are masala omelette, egg uthappam, veg nuggets, garlic bread, fish burger, chicken kathi roll, crispy fried chicken along with blue curacao or mint mocktail and egg pudding for dessert.

Try it out, but be warned - Omelettes can be addictive!

IT's Free: Y! Pops

YAHOO! Mail remains one of the most popular e-mail services in the world. However, it can be accessed only on the web, which means that you have to spend time online accessing the web site, opening your mailbox and composing mails and replies. Many users often wish that they could simply download their Yahoo! Mail on to their computers using Outlook Express (or any other email client), and go through them and compose replies later.

Well, with Y! Pops, you can do just that. An open source freeware application, it is entirely legal and allows you to download Yahoo! Mail through your email client. Installing it is easy and it supports most popular email applications including Outlook Express, Eudora, Incredimail and Thunderbird. It might take some getting used to but it is an extremely handy application for those who depend on their Yahoo! Mail accounts.

Download it from http://yahoopops.sourceforge.net/

- ND

The Collecting Bug!

DEVINA GUPTA

If you thought that stamps and coins were the only items prized by collectors, think again. There is a group of collectors which passionately accumulates 'off-stream' collectors items too.

Take Advitiya Sachdev of Lady Sri Ram College. This journalism student claims to have collected 200 stones before her mother threw the 'clutter' out of the house. "I liked to paint these stones and still have some of them hidden in my closet," she says.

Nidhi Sinha, Fine Arts Society President of Gargi College fancies greeting cards. Her collection started in class VII and she now owns over 500 of them including her favourite "Thank You" cards and cards from her parents' marriage. "My mom had preserved her wedding cards for nostalgic reasons and pitched them in my little card-art gallery", said Nidhi. She has divided these cards into different galleries - birthday, get well soon, friendship, New Year and army cards.

Paritosh Uttawar from the School of Architecture and Planning collects match-boxes. His collection includes over 100 matchboxes. "It started as a hobby but now I cannot resist any unique matchbox with a different caption or logo in a shop. But it is a difficult passion as matchboxes are no longer that popular," he said.

Their passion for collecting these strange articles often sees them getting labeled as "crazy". "It is not productive use of your time. It is better to utilize your time to learn something new or even read a book than going on accumulating such rubbish", declared a second year Stephanian.

But collectors ignore such remarks. "It is not just any other hobby like reading or writing. Collecting gives you a sense of achievement when you get your hands on something unique," said Praseeda from Lady Irwin college who gathers "fresh" drinking straws. Saakshi Gulati from IP College for Women agrees. She started saving her bus tickets a few months ago just to see how many she can display at the end of the year.

Coffee at Depaul’s

Rashi Bhatanagar

Rare is the person who visits Janpath and forgets to catch a coffee at Depaul's. Initially started as a cosmetic shop in 1950 at main Janpath (Queensway) in Connaught Place, Depaul's shifted to the IOC building in 1969. And when it shifted focus from cosmetics to coffee, there was no looking back.

Depaul's offers a variety of coffee such as cappuccino, vanilla, mocha, hazelnut and XL. There's also flavoured hot coffee, lemon drinks and milk shakes. And if you feel for a bite while sipping your coffee, you can choose from a variety of patties, burgers, cheese balls, kathi rolls, pastries and pasta salads. Mr. Rajeshwer, a partner in Depaul's, feels that it faces no threat from MNC competitors because it has maintained its price and standards, both of which keep the common man in mind.