The Mobius Strip is the mathematicians’ Barbie. The endless loop — think of the three arrow-triangle of the recycle symbol — is enough to send a logician to bliss-land. And the rest of us to Bandra.

Why? Because it’s also the name of the latest space for glassware, ceramics and jewellery unlike anything you’ve seen before. Set up by globetrotter Akeel Premji and his wife Arshia, the eclectic collection reflects their personal tastes.

Within blazing white walls improved by a large glass window, Mobius features coloured alcoves to show off accessories for the home and the self. Dress up your pad with gold leaf-pressed glass coasters. Or add a touch of Morocco with a lamp of glass blown into shapes that resemble drops of water.

In the mood for fun? Turn upside down a stainless steel fruit bowl held up by dancing filigreed figures and make them look like they’re drowning.

To complement your hip home, pick up silver baubles from the towering glass cabinet. Select from square bangles, bubble-filigreed rings and Cleopatra necklaces.

Now we know why it’s named after the endless loop. You’ll keep coming back.

Mobius Strip, Maria Apartments, 78 Pali Hill Road, Bandra (W). Telephone: 26051009/26051003.
Prices start from Rs. 250.

You’ve pounded the CP pavements for three solid hours. Your shopping bags are full and those killer heels are killing — your feet.

After your well-executed retail therapy, escape the cafes filled with noisy teens and power-lunching hordes. Duck into the little known Corus Hotel — who knew this business hotel was here? — and walk right through and out the other side (a la Harry Potter). You’ll reach a zen-inspired oasis of sun-drenched calm that’s Bonsai.

Sit outdoors by the waterfall wall or inside at the bar. Unwrap some otak otak — grilled fish wrapped in banana leaf Malay-style. Bite into spicy-sweet pork bao. The portions are just right: main course combos traverse Indonesian (yummy rendang), Peranakan, Thai, Nipponese (good teppanyaki), Chinese and Singaporean (chilli crabs). Leave room for the all-important dessert — the Trendy taster suspects you’ll soon be braving the Palika parking for the lemongrass ice cream alone.

And if the sushi isn’t quite Sakura, you’ll forgive them when you tot up the bill and realize you may have enough left over for the pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all week.

Bonsai — The Garden Restaurant, B-49 Connaught Place, Middle Circle, New Delhi. Telephone: 43582880-1. Email: bonsai_restaurant@hotmail.com.
Meal for two: Rs. 1000 without alcohol (liquor license awaited).

Take a multi-culti childhood. Add imperious matriarchs, unsavoury uncles, unravelling marriages and a colourful supporting cast of Muslim aristocrats, British pucca sahibs, Hindu tradesmen and raucous Anglo-Indians. Throw in generous amounts of wit and wisdom.

The result: A Journey Out Of India, a new debut novel in which a young woman struggles against all odds. And gets a life.

When Anna Chacko grew up young girls were bound to their homes, waiting to be delivered to suitable boys. She went to medical school, then migrated to the US in 1969 and built a brilliant career.

In this, her fictionalized autobiography, she traces the journey of her heroine, also called Anna, from an orthodox Syrian Christian home in the Nizam’s Hyderabad to the ‘fragrant tree country’ — hula-hula Hawaii.

Anna’s allies in this journey are her indomitable mother, her loving sister, and unlettered yet ultra-savvy house maid. Together, this feisty foursome prove you can’t keep a good woman down.

This is grown up chick-lit, straight-up, and from the heart. Take a few tips from this gung-ho granny’s story. Chase your dreams. Fight injustice where you find it. And keep smiling.

A Journey Out Of India. By Anna K. Chacko. Rupa & Co, Rs. 295.

You are the inveterate foodie. You trawl far-flung spots in search of the real thing.

Now come home to town. To East, the new resto-bar which delivers the flavours of the spice route, just the way you like.

Redolent with the diverse flavours of Asia, the menu encompasses Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese dishes. Try the roti canai, rendang lamb, Japanese kushiyaki, east imperial dumplings and the fish fillet in oyster sauce.

Indulge your sweet tooth with the sinful banana cinnamon wantons with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert; the perfect marriage of opposing textures and temperatures - crunchy yet smooth, hot yet cold.

The bar is a good place to wait for a table. Watch their talented bartenders mix you a delish litchi cocktail (it’s sweet, but has character). Unwind to Buddha Bar tunes.

