Car and driver in Bangalore, India

grusl wrote:

"NY Traveler" wrote in message
[....]


I haven't posted in these newsgroups before, so I haven't read your other
posts, but you should share your experiences with other readers. As
someone who typically spends 1 to 3 months at a time in Bangalore, usually
in Indiranagar, I would like to know about experiences others have had in
obtaining services such as cooks or housekeepers for the longer term
visitor, or what the best menu/value for Sunday brunch is at a better
restaurant, but I guess that would have to be on another newsgroup, I'm
not sure. So far, I've depended on the services of an agency in
Marathahalli, but their background checks seem to be rather skimpy.


I found your OP to be extraordinarily detailed about a particular driver in
an obscure part of the world. However, the second post was even odder - an
extrarodinary attack - and I do suspect a mere troll. However, I usually use
either Meru cabs or, for longer or out-of-town trips to Mysore or Belur, a
particular driver with his own car. (He seems fairly busy so he probably
wouldn't thank me for posting his contact details here).

As I said, I only posted as an attempt to do a favor for someone who
worked well for me. From an e-mail I received yesterday, I gather he
will be busy from Feb 5 to the 16th, with American and German clients
for the Aero show. However, once that is done, I suspect he could use a
boost in business.

I used a driver in Kerala who made a brave and extraordinary, and
ultimately successful, attempt to get me from Chengannur to
Thiruvananthapuram(sp?)in time for my flight to Bangalore, and I was
tempted to put in a good word for him here, but after this particular
experience, I decided not to.

I don't have staff so I can't help you there. As for Sunday brunch, a branch
of Oh! Calcutta (famously located on Nehru Place in Delhi) has opened up on
St. Mark's Road so that is my current favourite along with the new South
Indies on Infantry Road. You might also want to take a look at the new UB
City complex on Grant Road if you can slosh through the mud to get there.

I did want to stop by the UB City complex, but we had a hard time
finding parking. Unfortunately, I was plagued by an attack of the gout
at the time(possibly triggered by the succulent mixed grill along with a
couple bottles of Kingfisher at Koshy's on St. Mark's Road, although I
shouldn't say that!), so I wasn't up to walking much. I will check out
Oh! Calcutta(shouldn't that be Oh! Kolkatta now?!!) on my next visit.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Regards,

George

P. S.: A little addendum to the gout incident: I went to a GP at one of
those "diagnostic clinics". He charged me INR 100 for the consultation,
and prescribed 4 meds for a 5-day schedule. The meds cost me INR 20. I
was simply blown away! All the symptoms are gone. I'm doing a follow-up
for tests etc. here in NY, and office visits alone are $95.

"Alan S" wrote in message
...

That time I did the Golden Triangle; Delhi/Agra/Jaipur. I
intend to visit again next year. I realise you may be a
little biased to Bangalore, but I'd appreciate suggestions
for a start/finish point choice for a one or two-week visit,
starting and finishing at either Bangalore, Mumbai or
Chennai.

Bombay's good at the moment.

Meru cabs have made getting about a lot less uncomfortable and they've
cleaned up the Fort area and made it a lot more friendly when you're going
shopping.

Plus just about all the taxis and cars are on natural gas now and a lot of
the building work in the city has stopped so the pollution, except out at
the airport, is much better.

--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

George, have you heard of anyone taking a trip to the Kolar Gold Fields
mines? I heard they used to be among the deepest gold mines in the
world, but couldn't get any tourist information. I remember reading a
blog which mentioned that people were being allowed to pan the tailings.
Could be an interesting winter weekend trip.

Regards,

George

grusl wrote:

"Alan S" wrote in message
...
George, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to India last march,
as you probably know from my blog. My interests are made
clear in the blog.

That time I did the Golden Triangle; Delhi/Agra/Jaipur. I
intend to visit again next year. I realise you may be a
little biased to Bangalore, but I'd appreciate suggestions
for a start/finish point choice for a one or two-week visit,
starting and finishing at either Bangalore, Mumbai or
Chennai.


