Avenue T Volume 2 Issue 33

Dhaka Tribune | Saturday, December 27, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 33

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Contents

AvenueT inside...

5 Editor

Voom voom Vezel

Editor’s note 8

Let sparks fly

Zafar Sobhan

Executive Editor

Shahriar Karim

Managing Editor

Jahangir Hyder

Magazine Editor

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Asst Magazine Editor

Mahmood Hossain

Avenue T team

Khan N Moushumi N Anita Amreen Sabah Rahman Tausif Sanzum Sabiha Akond Rupa

Contributors

Hair tools 101

Agony Aunt Tahsin Momin Adila Hoque

Photography

Sabiha Akond Rupa

Graphics

Alamgir Hossain Md Mahbub Alam

Colour specialist

Shekhar Mondal

Production

14

2 TUNED The best of 2014 3 TRY OUT A natural touch 4 TECH New tech wave 5 WHEELS Honda’s Vezel 6 TELL Against a bully 8 TUCKED IN NYE bash 9 HEALTH A healthy refresh 10 TRIAL ROOM Change for the better

16

Winter wonderlands

12 TRENDING A year in review 13 Tailored The best NYE look 14 TEMPT Unisex beauty products 15 TICKET Sale at Unimart 16 TRAVELOGUE Winter retreat 18 TANTALISE Battle of the best 20 NEWS

Dear Readers, In just a few days from now, we’ll be bidding farewell to this year, and welcoming a new one. This is when the slate gets clean, and you get a shiny new calendar to fill with new memories, achievements and stories.

Start the celebrations with some of the year’s top movies, showcased in Tuned.

We’re adding a nostalgic return to nature to our table decor in Try Out. In Tease, the Avenue T team shares some relationship lessons we’ve learned this year.

Party down in style with our tips on Tucked in. While you’re making resolutions, we’ve got a few lifestyle related ones for you in Take Care. But since that can wait till 2015, we also bring you our favourite eateries of 2014.

If your plans for the 31st involve chilling in the desh, we’ve got all the best local staycation deals for you in Travel.

Finally, if the coming year really is a chance to turn your life around, this is the best time for a little introspection. We’ve got you started in a meditative piece on Trial Room.

On behalf of Avenue T, I wish you a very Happy New Year.

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Editor, Avenue T

Masum Billah

Circulation

Masud Kabir Pavel

Contact us

avenuet@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com

10

New year, new you

This week Welcoming new beginnings Photo: Bigstock

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

2 | Tuned event

Best movies of 2014 | Tausif Sanzum

Gone Girl

misfits end up being the guardians of the galaxy, making this the event movie of the year. The humour, action, graphics and nail-biting climax demands a sequel.

How to Get Away with Murder

Boyhood

Commissioner James Gordon as a young detective. Gordon along with his partner wants to solve the murder case of young Bruce Wayne’s parents. The series serves as the stepping stone which moulds Bruce into ultimately becoming the Dark Knight.

The Affair

Dec 25-27 All seems rosy in the Dunne household, until their fifth anniversary when Amy Dunne is reported missing by her husband, Nick Dunne.

Amidst all the pressure from the cops as well as media craze which the case garners, Nick’s erratic behavior raises the question if he has killed his wife.

Food Cart Festival

Birdman

Venue: Unimart, Gulshan

Dec 26-Jan 16

Mapping BangladeshWorkshop

X-Men: Days of Future Past

For a long time, real and reel life didn’t have too many similarities. This year Michael Keaton returns to the big screen as Riggan Thomas who is famous for playing an iconic superhero named Birdman. Riggan is all washed up now and wants to stage a comeback as the director of a play which seems to be doomed from the get go.

Guardians of the Galaxy

The charming Chris Pratt and a quirky team of

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

The best reviewed movie of 2014, Boyhood tells the story of a boy named Mason who literally grows up in front of your eyes on screen.

The movie is filmed over a time period of 12 years and serves as a nostalgic tribute to the last few years, while at the same time being a tale of growing and parent-child relationship.

One of the best reviewed series of 2014 has the talented Oscar nominee Viola Davis playing the role of a criminal defense professor, Annalise Keating. She hires few of her best students to work for her firm. However, they are in for a roller coaster ride when they are caught in a murder plot.

True Detective

Detective Rust Cohle and Martin Hart are brought in to re-investigate a homicide case they worked on back in 1995. The detectives ensue a cat and mouse pursuit of a serial killer driven by the occult while at the same time they face their own inner demon.

A series exploring the emotional and psychological effect of an extra-marital affair. Noah is a school teacher who resents his dependence on his rich inlaws and Alison is a waitress who is trying to piece her marriage together. What happens when a steamy affair ensures between these two people?

Penny Dreadful

Gotham

This movie was a double treat as it got back most of the original cast members along with the characters of the franchise’s earlier films. The fate of the world is in danger and the X-men send Wolverine back to the past to change a decision to release mutant hunting Sentinels taken 50 years .

This is a wonderful tribute to the twelve year old series.

A prequel to the Batman series centering around

Explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American Gunslinger Ethan Chandler, and others unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London.

Try Out |

3

diy

Closer to nature Bringing back the forgotten charm of rustic table settings

| N Anita Amreen Clay pot spread

This week we harness the beauty of meals that are taken on kola pata spreads and good old earthen pots.

Quaint, rustic and full of old world charm, these table settings are not only easy to pull off, they are also the perfect way to enjoy a family meal unbridled. Read on to find out how to bring back the beauty of these warm rural settings.

Try your hand at a rustic table setting by using only clay items to decorate your dinner table. Available at Aarong, Jatra and local area tableware stores, a clay focused table setting is not only a classic when it comes to Bangalee meals, it’s also a fun way to add a homely, personal touch to your dinner table. Read on to find out how to make the best of plain pots to bring back that earthy feel to your dining experience.

Kola pata spread

There is a certain kind of homely feel to a simple meal laid out on a banana leaf mat. Considered to be a traditional way to serve South Indian cuisine, this style of table settings follows a hands-on approach to eating.

You’ll need

You’ll need

Clay: Bowls Plates Cups Teapot Small flower pot to act as centrepieces Dia (for the centerpiece)

Large banana leaves Small steel bowls to hold the curries Small spoons Smaller leaves to act as coasters

Directions

Thoroughly wash and dry your banana leaf and set it on the table as you would set a regular table mat.

Make sure you do this right before serving your guests to ensure that the mats are clean when you all start eating. Depending on the number of items you have cooked, place small bowls with each dish on the mat in a half circle spread. In the centre, leave space for the main carbohydrate of choice – rice or roti. Set out each banana mat in this manner. Take smaller banana leaves, or any other leaf of your choice and place it next to the mat to serve as a coaster. If you want to further decorate your table, you can also place the leaves as the centre mat for the main carbs you are going to be serving.

Directions

Photos: Big Stock

Use any table mat of your choice and spread them on each seating section of the table. On each mat place one clay plate, and place the clay bowl on top of it. On the left corner of each plate place your clay cups. Set one corner to place your clay teapot, and bowls of main dishes. Instead of placing the cutlery around each plate, take an empty, small flower pot and place a napkin in it. Stack all your cutlery in it. For some centerpiece magic, you can place a circular setting of a few clay dia’s to add a dim glow to your dinner table.

