Desk Hunting at Oshiwara Antiques Market

It has been ages since I have had to go in search of a new piece of furniture!

But as I've been spending so long at my desk (Nobel Peace Prize work, that type of thing), I decided that I could no longer make do with the tiny, laminate-encrusted-crime-against-style that sits in our study (otherwise known as 'that bloody awful desk').  Not that I usually really need much of an excuse to go antiques shopping - but this was a genuine need on my part.

I had already been all over the place looking for something suitable, at a reasonable price.  I've kind of wised up to prices (and the 'white man's tax') and will walk out of a place if I think I'm being ripped off. I've been to Moorthy's - where I was offered a huge desk for over 1 lakh (about £1,200/$1,800); I've been to Camelot - which always seems to be so low on stock these days (gosh, hopefully not due to my blog on that shop!); and I've searched all the way along Mutton Street in Chor Bazaar.  I didn't find a good supply of writing tables in Chor Bazaar and what was available, was generally pretty crusty.

The antiques street at Oshiwara - if you're looking for Mr Khan...you're in trouble!

As a last ditch attempt (although I was never going to stop trying!), I took myself off to Oshiwara Antiques Market in Jogeshwari yesterday to see if I could do better.  I have been to Oshiwara a few times before (although I have not specifically blogged about it) and have usually found the shop keepers to be grumpy and unresponsive to bartering. But this time I got lucky.  At only the second stall I entered, I found exactly what I was looking for!  Out of a selection of around six desks on offer, I decided upon an Art Deco 5 x 3 ft solid teak partner desk (mirrored on both sides) with drawers and a cupboard. And the vendor offered me such a good price to begin with that I did not need to haggle (well I tried, but I didn't get very far).  

So I am pleased to report that I am now typing from the top of said new desk, it having been delivered absolutely on the dot of 5pm today (as promised by the shopkeeper), and all nicely polished up for me.  I would therefore like to highly recommend Abdul Kadir Khan (further details at the bottom).  At today's rather good exchange rate (i.e. in favour of the UK), my desk came in at £165/$260 (16,000 Rs).  Most quotes I have received before have been at the 25,000 Rs mark upwards.  Woohoo!

All I need to do now, is to find some nice Art Deco accessories to go on my lovely new piece of furniture...perhaps one of those 1930s model aeroplanes and a sophisticated chrome lamp? And surely, I need one of those padded leather antique swivel chairs and a globe drinks cabinet? (shhh, don't tell Mr Jules!).

Some pictures from my outing for all you antique lovers:

I was quite tempted by this writing table to begin with as it has beautiful turned legs in rosewood.  But I knew it might be deemed a bit too 'feminine' by Mr Jules.  After all, I might let him use the desk some day.
(Taj Furniture, Shop No 10, Opposite Oshiwara Petrol Pump)

Lots of miscellaneous bits and bobs to be had at Oshiwara.

The place where I bought my desk (actually in the bottom left hand corner of this picture.  The one pictured here is not a partner desk so is slightly cheaper at 14,000 Rs.  The one to the upper left is smaller and he quoted only 10,000 Rs

All this antiques shopping is exhausting!

Muslim shopkeepers lined up waiting for business

Surely the oldest furniture seller in the land?

Lots of wooden plaques, jali work and friezes 

At the backs of lots of the shops, you will find workers restoring and repairing furniture

You could trawl through this lot for days.  Great treasure hunting to be had!

I saw plenty of housewives antique hunting at Oshiwara

You will always find some slightly bizarre objets outside in the street

He wanted his photo taken...so I obliged.

My (sorry, 'our') rather chunky, colonial desk as it looked just after its prompt delivery...
...watch this space to see my study all tarted up at a later date!

Desk bought from:

Abdul Kadir Khan
Haji Abdul Sattar & Sons
Ramjanak Singh Compound
SV Road
Oshiwara
Jogeshwari.

