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Eat

Review: Apple A Day

A perfect day starts with this Khar eatery, where fresh fruit juices will gladden your senses and fill your tummy.
by Ravi Shet

Do you want to start your day with fresh vegetable or fruit juice or a combination of both? Just walk down the road from Amjad Khan chowk and enter Apple A Day, a little joint situated next to Olive Bar & Kitchen, Khar. The place has two red-coloured bar stools and caters to the health- conscious.

Founded by the Sakpal brothers – Kiran and Sanket – this place has completed two years this month and is famous in the area for its fresh juices, shots, smoothies and salads. They also serve customised preparations as per the patrons’ requirements.

Wheatgrass Shot_Apple A DayThrough their open kitchen, I got to witness the preparation of their Wheatgrass Shot (Rs 69, in pic on left) served in a shot glass – this was a good way to start the rest of the tasting. I next tried their Carrot-Beet-Ginger-Mint (Rs 69) and Apple-Pineapple-Spinach (Rs 150), which are excellent. The chopping and blending of fruits and veggies are done once the order is placed by patron. What I really liked is that if you ask for sugar or any sweetening agent, you get an instant ‘No’ in answer.

They offer free home delivery and juices are delivered in thermostat bottles – they ask consumers to return the empty bottles. Monthly plans for Fresh Wheatgrass Juice (Rs 1818) and Fresh Fruit Juices/Blends (Rs 2828) are available for the patrons who wish to start their day with healthy juices on a daily basis. In a span of two years, they have built a base of a good number of regular customers; be it doctors, models and fitness buffs.

I will be heading there again soon, to try out their Orange-Beet-Carrot (Rs 100) and Pomegranate-Watermelon (Rs 150) which are best sellers, from what I hear. Cleanliness, good service and a wide range of juices (without added sugar and preservatives) makes this place rank high on my list.

The Metrognome reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for its meals.

(Pictures courtesy Ravi Shet)

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Tech

The 4 best smartphones under Rs 20,000

We list four smartphones you can get under Rs 20,000, complete with all the features and specs you would need.
by Manik Kakra | @Manik_K on Twitter

Chances are that you are using a smartphone right now, or are looking to buy your first one. If you don’t want to spend a bomb on a new phone and yet can’t afford to miss out on the good chipsets, decent memory, latest features, OS updates and smooth experience, this mid-range handset line-up is for you. We give a list of the best smartphones in the Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000 price range today.

Lenovo Vibe X2: Lenovo’s past few launches have been really up to the mark. The company has sorted out a lot of its software glitches, has been more prompt with OS updates, and seems to be serious about this price range. And the Vibe X2, priced at Rs 19,990, shows this. With its smooth performance, stylish and unique layered look, this device is surely worth checking out.

Specifications: 5-inch (1920 x 1080) screen, Android 4.4.2 with Vibe UI, MediaTek 6595 chipset, 13 MP and 5 MP camera, 2,300 mAh battery.

Lumia 1320: If you want a large-screen device and don’t want to sacrifice the performance as well as battery life, the Lumia 1320 could well be for you. Currently available for about Rs 13,500, this ‘phablet’ comes in a range of the usual Lumia colours, and has a lot going for those who don’t mind carrying a big phone, especially considering it’s one of the Lumia phones to get full features of the upcoming Windows 10 for Phones OS.

Specifications: 6-inch (1280 x 720) screen, Windows Phone 8.1, Snapdragon 400 chipset, 5 MP and VGA camera, 3,400 mAh battery unit.

HTC Desire 820Q: Successor to the popular Desire 816 and 820, the Desire 820Q is a great dual-SIM device that doesn’t compromise on performance, and gives big bang for the buck in the camera and audio departments. With a price tag of Rs 19,000, this HTC device is surely worth considering.

Specifications: 5.5-inch (1280 x 720) screen, Android 4.4 with Sense 6 UI, Snapdragon 410 chipset, 13 MP and 8 MP camera, 2,600 mAh battery.

