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cardamumblog · 5 years

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Don’t slay the Golden Dragon

The thought of visiting hotel restaurants, by and large, fills me with dread. It really is a mishap that I’ve eaten in one too many. This is actually all a numbers game and the hotel’s core business revolves around selling rooms, so the restaurant is just an add-on intended for the rabbit caught in the headlights. Your flight was delayed, you’re exhausted after a 12-hour journey, you’re hungry and who cares about sifting through reviews of all those local eateries that you’ve earmarked. You’ve been eating plastic airline meals all day and now as a matter of urgency, you’re hankering for a gratifying dinner. In your somnambulant state, you’ll happily pay for a second class, overpriced meal and you’ve reached that point where you couldn’t give a jot. Sound familiar?

Then, there are those hotel restaurants that break the mould and leave you reminiscing long after you’ve left. Mumbai’s iconic grande dame, the Taj Mahal Palace exudes elegance, sophistication and colonial charm. This majestic landmark was built by the industrialist Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata in response to his humiliation of being turned away by another Mumbai institution for being Indian, during the days of the British Empire, so the story goes. The hotel, overlooking the Arabian Sea and subsequently the Gateway of India; a monument to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary on the waterfront at Apollo Bunder, opened its doors in 1903. It has had its fair share of adversities and during World War I was converted into a military hospital. One November night in 2008 saw one of the most violent terrorist attacks in Mumbai’s history, with armed terrorists storming the hotel, turning uber luxury into a war zone, causing untold damage. Moving on from these difficult times, the hotel has displayed a resilience that knows no bounds and its restoration has elevated the hotel into a historical monument. For Mumbaikers, the attack on the hotel was personal and tantamount to it being in their own homes, so in the aftermath, they remain very protective.

Negotiating the streets of Mumbai, you encounter an unabbreviated sensory overload. The street food hawkers present a dizzying array of choices and the stalls are ubiquitous. It’s a mecca for street food and everyone from local workers to food fashionistas will go to snack on the addictive Pani Puri, a fried hollow semolina shell, filled with crushed chickpeas and spicy water creating a flavour explosion on your palate. Mumbai’s streets are congested with traffic, vociferous headache-inducing honking, which is chaotic and overwhelming. Coming towards the Gateway of India and seeing the iconic Florentine-esque red dome atop the hotel which has now become a symbol of Indian pride, I’m overcome with a warm, familiar feeling, fuelled with euphoria. This hotel has created a wealth of childhood memories for me. I would watch with my face pressed up against the window, from the Sea Lounge, (famed for its afternoon tea), the ferries bobbing up and down on the sea, transporting boatloads of tourists to and from Elephanta Island. My parents would elegantly sip tea, pinky out, and my disregard for etiquette would lead me to run up and down the grand cantilever staircase.

Returning to the hotel after decades, post the 2008 attack, creates a mishmash of emotions. I’m drawn to the redness of the painting behind the reception in the lobby, which miraculously survived the attack unblemished. It is a triptych by M.F. Husain, the prolific modern Indian artist, titled Three stanzas of the New Millennium. The hotel is steeped in history, where royalty, politicians, Bollywood and Hollywood celebs, visitors and locals all rub shoulders. Every corridor is graced with artwork, but the most poignant is the minimalist marble memorial inscribed with the thirty-one names of the fallen.

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to drop in on one of the restaurants, The Golden Dragon, which in my opinion is the proverbial jewel in the hotel’s crown. Patrons of this Mumbai stalwart have been feasting here since 1973, myself included. The restaurant has delighted several generations of my family and is where many of our personal milestones were celebrated. The Golden Dragon’s new avatar, may not have the swanky aura of the hotel’s Wasabi by Morimoto, which has put Japanese food onto India’s gastronomic map, but it’s like an old friend who you meet after years and just carry on from where you left off, as if there has never been a time lag. I am greeted by the imperial golden dragon at the entrance and without further ado, the Taj hospitality comes into full force and I’m seated seamlessly. Unequivocally, the restaurant designed in tones of gold and ivory, now has a more contemporary vibe, with a new live kitchen which makes great viewing of this culinary theatre. Millennials are dotted all around the room, pausing proceedings to photograph each dish as it arrives, deftly setting the scene with cocktails, appetisers and cutlery, just for that perfect instagrammable shot. Woe betide anyone who tries to dive in for the first bite.

The Dragon, as it’s affectionately known as, by its established clientele, has a staggeringly impressive menu, lovingly curated by bona fide expat chefs. My default button of wanting to order everything on the menu kicks in. The signature dishes, song of the dragon cooked in a bamboo basket with blistering fiery chillies, beggar’s chicken (which requires 24 hours notice), wrapped and baked for hours on end, konjee crispy lamb, scorching on cast iron, are to die for and should really come with a health warning. You can’t come to Mumbai and not experience the local jewel of the sea, so the pan-fried pomfret with Szechuan chillies and soya is a must and totally steals the headlines. The omg moment is when I savour this utterly delectable fish, native to the sub-continent, with its crispy exterior and fragile white flesh. Oh and P.S., the crispy lotus root with chilli honey is still seducing my thoughts. The desserts don’t jump out at me, however, clearly some adept kitchen wizardry has been performed to create the delicate, distinctive, creamy chilled mango pudding. There’s no cutting edge cooking here and I’m not convinced that the food is entirely archetypal Chinese, but the Golden Dragon is a restaurant where I could eat forever, albeit somewhat expensive. I marvel at the genuine care and dedication of the staff who diligently go above and beyond the call of duty. Personally, I’ve been swathed in a blanket of nostalgia. I was first introduced to this restaurant by my grandmother and I’m anticipating bringing my own grandson soon enough.