But you may want to make reservations. With a classy vibe and no dish over Rs. 300 (except for market priced crab, lobster and whole fish), East will soon be South Mumbai’s worst kept secret. You heard it here first.

East, 76 Nidhi, August Kranti Maidan, Off Kemps Corner, Mumbai 400 036.
Telephone: 23811010, 23821010.
Meal for two: Rs. 1,000. Sunday brunch: Rs. 1,000 with unlimited champagne.

The sun is back and a breeze welcomes you outdoors. Do something different this weekend. Take a walk in Old Delhi.

On Saturday, nonprofits INTACH and Katha are hosting a two-hour walk based on author Krishna Sobti’s The Heart Has Its Reasons, an award-winning novel set in the ‘Purani Dilli’ of the 20s. Start at Digamber Jain Temple, and soak in the composite culture presented by Gauri Shankar Temple (built by a Maratha king), State Bank of India (since 1806, Delhi’s first bank), Central Baptist Church, Ghantewala’s (where you still get the most gorgeous mithais in town), Sheeshganj Gurudwara and Sunheri Masjid (Nadir Shah supervised the sacking of Delhi in 1739 from its minarets).

Then turn into Paranthewali Galli (do, do have the dal paratha) and proceed towards Naugharana (one extended family occupies four of these nine 19th century havelis), Kinari Bazaar (buy wedding outfit gota and zari), and the brassware street, Gali Gulyan. The walk ends at Jama Masjid.

So grab your walking shoes and a water bottle and let your city mesmerise you. The traffic jams don’t let it happen often enough.

Time: 8.30 am - 10.15 am, February 17. Register with Katha (26521752 Ext 25). Website: http://www.chandnichowk.com.
Free of charge.

Do a last check of your gorgeous self in that mirror. Open the door, and let Him in. Accept those magnificent orchids as your due. Then lead the way to a comfy couch, and with a flick of your delicately-scented wrist, turn on … the TV.

Trendy presents our fave Holly-Bolly date movies. Who’s the Queen of Hearts? Julia Roberts, hands down. And the dil ka badshah? Shah Rukh, aur kaun?

Pretty Woman: Good-hearted hooker Julia and drop-dead handsome corporate raider Richard Gere make whoopee in downtown LA. She gets miffed and walks. He climbs a spiral staircase to her grungy walk-up, roses in hand, and wins her back.

Notting Hill: World famous actress Julia - there she is again - falls for bookshop owner Hugh Grant. They spar, bicker and smile goofy smiles. She goes back to America, he mooches in one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods. Till she comes running back to Notting Hill. And him.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: Billionaire brat Shah Rukh meets corner shop owner’s spirited daughter Kajol. Love blossoms in Swiss mountains and Punjab sarson ke khet. She’s willing to run away with him. He waits for her father to give her away. Only then do they live happily ever after.

Dil Toh Pagal Hai: Dance troupe member Karisma loves Shah Rukh - there he is again. He doesn’t. Akshay loves twinkle-toes Madhuri. She doesn’t. SRK and Madhuri meet. Bingo. Love happens. Actually.

Pour some champagne. And get ready to sigh and melt.

Cajole the boss into unchaining you from your desk midweek. Then skip the flight delays and exhausting car rides, and check into a resort-quality suite in the heart of the city.

It’s small - tiny even; backs onto the busy Ashram thoroughfare and railway tracks to boot. It’s a safe bet your Valentine’s never heard of it. Even your best friend won’t find you.

The Manor, managed (very quietly) by the luxurious Aman Resorts group, has just 12 boutique-style rooms so tranquil you can’t but sigh and whisper. Understated indulgent furnishings - not a satin sheet in sight, just the highest thread-count cotton - in shades of caramel, coffee and cream.

Large double-glazed windows that keep city sounds firmly out. Shower rooms large enough to play in. Deceptively simple Indian meals (love the prawn khichdi) or informal Mediterranean.

Private sun decks. Wood-panelled, Italian mosaic-floored lounges lit magically by golden onyx panels that transform daylight. And a surprisingly large, unobtrusive staff who fulfill any whim with eager warmth.

This isn’t where the party is. It’s where you come home to privacy.