Micromax Canvas Gold: This device has been one of the more popular phones in this price range, and its performance, screen quality and thinner looks addMicromax Canvas Goldto its appeal. The phone comes in gold colour, has a good camera, and doesn’t carry a lot of bloatware, which is a plus.

Specifications: (1920 x 1080) screen, Android 4.4.2, MediaTek 6592 chipset, 16 MP and 5 MP camera, 2,300 mAh battery.

Another phone worth mentioning is Xiaomi’s Mi 4, while I suggest its 64 GB model, which is priced at about Rs 22,000, a little over our budget here, it seems worth spending that extra much, making it among the best phones to buy today.

Have you tried any of these phones? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

(Pictures courtesy gsmarena.com, www.phonearena.com. Images are file pictures)

Categories
Film

Review: Mad Max – Fury Road

Unrelenting, furious action runs alongside a feminist statement on slavery, torture and the overthrowing of shackles imposed by a dictator.
by Ravi Shet

‘My name is Max’. This unrelenting action film starts with these words. Almost three decades after the original installment (starring Mel Gibson as Max), director George Miller comes up with this edition of Mad Max with Tom Hardy playing Max Rockatansky.

The film is set in an unspecified future, in a world grappling with little or no water and gas. Only one person, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) holds the reserves to these precious resources and he lets the inhabitants have access to them for only a minute every day. Immortan Joe is the ruthless leader of a band of bald, white body paint-covered crazed soldiers referred to as ‘War Boys.’

As luck would have it, Max is captured by Joe’s War Boys and termed as a Universal Donor. He is tied to a speeding car and used as a ‘blood bag’ (and referred to as one) for an ailing War Boy named Nux (Nicholas Hoult), along with other War Boys who are in hot pursuit to capture Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a solider with a mechanical left arm and a former trusted member of Joe’s army. For her part, Furiosa is on a mission to help Joe’s five wives, known as ‘prized breeders’, escape from his world of torment in an armoured tanker truck.

 

Max and Furiosa’s paths soon cross, but they start off on a bad note. However, as time progresses, they develop an excellent bond with each other, finally joining forces to battle their way in a furious, non-stop chase that will have you riveted and completely unable to tear your eyes away from the screen. Eventually, Nux switches sides and teams up with Max and Furiosa.

This is a relentless, extremely fast-paced and brutal film with a feminist narrative, and is backed by stellar performances. Tom Hardy does full justice to Max, and is superlative in both the fight sequences and the softer moments of the film. Meanwhile, in a deglam avatar and buzz cut, Charlize Theron is absolutely impressive and believable. Furiosa is one of the strongest women in recent Hollywood films, and is a new standard for other superheroines to live up to.

This is a must-watch for action and stunt buffs – with few dialogues, constant action and new heights in cinematography, Mad Max: Fury Road will keep your adrenaline high from start to finish in this mad drive for hope and redemption.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

 (Picture courtesy www.madmaxmovie.com)

Categories
Film

Review: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Watch this film only if you’re a SpongeBob fan who doesn’t mind a slightly weird storyline and tonnes of hamming.
by Ravi Shet

This week sees the release of the SpongeBob cartoon series famous on the Nickelodeon cartoon network turned into a full-fledged movie. At the outset, let me warn you that this film will leave you cold if you’re not a fan of silliness or SpongeBob.

SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny) works as a cook at The Krusty Krab, a burger joint famed for its yummy Krabby Patties owned by Mr. Krabs (voiced by Clancy Brown) in the underwater town of Bikini Bottom. Squidward, Patrick and Sandy are SpongeBob’s buddies. Residents of Bikini Bottom are always in high spirits while gorging on yummy Krabby Patties, except for Plankton (voiced by Doug Lawrence) who tries every trick to steal their secret recipe. During one of his attempts he tries to steal the secret recipe, it vanishes entirely, leaving Plankton and SpongeBob clueless.

Deprived of their yummy Krabby Patties, the residents of Bikini Bottom go crazy and the fun loving place turns into a site of utter chaos. SpongeBob teams up with Plankton to find the secret recipe and get to the bottom of the disaster at Bikini Bottom. Through their team work, they build a photo booth time machine to travel back in time and get hold of the secret recipe.