I have just noticed that Abdul Kadir Khan has not put a shop number on his card or receipt - and as virtually all the dealers are called Khan - you might have a problem finding him.  So try his phone number : 9820201578 (his English isn't very good either!)


Read here for my (almost) complete guide to antique furniture shopping Mumbai.

The Refined Flora Fountain

At the centre of Hutatma Chowk (Mumbai's 'Piccadilly Circus') in Fort, stands a beautifully sculpted monument, at the top of which stands a statue of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and Spring (not the goddess of low-fat spreads, as Mr Jules once suggested).

I love this rather refined edifice, as it is a wonderful reflection of the times when Bombay was not overcome with traffic, poverty and rubbish. A time when such monumental gems would have stood out proudly and cleanly.

Above and below: Piccadilly Circus and Flora Fountain in 'The Old Days'
...it really did look like Piccadilly Circus!

Photo Credits: Dinodia.com

A plaque tells us that the fountain was constructed at a cost of Rs 47,000 (about £550 in today's money) in 1864. Sponsored by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, it was designed by Richard Norman Shaw and chiselled out of Portland Stone by the sculptor James Forsythe.  At each of the four corners are more Greek mythological characters.

Unfortunately, the fountain does not appear to spray water these days - probably due to the usage restrictions that you find at so many architectural water features all over India.  But it does make a marvellous resting place for pigeons and crows.

Some pictures...it could be in Rome!

Not sure what this is all about...

Loved by the crows...

Info: Flora Fountain is within walking distance from Victoria Terminus (CST) and Churchgate Station.

Indian Shoe Etiquette - Don't Put Your Foot in it.

Before I came to India, I would never take my shoes off if I went into someone else's house.  It's just not the norm.  Instead, we usually wipe our shoes on the doormat and then try not to trample through our neighbours' houses carrying mud. Or we try not to pierce their nice solid oak floors with our stiletto heels.  In fact, if someone asks you to take your shoes off in the UK - they're regarded as a bit 'weird' (you know who you are!) And it is certainly not the norm to take your shoes off when entering an office or shop.

In our own homes, we tend to change from our outdoor shoes into cosy slippers when we come inside. Or a pair of fluffy socks.  We usually always have something on our feet right? (Even in the summer).

But here in India - you are expected to slip off your footwear before entering the sanctity of someone else's property.  It is the very polite thing to do. You can either leave your shoes outside in the hall (which is what workmen and staff will usually do), or you can take them off just inside the door. It is also an expectation in some shops and offices - including at the NGO office and clinic where I sometimes tread.  Even an expat visiting another expat's house in India will take off their shoes and of course, it is a must at mosques and temples.

This kind of scene can cause me to panic

For someone who hates the sight of their own feet and also fears what they may tread in, this was initially extremely difficult for me (read my post about Crocs here).  It may also come as a bit of a shock to others who are not used to it. Visiting the slums, there are sometimes situations where you have to leave your shoes outside in a mucky, wet lane, and then somehow jump from there into the room without getting anything on your feet (if for example, all remaining space has been taken up by shoes as in the picture above!)  It's quite an art, I can tell you.  And how panic grips me if, when I return to put my shoes back on later, they have somehow been moved further away!  You then have to tiptoe across everyone else's shoes as if they were stepping stones in order to get to your footwear - without making contact with perceived, hepatitis-fuelled hazards (which of course, in reality, do not exist!)

Whilst travelling and visiting historic sites in India, taking your shoes off always feels like a bit of a gamble. For example when entering The Taj Mahal or other mosque/temple.  When you leave your lovely LK Bennett flatties on top of a pile of plastic flip-flops, are you likely to see them again? I am always reminded of that scene in Slumdog Millionaire, when the young protagonists steal trendy trainers that are so much better than their own, flimsy footwear (or bare feet).  Sometimes, you may get lucky and there will be an Indian 'entrepreneur' who for a 'wery small cost madam', will put your shoes aside on a nice shelf, and personally look after them for you whilst you are inside the monument.  A special service for foreign tourists.  

