Exquisite Dining Experiences
By Deepak Singh

NEW YORK

Hue:

This West Village eatery is still the hippest restaurant in town. Known as much for the Vietnamese delicacies on its menu, as for the celebrity clientale that regularly patronizes it. Getting a table is hard enough and it certainly doesn't help if you don't know that it's pronounced "hway" - Vietnamese for the country's 17th century capital. Don't let the beautiful crowd divert you from an authentic Vietnamese meal, especially the delectable barbecued shrimps on sugar cane sticks.

91 Charles Street | 212-691-4170

LONDON

The Ivy

The Ivy is one of the most coveted restaurants in London. Situated in London's West End, the theater district,The Ivy plays host to celebrities, such as David and Victoria Beckham or as the English say "Posh n' Becks". The Welsh rarebit and sticky toffee pudding are quintessentially British fare, but continental dishes are also available. We advise you to book a table well in advance, since the restaurant is notorious for the difficulty of getting a reservation. Winner of the London Restaurant Awards 2000 and London Restaurant Academy Award of Excellence, The Ivy is well worth the effort.

1 West Street, Covent Garden | 020 7836 4751

BOMBAY (Mumbai)

Café Mondegar

This jam-packed cafe is always throbbing with students, young artists and hip travelers. The jukebox on at full blast, the murals by a famous Goan cartoonist Mario Miranda and glib quotes on the walls add to the rocking atmosphere. Situated right next to the Regal Cinema, 'Mondee's" greasy fries are perfect with a cool pitcher of beer. And those morning-after hangovers can be soothed with a breakfast combo - eggs with bacon and ham or sausages with coffee or juice for just Rs.80.

Colaba Causeway | 22-202-0591

LAHORE

Polo Lounge

Polo is a particular obsession of the rich and famous in Lahore, the step-sister of Pakistan's hip city Karachi. Many a Lahori socialite is flying to France for the Polo World Championship in September 2004, in which Pakistan's national team will be participating. So it is little wonder that the Polo Lounge, resplendent with polo imagery and Ralph Laurenesque decor, became an instant crowd puller. Favorite summer dishes are the avocado and jocca cottage cheese salad and the carpetbag steak. The restaurant is conveniently located near the Polo Ground lest you are afraid of missing a heart-pounding race for the goal. Beware that the only way to quench your thirst is iced tea (as the sale of alcohol is prohibited in Pakistan)

Polo Ground