 

It turns out that bad tempered and crazy pirate Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas) has stolen the secret recipe; he plans to retire from piracy and run a food truck business. The yummy Krabby Patties which were the most-wanted food item underwater at Bikini Bottom, score an instant hit with people above the water. SpongeBob and the gang soon realise that the person having the secret recipe is not only huge in size as compared to their miniscule selves, but he also has a magical book that has the tale of Bikini Bottom written in it – and he can rewrite the ending. Luckily, SpongeBob gets hold of the last page which helps him to rewrite the story – he adds superpowers and a huge size to himself and his gang friends.

These superpowers help SpongeBob blow powerful bubbles, while Sandy becomes a huge sized squirrel. Patrick is able to attract all the ice cream cones – this one makes you laugh out loud. Mr. Krabs’ retractable claws remind you of Marvel’s Iron Man, while Plankton develops a massive green-coloured body (like The Hulk) with a tiny head.

The film is strictly okay, with very few genuinely funny moments. I frankly thought the entire film should have been an animation instead of this weird mish-mash. However, there are a few trademark SpongeBob silly scenes which will crack you up – but only if you’re a kid and a fan of the Nickelodeon series.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

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Read

Review: ‘A Gathering of Friends’, by Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond’s latest collection of short stories is culled from his earlier works of fiction and makes for pleasant reading.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Ruskin Bond exerts a rare fascination for the Indian reader. His British roots, his stories set in the soil of India, his simple plots and the elegance with which he pens his prose, all contribute to the enduring fan following he has in the country. There is hardly any bibliophile in India who does not like Ruskin Bond’s works, and many of his stories continue to ignite the imagination even today.

A Gathering of Friends-coverHis latest collection of short stories, A Gathering of Friends – My Favourite Stories is put together by the writer himself, and are his favourite works. This is a special collection, including such wonderful writings as ‘The Blue Umbrella’, ‘Panther’s Moon’, ‘Rusty plays Holi’, ‘Susanna’s Seven Husbands’ and ‘The Eyes Have it’. There are 21 short stories in all.

This book is special not just because its stories are written by a gifted pen, but because they remind us of our childhood and all its sweet joys and sorrows. The stories hark back to a simpler time without the Internet, mobile phones and even colour television, and to today’s readers, they may be somewhat unsettling in their simplicity. For instance, a reader born in the digital age will simply shake his head at the author not keeping in touch with Sushila (‘Love is a sad song’) despite a fateful meeting several years later, or the repeated marrying (and supposed murdering) of seven husbands without being caught (‘Susanna’s Seven Husbands). Nor will he be satisfied with such short works as ‘The Tunnel’ and ‘The Cherry Tree’, which might seem like they lack sensationalist drama.

Nevertheless, the stories shine a light on life in India under the British Raj, or the first years of independence when some British people preferred to stay back in India and die on its soil. Probably because the stories were written at a time when life was relatively uncomplicated do they seem so pure and heartfelt in today’s times.

We recommend this collection for lazy summer afternoons.

Rating: 3.5/5

 (Author picture courtesy blog.ixigo.com)

Categories
Eat

5 must-visit Maharashtrian eateries in Mumbai

Maharashtrian cuisine is beyond awesome but not very well represented. Here’s presenting five eateries serving authentic Maharashtrian fare in Mumbai.
by Ravi Shet

Maharashtrian food is not restricted just to vada pav; there are lots of delicious foods which are gastronomical delights and won’t burn a hole in your pockets, either. Sadly, there are very few restaurants serving authentic Maharashtrian food in our city. Of these, we’ve picked the best ones. Read on…

Aram, Fort

Zunka Bhakari_Aram FortLocated opposite the GPO, this small place is one of the branches of Aram owned by Kaustubh Tambe, where patrons can come and have their food in the standing area. This branch has been open for past six years and it is operational from 9 am to 8 pm, except for Sundays when the outlet is closed.

