SRK, in black. Preity, in ditto. And Shahid Kapur mooning over Kareena. Bollywood’s best and brightest came out this week to celebrate the opening of Manish Malhotra’s first flagship store in Mumbai.

Kurtis just like those worn by sassy heroines dancing around trees. Or those who surrender to King Khan’s charms under thundering waterfalls. Smart pants, in pastels. And in black, naturally. The pick of the store: reversible jackets and the dresses with digital prints that look like embroidery from a distance. All awash in bright colours, sequins and tassels that could have been inspired by the romances of Yash Chopra and Karan Johar.

Malhotra, who’s been the knight with shining thimble to Bollywood’s damsels-in-distressed- denims for over a decade, has something for the boys, too. That rare commodity from Indian designers – nicely-cut jackets, even if some are a tad too embellished.

Our pick for the man you’re shopping for: the printed shirts with white cuffs. Perfect for that champagne brunch in Goa on New Year’s Day.

Manish Malhotra, 14th Road, Corner of Linking Road, Vishnu Dham Building, Shop 4/5, Opposite Rajkumar Jewellers, Mumbai. Telephone: 26050724.
Price: Rs 2,800 onwards.

See you next on January 2, 2007. Best wishes for a Trendy new year!

Shopping, check. Pampering, check. But our essential Delhi experience for out-of-towners is incomplete without a round-up of the city’s most happening restaurants. Tuck in, while we take a break for the festive season.

Mughlai/ North-West Frontier
If meats and grills do it for you, head straight to Bukhara. Sample the Dal Bukhara – Bill Clinton and Bill Gates raved about it. Or hop across to neighbouring Dum Pukht for a similarly unforgettable experience. Stop by at Karim’s. The Jama Masjid branch has great ambience; at Nizamuddin, Thursday evening qawwali sessions add a surreal dimension to the succulent burra kebabs.
Bukhara and Dum Pukht, Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg, 26112233.
Karim’s, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid; 23269880, 23264981; and 168/2, Hazrat Nizamuddin West, 24355458, 24358300.

South Indian
For much more than idlis and dosas, check out Sagar Ratna and Saravana Bhavan. For more meaty choices, Swagath or Dakshin have appams and mutton stews to feed your primordial urge.
Sagar Ratna, 24, Defence Colony Market, 24333815.
Saravana Bhavan, 46, Janpath, 23317755; P-15, Connaught Circus, Near Madras Hotel, 23347755; and 54, 8th Block, D.B. Gupta Road, Near Police Station, Karol Bagh, 3615940.
Swagath, 14, Defence Colony Market, 24654538.
Dakshin, Marriott Hotel, District Centre, Saket, 42661122.

Chaat
In a city synonymous with chaat, the vendors at UPSC on Shahjahan Road and Bengal Sweets at Bengali Market are a throwback to your college day hangouts. If that’s not your scene, stop by Haldiram’s for raj kachori and chhole bhature.
Haldiram’s, Spice Mall, Sector 25-A, Noida; Sahara Mall, Gurgaon; Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Near Manesar, Gurgaon

Oriental
The Kaiseki meals at Sakura package Japan for your palate. RED and Mainland China dish up impressive Chinese, while Terrace, the recently opened rooftop restaurant at Bangkok Degree 1, does delish Thai.
Sakura, Metropolitan Hotel Nikko, Bangla Sahib Road, 42500200.
RED, MBD Radisson, L-2, Sector 18, Noida, 91-120-4300000.
Mainland China, Plot No. 4, Local Shopping Centre, Masjid Moth, GK-II, 29222123/ 29.
The Terrace, Bangkok Degree 1, Sainik Farms, 1 Carriapa Marg, Saket.

Mediterranean
Olive, just for the location. Hit it for Sunday brunch if you can. Shalom scores with great music and its Lebanese and Spanish cuisines.
Olive Bar and Kitchen, One Style Mile, Mehrauli, 26642552.
Shalom, N-18, N Block Market, Greater Kailash-I, 9810148084, 9810048084.

