Last Christmas

Life is uncertain but the way it is going right now, it might very well be a long time before I come to Bangalore during Christmas... Hence, the title of this piece... No relation to George Michael whatsoever!

Now that I assumed 2012 Christmas to be the last one in the city, I made sure I had a grand one, and this time, luck co-operated with me.

Every year, Bangalore is decked-up during Christmas and New Year. It is a treat to see the city at this time of the year, almost every shop displaying a Christmas tree, sometimes a Santa in a mall distributing sweets, and Brigade Road looks especially fabulous with the entire street lit up for Christmas and New Year.

Brigade Road during evenings

December is one of my favourite months of the year. It is that time of year when I look back and think of the year that passed, and thank god that it passed! Now I have the next year to be wiser and more tolerant!




This thought, coupled with Christmas and New Year celebrations, calls for lots of special treatment to my year-long complaining belly. So, I treat it well. And so I began by feasting at one of my "want-to-visit restaurant", Bangalore's Bistro.








Even during peak dinner-time, the restaurant was not crowded, which might have led me to other conclusions if I had not been assured by the countless reviews about this place.

The decor itself is like that of a Bistro with fountains, fences, paintings, wrought-iron chairs and mosaic tables, shrubbery and an outdoorsy terrace section. It's nothing to brag about; it's a nice, decent ambiance and one that I settled to quite easily.

Chicken VOL-en-VENTS

I must warn, the ambiance is quite conducive to female-chatter. We chatted away the hours, lazily eating our dinner with not a care for the world.

Bistro Chicken Steak

Enchilada

We didn't order much, but whatever we ordered turned out to be delicious.

Also, I must mention their impeccable service. We were two girls and as girls do, taking turn to photograph one another. We thought we would ask a waiter for a photo of us. Before we could ask, a waiter politely stepped forward and asked if we would like a photo together. Well, it is hard to find sensible waiters... we were pleasantly surprised.

St. Patrick's

With our tummies purring with pleasure, we went to St. Patrick's Church for the midnight mass... my first-ever.

The Service

The service was prompt and efficient. The decor was pretty. The crowd was co-operating. And the sound of the choir at midnight was a beautiful experience.








I am glad my friend persuaded me to join her. I could not believe I was a part of a 1000+ strong crowd, gathered at midnight, celebrating the birth of Christ.

























Well, what can I say! It was my last Christmas in Bangalore and it was definitely my best!


Thank you, Bangalore!







To all, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

My Tea House

The Tea Party

I had a little tea party
This afternoon at three.
'Twas very small-
Three guest in all-
Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate all the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea;
'Twas also I who ate the pie
And passed the cake to me. 

-Jessica Nelson North



Tea is more of a companion to me. I drink the black when dark clouds hover above me. I drink the sugary milky concoction in the hours of noon when things are slow. I drink with honey on days when I feel indulgent. I drink it ice-cold during summer lunches. Tea has always been there. And since I moved away from home, tea is that one link that instantly connects me home.

Many a times, the distinct aroma of tea reminded me of my home: the constant boiling of tea leaves in the kettle, morning newspaper over tea, breaking of siesta with tea, laughter and adda with neighbours over  tea. No wonder, I am partial to tea than any other drink in the world.

So to find a nice little tea-place in a city famous for its coffee, makes me giddy with delight. I had to share this place I came across a couple of months ago and which I re-visited last weekend. It's aptly named "My Tea House". 

Of course, the most famous tea-serving  restaurant is Infinitea at Cunningham Road, where they have specialised brews from all over the world. It is also quite a hit. But My Tea House is in my neighbourhood and is a more modest place than Infinitea. It has none of Infinitea's cosy ambience and continental menu, nonetheless, My Tea House (MTH) has a charm of its own.

The tea menu is endless; the options are many. Food-wise, it has a decent menu with sandwiches and burgers, but I never went there with an intention to eat. It was solely the crave for a good tea that attracted me. And usually, a sponge cake accompanied it. 

This time around, my eyes caught the 'Nilgiris Tea' section. Though I live so near the Nilgiris, I have never tasted their brew. Continuous supply of Assam Tea might be the culprit; I never had the need to 'buy' tea. Assam Tea is always abundantly available, free, direct from a tea estate of people back home. So, at MTH, I gave the Nilgiris Tea a chance, and I had something called 'Orange Pekoe'. Of course, with it was a Dates-cake. It was served black, and man! what an aroma... It had a subtle fruity flavour too. I had it like a purist, no sweetener. The cake gave me good company. The fruity flavour still lingers in my mind. I have to go back soon to taste it again, or maybe next time for the first time, I will BUY Nilgiris tea.

For all tea-drinker around Bangalore, you can try this one next time you have a crave for good tea.

My Tea House is situated near the Deve Gowda Petrol Bunk, Banashankari 3rd stage, on the 100 ft. Ring Road.

You can gather more information at http://www.myteahouse.in/

Let it brew!