You can also use an empty upturned flower pot to act as a vase for lone flowers, or even just lengthened leaves.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

4 | Tech Troubleshoot

A healthier habit

gadgets

Advance to next level 2014 has settled upon a whirlwind in technical advancement

| Mahmood Hossain We rely on our smartphones more than we’d like to believe. It’s an unhealthy habit to have when you should be sleeping and keeping the phone away. With winter coming in full blast, here’s a few ways to curl up in bed without your phone.

Photo: Big Stock

1. The most common use of your smartphones is to have it as an alarm clock. We know, you need to wake up, old school alarm clocks won’t do it for you. The easiest step is to take your phone away from your bedside and onto a side table or leave it on top of your dresser.

This way you’ll have to wake up and get up out of your bed to turn the alarm off on your phone.

2. You might be thinking, “What about emergency calls from other people?” Simple, just like a little Do Not Disturb sign hanging off a hotel room’s doorknob, your phone has a similar function.

Going through your settings, you’ll find a Do Not Disturb or Blocking Mode. This mode turns off all of your notifications, messages, and blocks calls. You’ll have the option to only add the contacts you will most likely to get an emergency call from.

3. Most of you might use soothing tunes to make you fall asleep. It’s best to get a Bluetooth speaker so you’ll have both devices away from your bed and set to a playlist that will end on a time you prefer.

Now, you have your tunes and your distance from distraction.

4. The worst of them all, you’re using your phone by browsing through Facebook, Instagram, playing games, and simply not missing out in the world. Don’t worry, the world will be there when you wake up. This is where you need to set boundaries. High stress levels will not help you sleep. Whether it’s work or family, the last thing you need is to zone out on your phone’s display. It helps if you regularly use your phone – draining the battery – throughout the day to come home and plug it in for a full charge. Let it recharge, while your body goes into sleep mode.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

| Mahmood Hossain While Sony tends to their cyclone of misfortunate set by the hackers Guardians of Peace, other giants in the game carry on with their innovation. Even though it has turned a sour note at the end of the year, Sony has seen its success through its gaming division with the PlayStation 4. They remained at the top up until recently, losing its number one spot to Microsoft’s Xbox One. Seems as if the holiday discount has helped with sales. Microsoft has also taken Skype to the next level.

Soon enough, everyone will be able to have video sessions in any spoken language.

You read that right. You can speak or type in Skype, and it will automatically translate your words to the receiver’s mother tongue.

For now, it’s only in English and Spanish, but more languages are soon to follow. Not to mention how Nokia have handed all of its mobile endeavours over to Microsoft as well.

However, it still remains in the back of the line on the smartphone race

to supremacy. Apple’s new iPhone couldn’t achieve the dominance of yesteryear, leaving the battlefield open for the taking by the onslaught of Android devices.

There have been devices that blur the lines between a smartphone, tablet, and an ultrabook. Devices that have been approachable and slapped with a welcoming price tag.

Our local net speeds and networks

have made great improvements, yet the distance remains. Not to worry, we’re still clipping at the heels with the rest of the world. If it means Samsung opening up their cafes at countless corners and every other block, then so be it. One thing is for sure, the plague that is the selfie shall continue to capture our faces, hoping to retain our youth like Dorian Gray.

apps

Add a few more Cooking, organising, and wallpaper setting

| Mahmood Hossain display. You can share recipes, create a photo cookbook, and browse through the many beautiful dishes presented in one hub. It’s like the “Food” section in Pinterest, just bigger and better.

Mobiles Wall (Android, iOS, Windows Phone) As we move forward into technological advances, we still have an obsession with beautiful images.

Each of those photos, whether it’s a selfie or a shot of the Cote d’Azur, provokes certain emotions and urges us to share with the world. The same goes for our smartphone wallpapers.

We swap the background images more than we change our underwear.

This app brings together a wonderful and countless amount of images for your device’s wallpaper.

Kitchenbowl (iOS) This could be the perfect companion to our Tantalise page, bringing together a community of food lovers and professional cooks alike. With so many recipes and ideas to share with the world, you’ll have to be careful not to drool directly on your phone’s

One List (iOS) We could to with more productivity apps, it makes our lives a tad easier.

One List is a colourful app that brings attention to your priorities in the simplest way. This app lets you create tasks with colour themes of your choice by an easy-to-use swipe down, swipe right gesture function.

There’s no clutter, which gives way to the app’s clean design and its effects in colours and sounds. Jotting down notifications is even easier, as you are able to remind yourself in advance when a certain task should be completed. And if that’s not enough, the app lets the user set option due dates just to make things more flexible for you.

Tires | wheels

5

Road rage

2014 Honda Vezel The JDM crossover endorses the belief that all good things come in small packages

A ‘not’ so joyous occasion

| Tahsin Momin The all new Honda Vezel fuses together SUV-like stability and coupe-esque styling to realise an emotional design that stimulates the senses of the people. Think of it like a smaller version of the Honda CR-V. It has the same typical mix of efficiency, practicality and rich features.

Exterior

On the outside, the rather peculiar crosstour is characterised with beautifully styled light groups.

The door locks are almost invisible, which is a result of the visual trickery that went into the Vezel’s design cues. There are good aerodynamic characteristics following along the lines of the mirrors, which also houses the side indicators. Meanwhile, the rear end also gets an equally aggressive stanced fascia as the front end. The aggressive design of the rear door, spoiler, increased dimension of rear lights and power exhaust pipe, makes it look quite attractive.

Interior

On the inside of the Vezel, it is a completely different story. The interior is rather ahead of its time. It is without a doubt very comfortable and spacious, and provides a great deal of driving pleasure. The materials used in this car are of the highest grade. The three spoke steering-wheel includes control buttons for management with available tech equipment.

The centre console consists of an implemented dashboard that includes a display and round-shape control watches. Other standard features on the Vezel includes a safety package trim, navigation system, warning systems for driver, a lot of tech, and a high-quality sound system. Even then, it has a lot of space for improvements

| Tausif Sanzum

Available at:

Car House Limited House#16, Gulshan Model Town, Gulshan, 1000 Dhaka, Bangladesh

in upgrading with future models.

Performance

Under the hood of the Vezel is a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC inline-four cylinder engine making 129HP at 6,600 rpm and 114lb-ft at 4,600.

It comes equipped with Honda’s original real time AWD that controls the torque distribution to the front and rear wheels precisely through electronic control. Zipping around the busy streets of Dhaka and merging into traffic will present no problems whatsoever. In fact, it will never make you feel to have the need for more power, a tribute to the nicely sorted CVT.

Safety

Like most of Honda’s models these days, the Vezel is designed for optimal performance in the most rigorous of new crash tests, and endow with pedestrian protection in the event of a collision. It comes standard with all the usual safety refinements and the active safety features includes the city-brake forward collision warning and mitigation system, which employs autonomous braking when a collision is eminent.

At the end of the day the Vezel is something very unique and it is second to none when it comes to its features. The Vezel blends engaging dynamics, nifty packaging, and an upscale design both on the inside and out. Home run vehicle? Yeah, you could say that, without a doubt.

It’s that time of the year when we do not know whether to be angry, sad or happy. And why do we feel this way? People get married in winter; celebrate Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Victory day all in the span of a month.

However, often these celebrations go beyond the four walls of our homes. Somehow we always end up playing Bollywood tracks at full volume, regardless of whether it is Victory Day or a wedding function.

We try not to be judgmental about Bollywood songs, but how can we not get irritated when these songs are played at decibels capable of bursting our eardrums at 2am? Another common observation during the month of January and February are the incessant traffic jams. This, in many instances, can be attributed to the lack of parking space which prompts a lot of guests arriving at wedding functions to freely park on the streets.