The Manor, 77 Friends Colony (West), New Delhi. Telephone: 011-2692 5151/ 7510.
Email: info@themanordelhi.com.
Website: www.themanordelhi.com. Rooms from US$ 175 (converted at the time of booking/ payment to the currency of your choice).

Long for ten days by the beach in Mykonos? Oh yeah. Dare to leave Mumbai and miss the city’s best weather? No way.

Get your fix without leaving these shores. Starting today Mocha goes Mediterranean at their newest lounge.

Trendylicious instantly felt whisked away while relaxing in a one-person hammock on the all-outdoors roof deck. Gone are Mocha’s usual reds and yellows for a fresh white, blue and cane seaside décor. Sit under a thatched cupola and take in the mini waterfall by the soft light enclosed in a cane lamp.

Taste their rich coffees and desserts in portions you need four girlfriends to polish off - like the Avalanche concoction of chocolate mousse, cake, sauce and ice cream. And Chef Brainard Colaco is finalising a casual menu of lighter fine dine African and Mediterranean-influenced tapas that will roll out in approximately two months.

See your meal in the making in the open tiled kitchen. Coming soon: afternoon interactive cooking demonstrations with tips for cooking and meal presentation, including the secrets to those decadent desserts.

Mocha, at Sykz, 2nd Floor, 205 Samartha Vaibhav, (Off New Link Road), Oshiwara, Andheri, Mumbai 52. Telephone: 6519045. Price: Rs 32 to Rs 295.

As a Trendy chica, you know how to love yourself. But your man comes a close second. So on Feb 14, plan a day that pampers you - and him. Together.

A.M. Indulgence: Pick up a brunch hamper from Indigo Deli, Sugar & Spice or Bombay Baking Co. Keep it light and fresh. Think Brie and bubbly, a mushroom-and-cilantro salad, strawberries and perhaps a herb roll or two. Pop in a lounge-love CD and whipped cream and head to your fave picnic spot. Your verandah, maybe?

Love in the Afternoon: A C-class Merc chauffers you to Quan spa. A special drink gets you in the mood for a 75-minute twin massage (try the Aroma Fusion) in a therapy-for-two room, followed by a pedicure, manicure or haircut. On the way out, pick up a cake, flowers and a bottle of champagne.

Perfect Finish: Make your way to Cupid’s Nest at the Flames restaurant at the Royal Meridien, decorated as you wish. Sign off the day with Chef Frédéric Molinie’s aphrodisiac-loaded dishes and cocktails - tailored to your tastes.

Spend the night under the stars. Or watch them in each other’s eyes.

Indigo Deli, 5, Ground Floor, Pheroze building, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharishi Marg, Apollo Bunder. Telephone: 66661010.
Sugar & Spice, Taj President, 90 Cuffe Parade. Telephone: 66650808.
Bombay Baking Co, J W Marriott, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu. Telephone: 66933610.
Quan Spa package: Rs. 14,999. Call J W Marriott at 66933610. Reservations required.
Cupid’s Nest at the Flames: Rs. 15,000 with champagne, Rs. 10,000 without (approx). Call Royal Meridien at 28380000. Reservations required.

You were first to try out Mongolian-grill counters, live pasta stations and sushi bars. Now try a new palate experience: fruity wood-smoked grills.

Complex red meats are grooviest grilled on a cherrywood fire. Maplewood is a match made in heaven for chicken (corn-fed, no less) and prawn. Tomatoes taste best after cider or hickory smoking. And fruits and peppers are best complimented by applewood.

At the ultra-hip Smoke House Grill, capital cousin of Mumbai’s Salt Water Grill, you get your grills smoked hot, and cold. Sous Chef Mayank Tiwari recommends you start with the aubergine soup and baked oysters with rosemary, garlic and olive oil, go on to the halibut with smoked Simla chilli, and finish up with the vanilla pancetta with orange and pink peppercorn gastrique. Robust meat-eaters must try the tenderloin steak with asparagus and Camembert.

Beautifully presented, with attentive service, superb cocktails (the watermelon capriojka gets a Trendy thumbs-up), and an exhaustive wine and cigar list, this is international standard fine dining.

The interiors are stunning too. But we suggest you focus on the food your first visit.

Smoke House Grill, North Wing, VIPPS Centre, Greater Kailash Part II (next to Imperial Garden and Mainland China). Telephone: 41435530/31. Open only for dinner from 7.30 pm.
Meal for two with drinks Rs. 4000.