I have wised up to all of this now and always come prepared when visiting such sites - by being armed with a separate plastic bag in which to put my shoes which I then put inside my large handbag.  I don't know the technicalities behind this - if I am still breaking some sort of moral code by taking the 'unclean' shoes into the property - albeit inside my bag. 

Anyway, I am glad to say that I am very used to not wearing my shoes indoors these days - so much so that it really feels weird to keep my footwear on even in the UK....I'm barefoot all the way now!

"Hmmmm....I think I'll just take these...I love the colour!"

Mr & Mrs - the scene by our own front door.

The Mumbai Expat : Being A Better Half

WARNING: Long Blog Alert!

I mentioned in my last blog introducing you to my upcoming Mumbai Expat Series that I would write a post entitled 'Coping as a Trailing Spouse'.  I don't know what I was thinking really because I despise that term - a term for someone who joins their partner in another city where they have a work assignment.  It is so derogatory and implies that the other person has nothing to offer or nothing better to do with their time than merely 'trail'....like a snail.

When we came to Mumbai last year, Mr Jules was concerned that I would soon become bored. No doubt, you will have the same concerns if you are reading this. And it is true to say that without a work visa, your options can be very limited in this city.  Especially if, like me, you have given up a full time job and salary in making the transition - or you are a mum whose kids will soon spend the better parts of their day at school.

Mumbai, from what I can gather (having never been an expat before), is one of the most challenging cities in the world in which an expat can reside.  From the climate, to hygiene worries, to the general ugliness of the city (sorry Mumbaikars!) to the roadside beggars; to the bad traffic and poor infrastructure; having to haggle for fair prices and battling with Hinglish miscommunication. As a Westerner - every conceivable difficulty is thrown your way and a lot of people can become isolated and find it very hard to settle.

That is when you have to dig a little deeper and think laterally about how you can pass your time in a meaningful, enjoyable and satisfying way.  I honestly believe that coming to India is a wonderful opportunity for anyone - even the most unadventurous, nervous or jobless of us.  I am also of the view that time waits for no-(wo)man and I do not personally want to exist in someone else's wake.  There are opportunities to be had, sights to be seen, experiences to be....experienced. So here I list below ways in which we can become 'Better Halves' and make new alliances (women and men - as it is not uncommon for the role to be reversed).

Wondering what to do with your time?  Then read on!

Join an Expat Group

There is a good support network for expatriates in Mumbai, and the quickest and easiest way to make new friends is to join Mumbai Connexions or the American Women's Club.  You don't have to be American to join the latter - both groups welcome every nationality - using English as the common language.  The majority of members are women and most of the activities are aimed at women.  The weekly meeting platform is the good old coffee morning where you will be able to chat to like-minded people, share experiences, get advice and generally have a very sociable time.  Once you join, you will have access to further weekly groups such as Mahjong, bridge, crafting, book clubs, golfing etc.  If you don't find something to interest you there, you are encouraged to set up groups that may be of interest to others. There are also monthly and annual events to enjoy where you can bring your partner - such as dinner clubs, Christmas parties or fundraising events.

Both groups do an enormous amount of work for their chosen charities and it is possible to get involved with volunteering for those as well.  In addition to that, if you have a particular skill set (perhaps you are a good organiser, have IT or administration skills) there is usually an opening for members to volunteer in various positions.  Positions such as 'Coffee Morning Co-ordinator' or 'Website Administrator'. These roles will bring focus and routine to your month and I recommend getting involved if you can.

Annual membership fees range between 800-1,000 Rs and you are usually expected to make a 100 Rs donation at each coffee morning - which goes to charity.  With Mumbai Connexions, you also get a monthly newsletter - written by members for members - detailing all upcoming events, as well as interesting information and articles. Again, you are invited to write for the magazine if you have a talent in that area.

