Christmas goodies in the city

After all the terror and trauma, it’s now time to hope and pray for a new tomorrow. And I’ve always found that keeping positive is much easier when I’ve bonded with friends and shared some of life’s edible pleasures. Which is why I’m working overtime like Santa’s li’l elf to find out how to make this festive season extra special. I’ve narrowed down my options to just the best of the best. And since you’ve been a good girl all year, I thought I’d let you sneak a peek at this list too.

CHRISTMAS EVE TAKEAWAY
Theobroma: Christmas pudding, Stollen (a German cake made with marzipan and fruits), plum cake and lots of toothsome treats to put a carol in your heart.
Cusrow Baug, Shop No 24, Colaba Causeway, Mumbai; Tel: 67305363. Cost: Plum cake Rs 385, Stollen Rs 280 for 500 gms.

Mangalore Stores: Everything that you’d need for a cozy Christmas bring-in with your nearest and dearest. Pick up kalkals, neuris, rose cookies, marzipan and coconut sweets to your heart’s content.
Mohammed Eidu Manzil, Shop 8, Opp Paradise Cinema, Mahim; Tel: 24457542; and at Kalina, Near Air India Colony, Santa Cruz (E); Tel: 26041093; Cost. Starts at Rs 160 per kg for kalkals and goes on to about Rs 600 a kg for specials like marzipan and milk-creams.

CHRISTMAS DAY SIT-DOWN
Blue Frog Christmas Lunch: Pre-book a pod and enjoy all the Xmassy treats like mulled wine, egg nog, ham, turkey and more as you listen to the Student’s Choir of the Happy Home & School for the Blind and Christmas Jazz by Junckt.
D/2 Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai; Tel: 40332300; Timing: 11am to 5pm; Cost: Rs 2,000 per head.

Indigo Christmas Specials: Visit Indigo, Indigo Delicatessen or Indigo Cafe between December 24-26 to sample the special all-day Christmas menu. The lavish brunch has a wide range of tapas, salads and antipasti apart from a specially prepared Roast Turkey Roulade with Apple Sausage Stuffing, Orange and Cognac Gravy (which has to be ordered in advance). There’s also Roast Ham with Mustard and Maple Glaze and desserts such as Plum Pudding with Brandy Sauce and Chocolate Amaretto Truffles with Honey Toasted Almonds.
Indigo: 66368980, Indigo Deli: 66551010, Indigo Cafe: 26336262; Cost: A meal for two with drinks and dessert would be approximately Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000.