Category: TCB

A Fine Dining Experience at Virgin Courtyard Chandigarh

There are not a lot of quiet places to eat in Chandigarh. With the advent of live music bands, DJs etc, silence is something I crave at times. So my quest for the same led me to Virgin Courtyard Chandigarh.

Virgin Courtyard Chandigarh

Located on the back side of Sector-7, you may find it difficult to zero in on. But once you do, it is all worth it. It is dusk and there are so many candles and fire lamps outside. Further, the entrance has stone steps with water running beneath and by this time, you are already in love with this place.

You can sit inside or in the courtyard but when you have the latter option, why would you sit inside?! The courtyard is calm with a handful of tables, a small gushing fountain and loads of candles to set the mood for the evening. The fact that the place is so silent soothes one’s, soul.

Virgin Courtyard Chandigarh

What we ordered at Virgin Courtyard Chandigarh:

Since we weren’t very hungry, we first ordered a tomato consomme soup with vegetables. I should mention here that there is not a lot of variety of soups for vegetarians. There are two variations of tomato soups and a double mushroom soup. So there is not a lot of choices while ordering. While we were waiting, we were served focaccia bread with tomato salsa (which was in the house). I loved the bread and the salsa, even though the salsa was a bit too cold for my liking. But it is a nice treat, nevertheless.

Soon after our soups arrived. First impressions- they look lovely. The taste is exactly what you expect from a consomme but sadly, our Indian taste buds are hardly accustomed to it. So if you tend to stick with tastes that you know, this is not for you.

Virgin Courtyard Chandigarh

Next, we ordered arancini. These are small crispy balls stuffed with cheese and rice that get your taste buds salivating. They are served with extremely delicious dips, chutneys and salads that you feel like having more.

By the time it is time to leave, it is pitch dark and as I look up into the sky, there are a plethora of stars and I do not feel like leaving. Maybe, this is the charm of the place.

Verdict:

If you are not into trying something new, this is not the place for you. But if you love to experiment, this place should be on the top of your list. Do visit it, especially for the ambience of the place and the courteous staff!

Price points:

Around Rs 700 for two for a two-course meal including taxes.
#TCB: Things to do to make your Valentine’s Day special

If you are in a relationship, chances are that February gets you sweating despite the cold temperatures. You may have got the girl/boy of your dreams but that is not the end. You have to make them special, especially on days like these when the whole world is watching you. 😛

To make your task a bit easier, here are some tips and tricks that will make your Valentine’s Day celebration all the better.

Valentine’s Day

1. Personalise

The important of personalisation can hardly be overstated. When going that extra mile, it shows and makes your relationship stronger. Personalisation doesn’t mean it has to be something expensive. It just means that you have to be thoughtful so that it shows.

2. Romantic

When you are years into a relationship, you know your partner inside out. But it doesn’t mean you end up giving them “practical” gifts even on this day. For example, you don’t have to gift your girl some kitchen appliance because you know it is broken in her kitchen. Valentine’s Day is supposed to be different, so bring on your A-game!

3. A card

And no, I am not talking about that store bought mass produced cards. Sure, you can get them that. But don’t forget to add a touch of you with a note telling them how much you love them. Or anything else, really.

4. An extra effort and appreciation

This is perhaps the most important part of this list. If your other half makes an extra effort, regardless of how it goes, make sure you show your appreciation. They may have baked you a cake that didn’t turn out so well. Or bought you something that you didn’t like. Or anything else. But make sure you acknowledge the effort and the thought that goes behind it.

After all, Valentine’s Day is really not about giving gifts but rather cherishing the love you have and being thankful for it!
Sampling food at Ministry of Bar Exchange, Sector-26

Today I had the opportunity to visit Ministry of Bar Exchange, Sector-26, Chandigarh. MOBE as it is often called is famous for its unique concept. The prices of drinks here keep fluctuating based on the simple economics of demand and supply. The more the demand, the higher the price and vice versa. There is also a screen here that reminds you of a stock exchange!

Ministry of Bar Exchange, Sector-26

First impressions at Ministry of Bar Exchange, Sector-26:

The place looks to set up in a way similar to Shosha-26. However, it is much larger and has a more continuous theme running. You can sit inside the cafe, or go out to the lounge or even sit on the rooftop. This is one of the few places in Chandigarh where one can smoke wherever.