If you are looking for a younger and more eclectic vibe, then you should look into joining Internations, Bombay Expats Club or The Cigar Club.  These groups regularly organise events (mostly drinking events!) but you need to either join a mailing list/Facebook Page/website in order to get invites.  I know lots of people who have made lasting friendships through such groups.

Get Acquainted with Mumbai

Before I even moved out to Mumbai, I was researching everything - from restaurants to shops to tourist sites. I read Mumbai Boss avidly everyday and was soon advising Mr Jules where to go to eat and shop (he came to Mumbai four months before me).  Every restaurant and shop opening, cultural happening and sale is mentioned on this site.  You will find very useful reviews and also guides - such as this one for Chor Bazaar where we love to buy antiques. The site Brown Paper Bag is in the same vein (but not as good in my opinion) and you can also find the out what the latest goings-ons will be by checking out Time Out Mumbai.

Get Cultured

Mumbai is a very cultured city and you will surely find something to fulfil your more inquisitive side.  There's the Asiatic Society, The Bombay Natural History Society, the Art Society of India and many more.  There are museums and art galleries to visit and Bollywood movies to be discovered and enjoyed. Google is your oyster!

Learn Something New

When was the last time you had some time on your hands?  Even if you have children, you've probably got a maid and driver to help out, leaving you free part of the day.  So now's your chance to take up that cookery course, dance class or learn how to use that camera. I learnt how to cook Mughlai curries at Foodwhizz Cookery School and I found out how to use my new Nikon on a Toehold weekend course. Perhaps I will experiment with Indian embroidery next....

If I was good at languages (and I am ashamed to say that I am not), I would be learning Hindi.  Having a basic knowledge of India's 'official' language will empower you - with rickshaw drivers, market vendors and locals in general.  Indian people are always delighted when you can speak a few words of the lingo.  If you can learn Marathi too (the state language), you will be all powerful.....

A recommended Hindi teacher is Pallavi Singh - find her here.

Start a Group

If you have a musical or artistic specialism or you are interested in something and can't find a group to join then start one yourself!  Once you start posting on noticeboards and Facebook pages, you will soon find that there are other like minded people out there (whether other expats or Indians).  For example, I started a 'PhotoLunch' group that takes a bunch of us out once a month to a place of interest.  We take snaps, have lunch then go home and upload our efforts to a closed facebook page for critique.  We are all amateurs but it doesn't matter - it gets us out, it makes us learn about our city and it helps us to improve what skills we have.  And of course, it helps us to make new friends.   The website 'Meetup' is also a good place to start a group in Mumbai.

Buy a Camera & Write a Blog!

If I can do it - anyone can do it.  My background is in accountancy and I've never written anything creative in my life (except for badly composed essays at school and business reports).  I'm never going to be JK Rowling or Annie Liebovitz, but writing a blog is a time-consuming pastime that forces you out to do research and take photographs.  You can start by just using your blog to communicate with loved ones and then see where it takes you.  The Blogger platform - which I use - is very simple and is free.  You can also use Wordpress (which is also free) if you are a bit more tech-savvy - which I am not!

You will be amazed by how many friends and contacts you can make in India through blogging.  And don't worry if you're no good with a camera - your friends and family just want a snapshot of your life - not an award winning photo-documentary.  I can honestly say that blogging has opened up a whole new world to me - and really connected me to the locals of Mumbai.

Get Socially Networked

It is easy to assume that everyone has a Facebook page or Twitter or Skype account these days.  But it's not always so.  Keeping in touch with friends and family back home helps you to stay sane. Sign up today - it will also help you keep abreast of expat groups in Mumbai.

Do a Slum Tour

OK - this is slightly controversial. I am not promoting 'poverty porn' or anything - but once you've been to Dharavi, it all becomes very clear.