See you next on January 2, 2007. Best wishes for a Trendy new year!

Shopping is hard work. So, if you tired your out-of-town guests shopping (as we advised in the first of our three-part essential Delhi guide), take them straight to the best non-five star day spas to get a pristine princess look – for less than a king’s ransom.

Asian Roots
The upmarket spa with a down-to-earth attitude, they do Thai, Balinese, Japanese, Shiatsu and Swedish massages that take you to an ethereal place. La Prairie treatments and the caviar body treatment are physical perfection.
Address: B-5/15, Safdarjung Enclave. Telephone: 41651010.
Open 10am to 7pm on all days.
Tariff: Rs 1,500-2,500 (for massages); Rs 4,000 (La Prairie treatments).

Spa Zieta
A Turkish bath in the aqua spa and a water bed treatment that simulates womb-like peace – a 30-minute nap in the Nuvola equals four hours of deep slumber.
Address: 15/48, Malcha Marg Shopping Centre, Chanakyapuri. Telephone: 41644884.
Open 10am to 8pm. Monday closed.
Also at One Style Mile, Kalkadas Marg, Mehraul. Telephone: 26644456.
Open 11 am to 9 pm. Monday closed.
Tariff: Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500.

Pivot Point Spa
They also do body massages and hair treatments, but Blossom Kochhar’s aromatherapy treatments are the big attraction. Take a deep breath and try recalling your deadlines.
Address: E-12, 2nd Floor, Greater Kailash-I. Telephone: 41730155.
Open 10am to 5.30pm. Sunday closed.
Tariff: Rs 350 upwards (hair treatments), Rs 550 upwards (body massage), Rs 1,200 upwards (complete body packages).

VLCC Spa
Thai, Balinese and Swedish massages, aromatherapy and hot stone therapy ease away the aches and pains born of tramping around the city. Salon services add the vital touch of colour.
Address: 62, Community Centre, Priya complex, Vasant Vihar. Telephone: 26155561-64.
Open 10 m to 7pm on all days.
Tariff: Rs 800 to Rs 3,000.

Ayush Therapy Centre
Though many therapies specifically target ailments, the relaxation massages – especially the Abhyangam (body and head oil massage) and Mukalepam (face treatment) – are a ‘new-you’ steal deal.
Address: C-51 Shivalik, Panchsheel Geetanjali Road. Telephone: 26687878.
Open 9am to 7pm on all days.
Tariff: Rs 900 upwards.

In Doing Delhi 3: Bukhara, Bengali Market and other places to eat.

No fog. No snow. And certainly no reindeer. What Mumbai is full of these days are poinsettias, Santa hats and red-nose Rudolph cut-outs. Fine by you, because the colour of passion always becomes you.

‘Tis the season for Ayesha Madan’s chocolate-dipped strawberries – the red daubed with luscious brown or white. You’re familiar, of course, with their individual tastes: the chocolate, slightly cloying; the strawberry, mostly sweet, occasionally tart. Together, they produce a rhapsody for the palate, a burst of flavours.

Madan also makes holiday hampers to order filled with her berries, handmade flavoured chocolates (Orange Tango, Mint Magic, Apricot Brandy), and hand-dipped liqueur truffles.

For an intimate Yuletide celebration, bring in carnations, candlelight and champagne for a meal under the Christmas tree. Announce that dessert is Madan’s strawberries, the ultimate finger food. Don’t be surprised if he wants you as a gift.

Did we mention that chocolate and strawberries are both aphrodisiacs? Mmmmmm.

Ayesha Madan at Choc ‘O’ Block, 17, Sagar Darshan, 81/83 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai.
Telephone: 23630106 / 23636479 / 9323210106.
Price: Rs. 300 for a box of chocolate-dipped strawberries (seasonal).