Although all these functions are very important in their own right, it is no longer fun when these very joyous occasions become the cause of misery for others. Keeping the music down a notch, ending wedding functions by 12am and parking a little more responsibly will surely work wonders for all of us concerned.

Got a peeve to share about the state of the city’s roads and traffic? Sends it to us at avenuet@dhakatribune.com, or post it on our Facebook wall.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

6 | Tell drama mama

The bully | Avenue T desk

Aries (MAR 21-APR 19)

This week you will display a potent combination of intellect and sensitivity. Not only will you draw the opposite sex to you like pins to a magnet, you will also be climbing the social ladder at breakneck speed.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20)

Q

My 6 year old son has a horrible tendency to get aggressive when he’s playing with other children. The last time as the kids were playing, he ended up smacking a little girl on her face and biting another boy who took away a toy he was playing with. It has become such common behaviour for him that I no longer know how to control it. I just end up constantly apologising on his behalf but I know this needs to stop. How can I make him understand this is unacceptable?

A

Photo: Big Stock

It is difficult for parents to deal with a child who is physically aggressive with other kids but rest assured that this is not uncommon behaviour. Although some children display such behaviour from time to time, if your child is persistently acting this way then it’s time you take an active role to change his behaviour. First begin with trying to understand what makes him angry.

Young children his age find it difficult to communicate, so you have to try to identify what angers or bothers him.

Is it self-defence, a stressful situation, extreme anger, hunger or exhaustion that makes him act this way? Follow these guidelines once you understand what exactly bothers him:

As much as you would love to just kick back and relax, work pressure will not let you get a moment’s rest. You shall be constantly on the move, struggling to get things done.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20)

It has been a while since you’ve given yourself and your accomplishments due credit. Before you complain about why the world does not appreciate your efforts, learn to appreciate them yourself.

Horoscope

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)

You may not admit it but there really is a child in you that requires constant love, attention and adoration. This week you will acknowledge that need, and allow yourself to accept yourself for who you are.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)

3. Teach your child how to control his anger when he does feel frustrated.

He can count to ten, or can even breathe deeply.

4. Be intolerant of aggression. The next time he does something similar, remove him from the situation and give him a time-out where nobody talks to him until he has learnt to calm himself down.

Good luck!

1. Intervene and remove him from any place where he tends to get aggressive. Don’t over explain, just calmly state that “we don’t slap.”

2. Keep your voice low and calm when you try to calm your child down instead of getting angry yourself. This will soothe him quickly.

You will be itching to help others out, to protect and to be there for those around you but perhaps this week you’d like to take a backseat. This isn’t your week and some people may not take your advice the right way.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)

This week you need to focus on your personal and family life. Reflect back and try to see where you’ve gone wrong. Spend some quality time with your loved ones, it will do you good.

letters to Mars

The number game A

Well, if one wants to be practical there is nothing one can do about it. However, there is always a way, if there is a will. I am just worried about your young age, not about the difference of age. Young people need to experience life before getting into a permanent relationship: to establish oneself in their career paths, be financially viable and most importantly, to know what one is getting involved in. One needs maturity to start a serious and long lasting relationship. Love is one thing but getting along with the person one loves is another. So many things come up: communication, expectations, regrets, accusations. And all because one is not ready and mature enough to let go of the ego, and be open to hear “the

| Agony Aunt

Q

My girlfriend is six years older than me. We have been in love for a year now.

I’m 21 and she is 27 years old.

Her parents have been trying to force her to marry someone, since she is of age now. I would ask for her hand, but I am not financially stable enough to take on such a huge responsibility at such a young age. I love her and do not want to lose her, but I cannot take risks with my life for her. It’s just not practical. What do I do?

Write us your problems and send them to agony.aunt@dhakatribune.com

Our Agony Aunt is a life coach and a relationship coach as well as a corporate and organisational consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to attend seminars and see her clients Photo: Big Stock

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

other” and listen to what is not right in the relationship. So go ahead if you think you have it in you to overcome the problems that will naturally arise out of a relationship. Money is an issue but that can always be solved. By the way, do you have higher education?

Getting married, earning a living and not having time to educate yourself means few opportunities in your career in the future. Let’s also not forget the fact that spending time in higher education is about educating the mind, not about acquiring a particular skill. Education is about preparing people to make choices.

Make your decision carefully.

Tell |

7

tease

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22)

When it comes to the love front, please don’t make rash decisions. You will be facing tough decisions this week, try to trust your instincts and take the path that matches your ideals best.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)

This week you will be juggling quite a number of tasks, some of which are new responsibilities you didn’t have before. Stop stressing yourself out and remember that tomorrow is a new day, full of endless possibilities.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)

On the work front you’ve really been working as hard as you possibly can.

You’ve put in so much effort that you may have exhausted yourself. Lean back, take a breather and rethink your priorities.

oroscope

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)

This week you will experience a few changes in yourself. You will finally find the courage to say no to those who take advantage of you.

Find strength in your new found independence.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 19)

You’ll feel encouraged to take a more confident, assertive stance and you will. However, try not to overdo it because it may not bode well with those who aren’t used to seeing this side of you.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

This is your week to prove to both yourself and others just how adept you are at what you do. Your level of productivity will be soaring and so will your reputation in social circles.

Enjoy the attention.

Love actually Life lessons on love from the Avenue T team

| Avenue T team No matter the distance, the effort, or time, a healthy relationship is down to the mutual understanding and respect that two people share. Love and compassion is natural, but to occupy this particular stage, each individual must practice patience. Everything in life is a process, some things take longer than others. Within the time allotted for each process, a relationship can only mature. Even though a person should strive for a successful relationship, one should not be deterred if it has ended amicably. This is a sign of your own growth, and you have that person to thank for the experience.

Let it go Sometimes you know deep down that your relationship is not working out but you want to hold onto it. Maybe it’s time to let go. Yes, you will feel suffocated and may wet your pillow at night.

Sometimes you may just want to forget it all and get back with him/her. But for just this once don’t - make yourself the priority. You will eventually get over the breakup. Meanwhile you will learn to value the small things you are missing in life. You will have more time to spend with your friends and family. Maybe you cannot chose not to get hurt in life but remember you always have some say in choose the person who will hurt you.

The pond is full of fish Relationships are like buses. As cliched as it sounds, it’s true. As much as we’d like to believe in fairytale endings and DDLJ romances, they’re not always as

full of romance as we’d like to be. Lovers will come and lovers will go. What is important is to remember that the pond is full of fish. If you’ve just lost a small fish, don’t worry because there’s a salmon out there waiting for you. The pond is always full of fish. And after all, who has time to fry small fish?

You only live once If you’re craving love, attention and affection - go get it for yourself. Surely you deserve it. Who says you can’t get all of that without restricting yourself to a full-fledged committed relationship? We love love and the idea of a relationship but really, there’s no reason to “put a ring on it” (unless she’s Beyonce). Do you what you need to do, ignore what others say and enjoy yourself because as the saying goes: you only live once!

Change? Uff, please!

Never change for anyone, ever! The worst situation you can ever put yourself in is one where you are kidding yourself, thinking that you can transform your core self to make someone else happy.