To a lot of outsiders, Mumbai can be defined by Dharavi - everyone has seen the film Slumdog Millionaire (a film hated by the majority of Mumbaikars co-incidentally). Foreigners therefore have their preconceptions about the city.  But once you trail through the narrow (and admittedly sometimes smelly) industrial and residential lanes of Dharavi, you will see that people are working hard, making money, organising their homes, cooking their food and generally being content with life. Getting on with it - like you should. Get over your squeamishness (after all, I have done the tour on several occasions - and there was a time I wouldn't even walk in a country lane for fear of getting cow-dung on my stiletto heels!) and make a visit.

I recommend going through Reality Tours & Travel.  Here is my blog about it too.  I have since taken my husband, my best friend from the UK and my husband's boss from the UK on the tour.  They were all enlightened by the experience - Mr Jules's boss so much so that he wants to come back later in the year to give a class on Life Skills to the slum kids.

Stay Fit...or Get Fit

And this is where I fall down.  If you are like me, you will have access to your husband's car and driver during the day when he isn't using it.  You may even have your own allocated driver.  Therefore, it is very easy to drive everywhere without hardly putting a foot on Mumbai's badly maintained pavements.  Coupled with nice greasy curries, copious amounts of Sula wine or Kingfisher beer you will soon start to see the pounds pile on. And taking a nice country walk or jog around Mumbai is not really an option.  Unless you live near Aarey Milk Colony where it is possible to stroll, it takes a couple of hours (minimum) to get out of the city.  Not only that, but open spaces are few in this city and even if you find somewhere to walk, it's usually too hot or humid to bother.

So I recommend that you either utilise the gym in your apartment building if you are lucky enough to have one (we are but I've only ever shown guests in there!) or join a gym or club. Examples of gyms are Gold's Gym (where you can do some Bollywood celeb spotting!) or C'est La Vie with its nice big pool. Clubs favoured by expats are Waterstones in Andheri or the Breach Candy Club.  Both have giant swimming pools, fitness facilities, restaurants and bars. These clubs are what you call pretty 'exclusive' with exorbitant joining and annual fees.  Some expats are lucky enough to have their companies pay these fees.  Needless to say - I am not a member! Again, such clubs are good places to hook up with new friends, have lunch and relax by the pool (but I like to save that for my holidays).

Of course, as this is India, everyone should be doing Yoga and getting all Zen-like. Here, learning yoga is such good value that it is possible to get private tuition in the privacy of your own home or you can practice it at places such as the Yoga House (where you can also get delicious salads) or Temperance, both of which are in Bandra - or at the above mentioned clubs and gyms.

Be a Volunteer

I have already mentioned above that you can volunteer indirectly for charity through women's expat groups. But if you want a more meaningful experience, where you can utilise your by-now-almost-forgotten skills then it is possible to really get stuck in by directly helping one of countless, needy NGOs that exist in Mumbai.  I did this full time for three months when I first arrived - and it is one of the best things I've ever done.  I now sit on the Executive Council of that NGO and contribute knowledge from my past career to help develop the organisation - two to three days a week.  These activities help to take me away from what can be an inward looking expat world - where I can meet ordinary cityfolk with their own, interesting stories to tell.

What many NGOs need in this city, is help with their organisational structure, HR, accounts, fundraising, marketing and social networking.  These are areas where women who have just left their jobs can easily assist with.  And stay-at-home-mums can also find ways of making a contribution - perhaps by teaching English or helping with art lessons once a week.

I am going to write a lengthier post on how to do this at a later date so please come back again.

Organise Travel

You are in one of the most beautiful and culturally diverse countries in the world.  But you may need to get out of Mumbai to find that out. I have honestly met some women through expat groups who have lived here for some time and have not been outside the city (sometimes, the confines of their own apartment!).  There is no excuse for this!  Travel and accommodation is cheap in India and each and every state has its own personality, its own cuisine and its own people.  From the backwaters of Kerala to the royal palaces of Rajasthan to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas; animal safaris, frenetic cities and peaceful, rural India. There is a reason it's called 'Incredible India'!

