Book Review: The Rozabal Line 

Title: The Rozabal Line

Author: Ashwin Sanghi under pseudonym Shawn Haigins

This is the first book by Ashwin Sanghi under pseudo name Shawn Haigins. I finished reading the book quite hastily as I wanted to know what the end of this story is. The book is very interesting and holds on to you. But the bitter truth is that this book is heights of confusion. It takes you to various places in a matter of no time.

This was my second book by this author and I had expected uncovering plethora of mysteries and Sanghi did not disappoint me. But, frankly speaking, I was lost reading this book as it contains every religion possible and the author has tried to complicate each of those. Again, the end was quite unexpected.

Author has done immense research on almost all the religions and picked the good of all those religions; as well as tried to dig the loopholes. This book is like a cocktail.

My suggestion: do not dwell upon the concept in this book, its mind shattering.

About the Author:

Ashwin Sanghi is said to be the Dan Brown of Indian literature. He writes historical, mythological, theological thriller. He pursues dual profession, being an entrepreneur and a writer. Till date, he has authored four books on his own and one along with another writer.

Restaurant Review: Baghdadi

Location: Behind Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba

Everything I say seems like an understatement for this place. The food is SUPERB.

Since I stay in Navi Mumbai, its only once in a while that I get to visit Colaba. And, every time I go there, I end up having food at Bagdadi. This restaurant is amazingly cheap. They serve some of the best mutton and chicken dishes.

It is located right behind Taj Mahal Palace hotel. This is one of the oldest places in Mumbai. The place has absolutely no ambiance or decor. Its just like a roadside dhaba. The place is always overcrowded but you manage to get a place to sit and may be sometimes you have to share your table with others. It is open till late night.

During my recent visit here, I had Chicken Kheema, Chicken fry masala and roti. The food is so filling that you feel completely satiated after the meal. We also had Caramel custard which was again yummy. A must visit if you are fond of North Indian and Mughlai food.

I never manage to get any pics of food as I pounce on the food as soon as it arrives at the table and by the time I remember about getting a pic, my plate is almost over.

As for me, waiting for my next visit to Colaba.!!!

Food: 5/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Restaurant Review: British Brewing Company (BBC)

Location: Inorbit, Vashi

Visited this place over last weekend. It was crowded owing to the Friday night. I was with my friends meeting them after a long time.  It was a mixed group of vegetarians & non vegetarians.

The ambiance of the restaurant is good. There was continuous music and TV in the background. The tables with sofa are quite cozy. 

The service is very efficient. Everything from ordering to getting the food is quick. The staff is very helpful and attentive.

The best part about BBC is its food. We ordered beer, iced tea and virgin Mary. 

For starters, we went for Mumbai's favorite Veg Chilly, Chicken Malai Kebab, Chicken Cigar rolls. I loved the Chicken cigar rolls. They were filled with cheese and chicken..absolutely delicious.

Mumbai's favorite Veg Chilly

Chicken Cigar Rolls

Chicken Malai Kebab

Veg Cigar Rolls

For main course, we ordered for a Basil Pesto Chicken Pizza and Basil Pesto Veg pasta. The pizza had lot of chicken toppings with cheese. 

Basil Pesto Veg Pasta

Our pizza also had a complimentary beer to go with it. 

Basil Pesto Chicken Pizza

(We pounced on the pizza & pasta the moment it came. So, the delay in clicking.)

And finally, the price was very much worth it. Less than we expected actually.

So, all in all, a great place to visit. Looking forward to visiting again.

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Book Review: छावा -  एका शूर सिंहाच्या शूर छाव्याची गोष्ट

शीर्षक - छावा
लेखक - शिवाजी  सावंत

छत्रपति शिवाजी हे नाव अणि त्यांचे कार्य आपल्या जेवढ्या ओळखीचे आहे तेवढंच संभाजी राजाचं  आयुष्य व कार्य अनेक कारणामुळे संदिग्ध आहे. लहानपणापासून शिवाजी राजांच्या गोष्टी ऐकून त्यांच्या बद्दल मनात अभिमान आणि आदर दोन्ही निर्माण झालेला आहे. शिवाजीबद्दल वाचताना मनात तेवढंच कुतूहल संभाजी राजे आणि त्यांची कारकीर्द निर्माण करते.

जर कोणाला खरोखर काय झालेले हे जाणून घ्यायचं असेल तर छावा ही शिवाजी सावंत ह्यांची कादंबरी वाचावी. शेवटपर्यंत मनाला जखडून ठेवणारी आणि आपल्या इतिहासकडे जवळ नेणारी अशी ही अप्रतिम कलाकृति आहे. प्रत्येक मराठी माणसाने वाचायलाच हवी अशी ही छाव्याची कहाणी आहे.

लहान असताना शिवाजीराजांबरोबर आग्र्याला गेलेले सम्भाजी आणि जीवास धोका आहे हे जाणून फ़क़त शिवाजींच्या सांगण्यावरून मागून वेष बदलून आलेले संभाजी, मिर्झाराजे ह्यांच्या गोटात ओलिस म्हणून राहिलेले संभाजी, मरण यातना भोगणाऱ्या शिवाजीना भेटता येत नाही म्हणून तळमळणारे संभाजी, शिवाजीवर विषप्रयोग करणाऱ्यांना खड़सावणारे संभाजी, जिजाऊच्या मृत्युवेळी धाय मोकलून रडणारे संभाजी, गोदावरी ह्या बाईच्या मृत्यूसाठी स्वतःला कारणीभूत मानणारे आणि तिच्या ह्या यातनेसाठी मूळ कारण असलेल्या सोयराबाईंचे नाव सदरेपुढे सांगण्यास कचरणारे संभाजी, त्यांच्यावर विषप्रयोग करणाऱ्यांना हत्तीच्या पायाखाली देणारे आणि चुकून कटात सामिल झालेल्याना माफ़ करणारे संभाजी, रामराजांवर जिवापाड प्रेम करणारे संभाजी, महाराष्ट्र जिंकून कर्नाटकपर्यन्त मजल मारणारे संभाजी, उभ्या कारकिर्दीत कुणी जिंकू न शकलेल्या जंजिऱ्याला वेढा घालून खच्ची करणारे संभाजी, अपमान सहन न होऊन दिलेरच्या गोटात जाणारे संभाजी आणि आपली चूक समजल्यावर परत येणारे संभाजी, औरंगजेबाच्या कचाट्यात सापडल्यावरही मराठी मान न तुकवणारे संभाजी.

ह्या पुस्तकात सम्भाजीराजांची अशी कितीतरी रूपे दर्शवली आहेत. पुस्तक संपेपर्यंत मन फक्त एका गोष्टींकडे ओढ़ घेते. त्या काळात संभाजीराजांच्या नेतृत्वाखाली काहीतरी अचाट करता आलं असतं, तर जीवन धन्य झालं असतं.