On the flip side, never expect your partner to make drastic changes. Little pesky habits like not leaving wet towels around, or letting dirty dishes pile up can indeed be turned around. Just remember that when you initially meet someone and they have innumerable issues that slap you in the face, chances are high that they will stick around and haunt you in the long run. Either deal with it, or don’t let the door smack you on the behind on your way out.

letters to Venus

Coming clean Q

I have been in a long-distance relationship for the last seven years now. We’re making plans to get married next June and everything is going nice and smooth. However, I have big secrets that I haven’t shared with him – secrets that he must know if we’re going to get married. Three years ago I kind of cheated on him with his best friend and even though it ended in about three weeks, it still happened. My boyfriend and I were going through a rough patch at the time and I really needed the support. I’m not saying it’s an excuse, but it happened. I don’t have any feelings for his best friend, but I cannot say the same for him. It may not be very significant in years to come, and it hasn’t changed my feelings for my fiancé, but I feel like maybe he should know. I’m not sure.

What must I do?

A

| Agony Aunt

Photo: Big Stock

So, you are planning to throw a bomb into your life: a big one in your boyfriend’s life and an enormous one in the relationship between the two friends.

Wow, be ready for fireworks and the possibility that the marriage may not happen. It’s nice that you want to be truthful so that you can release the sense of guilt, but really, is it required? Whatever happened, happened. Let it be. I believe in being truthful but exploding a bomb at your wedding, or impending wedding, it is going to kill someone. Let it be. Breathe it out and be happy with the man you love. Next time you are going through a difficulty do not fall in the arm of a man.

Go to a counsellor or speak to a trusted friend.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

8 | tucked In digs and finds

Novelty lighting

decor

And the clock struck 12

Magic Faucat Mug Tk950

A quick guide to planning your New Year’s Eve bash

| Tausif Sanzum Involve everyone Save your guests the trouble of spending long tiresome hours deciding what to bring to your party.

Just call up your invitees and tell them that it is a bring-your-ownappetiser event. Make it even easier by suggesting exactly what they can bring – be it dessert, drinks, mixers or even dips.

Mushroom Dim Light Tk350

The last supper Decide on whether you want to have finger food or a full-on midnight supper. Since there might be booze and dancing, you do not want to overfeed your guests. Finger food is usually the most convenient idea since your guests will easily be able to bring their share of appetisers. On the bright side, this will save you the trouble of being stuck in the kitchen for your bash.

Crystal Desk Table Color Changing LED Bulb Tk500

Beautiful Hand Make White Flower With LED Light Tk800 Star Master Home Decoration LED Light Tk490

Rocket Lava Lamp Tk1,450

While some choose to throw lavish New Year’s Eve parties, others prefer a more intimate affair. No matter how you choose to bid farewell to 2014 and welcome 2015, incorporate these sassy ideas to spice up your new year’s eve.

The invitees Make a rough estimate of how many people can be comfortably accommodated in your house. After that you can either choose to create an event on Facebook or you can follow the traditional route and personally call and invite everyone.

Make sure you invite your friends and family a few days in advance so that you don’t lose them to other plans.

The theme and the budget If you want to throw a theme party, finalise your ideas before anything else. Once you have the theme in mind, you can work on the food, decor and ask the guests to dress accordingly. While deciding the theme, you should also set aside a specific budget for your event.

Strictly stick to this amount to avoid the temptation of going over-budget.

The add-ons Suppose we compare your party to

Log on to www.kaymu.com.bd

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

be a burger, just like any good burger, you will need a few add-ons to give your party that extra flavour. Since it’s a New Year’s Eve party, a lot of guests might plan to stay back at your place. Make sure you at least have basic sleeping arrangements ready for them. Stock a few bath towels, toilet paper rolls and kitchen towels to quickly clean any spillage.

Also remember to inform and take permission from your neighbors before throwing a late night bash.

Lastly, hire a photographer or appoint a guest as the ”official” photographer for the event because after all, a picture speaks a thousand words.

The host You don’t want to lose out on being crowned the best host. Work on the entertainment arena for the party.

Make sure you have a long and fun music playlist. Think of a few games which you can play just in case singing and dancing gets a little tiring.

You do not want any of your guests to trip over the carpet and break your favourite crystal showpiece so rearrange your furniture to make space for moving around. Also make sure to put away any fragile items.

Finally, a day before the party stock up on any remaining items, send a sweet reminder to your guests on the day of the party and you are set to welcome 2015 with a bang!

Take care |

9

health

2015 health resolutions Five resolutions for a healthier, happier you | Sabiha Akond Rupa Everyone wants to live a life wwfit, happy and healthy. However, when it comes to resolutions regarding self improvement, we often tend to forget our body – a part of us that requires the greatest care. We worry about the idea of perfection, striving to meet unrealistic goals. In recent times, the practice of setting New Year’s resolutions has become a trend where we often make forged promises we can’t keep. This New Year let’s make realistic resolutions that we can actually adopt to welcome a healthier, happier version of ourselves. Read on to find out our very own list of top five doable resolutions: Let go of stress Sometimes life becomes a constant struggle where we are both mentally and physically stressed out. Finding a healthy work-life balance becomes a challenge. This year, promise yourself time to relax, meditate, spend time with friends, watch movies on weekends with loved ones or just go for long walks by yourself. Really take a breather and unwind – be it by walking, running, playing or just connecting with nature. These little steps will go a long way in helping rid you from stress, making life a much easier ride for those of us who succumb to the pressure of our day-to-day lives.

Take a simpler approach to weight loss Obesity is one of the most vital signs of an unhealthy body and mind. Often we set resolutions to follow hardcore diets that are not only unreasonable but also exceedingly strenuous. Usually after a week or two, we give up and go back

to our old habits. Try to make these goals easier for yourself and if you really want to slim down, then begin by downsizing those dishes. Exercise portion control and use small plates and bowls as they promote weight loss, helping you restrain yourself from overeating. It’s a slow process, but studies show that it’s the simplest way to control your weight.

Be an active person The weakest people are the ones who find peace in living a lethargic life. Be an active person – exercise, give your brain a workout, find a passion, follow your career, play a sport, try to include more activities in your everyday life.

There are endless options which can help keep you healthy and active.

Explore Try something new. Maybe that new vegetable or fruit you’ve always steered clear of can become your new favourite. If you have any skills you’ve been craving to acquire, go pursue it.

If you’ve always wanted to swim but never learned, take swimming lessons.

Try something new that falls out of your comfort zone and explore the unknown.

Quit smoking and embrace green tea

For any smoker, quitting is one of the hardest New Year resolutions because it is so challenging that only a few can make it to the end. But nothing is impossible for a human being, so set the quit date, and follow the instruction you’ve set yourself. Stop buying packs of cigarettes and opt for buying one every time you feel the need to smoke. Eventually you will find that even though you want to smoke there are no cigarettes in your pocket. Adopt healthier practices such as drinking green tea. Not only will this help you stay off coffee and cigarettes, it will also help you feel and look better.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

10 | Trial room

Change it up The power to change your life is in your hands

The nature of the beast that is life in Dhaka is that sooner or later, everyone reaches a point of spiritual suffocation. It can sneak up when least expected; as writer’s block, as job burnout, while you’re stuck in your umpteenth traffic jam and that darn rickshawallah behind you has plowed into your rickshaw just. One. Time. Too many. You suddenly feel trapped and it seems like there’s no way out of the situation.

This feeling usually intensifies towards the close of the year, because everyone is taking stock of the ups and downs of the twelve months past. Here are a few ways to bring a feeling of freshness back into your life, just in time for a shiny new year.