Most internal flights - on Jet, SpiceJet or Indigo - cost an average of £70/$100 and if you are really brave, you can try the train which is a real adventure.   Closer to Mumbai, you've got hill stations and coastal resorts including Matheran, Alibaug, Lonavala and more.  You don't have to take a flight to get away.

Please read my travel posts for ideas on where to go and what to see. Your other half will be delighted that you've organised something for them after a stressful week at work.

Invite Guests

Admittedly, I've only had two visitors come to stay in the last year - but it is a long way to come from the UK (even longer from the US!).  People generally want to stay for at least two to three weeks to make the journey worthwhile - so it can be quite a commitment for both sides.

Nevertheless, I took the opportunity to show them my new city in detail and arrange onward travel to other parts of India.  I hope for them, that a lasting and unforgettable impression was made. It's good for people to put you in your new context and report to the rest of your friends and family that you really are doing OK!




So I think that's enough to be getting on with for now. I am not going to state the obvious things such as 'doing' lunch, having your nails done or going shopping - there is already enough material on my blog about that!

I will be back soon with some more advice for Mumbai Expats.

Coming up: The Mumbai Expat Series

Well I have just returned from a trip to London to an inbox full of emails asking me for info about expat life in Mumbai (for which I thank you!)  This has got me thinking that I should write some specific posts giving general advice to others thinking of (or being forced into) making the move to Maximum City. 

It's always lovely to hear from readers and although I have only been in Mumbai for just over a year - I still try to impart as much knowledge as I can. Sometimes I am contacted by women who are following their partners out here as a 'trailing spouse' (a term I despise!) but I also hear from women who are coming here to work, volunteer or travel. They ask my advice on how to cope with the transition, how to find new friends, how to get volunteer work or they may ask me more specific advice about expat life in Mumbai.  Perhaps about drinking-water, medicines and monsoon clothing.  

A lot of potential expats do worry about coming to India - after all, we all have preconceptions about the country - concerning the pollution, the poverty and the food.  We all worry about how to make friends or how to spend our time in the absence of a work visa. This is very understandable and hopefully I can help to allay some of those fears.

So now that I have some solid experience of living in this country - I will, over several posts, jot down a bit of advice for anyone who is about to make the transition.  Such subject matter will include 'Coping as a Trailing Spouse'; to 'Having a Baby in Mumbai' (which will refer to my fellow blogger 'Mumbai Mum' - a great resource for mums and mums to be); and 'How to be a Volunteer'. I will also be writing a guide to Bandra where I reside and which is a favourite expat hotspot.  Hopefully, anyone who is a regular reader of this blog will already have a good idea of places to shop - but I am sure I will cover that topic more as well!  

There are some things I have little knowledge about - such as where to school a child or which hospital to go to in the event of a medical emergency - which I will not be covering.  For this information, please refer to your relocation agent!  My advice will be more about how to have a fulfilling and interesting experience during your time in India.  And of course it will be from my point of view!

So please stay tuned over the next few weeks for posts in The Mumbai Expat Series.

Thanks for stopping by!

Are you going from this ......

To this?.....
Then keep reading over the next few weeks for tips on how to cope!

Shiro - Japanese Food in Mumbai

Mr Jules and I recently stumbled into Shiro after a few drunken cocktails at the Hard Rock Cafe next door. Shiro is a 'pan-Asian' restaurant in Worli, and had been recommended to us by 'those in the know' as a good place to sample Japanese food - Mumbai style.

I have always loved Japanese food - ever since Yo Sushi! was thrust upon London in the late 90s - bringing us our first experience of raw fish using colour-coded plates travelling around a novel conveyor belt concept. Following that, Mr Jules and I were lucky enough to sample the 'real thing' on our amazing honeymoon tour of Japan. 

