Aurus, Juhu Road

This was long overdue!

First year of marriage completes and you want to celebrate every joyous second that passes by. You look out for a perfect place to spend the evening when the sound of your padding heartbeat grows on seeing the glint in each other's eye. The flickering light of the candle from your candle light dinner softly tunes new harmony and you see day following night like flapping of bird’s wing. To celebrate such pleased moments, we chose a place and thank God it was as fit as a fiddle. I had to write about one of the best restaurants I went to celebrate this togetherness.

Aurus is a fine dining restaurant and lounge bar on the beachfront of Juhu. It is difficult to locate Aurus since it is not even marked by any sign. My husband and I drove past the restaurant once since there was no sign/board anywhere. That is about locating the joint, which is actually just before the Reid and Taylor showroom, which can be easily missed.

The inside of Aurus is dimly lit, which is little uninviting compared to the well-lit outdoor area. The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous otherwise. There is a big hype about watching the sun down from Aurus. Almost all the tables get booked months before so there are few lucky tables, which can even gaze onto a quiet stretch of Juhu beach.

The food we ordered was good. The hospitality of our attendant was outstanding. We were timely attended to and were advised when needed. The dishes we tried had a really appealing name but I can’t remember it. My platter of peppered cottage cheese on organic broccoli tasted great with peach and strawberry daiquiri.  Our crusted potatoes and chicken were great starters. We enjoyed our food and indulged in rich chocolate dessert to rejoice the fainter moonlight of the growing night.

Aurus’ alluring open-air vibes make it a great place to wine and dine. 

when you are in Kolkata

My office gives a constricted view of the by lanes of Mumbai. The wet street of Mumbai is partly visible and the hang about you can make is by the incessant pour the city witnesses.

There is a tall tree which is visible from the adjoining large glass. The tree is unevenly growing like the Mumbai traffic; it has leaves that are light and furry. I am clueless, if you are expecting the tree’s name. Can’t be a Banyan or Peepal, since I know them really well…

Okay, let’s come back to the weather. This drizzling reminds me of the clammy streets of Kolkata in rains. How I would wish the water on the street to evaporate without leaving a trace, or how I would wrestle my umbrella to keep it upright.

I remember eating at perfectly calcuttan restaurants in these rains. That day also it rained a lot and I wanted to done a Kebab dish at Peter Cat but my South Indian friend suggested Tamarind. He told me Tamarind is one of the rare south Indian specialty restaurants, which serves other cuisines too. Doubting that I would be able to savor my food at such kind of place, I had to lay down my arms for his taste buds. The restaurant is located at Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani.

Ambience of the bistro I must admit was striking. The instrument playing frivolously in the backdrop lit my mood and the scent of food made me ravenous. We ordered Hyderabadi chicken which clearly tasted like one sautéed with Lemon & Ginger. The breads were quite good but the stealer was the Paysam that my friend made me taste.

Kolkata can boast of startling eateries and whether it is rain or heat here are few restaurants you must try when you are travelling to Kolkata:


• Mainland China: I can swear by the exotic Chinese cuisine it serves. It is said to serve the best Chinese and Thai in Calcutta. Undoubtedly anyone’s favorite, if it comes to Chinese. Rice lovers have to try Schezwan rice here.

• Marco Polo: another Chinese restaurant where I had relished eating. My hot favorite hong kong noodles with chicken is a killer.


• Peter Cat: Best thing about the restaurant is its ambience which houses a bar and serves Indian and Continental. You have to try chillo kebabs here. It is supremely Gourmet’s delight. The place’s stylish set up and stucco walls are becoming

• Moulin Rouge: another stealer in Park Street, where you have to go.
• Tangerine: go for à la carte. The French styled bistro looks astounding. I had simple veg food, which wasn’t that good but my friends loved lobster thermidor (however that tasted)


• On track: I would not strongly recommend. Dad and I experienced this restaurant but didn’t like it that much. It is a nice place for kids since it has a different seating arrangement in the form of train, which whistles too.


So that is what you have from my choicest places in Calcutta. But I would still crown the road side joints, puchka stalls, jhal muris and cha over the above. Junk food in Calcutta will win hand down anywhere! The city of joy is a Gourmet’s delight.