What we ordered:

A famous critic once said that to judge the quality of food at a place, you should sample their pasta. If they have got the pasta right, everything else is bound to be perfect. So is their pasta ‘just right’? I’ll get to that in a minute.

Scanning through their menu, all I think is that it is a desperate attempt to make it look funny. If you are in a bad mood, it is bound to irritate you further instead of putting a smile on your face.

We ordered a Manchow Soup first after waiting for the waiter for almost 20-25 minutes. Sadly, what we got served was a Hot n Sour and not what we actually ordered. Though I was very keen on pointing out the error to the staff, my lunch party wanted to let it go. Since the soup tasted good, nevertheless, I decided to let it go too.

Next our pasta- a Penne Alfredo arrived. It looked very appetising but quantity wise it is far less than what other restaurants serve. Further, there is no bread to go with it! MOBE has to be the first place where I have seen pasta being served without a side of bread. Anyhow, the pasta tasted decent. However, I had a few issues with it. First, the sauce did not evenly coat the pasta. Second, a certain spice was used so extensively in the dish that it wiped the taste of every else from your palette.

As I was waiting for the cheque, I saw that the staff had messed up the order of another table too. Well, maybe they were just having a bad day in the kitchen.

Verdict:

The place certainly seems to be nice for drinkers. But sadly, I can’t seem to say the same for foodies. The food is decent but maybe just good enough for a one-time try.

Price points: Rs. 1000 for two including taxes and without alcohol.
#TCB: 5 Reasons why Chandigarh is the best city!

Chandigarh is our very own City Beautiful. They say once you have lived in Chandigarh, you can’t live elsewhere. That is definitely true. There are millions of reasons to love this City. However, the following five reasons make our City stand apart altogether.

1. Chandigarh is clean

No other city in the country is as clean as Chandigarh. The roads are immaculate and so tidy. And don’t forget the look the city dons after a spell of rain. Everything is crystal clear as if someone has cleaned your dust rimmed glasses. Everything bears a beautiful look created by the Almighty himself.

Cleaned Chandigarh

2. Carefully planned

Chandigarh is the first planned city of the country. The dream project of Late Prime Minister Nehru, it has a charm of its own. Certainly, it is a joy to be here. Every sector and road are so carefully planned that you can never get lost in this city. Why? Because every road is parallel to the adjacent road. So even if you are directionally challenged, this city is always on your side.

3. Negligible pollution and traffic

THIS is perhaps the best part about living in Chandigarh. It does not have a lot of traffic and hence, pollution. Compare it with a city like Delhi and it is almost equivalent to living abroad. We are perhaps the healthiest in the country when it comes to our respiratory systems. All this while our transportation system isn’t very effective. Come to the metro project, our roads will be as empty as an F1 racing track!

4. World class education

Chandigarh has some of the best educational institutions in the country. Right from primary schools to a world class University, everything is here. And there are options aplenty! There are schools for CBSE, ICSE, state boards and even international curriculum like IB now! Then there is Panjab University- the premier University of the country. Need I say more?

5. Food!

Every foodie’s delight, Chandigarh is a haven for food. From international food chains to world class dhabas, there is something to tingle your every taste bud. Perhaps this is because of the amalgamation of various cultures here. The proximity to the states of Panjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and various migrants from different parts of the country, there is something for everyone.
Valentine’s Day Celebrations for Couples in Chandigarh

Valentine Day is around the corner so get set to treat your partner with love and care. Valentine’s day Celebrations is significant for all the lovebirds in the city. With all the enthusiasm the microbrewery owners, resto and lounge bar promoters are gearing up with their freshly-brewed strawberry and green apple romantic beer to tickle taste buds.

There are many offers prevailing in the city to surprise your significant one or Send gifts and presents to your valentine. You could send a bunch of flowers, chocolates, cookies, Gift hampers and so on.

Valentine’s Day Celebrations Ideas:

The Lalit Chandigarh

Lalit offers Valentine’s Day Special at accommodation, dinner, Romantic date at poolside. It is time celebrate the special day in a romantic way to express your love for each other and make memories for life.

For reservations, please call: +91 82880 33895 / 0172 3007750

Website: http://www.thelalit.com/the-lalit-chandigarh/specialoffers-en.html#valentines-day-special

Fine Dine Restaurants

Valentine’s Day celebrations are not complete without food. Take over your partner for a romantic candlelight dinner to restaurants like Virgin Courtyard, Hibachi, and Whistling Duck for a great fine dine experience with great food and a cosy ambience.