The statue that greets you when you enter Shiro

There are only a few places that serve authentic Japanese fare in Mumbai - of which Shiro is one.  Sushi is still not really a 'thing' here in Mumbai, the most cosmopolitan of Indian cities. The choice is either the phenomenally expensive Wasabi at the Taj Mahal Palace (voted one of Asia's 50 best restaurants 2013) or the other couple of places that offer watered down versions of Japanese cuisine (which I will not even bother to mention by name).  And when I say watered down, I mean that raw salmon is replaced with either cucumber or deep-fried/teriyaki chicken, and that raw fish is completely missed off the menu altogether.

But I guess you have to understand that not only are the ingredients required for Japanese cooking probably very hard to come by in India (for example - salmon does not exist in the waters around India), but I am sure that it must be nigh on impossible to prepare such food in the hot and humid climes of Mumbai. And of course, it doesn't help that raw or delicately seared fish is probably a huge turn off for the majority of vegetarian Indians.

Sesame crusted tuna sashimi with a wasabi mayo.  Ten out of ten.

The Shiro establishment itself is very impressive - as you walk through the door you are greeted by a colossal Zen like stone statue with its head almost in the clouds.  The restaurant part is upstairs on the mezzanine level - and you have to pass another equally impressive statue on the way up the stairs to get there.  The place almost reminds me of the pan-Asian restaurant Ruby Foo's on Broadway in New York - with its similarly giant Buddhas and over-sized oriental lampshades.  

Downstairs is a seating area and bar pumping out upbeat music, filled with suited office workers from nearby office buildings, soaking up the Friday night atmosphere. Upstairs we were seated by a 'pondish' water feature adorned with floating waterlilies and a dripping pipe. The furnishings are lavish - silky upholstered chairs and massive purple lampshades. The staff are professional and accomplished.

Having been deprived of Japanese food ever since my arrival in India (a year ago), I immediately zoomed in on the Japanese section of the menu - which also includes Vietnamese, Thai and Korean influences. I ordered the Norwegian salmon sushi nigiri and sesame crusted tuna sashimi whilst Mr Jules went for tempura prawns and 'Dyna' makimono - consisting of rolls of rice and nori filled with (more) tempura prawns.  Mr Jules - not overly keen on raw fish himself has a firm belief that anything in batter tastes good.  Then we shared a bowl of beef tenderloin donburi (udon noodles). The whole Shiro experience was such a treat, I can tell you.

I really can't take photos in low lighting conditions!
This is the Norwegian salmon nigiri.  Could have been a bit neater in presentation but it tasted good.

To be honest, the food is not completely up to the standard of places where the ingredients are immediately available in a fresh state.  But Shiro definitely gives Japanese cooking techniques a really good go - and I certainly had nothing to complain about.  I was more than satisfied with my raw salmon and tuna dishes (I may even have mentioned the word 'bliss' at the time) and Mr Jules was pretty impressed by the almost perfect tempura batter on his prawns.  And I loved the ambience of the place - chic, cool and trendy (those words aren't cool and trendy  - I know!) with a beat of dance music in the background and the subtle lighting (perhaps helped by the massive lampshades?).  I did notice that most of the other clientele that night were expats - probably the people that most crave sushi in this city.  Raw fish aside, I suspect that Japanese cuisine is also far too bland for the Indian palate. However, there are still plenty of other oriental dishes to be sampled on Shiro's extensive menu.

Mr Jules and I will certainly be going back when we get our next Sushi/Tempura Prawn craving!

More bad photos:

Prawn 'Dyna' Makimono

(Real) waterlilies

Did I mention the giant lampshades?

Fabulous prawn tempura

Tenderloin Donburi

Zen like creature

Lovely silky upholstery (bad photo taken on my Blackberry)

That giant statue again.

Dynamic bar crowd in the background

Shiro

Bombay Dyeing Mills Compound

Pandurang Budhkar Marg

Worli, Mumbai

Tel: 02266511207 or 02266511208

Price: Pretty expensive but a lovely treat and great for parties (and apparently... star-spotting)