Chin up sisterhood

Ever wonder how life, morals, fashion and eating preferences go through a cyclic change. I remember while growing up, fast food, ice cream parlours, pizzas and their ilk were very popular, much to the chagrin of our parents who wanted us to eat home food. Then slowly, other cuisines started becoming the stars of our palates. Eyetalian dishes were as dishy as their people, then Japanese, Peruvian, Bolivian and Mexican! But something that never lost its hold over us was the unique Indo-Chinese cuisine which has evolved over time evolved into our favourite Pan-Asian cuisine! Of course, as our palates became more evolved and as the master race (read: Indians) we travel more, and our tastebuds become more refined, more authentic restaurants are mushrooming in namma ooru. The first place I tried Nikkei cuisine (Japanese-Peruvian cuisine) was in our city. I had no idea that a group of Japanese people had settled in Peru and evolved their own cuisine! Similarly as any self-resecting Bong, my brief but impactful childhood sojourn in Calcutta exposed me to Cantonese-Chinese food which was wonderful! The (now) world famous Tangra in the bylanes of the city gave me a rich and varied perspective of the complex yet simple cuisine bursting with fresh ingredients and flavours. This was till I chanced upon the brilliance of flavours at Royal China my most fave restaurant in Mumbai, and which has now thankfully opened its doors in our ooru. Nestled in UB City (my hood) the restaurant brings a breath of fresh air into a city which is bursting at its seams with pan-Asian hot-spots. The young and dynamic duo, Neville and Michelle Vazifdar brought down the franchise of the restaurant from London and when it opened, it created a storm in Mumbai! All the stars from the galaxies rubbed shoulders with us plebeian folk, and food and service was top-notch without discrimination. Yash and Megha Bhatia Another youngster from our city, Faiz Rezwan, has franchised this iconic restaurant from Neville Vazifdar and lo and behold! Bengaluru has Royal China! Charmingly, Neville got in touch with his PR and extended me an invite to check out my fave restaurant! I landed up with two of my girl friends and I ran into all the A-listers of namma ooru and I must admit it was fun to acknowledge and have a slydekho too! Since my mood has been upbeat this last week (it always happens when I get to hang with my girls), I have been busy arranging catch-ups and sitdowns. I see more women seeking out other women for company and friendship. When one meets with her girl friends, the conversation is easy and spontaneous. Whenever a feeling of helplessness inundates me, I seek out the company of my female friends with whom I share a strong, often intimate bond. We offer each other support, understanding, and shared experiences, much like a sisterhood. These relationships have emotional depth and vulnerability, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding. I think its imperative to pursue and maintain healthy female interaction! No gossip! Everyone knows that fish with a closed mouth never gets caught! I met with my young friend for lunch at a young couples newly opened (you guessed right) Pan-Asian restaurant called Mai Mai. The entrepreneur duo, Megha and Yash Bhatia have the pulse on Zen-Zee. Fairly priced good food, with an intimate setting and great music! I do lauuuu my city! (The writers views are personal)