Around Town

by our members

What’s New/What’s Good

Diane Hodgkinson says:

There’s a great boutique for shalwars, men’s shirts and punjabis. It’s called AnDes on Road 8, Gulshan 1. There is a glass office block on the left as you go into Road 8 and if you go into the entrance and turn right you will see someone sitting at a reception. Go into the door to the right of that, which goes into AnDes. So far, I have bought 10 outfits from them in the four years I have been here. Aneela Haque is the designer - she has some great things and is a wonderful designer. A lot of my friends shop there now because they like my outfits.

Minoli de Soysa says:

By now most of you must have heard about the new bakery, King’s Confectionery. If you haven’t you’ve been missing out on great bread, savouries, wonderful cakes, desserts, donuts, biscuits and sweets as well as a delicious iced coffee. Eat in at their small café or take away. King’s Confectionery is on Road 11, House 25 Block F, Banani, phone: 989 4312. Email: kingsbangladesh@hotmail.com
 
It’s nice to make Chinese food but where can you get hoisin sauce, chillie bean paste, yellow bean sauce, dried mushrooms, oyster sauce, plum sauce and Shaoxing wine? Well, except for the wine (use dry sherry instead), some of the things can be found at Agora or two Chinese shops. One is attached to a Chinese restaurant Daifu at House 58/B, Road 21, Block B, Banani and the other is from a Chinese lady who makes her own bean curd at House 70B, Road 21, Banani. Also look in at Farmer’s Market Road 33, Gulshan 1 and at the Korean Mart next to Lotterea Bakery on Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani (also for Japanese ingredients).

Another tip from those in the know - fresh chicken, hopefully without preservatives and steroids, as well as eggs, honey and organic vegetables are available every Sunday (9 am sharp to 10 am) at House 3, Road 101, Gulshan. The chicken needs to be ordered in advance so call 9896084 but you can buy the other things.

For clothes made especially for you try SK Designs at House 1, Road 12, House 1, Block K, Baridhara and Roxanna’s at House 14B, Road 57, Gulshan. You can either bring your own material or they will supply it. It’s best to have some idea of what you want. Both places have fairly recent books to have a look at. The clothes are well cut and finished. Shaheen at SK makes blocks before cutting the material while Roxanna’s actually makes a mock garment for you to try on. Both are somewhat expensive, but worth it if you have a special occasion or nice material to get made up. But note that it may take from three to four weeks, so go well in time.