#Mumbai #Taj Mahal Palace Hotel #Golden Dragon #Chinese

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lorettalivingston6911 · 6 years

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ICYMI: Kim Kardashian Is Hopping On The This Is Us Wagoneer

how I looked younger without plastic surgery

Kim Kardashian's tastes these days are impeccable!

She has truly become an icon in her own right, and now she's pairing up with another pop culture juggernaut -- This Is Us!

Related: Kim Shares Smiley Kanye Throwback

Wednesday night, she tweeted:

I’m starting to watch This Is Us. Who watches it? Is it good? — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 22, 2018

The show's Twitter account replied:

Who wants to tell her? pic.twitter.com/y40F7aDRNa — This Is Us (@NBCThisisUs) February 22, 2018

LOLz!!

A GIF we're sure the 37-year-old mom can appreciate!

Justin Hartley, who plays Kevin on the show, also responded:

I watch it. I think it’s worth a look. If it were me, I would watch it from the beginning. A good time to start if you ask me. Not too along in the series yet enough episodes to binge if you feel. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry...#ThisIsUs https://t.co/2tQF554us1 — Justin Hartley (@justinhartley) February 22, 2018

Ha!

But seriously, she's about to cry her lashed-up eyes out. According to all the fans though, it's totally worth it. NBC's prize series has redeemed network honor in an age when prestige cable dramas and streaming binges reign supreme.

We just hope she has plenty of tissues around...

CLICK HERE to view "This Is Us' Saddest Moments RANKED"

P.S. This Is Us returns Tuesday, February 27 at 9/8c on NBC!

P.S.S. Important to note that Kim works for E!, whose parent company is NBCUniversal. The tweet seems genuine though!

[Image via MediaPunch.]

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lorettalivingston6911 · 6 years

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Angelina Jolie's Advice For Her Daughters Will Have You Crying Girl Power Tears!

people always ask me if I've been getting Botox

Imagine having Angelina Jolie as a mother.

With all of her AH-Mazing humanitarian efforts, it must be so wonderful having her as a role model. And, after reading the advice Angie gives her girls (Vivienne, 9, Shiloh, 11, and Zahara, 13) we're even more convinced that she's someone who deserves to be idolized.

Related: Angelina Isn't Really Dating Right Now

For Elle's March issue, Brad Pitt's ex graced the cover and spoke with former Secretary of State John Kerry about sexual violence in wartime, as well other women's rights issues. Go on, go on!

On what she advises her daughters, the Oscar winner shared:

"I tell my daughters, ‘What sets you apart is what you are willing to do for others. Anyone can put on a dress and makeup. It's your mind that will define you. Find out who you are, what you think, and what you stand for. And fight for others to have those same freedoms. A life of service is worth living.'"

We're in tears. Aren't you??? She continued:

"I think of how hard women fought to get us to where we are today. Everything counts, from the way you hold yourself in daily life and educate yourself on your own rights, to solidarity with other women around the world."

Hear! Hear!

Angelina's appearance in Elle is meant to help raise awareness for International Women's Day, which takes place on March 8. The industry vet has been passionate about aiding women around the globe for some time, and even founded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative in 2012.

Jolie revealed in her chat with Kerry:

"I kept meeting refugees who were survivors of systematic rape—rape used as a weapon. Yet there were virtually no convictions. It fired me up to start working with governments and lawmakers. When it comes down to it, we still treat violence against women as a lesser crime."

Inspiring stuff. And for those who don't feel moved by the Hollywood icon's cause, she relayed:

"It's only because we are a country based on people of different backgrounds and faiths coming together that I can have this family. My daughters have the freedoms they have because of being American. And we are at our best when we are fighting for others to have the same rights. Particularly other women."

Well said. Be sure to take a look at Jolie's FULL interview with Kerry for yourself HERE.

P.S. Take a peek at her beautiful cover (below), too!

Angelina Jolie does not have a project to promote. She’s neither starring in, nor directing, a film. Bucking standard press reasons, the Academy Award–winning megastar graces ELLE’s March 2018 cover, Editor in Chief @NinaGarcia’s first issue, to draw attention to a platform that doesn’t come with a red carpet: women’s rights. Link in bio for the full cover story. || Photo by @MarianoVivanco, styled by @SamiraNasr.A post shared by Elle Magazine (@elleusa) on Feb 8, 2018 at 5:04am PST

[Image via Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.]

Real celebrity on the items

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