Stuck on repeat Work, home, eating out, and dawats. Rinse, and repeat. While routine is comforting and adds structure to one’s life, there’s also the danger of too much of a good thing. Whether we’re talking careers or relationships, or even the daily lifestyle, ennui sets in when there’s not enough variety. And contrary to what the common complaint is, Dhaka actually doesn’t have a dearth of things to do. There is always that new play being staged, or a new exhibition at that art gallery, or restaurant opening. Grab some friends together and try something new. It will definitely shake things up and add a little spice.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda Responsibilities and obligations are inevitable, but when you find yourself shouldering too much, it’s time to stop and take stock of your priorities. Decide which of the obligations are simply unavoidable, and try easing up on the rest. Even if you’re not a selfish person, you need to make time and space for yourself too.

Damn, baby. You frustrate me Neighbours playing loud music again...kids always forget to clean their rooms...the boss is on your case again...your girlfriend is still whining about how you don’t have time for her. Sometimes the most trivial annoyances have a way of piling up towards a major meltdown.

It’s important, now and again, to have an honest conversation with yourself. What ticks you off ? What can you do to change it? While it’s unrealistic to expect a full life overhaul, sometimes tackling a few solvable problems can go a long way towards making life more bearable.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

| Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

11

Trial room |

The rock and the hard place Sylvia Plath has famously written about the quandary of choices.

For every road travelled, there are so many possibilities sacrificed.

The process is further complicated when there are more lives involved in the decision making. It is almost impossible to keep everyone happy.

This can be extremely frustrating, especially for someone who likes to try out different things. The important thing is to recognise where you’re going with your major decisions before you work yourself into a corner.

I think I love the thought of you more than I love your presence It could be a relationship gone stale, or a job that’s going nowhere. You get only one life; would you really waste it being stuck in a situation you merely tolerate, instead of truly enjoying it?

Funny enough, just articulating and acknowledging the source of your ennui is often enough to get the wheels turning for a happy change. When you finally get what’s got you bogged down it often doesn’t feel quite so insurmountable, so big and intimidating.

The best way to defeat a problem is to break it down into manageable chunks. Don’t be afraid to go into the nitty-gritty and details. Write it down, and make a list. Instead of seeing your circumstances as an obstacle, turn them into a challenge you’re willing to take on, and you’re already on your way to beating the blues.

Photos: Big Stock

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

12 | Trending Style steal fashion

Pumping it up!

Winter festivities have begun in full swing, having us going from one celebration to the next. Be it a wedding or a formal dinner, pumps and stilettos are the order of the day.

Find your pick from our top choices from Kaymu.com.bd.

Glitter platform heel Tk1,999

Stylish Black Color Ladies Shoe Tk2,200 Awesome Leopard Pink Color Heels Tk1,700

Awesome Silver Color Ladies Heel Shoes Tk2,100 Stylish Black Color Ladies Haanai Heel Tk2,250

Log on to www.kaymu.com.bd

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

The year in fashion The good, bad and just plain ridiculous

| Sabah Rahman 2014 is nearly over and while some of the trends were wearable and embraced by most, some of them need to take a hike.

Crop tops These babies were all the rage in the West. Baring our bellies in Western clothing is probably not something most local women are comfortable with. Think out of the box with this one. Why not wear crop tops as blouses for saris? They come in all kinds of fabrics and styles, but the best thing is they are stretchy!

Stretch equals to comfort and you know the blouses we’ve had tailored can sometimes pinch us in all the wrong places.

Harem pants We feel a bit iffy about this one. Some women seem to be able to pull these slouchy bottoms off effortlessly, especially taller ladies on the slender side.

In no way are we saying that vertically challenged women on the thicker side shouldn’t attempt a go at these, but it’s all about the fabric and cut. Remember that these pants are also referred to as “drop-crotch” trousers. That being said, some clothing manufacturers go a step too far and drop those crotches a lot more than necessary. Almost to the point where it looks like you may be wearing a diaper under your pants. And that’s not a look you ever want to sport, right?

Not quite pants We can’t seem to get this message through to a whole lot of fashion offenders out there-Leggings are NOT pants! Please cover up your rear end with a longer top. Yes, the legging trend came back years ago and has stuck around. Yes, they keep evolving, what with the hot prints and embellishments. But still! Not pants. You may want to showcase that banging body and those hips that don’t lie, but let’s keep it classy.

Palazzo pants Now, these pants rocked our worlds.

Comfortable, yet never comprising the oomph factor, almost everyone has a few pairs in their closets and will be wearing them well into the next year.

Petite ladies should steer towards the high waist versions as they can really elongate your frame. A little reminder, top these off with fitted tops to avoid looking like a shapeless blob.

13

Tailored| his style

Before the New Year Get your pen and paper out, it’s time to jot down some notes for the eve of 2015

| Mahmood Hossain It’s the holidays, and it goes right through into New Year’s Eve. You want to party safe, have fun, and look your best.

1. Plan on letting loose and letting go, doesn’t give you the excuse to not groom yourself properly.

Don’t even think about skipping this department in style. The same rule applies everywhere. Even though you can be at ease a little, make sure you’ve got your hair tidied and your lines (beard or sideburns) trimmed neatly.

2. Bust out the suede like its 1999 at the Playboy mansion.

New Year’s Eve screams for suavity covering your feet. Let’s not forget, we’re well into the frigid winter and you should start sporting your new suede shoes.

We’re hoping you’ll be on your feet dancing and what not throughout the night, so make sure the shoes you choose are comfortable.

3. Don’t shy away from the cardigans and the v-neck sweaters.

To add a little more flavour to your NYE look you can always go for a stylish bowtie (check out Cats Eye) with a dress shirt underneath.

Remember, even if it’s a night out with family and friends, it’s still a sophisticated outing.

4. Indoor or outdoors, no matter where the NYE event is taking place, be careful not to overdo with the layers. It’ll be so cold that your nipples can cut glass like Joey Tribbiani, but it’s important to keep your layers non-chunky. Slimmer the better, make sure you have an underwear tank-top. Makes a world of difference, along with those warm socks.

5. Always keep in mind style goes beyond the wardrobe. Posture, attitude, confidence are all vital to a stylish man. The sprezzatura comes from the pride you take in your look, and relishing each second you take to groom and dress yourself.

No holiday hangover If you’re fortunate enough to get away during the winter, there’s a list of things you might want to check off on

| Mahmood Hossain be easier. This is completely separate from your blazers and suit jackets. Don’t even think about using those as your warmest layers.

3. Crew neck and v-neck sweaters, along with cardigans will be your versatile players coming off the bench. These are for the tone down moments, where coats and jackets are unnecessary. You can easily dress them up and dress down.

4. Denim is fine, fitted casual trousers are better. We know the easiest way to look stylish can come from wearing a simple pair of dark wash jeans. But what you may not to know is that it can become very tiring, not to mention lose its appeal

with mahmood Hossain

Q

I know we should dress according to the given occasion, but in which situation is wearing a suit too formal? I’ll be meeting up with some clients for an informal lunch, should I be dressed up or down?

This is always a tricky situation to find yourself in. It’s a good thing you’re aware of the occasion and you never want to somehow intimidate your guests. The answer is you’re better off being over-dressed, rather than being under-dressed.