Partying

Feeling Anti-Valentine this 14^th February join DJ Sonya at Kitty Su at Lalit Chandigarh. All the single lovers out in the city head up to this party and tap your feet to the music.

Couples and Girls entry free

For Guestlist or Inquiry
Contact –8968843435

Golden Tulip Chandigarh

Golden Tulip is out with an amazing offer to surprise your lady on this romantic day. Valentine’s Day Lunch and Dinner with Sparkling Wine, Special Cake & Chocolate Goodie Bag for a Couple @ INR. 1999 for a couple.

For enquiries or reservations, please call 08558855715 & 08288030703.

Love is in the air this week and couples are surely up with astonishing plans to express love. Book your dates at the famous restaurants. We’ll soon be updating about more restaurants and offers for Valentine’s Day Celebrations.
What to do after Graduation – Career Option or Courses after Bcom-BBA

All the final year students from commerce background must be wondering what after B.com or BBA. Once you finish your exams everybody seems to worry about your future plans. In today’s world there is a lot of competition, a graduate degree is not enough to lead a good future.

As you have done your Graduation in Commerce (B.com or BBA) so you must be interested in Accounting or Management. Here is a list of courses you can pursue after your Graduation in Commerce.

List of courses after Bcom or BBA

Masters in Commerce (M.com)

If planning to be in a teaching field this could be the best option. Admission to this course is mainly through your graduation marks percentage. M.Com is a program that focuses on systematic study of Accounting, Business, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Taxation, Marketing and Management and therefore it gives insights about all the fields.

Master in Business Administration (MBA)

MBA can be pursued in various domains like Finance, Business Management, International Business, Supply Chain Management, Human Resource and many more. Admission to this course is through several entrance exams conducted by different universities.

Chartered Accountants (CA)

One of the most common career opted by the students of commerce field. CA exams are conducted by Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAI) and requires one to clear 3 Examinations over the period of time that are CPT, IPCC and Final CA. After clearing one group the student is supposed to register for articleship with experienced CA’s for two and half years. Final CA again has two groups and after clearing both the groups, you can proudly affix the words CA before your name.

Banking & Insurance

Several students move towards Banking and Insurance sectors after completed their graduation. The students appear for the banking and insurance exams for government or private jobs. Students clearing the entrance exams are eligible for the working in these sectors.

Law

To pursue law the students opt for LLB to become lawyer or legal Advisor. Admission to LLB courses is through entrances exams as specified by different institutes.

Entrepreneurship

Students wanting to work on their own and have great business planning ability within them can pursue Diploma courses in Entrepreneurship and Family Business. You can start small scale business you can work as a sole entrepreneur as you know lots of things of the business.

These are some courses which the students from commerce background could pursue after their Graduation. So remain focused and know what you want to do.
Amante opens its first store in Elante, Chandigarh!

Amante- the international lingerie brand recently opened its first store in Chandigarh in Elante mall. The store opened its doors for the people of City Beautiful on February 2nd.

The launch of the store was spearheaded by Bollywood actress Disha Patani. Disha Patani made her Bollywood debut with the movie Loafer. Speaking at the launch, Patani said that she is a huge fan of the brand. She further said that she was glad to be opening a store for it.

Amante in Chandigarh

Also present at the event were various fashion bloggers from the city including Naaz Arora and Himani (of Fresh Face Beauty). The beauties of Chandigarh were also offered various inaugural discounts by the store. Free merchandise, vouchers- girls from the city grabbed their hands on exclusive merchandises available.

Vouchers were being distributed by the women security personnel at the entrance of the mall to all women coming into the mall.

Amante in Chandigarh

Further, an online contest was also run by Amante’s Facebook page. The winners were supposed to meet the actress and also to be given exclusive gifts. However, it soon ran into controversy as the results were never announced by the brand.

Amante is an American lingerie brand and its store in Chandigarh is a part of their recent global expansion strategy. The brand particularly focuses on silhouettes for Asian women.
Comedy Clinic by Dr Mushoor Gulati at North Country Mall
Chandigarh to experience a laughter attack next month. Comedy Clinic by Dr Mushoor Gulati is here to rock your day with his satire. For the first time, Sunil Grover will be Live in the city.

Drishti Events is organizing the show for the first time in Mohali. Sunil Grover “The Kapil Sharma Show” fame is coming to heal all your problems with laughter. Sunil Grover stands up comedian will be entertaining you on a weekend. He will blow your mind with his humorous talks.