As part two in our series of Why Wine Wednesdays, Trendylicious brings you to a less-talked-about vineyard you can visit near Sula’s wineries. Why Wine on Wednesday? Why not?

The Bard was a bit of a lush. You can be, too, with wines called Marc Anthony and Etu Brutus from Sailo, India’s only makers of sweet red wine.

The Sailo vineyard lies 180 kilometers from mad Mumbai, nestled in Nasik valley, India’s Napa. Look for a gigantic white-washed house that could be straight out of Gone with the Wind, surrounded by a sea of green.

The More family, vineyard owners, serve endless glasses of wine along with their homemade crispies. Don’t miss Etu Brutus, their sweet red.

Sit on the terrace. Live in the tiny, no-frills guesthouse. A two-day trip costs about Rs. 5,000. The magic of deep ruby red wine glimmering in the sunset comes for free.

Sailo Wines, Pimpalgaon (Baswanti), Nasik. Telephone: 2550-250477.
Email: sailowines@yahoo.com

More Wine Wednesdays to come in the new year. Cheers!

Winter is drawing your friends and family to Delhi, and they’ll all be looking to you for what to do. So here’s the first of our three-part essential Delhi guide, with top shopping spots for you and your pals.

Crescent at the Qutab
Check out designer Western and Indian wear – from psychedelic skirts to staid sarees – by Ritu Kumar, Rohit Bal, Satya Paul and Manish Arora. The Lado Sarai mall is home to several pret labels as well, so it suits all budgets.

Dilli Haat
It’s the perfect time of the year for a browse through the fortnightly-renewed artisan stalls of handlooms and handicrafts opposite INA Market. The food court fuels the shopaholic.

Connaught Place
If Janpath promises nirvana for the bargain-hunter, The Shop (8, Regal Building, 23340971, 23360972) is a must-stop for bric-a-brac. Nalli’s (P-7/90, CP, 23747154, 23361357) is the can’t-go-wrong store for saris while Rikhi Ram (G-8, Marina Arcade, 23327685, 41516141) does musical instruments like no one else. Drop by Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan (Regal Bulding) and Cottage Emporium (Janpath) to complete the India experience.

Greater Kailash-I
At N-block, zero in on home accessories at The Next Shop, Krishna Arts & Brass Emporium, Tarini’s, Jainson’s Tycoon and Apartment 9. Try Fabindia and Cottons for casual Indianwear. Hop across to the M-block market for everything that’s hip.

Chandni Chowk
Never mind the narrow, crowded alleys. Dariba and Kinari Bazaar will blitz your senses with jewellery shops and kitschy add-ons like tassles, lace, and other trimmings.

In Doing Delhi Part 2, Bukhara and Bengali Market (Coming on Thursday).

You’ve got the perfect dress, the perfect shoes, and the perfect date. Now you just need a New Year’s party to show them all off. Trendylicious has found the most happening bashes in Mumbai, so make your plans before the best parties sell out.

Party at: Andheri Sports Complex.
Why: Nelly Furtado, A. R. Rahman, Shahid Kapur, Priyanka Chopra. This 5-city party will also be rocking Hong Kong, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and New York.
Offer: Details coming soon at www.nokianewyearseve.com

Party at: JW Marriott: 66933225.
Why: Mallika Sherawat will perform. Open bar, champagne and Jamaican beats at Club Lounge. DJ Neeraj at Enigma nightclub.
Offer: Rs 9000, includes food and drinks.

Party at: Ramee International: 66935550.
Why: Retro hits at the Bombay Talkies, Arabian lounge music by the poolside, salsa and samba on the Latin dance floor, pop and rock in the Harvard Room, DJ at Rock Bottom nightclub.
Offer: Rs 3750 cover.