Nowadays, suits are very well fitted, especially if you get your suits done by a tailor. Modern-cut suits are sharper and look a lot less stuffy. And that’s the brilliant bit, if you ever think it’s too much for a certain occasion, it’ll be easy to dress things down. Take off your waistcoat (vest) or tie and leave the rest on. You can also unbutton the top two buttons on your dress shirt for extra measure. Again, it’s always better to be overdressed.

A

in fashion

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, the coldest season requires you to take certain things out of your closet and into your luggage.

1. White dress shirts are always, no matter the season, good to have. It’s a wardrobe staple for any grown man. Light or sky blue and even a grey shirt should fall into this category too. Just to be safe, always bag at least two, three is even better. It all depends on the duration of your trip and occasions that tag along.

2. If it’s a colder retreat, always keep a warm coat with you.

Double-breasted coats are the best (preferably black or navy), as fending off the cold will

style session

after a few wears. It’s the rule of two. A couple of casual trousers are as important as the jeans in the bag.

5. The basics and underwear are something to carefully consider.

In the colder months, the outer layers will be the stars of the show so don’t fuss over what’s hidden underneath. Regular, fresh and clean t-shirts and polos happen to be the perfect fit. Just as long as the colours contrast well with the rest of the ensemble, you’re good to go.

Keep it simple.

6. Open toed shoes, beach sandals, and flip-flops, leave those for warmer days and taking out the trash.

Q

There are some brands that have iconic logos and then there are the ones that aren’t as flattering. Is it against the rules to wear their clothes and make the logo disappear?

Well, if you don’t like the logo, why wear it in the first place? Then again, it’s understandable to see a desirable item in the window with an undesirable emblem attached to it.

Unless it’s sewed into the shirt or trousers, you’re better off avoiding it entirely. Even if someone does a fantastic tailoring job on it, the integrity of the product goes down the drain. Ultimately, if you’ve purchased the item, you can do whatever you want with it. It all depends if you want to go through the hassle of removing the logo.

A

Send in your style inquiries to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

14 | Tempt beauty session

with sabah rahman

hair

Q

My husband has started using the same products I do when it comes to washing his face, as well as the same shampoo and body lotion.

With so many new product lines for men out in the market, is it OK for him to be using these items meant for women?

A

It’s hardly unlikely that your main man will turn into a lady because he is using products meant for one. Countless cosmetic giants have branched out into exclusive lines for men. Most ingredients in products advertised for both genders are actually the same. It’s not as if they put testosterone in the face creams for guys. The biggest difference is the packaging. Sweet, feminine shades of pink for the ladies and rough, tough navy and black for gents. Go ahead and let him experiment with your stash.

Hair tools for dummies A beginners guide to brushes

| Sabah Rahman Why are there such a vast amount of brushes and combs out there in the markets? Do we even need most of these contraptions? This week, we put an end to all the confusion and walk you through the only ones you’ll ever need.

Q

Why do I always end up getting mascara smudges on my eyelids?

A

It’s the oil that accumulates on your eyelids that causes this problem.

Or maybe you’re overdoing it with the moisturiser on your eyelids and not letting it dry before applying makeup. Whatever the case may be, always prep your eye area with a fine dusting of powder by using either a sponge or a fluffy brush, depending on the degree of oiliness.

The widetooth comb The staple that every woman needs in her bathroom arsenal. If you haven’t been using one of these to untangle damp hair, you’ve been doing it all wrong. Using a brush on wet hair can result in you yanking out hair from the roots unnecessarily and thin out your mane. A lot of curly girlies also prefer the wide tooth combs to define and texturise.

The fine-tooth comb This one is completely different

than the one described above and serves a whole different purpose.

Use a fine-tooth comb to tease hair at the crown or wherever else

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

you desire. A bonus? The tail end of these babies are usually very thin and pointy, and can be great to change up your parting with.

The round brush This is when things start to get a little complicated. Metal or wood version?

Dense or spaced out bristles? Let’s keep it simple. Think about how you style your hair. Do you use a blow-dryer? If so, the metal ones are your best bet as they trap heat from the machine and help lock in the shape you’re trying to achieve. These can also be used at the crown to create a whole lot of volume.

The paddle brush Ladies who have naturally smooth, straight hair or want to coax their waves to make it appear as if they do will reap huge benefits from this rectangular wonder.

This little gem ensures that no waves or kinks will hamper your long hair.

The good old regular brush

No matter which ones you already have or plan to buy, remember, natural bristles are usually better than their plastic counterparts. Always have a basic version handy to brush out tangles and redistribute the natural oils from your scalp onto the rest of your hair. A hundred strokes a day is, however, an old wives tale. A few strokes will do you good.

Photos: Big Stock

15

Ticket|

Unimart deals | Sabiha Akond Rupa

Unimart, a sister concern of United Group is an exclusive shopping centre that offers customers a wide range of products ranging from household items to crockery to electronics and even a bustling grocery section filled with fresh produce. With almost everything under one roof, it’s the perfect shopper’s stop for those who want to get their shopping done conveniently and quickly, without having to make multiple trips to different malls. Their ever blooming lifestyle corner includes leading brands such as Ecstasy and Lotto while they also house a section of shoes, bags and accessories as well as kids items. If you’re looking to make a shopping trip this time around to stock up on your party goodies, Unimart is the ideal stop for you.

Address: Road 90, Gulshan 2, Dhaka-1212.

Email: unimart@united.com.bd

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

16 | travelogue

New Year Staycat From the grandeur of The Westin, Dhaka to the wilderness of Nazimgarh - choose your New Year escape

| Tausif Sanzum

Grand Sultan Tea Resort & Golf This five star resort has become synonymous with luxury and comfort. Located in the lush greenery of Srimangal, the tea capital of Bangladesh, the resort consists of 135 rooms and suites spread over an area of 13.2 acres. You

can keep yourself busy with indoor games by playing pool, table tennis or even indulge in outdoor sports such as badminton and tennis. The resort also prides itself on having the largest temperature controlled swimming pool in the country.

Nazimgarh Resorts You will get to choose not one, but from three different venues when planning your stay at Nazimgarh Resorts. You can choose to stay at Nazimgarh Garden Resort which is spread over six acres of landscaped hillside that consists of a bungalow comprising fifty luxurious world class single and double rooms with a view to die for. In case you want to

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

spend your time in the wilderness of Lalakhal situated at the base of the Jaintia Hills, where the only sounds you might hear will be the chirping of birds, the Nazimgarh Wilderness is your sanctuary. While on the other end, located at the bend of the Sharee River, Nazimgarh Nature Park will allow you to enjoy a unique stay in tents.

Winter offer:

Weekdays – 50% discount on room/ suite rack rate, 10% discount on dinner, 20% discount on spa.

Weekends – 45% discount on room/ suite rack rate, 25% discount on spa.

(Offer valid from December 1 2014 to January 31 2015)

17

travelogue|

tions Mermaid Beach Resort

Great food, easy access to a private beach, private verandahs and gardens – how else would you like to welcome the New Year? Mermaid Beach Resort has a luxurious feel that somehow remains in tune with nature.

Winter offer: New Year’s Eve celebration 2015 includes a live DJ, fireworks and a fire show.

Entry fee- Tk5,000 (single) and Tk8,000 (couples).

The Westin Dhaka

This luxurious international chain of hotel and resort has been a favourite amongst partygoers.

Located in the posh diplomatic zone of Gulshan, The Westin Dhaka consists of 235 rooms and suites. You can tickle your taste buds at one of their signature restaurants, treat yourself to the relaxing spa, or just take a swim in their swimming pool at Splash.