Dr.Mushoor Gulati specialised in:
- Laughter Therapy
- Laughter Yoga
- Stress Busting Laughter
Book Your Appointment on

18^th March 2017

Venue

North Country Mall, Mohali

For Sponsorship & Show Inquires Contact

9815186969, 9872891300

Plan up with your friends and family to visit North Country Mall on 18^th March 2017. Relax from the stressful work next month with the specialist Dr Mushoor Gulati.
Going Through Rough Times? These Psychologists in Chandigarh Can Help You Get By

Fitness is an important aspect of our day to day life but we certainly forget the mental fitness issues. If something is troubling you or having stress related problems or your child is not able to focus on studies. Before the problem aggravates and penetrates to the roots seek some guidance from professional psychologists. Connecting with a psychologist does not mean that you are weak. Sometimes an external help is required to know yourself. The psychologists help you connect yourself with your inner self.

Psychologists in Chandigarh

Here is a list of few Psychologists in Chandigarh guiding people with a good experience.

Chandigarh Counselling Center

Psychologist

Counselling centre considers every individual as a unique person and provides with appropriate counselling required. Professional Counselling For All Types of Mental, Psychological, Emotional, Spiritual Problems, and Misunderstandings Resolved.
Address: # 3074, Sector 19 – D,

Contact: 0172-2724587

Divine Health Clinic

Psychologist

Divine Health Clinic is a place where you can solve your relationship problems, emotional issues. They help you deal with problems like depression, suicidal feelings, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, stress, panic attacks, severe headache, karmic patterns, psychic attack, hallucination, different kinds of Phobias, fear & anxiety, relationship issues, lack of confidence, low self-esteem and over-thinking (mind surrounded by negative thoughts)

Address: #2449, 1st floor, Sector- 23 C

Contact: 098762 31991

Dr Roopali Virk

Child Psychologist

Dr Virk is a specialist in Education counselling, Personal counselling, Career counselling. She has 15 years of experience in dealing with these issues of people. Get in touch with Dr Roopali to head for a bright future.

Address: RV Counselling Services, SCO 186 – 187, second Floor, Madhya Marg

Contact: 09888424433

Harry’s Counselling Therapies Treatment

Psychologist

Address: # 596 Phase 4, Sector 59, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 160059

Contact: 09815222233

The counselling centres will help you recognise the problem and eliminate it from root before its too late. Head on to these psychologists with your problems in life and relax yourself.

Sometimes it’s difficult to explain what’s going on in your head when you don’t even understand it yourself

Psychologists in Chandigarh
Remembering Kalpana Chawla: An Inspiration For All

I love February. It is my favourite month of the year. It is the unique month. Also called the month of love and friendship. Further, it helps since it is my birthday month. But it always starts on a sombre note for me. Why? Just one name- Kalpana Chawla.

Yes, the first Indian woman to go to space. The first Indian to go to space, twice. Also alumni of Panjab Engineering College and a Chandigarhian. We all know how and when she died in the Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster needs no introduction.

Kalpana Chawla

This article is not about that but about a woman who inspired others in her life and even to date after her death.

As a child, TV was my first source of knowing her. Or more precisely, the day the shuttle crashed when she was returning. But perhaps I was too young then to understand its impact. Nevertheless, the fact that India had a female astronaut who died was disturbing and saddening, to say the least.

Soon after, we had a science exhibition in school where I saw a beautiful model. Of course, it has to be beautiful considering I still remember it distinctly till date. There was a picture of a space shuttle with Chawla’s face inside of it. On the top of the model, it was written- “main star on ki duniya ko chhuna chahti hu”. These are the words which Kalpana Chawla was often quoted saying. These roughly translate to- “I want to explore the world of the stars.” On the bottom of it, it was written- “main sitaron ki duniya mein kho gayi…”. And for those who don’t understand- “I got lost in the world of the stars.”

Kalpana Chawla

I had a drawing competition later that month and I drew an image of that model because it left such an impact on me. Understandably, I came first. And I never wanted to be an astronaut. It was never about that.

It was about being inspired by a woman who may be amongst the stars now but who never gave up on her dreams. A woman who many others in the country aspire to be like. An astronaut who told the world that the sky is not the limit until and unless you want it to be. A leader who went amongst the stars and became one of them. An enigma called Kalpana Chawla.