Party at: Sun and Sand: 66938888/26201011.
Why: Enjoy every moment until midnight in the tang-laden Juhu beach breeze.
Offer: Sunset Room – Rs 2000 for dinner, four drinks and band, Kabab Hut – Rs 2250 for poolside buffet, four drinks and a DJ, Aqua coffee shop – Rs 950 for a buffet dinner, Aqua Spirit Lounge – Rs 800 cover.

Party at: Grand Hyatt: 66761234/26121710.
Why: Three decks of wining and dining, Nikhil Chinappa, DJ Pearl and DJ Amit, and a courtyard beach with sand to dig your toes into.
Offer: Price on request, includes food and drinks.

Wishing you a Trendylicious 2007!

You loved the way Daniel Craig showed off his manly muscles, as well as the latest Bond boy toys – Omegas, Aston Martins and Sony Ericssons.

Brit fashion columnist Maggie Alderson’s Cents and Sensibility cops a similar feel, except she replaces the guy gizmos with Nicole Farhi suits, Gucci separates, Ghost classics and Topshop desirables. You may think you’re buying a mere book, but it comes with an I-wish London shopping list certain to leave you exceptionally stylish, but totally broke.

Released recently in India, Alderson’s fourth novel is chick lit with a twist. In place of the usual impoverished boyfriends, heroine Stella Fain has a guy whose only problem is having too much money.

Throw in some good ol’ English aristocracy, a schoolgirl crush, lots of Prada wedges and Herrera dresses (Stella’s a product journo!) and a highly-publicised love affair. You get a page-turner that’ll keep the remote at bay on one of your rare evenings in.

Not shaken, not stirred. Just chilled out.

Cents and Sensibility by Maggie Alderson, Penguin.
Price: Rs 260.

Your layered leggings attracted attention. Your edgy gaucho look had them going gaga.

It takes a lot to wow the socks off your girlfriends.

What next? Accessorise with steel. Magppie, of high-end steel accessories fame, has made its first foray into jewellery with their industrial chic line, Emozioni (pronounced as eemo-zee-
oni).

Sceptical that you’d wear the same steel around your neck that holds the flowers on your table? This simple and elegant range has a contemporary minimalist look that no one else is doing in India right now.

Each piece is designed abroad and then crafted out of matte steel, 18 carat gold and crystals. Make a demure statement with the half moon steel pendant, enhanced with a single shimmering crystal on a twisted steel necklace. For an edgier take, go with the cylindrical steel pendant hanging from gold neck bangle strands. Complete the look with matching earrings and rings.

The steel used for the jewellery is hypoallergenic and medically approved.

Armoured with these newest Emozioni accessories, you’re guaranteed to steal the show and have them raving. Again.

Available at Magppie’s exclusive boutiques.
Delhi: 2nd Floor, City Square Mall, Rajouri Garden.
Telephone: 42225567.

Gurgaon: Grand Mall, MG Road.
Telephone: 0124-43754000. Prices: Rs 1500 to Rs 5000

Life is what you make of it.

So get a life (literally) at Zoya, a new boutique that’s quietly opened in Bandra. Its name means “life” in Persian, and it’s guaranteed to breathe new life into your wardrobe with its affordable designer wear.

Tucked away in one of the neighbourhood’s quaint interiors, Zoya carries a wide variety of fusion, Indian and menswear, as well as an eclectic collection of accessories and jewellery. Wendell Rodricks, Savio Jon and Anshu & Jason have distinctively designed areas in the store to showcase their collections.

Look out for San Francisco-based designer Bansari’s clothes collection and unusual jewellery made in Murano glass. Or multi-layered bead necklaces by Jhamini Aluhwallia, which are the perfect accessory to set off the store’s trend for this season: dresses.

Finish your look with their delicate footwear, which is displayed on gorgeous square cushions covered in crushed raw silk.

With unusual finds like these, you’re sure to be the life of the party.

Zoya, Gulistan A Ground Floor, off Turner Road, D’Monte Park Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai. Telephone: 26420888. Prices start at Rs 2500