Winter offer: Exclusive deluxe room package at Tk9,999 including complimentary couple buffet breakfast, usage of Westin workout, swimming pool, sauna and their jacuzzi.

DuSai Resort& Spa Located beside the largest concentration of tea gardens in Moulvibazar district, this luxuriant boutique villa resort and spa is the perfect retreat for nature lovers looking for a tranquil getaway. It is an adventure land where you can explore the tea garden, play tennis, badminton, or go cycling, canoeing and biking with mountain bikes.

Winter offer: Christmas special package -2N/3D package starts from Tk24,800.

New Year’s Eve special package - 2N/3D package starts from Tk27,800.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

18 | Tantalise review

Gastronomical

stars of 2014 A listing of some of the star eateries of 2014

| N Anita Amreen This week we take a look back at this year’s eateries that made the cut and which didn’t. While some made it to the top of the charts for a single brownie alone, others raced to the top by virtue of their meals, pricing and their excellent service. We join hands with Foodbank to study which restaurants/carts are truly the people’s choice.

Red Emperor

A close competitor of Hakka Dhaka, Foodbankers have been raging wars arguing between Red Emperor and Hakka Dhaka. Some argue that they’re simply better, while others claim that their use of sweet sauces brings them down to second place.

Regardless of taste, they have made their name and are standing tall and proud as a Chinese restaurant with a strong fan following. You can choose and customise your own platter for two (priced at Tk1,250) or for four (priced at Tk2,400).

Recommendations: Spicy, salt and pepper squid, Kung Pao chicken, BBQ fish, spicy beef slice.

Hakka Dhaka Angels n’ gypsies Food Republic

Very rarely do you visit a restaurant in where you are fully satisfied with all you ordered. Food Republic is one such place where almost all the things on their menu of continental and fusion items are at par. Giving restaurants like Time Out a run for their money, their extremely reasonable prices (around Tk200250 for most dishes), versatile menu, as well as the easy décor and ambiance make them a true winner. This is one place you cannot help but revisit, again and again.

Ever since their opening, Angels n’ Gypsies have Foodbankers raving about what they bring to the plate.

Offering steaks, soups and even a few Italian and Mexican dishes, not only are their prices reasonable, they have a reputation for serving some of the best meals in town.

Recommendations: Fried calamari, cream soups, beef quesadilla, steak, spaghetti bolognese.

Another leading favourite for Bangla-Chinese food lovers, Hakka Dhaka’s platters for two and four offer everything from appetisers such as chicken wings to Hakka noodles, Hunan chicken, mongolian beef and Szechuan prawns. With platter for two priced at Tk1,300 and platter for four priced at Tk2,500, they offer excellent value for money as well as a meal that deserves to be revisited.

House #30, Road 19/A, Banani Model Town Dhaka.

Coentro

Quite similar to Cilantro, Coentro’s warm décor and lighting have couples and regular customers raving about the place. On the slightly pricier end, they make up for it by offering large portions and excellent service. While most of the dishes and dips are said to taste great, the steaks are probably the only dish that still has room for improvement.

Recommendations: Black pepper beef, egg fried rice, grilled squid, chicken cashew nut salad, seafood in mushroom sauce.

Abedin Tower 35 Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Banani.

Ph: +8801703-655163.

Recommendations: Mongolian beef, chicken tangy soup, chicken fried rice, Hakka noodles, chilli garlic prawns, dry chilli beef.

House-66, Road-10, Block-D, Banani. Ph: +8801616-666543.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

House 15, Road 8, Block F, Banani.

Ph: +8801942-332211.

Recommendations: Calamari, enchiladas, Peruvian chicken, shrimp pasta, tacos, lamb meatballs, Mediterranean chicken strips, mezze Platter.

Areeb Tower, 48 Progoti Ave, Baridhara. Ph: +8801766-449917.

19

Tantalise |

Yellow Submarine

Albeit a budding addition to Dhaka’s bustling dessert scene, Yellow Submarine has made itself a staple when it comes to waffles.

Reasonably priced at Tk300 for four quadrants of delicious waffle with ice cream, once you’ve tried it you can’t help but join the ranks of those who can’t stop raving about Yellow Submarine.

Madchef

Another cart worthy of mention, Madchef specialises in sandwiches and subs that are simply put, to die for. From the grilled cheese sandwiches to the naga infused subs, this is one cart that is here to stay. Sandwiches range from Tk100 to Tk160 while subs range from Tk160 to Tk200.

Recommendations: Waffle with Nuttella and waffle with maple syrup.

Recommendations: Sandwiches - chicken steak, beef bacon and pepperoni. Subs – naga blast, garlic mayo and sausage gravy.

House 121/D, Road 44, Gulshan 2.

Ph: +8801943-688358, +8801977923353.

The Cart Station, Dhanmondi 3/a.

Ph: +8801770-204482. cartstation grilled cheese sandwiches:

Tabaq

A quaint café located on the top floor of Jamuna Future Park, Tabaq somehow has a massive cult following for their desserts. The cheesecake brownie and the oreo cheesecake brownie in particular are considered to be must-try items.

Hot Box Fish and Co

As much as we love to hate them for their astronomical pricing and their horrible service, we cannot help but give them credit for the food itself. Given that we barely have any other eatery offering quality fish and chips, theirs is of top quality and great taste. A meal for one will cost anything between Tk900 to Tk1,200.

Recommendations: New York fish and chips, Swiss fish and chips and Best fish and chips.

Carts come and carts go, but there are very few carts that make a distinct mark. Hotbox is one such cart. The undisputed king of burgers, this is one burger cart that is impossible to dislike. Juicy, tender and just so damn full of flavour Hotbox makes you want to cry it’s so good. Priced at Tk120 for a basic beef burger and Tk140 for the chicken burger, the add-ons cost Tk20 each.

Recommendations: Beef burger with all toppings. Chicken burger with mushroom, cheese and jalapeños.

Crystal Palace, 22 Gulshan South Avenue. Ph: +8801777-794181.

Road# 11, House# 19, Sector# 1, Uttara. Ph: +8801716-736958, +8801713-439877.

Preetom

Pizza Roma

FR Tower. Ground Floor. 32 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani.

Ph: +8801788-650022

Recommendations: Meditteraneo pizza (sun dried tomatoes and cheese) at Tk800, Roman Holiday (cherry tomatoes, spinach, tomato sauce) at Tk800, Quatrro Formaggi (four cheese pizza) at Tk700.

Recommendations: Cheesecake brownie , Pizza sandwich, Oreo cheesecake brownie.

Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka Ph: +8801726588566.

Handi Brews & Bites

What they lack in their savoury menu is made up for by their dessert section. Although their regular items are usually major disappointments, their Mango Pie (priced at Tk210+) is one that is worth visiting their café for. Picture a layer of thick cream followed by a moist, succulent mango filling and a gloriously crumbly crust.

Recommendation: Mango pie 112 Gulshan Avenue. Ph: +8801919774559

What initially started off as the leading Indian restaurant in Chittagong soon made its way to Dhaka’s ever hungry foodie population. Close competitors with Tarka, Handi specialises in kebabs, biryani’s and Indian curries all within a reasonable budget.

Recommendations: Hariyali kebab, dal makhani, achari beef, garlic naan, hyderabadi biryani.