The thalipeeth (Rs 40) and kothimbir vadi (Rs 40) served with green chutney are definitely worth your money. Also, you can go for zunka bhakari (Rs 50) in which bhakari is made from rice flour and zunka is spicy and tasty. Kokam sharbat (Rs 20) and piyush (Rs 35) are equally good. The kothimbir vadi and piyush are hot selling items throughout the day.

Must try: Thalipeeth and piyush.

 

Girgaon Katta, Borivali West

At walkable distance from Borivali railway station, this place is really a paradise for food lovers who are looking for authentic Maharashtrian dishes. If you Kokam, Panna, Piyush_Girgaon Kattahappen to visit, then do try their kothimbir vadi (Rs 45), zunka bhakari (Rs 85) and thalipeeth (Rs 55) served with green chutney and dollop of butter (prepared at the outlet) on it are really delicious! Do try their aam panha (Rs 25) available during summer season.

Pradeep Malankar, owner of the eatery, says that Girgaon Katta was established in 2007 and was in the same vicinity; however they had to shift from that location. After a lot of struggle, they set up the new outlet in the current place last year. He adds, “I never gave up because I wanted to serve authentic Maharashtrian food which is not easily available in this part of the city.” He says that once the outlet’s airconditioned section is up and running, he will keep it open every day of the year from 7 am to 11 pm.

Must try: Thalipeeth and zunka bhakar.

Kolhapuri Chivda, Girgaon

Green Peas Pattice_Kolhapuri ChivdaThis place has been serving authentic Maharashtrian foods for more than nine decades and still continues to do so. It is easily walkable from Charni Road railway station. Kaju usal (Rs 125), made from fresh and wet cashews and green peas patties (Rs 55) served with creamy white coconut chutney along with tomato sauce are my best picks here. Also, you can try thalipeeth (Rs 50) served with yoghurt and creamy white coconut chutney along with piyush (Rs 30) will definitely make your day. Pradeep Velankar, co-owner of the place says, “We have been running this place from 1922 and it is open to customers from 8 am to 10 pm, except for Friday which is a weekly-off. Today’s generation is happy with burgers and pizzas rather than our traditional foods, which affects our business. But our old clients still come to us, even if they’ve shifted far away.”

Must try: Kaju usal and thalipeeth.

Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra, Dadar West

Looking for authentic Maharashtrian food with no frills? This is the place to visit. Situated near Shiv Sena Bhavan, it has been serving people from the year 1971. Their sabudana wada (Rs 50) served here is crispy and yummy along with the delicious chutney made from peanuts and thalipeeth (Rs 45) served with green chutney and yoghurt along with piyush (Rs 38) are really worth the money. Also try their awesome misal (Rs 45) loaded with pulses and chivda (made at the outlet), not like the typical one where there’s a lot of liquid gravy.

Co-owner Ashutosh Joglekar says that he has been managing the show for past 10 years. “You won’t find aerated drinks or ice creams or other food here; we just serve authentic Maharashtrian dishes. My grandfather Shivram Govind Joglekar started the restaurant in 1946 at Girgaon and later we shifted to Dadar in 1971.” Manager Rahul Paranjape says that all their masalas are prepared in-house.

Must try: Sabudana wada and missal.

Tambe Arogya Bhuvan, Dadar West

Opposite Roop Sangam Sari Centre, this place really gives you home-like feel in each and every food you eat here. Established in 1944 by Sadashiv Shankar Piyush_Tambe Arogya BhuvanTambe, it serves yummy kothimbir vadi (Rs 40) which just melts inside your mouth. It is served with a fantastic garlic chutney. Also try their kande pohe (Rs 30) and zunka bhakari (Rs 60) where the bhakari is worth every penny.

Don’t miss the piyush (Rs 36) here; it really soothes you on a hot summer day. Hemamalini V Tambe, manager and daughter-in-law of Sadashiv Shankar Tambe is a graceful Maharashtrian lady who can be seen actively involved in all the work related to this place with a sweet smile on her face. She says, “I have been managing the business for the past 25 years and people call me Tambe Bhabhi.”

Must try: Kothimbir vadi and piyush.

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