Also, you might have noticed Alfred Molon's note a few weeks ago about
AirAsia now flying to Trichy (Tiruchirapalli). Might be worth keeping in
mind as a budget flight option.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Bangalore

"NY Traveler" wrote in message
...
I did want to stop by the UB City complex, but we had a hard time
finding parking. Unfortunately, I was plagued by an attack of the gout

Gout? Are you a time traveller? I trust the rickets and dropsy are bearable.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Olde Bangalore

"NY Traveler" wrote in message
...

George, have you heard of anyone taking a trip to the Kolar Gold Fields
mines? I heard they used to be among the deepest gold mines in the world,
but couldn't get any tourist information. I remember reading a blog which
mentioned that people were being allowed to pan the tailings. Could be an
interesting winter weekend trip.


I have not. The local MLA has just been picked up for alleged corruption -
the surprise being that he was picked up, not that he was allegedly corrupt.

I can't imagine an Indian gold field having particulary adequate standards
of safety or hygiene. It would be an unusual holiday but not one for me. I
don't have that sense of adventure.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Bangalore

"NY Traveler" wrote in message
...
grusl wrote:

"NY Traveler" wrote in message [....]


I haven't posted in these newsgroups before, so I haven't read your
other posts, but you should share your experiences with other readers.
As someone who typically spends 1 to 3 months at a time in Bangalore,
usually in Indiranagar, I would like to know about experiences others
have had in obtaining services such as cooks or housekeepers for the
longer term visitor, or what the best menu/value for Sunday brunch is at
a better restaurant, but I guess that would have to be on another
newsgroup, I'm not sure. So far, I've depended on the services of an
agency in Marathahalli, but their background checks seem to be rather
skimpy.


I found your OP to be extraordinarily detailed about a particular driver
in an obscure part of the world. However, the second post was even
odder - an extrarodinary attack - and I do suspect a mere troll. However,
I usually use either Meru cabs or, for longer or out-of-town trips to
Mysore or Belur, a particular driver with his own car. (He seems fairly
busy so he probably wouldn't thank me for posting his contact details
here).

As I said, I only posted as an attempt to do a favor for someone who
worked well for me. From an e-mail I received yesterday, I gather he will
be busy from Feb 5 to the 16th, with American and German clients for the
Aero show. However, once that is done, I suspect he could use a boost in
business.

I used a driver in Kerala who made a brave and extraordinary, and
ultimately successful, attempt to get me from Chengannur to
Thiruvananthapuram(sp?)in time for my flight to Bangalore, and I was
tempted to put in a good word for him here, but after this particular
experience, I decided not to.

I don't have staff so I can't help you there. As for Sunday brunch, a
branch of Oh! Calcutta (famously located on Nehru Place in Delhi) has
opened up on St. Mark's Road so that is my current favourite along with
the new South Indies on Infantry Road. You might also want to take a look
at the new UB City complex on Grant Road if you can slosh through the mud
to get there.

I did want to stop by the UB City complex, but we had a hard time finding
parking. Unfortunately, I was plagued by an attack of the gout at the
time(possibly triggered by the succulent mixed grill along with a couple
bottles of Kingfisher at Koshy's on St. Mark's Road, although I shouldn't
say that!), so I wasn't up to walking much. I will check out Oh!
Calcutta(shouldn't that be Oh! Kolkatta now?!!) on my next visit. Thanks
for the suggestion.

Regards,

George

P. S.: A little addendum to the gout incident: I went to a GP at one of
those "diagnostic clinics". He charged me INR 100 for the consultation,
and prescribed 4 meds for a 5-day schedule. The meds cost me INR 20. I was
simply blown away! All the symptoms are gone. I'm doing a follow-up for
tests etc. here in NY, and office visits alone are $95.

"William Black" wrote in message
...

"grusl" wrote in message
...

. However, I usually use
either Meru cabs or, for longer or out-of-town trips to Mysore or Belur,
a particular driver with his own car.

We used to rent a car on a daily basis when we needed one. But this year
we've used almost exclusively Meru whoa are starting to dominate the high
end business in Bombay.