If Hotbox is known for having the best burger (as far as carts are concerned), Preetom is surely the winner when you think of restaurants. Offering a killer beef burger for Tk280, this meaty package is made with a generous dose of sauce, beef bacon and a perfectly cooked medium rare patty that is full of flavour.

Essentially a takeaway joint that only caters to the Gulshan/ Baridhara/Banani periphery, Pizza Roma is finally here to give Bella Italia fans a run for their money. Offering authentic Italian pizzas and Panini’s, some of their basic pizzas (cheese pizza and mushroom pizza) need to be tried to believed.

House 15, Road 108, Gulshan 2. Ph: +8801755-660039.

House# 68,Rod# 10,Block# D,Banani. Ph: +8801950-015077

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

20 | news

Inspirational Wall Art for the Voiceless Bangladeshis, by ULAB students PR students at The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) were given the task to design campaigns for groups they thought were voiceless in the Bangladeshi public sphere. They used Facebook to promote their cause and raise funds for the campaign. They started a Facebook page called Voiceless Bangladeshi and promoted their posts through the hashtag #VoicelessBangladeshi.

The topics chosen were - Bachelors looking for housing, Autism, the LGBT community, rickshawpullers, household help, street-children without toys etc. The students felt that these groups were mistreated, misunderstood or not heard at all. The attached pictures show the messages designed by the students. Some students even sold bracelets and had board game competitions to fund their projects. The #VoicelessBangladeshi project was part of the students coursework for “Introduction to Public Relations,” taught by Naima Alam for the fall 2014 semester. The student work was displayed in a Curriculum Integration (CI) event held at Dhaka Art Center from December 19-24, 2014. The CI event titled “Bangladesh’s Public Sphere: Going ... Going ... Gone?” showcased exhibitions and presentations of digital art, wall art, photography, films, news analysis, communication campaign plans and various student productions.

Career Prospects in Multinational

Corporations by JU

Management Club, Jagannath University organised a seminar titled “Career Prospects in Multinational Corporations” in its campus on December 27, 2014. In this seminar Md Monir Hossain, Head of External Supply in GSK Bangladesh attended as a keynote speaker. He discussed the corporate culture, career prospects in multinational corporations, recruiting procedure of MNCs and the total area of the selection procedure of Multinational Corporations. The chairman of Department of Management Studies, Jagannath University, Prof Dr Md Mosharraf Hossain was the chief guest of this seminar and Rabeya Rahaman, chief moderator of Management Club presided over the whole seminar. The seminar was open for all with a minimum subscription. Around 300 students participated.

Dhaka Tribune, Radio Foorti and Banglamail24.com were supporting this event as media partners.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014

News |

21

Savour the flavour of a magical Christmas at Dhaka Regency

Celebrating the season of fun at The Westin Dhaka Even bigger and better than ever before, The Westin Dhaka has organised a lineup of scintillating programmes to rejoice the year end celebration of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The five star luxury hotel will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland where guests can enjoy a mouth-watering Christmas feast and traditional Christmas décor. There will also be live entertainment to provide a joyful mix of relaxation and festive indulgence. The Westin Dhaka’s outdoor holiday display will feature a huge number of LED lights atop the building along with festive lights decorating the trees in and around The Westin Dhaka. Daily Treats will be offering Christmas specials such as Christmas cake, Christmas Stolen, Christmas pudding, Christmas Panettone, chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavoured Christmas log, brunsli’s x’mas cookies, cinnamon cookies, ginger house, ginger cookies, chocolate praline, ginger santa, ginger Christmas tree, chocolate santa, mince pie and many other goodies. Signature restaurant Seasonal Tastes will serve a special Christmas lunch at Tk3,800 and Christmas dinner at Tk4,800. Also, on the occasion of New Year’s Eve, a special dinner will be served for Tk5,000 from 6:30pm to 11:30pm. They are also offering a special 10% discount on Spa treatments at The Westin Dhaka. Lastly, a deluxe room can be booked for Tk9,999 on December 31 along with 50% discount on buffet lunch on January 1. For reservation please call 9891988 or email reservations.dhaka@westin.com.

North South University holds admission test for close to 6,000 students

North South University, the first private university and the only Bangladeshi university where all faculty members have foreign Master’s or Doctorate degrees primarily from USA, Canada, UK, Australia and Japan, conducted its largest undergraduate admission test for the Spring 2015 semester on November 29, 2014. The current estimates indicate that close to 6,000 students (the largest number in 22 years of NSU history) appeared for the admission test. NSU authorities took all necessary measures to ensure the success of this iconic event and arrangements had also been made with concerned authorities of various public divisions to create a safe and pleasant environment for the test. The students were competing for entry into 20 undergraduate programmes in four schools which is one of the largest ranges of programmes and majors offered by any private university in Bangladesh. It is expected that the successful students will add more value to the continuing success and increasing stature of North South University.

This holiday season Dhaka Regency ushers in merry tidings with numerous options to celebrate the festive occasion with style.

With a plethora of dining and entertainment options available, the celebration promises something unique for everyone. The Grandiose Restaurant, the authentic specialty multicuisine restaurants at Dhaka Regency will be offering Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinner with an elaborate buffet on both December 24 and December 25. The hotel’s most popular rooftop garden restaurant, Grill on the Skyline will offer a splendid set menu for both nights as well. The dinner guests will be greeted by carol singers in the lobby on Christmas Eve and Santa is also scheduled to make a special appearance with a gifts galore for children.

On Christmas Day, Dhaka Regency is all set to bring out its biggest entertainment special for the titled “Christmas Kids’ Party” at Grill On The Skyline from 11pm. The kids can enjoy themselves at the fun corner featuring extensive gaming arrangements, a photo booth with Santa, mini train rides and they can play all around the rooftop area too. After all these activities, children can take a tasting of the specially planned buffet snacks that include burgers, fries, cakes etc. The programme will commence with a cake cutting ceremony by the kids and Santa along with the hotel management. There will also be a musical performance by Ferdous Wahid along with a cultural performance by the group of kids from Shishu Polli Plus. The entire programme will be broadcast live on Boishakhi Television from 11pm on Christmas day. For more info please call 01713332661.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, de c emb er 27, 20 1 4

22 | news

Bengal Art Lounge present “Towards the Horizon:

representing landscapes” a discussion with Alimur R Khan, Rafiq Azam and Nasima Khan To mark the closing day of “Shifting Sands,” an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Nasima Khan, Bengal Art Lounge is delighted to propose to the public an artist talk entitled “Towards the Horizon: representing landscapes” on Saturday, December 27 at 5pm. Why are landscapes, and particularly the deltaic landscape of Bangladesh, such a source of fascination for artists? What is at stake in their representation? Do landscapes have a spiritual dimension? Eminent Sufi scholar Alimur Rahman Khan, celebrated Architect Rafiq Azam and architect/artist Nasima J Khan will propose answers to these questions. About “Shifting Sands”: Consisting mostly of landscape watercolours, this exhibition takes the viewer to the very essence of Bangladeshi nature. In Nasima Khan’s minimalistic rendering, light strokes and minimal dashes of colours suffice to evoke the immense power and infinite vastness of the Bengal delta. The artist’s distinct sense of composition is informed by her education and professional practice as an architect.

Not evident at first in the inhabited, often desert landscapes painted by the artist, the influence of architecture becomes evident in the subtle combinations of horizontal and vertical lines used by Nasima Khan to instill a dynamic in her compositions.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, de c e m b er 27, 2014