So far, except for one driver who got lost (On Juhu beach!) it has been
very good.


It's the same Meru that have expanded down here with mint green locally made
Renault Logans. They're good but I do wonder how they manage to hire enough
drivers. I suspect they're draining the other cab companies of talent.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Bangalore

"NY Traveler" wrote in message
...
grusl wrote:

I did want to stop by the UB City complex, but we had a hard time finding
parking. Unfortunately, I was plagued by an attack of the gout at the
time(possibly triggered by the succulent mixed grill along with a couple
bottles of Kingfisher at Koshy's on St. Mark's Road, although I shouldn't
say that!), so I wasn't up to walking much. I will check out Oh!
Calcutta(shouldn't that be Oh! Kolkatta now?!!) on my next visit. Thanks
for the suggestion.


Can't explain the empty post. Here's take two:

There's an ongoing conflict between UB and the city corporation over the
upkeep of the roads outside UB City. Most of UB's name tenants - Tiffany &
Co., Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney (why oh why?) - are getting a rent-free
period in anticipation of losing money.

Koshy's is more of a meeting place than a culinary high point - its menu is
best described as 1950s military canteen.

I'm not sure why the Bengali chain is named for a tedious British play but
there you go. If you can get past the name, the food is good.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Bangalore

"grusl" wrote in message
...

"William Black" wrote in message
...

"grusl" wrote in message
...

. However, I usually use
either Meru cabs or, for longer or out-of-town trips to Mysore or Belur,
a particular driver with his own car.

We used to rent a car on a daily basis when we needed one. But this year
we've used almost exclusively Meru whoa are starting to dominate the high
end business in Bombay.

So far, except for one driver who got lost (On Juhu beach!) it has been
very good.


It's the same Meru that have expanded down here with mint green locally
made Renault Logans. They're good but I do wonder how they manage to hire
enough drivers. I suspect they're draining the other cab companies of
talent.

having had considerable experience of Bombay cab drivers I have issues with
the word 'talent here.

However my dear wife did quiz one of them about how it all works and Meru do
insist on three years experience driving a cab before they'll employ anyone
as a driver.

On the other hand the average Bombay cab driver seems to refuse most jobs
because you're not going far enough to suit them...

Meru are a breath of fresh air...

--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

grusl wrote:

"NY Traveler" wrote in message
...
I did want to stop by the UB City complex, but we had a hard time
finding parking. Unfortunately, I was plagued by an attack of the gout

Gout? Are you a time traveller? I trust the rickets and dropsy are bearable.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Olde Bangalore

Trust me, it's still very much an affliction of our times, probably more
so than ever before due to people consuming all the historically "rich
man's food". It's caused by hyperuricemia, a condition in which the
kidneys are insufficiently processing uric acid for one reason or
another. A very painful condition, with the potential for a lot of
damage if left untreated. In my case, the culprits are possibly
long-term consumption of low-dose aspirin and/or certain
cholesterol-reducing supplements(niacin, for one). Certain foods [like
grilled liver or beer ;-)] then "trigger" the attack.

your comment on Koshy's, yes it does have a certain 1950s British
cantonment influence to the menu(which was the milieu in which it was
established), but they do have other items on their menu which are quite
famous in Bangalore, such as their appam and stew which is a Kerala
breakfast combo. I was recommended their mixed grill, which was quite
good, actually. But you are not likely to find avant garde or fusion
cuisine. It's more in the style of diner fare in the US. I suspect the
menu has been permanently frozen.

Are you a veggie fare fan at all? I love dosas, and tried it at various
places which I guess people would normally avoid. But I figured as long
as I drank bottled water, I should be okay, and I was. New York has some
restaurants that have fancy nouveau-cuisine dosas, like the Hampton
Chutney Company, but I still much prefer Thiru Kumar's traditional dosas
served from a cart in Washington Square Park. I didn't make it to MTR in
Bangalore, which is reputed to have the best, but usually has a long
wait to be seated. Perhaps on my next gout-free visit......