Bombay, India
\nJune 1975<\/p>\n
We asked about good restaurants in the area. She suggested the Harbor Bar, a lounge bar in the hotel where you can enjoy drinks and order food from any Taj Hotel restaurant.
\n\u201cNice!\u201d I said. \u201cThe airline clerk recommended it.\u201d
\n\u201cYes, and it’s famous for its selection of drinks; the first licensed bar in Bombay,\u201d she added.
\n\u201cI’m feeling perkier already,\u201d I said.
\n\u201cLet’s check it out!\u201d Charles smiled.
\n\u201cBe sure to ask the bartender about the signature cocktail,\u201d the receptionist said, pointing us in the direction of the elevator and lounge.
\n\u201cSounds perfect,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
Entering the Harbor Bar, we noticed the liquor license plate: proudly hanging, proclaiming its place in Bombay history as the oldest licensed bar in Bombay.
\nThe greeter showed us to a comfortable window table facing the historic waterfront\u2014overlooking the Gateway to India.
\nA smiling waiter welcomed us to the stylish lounge bar.
\n\u201cWe have a selection of fine wines, malts, spicy cocktails, and international food fare,\u201d he said. \u201cBut first let me tell you a bit of our history.\u201d
\nWe smiled, waiting for him to continue.
\n\u201cThe Harbor Bar opened in 1933,\u201d he said, \u201cduring the Prohibition era, and was the first licensed bar in Bombay.\u201d
\nWe nodded.
\n\u201cAn American, traveling across the Indian Ocean in a yacht, was docked in our harbor when he received a radio call from his wife telling him Prohibition in America had ended. He had no alcohol on his yacht and decided to walk to the Taj Mahal Hotel and get a drink to celebrate the news. Entering the Harbor Bar, he asked for a special drink to quench his thirst after many years of not drinking alcohol. The bartender agreed to make him a special drink to commemorate the happy occasion. Using Indian fruit juices, he promised to concoct a tasty cocktail which would blow his mind.
\nWith the first sip of the exotic cocktail, the man shouted in glee. ‘What is the name of this amazing drink?’
\nThe bartender smiled and said, ‘Sir, since it\u2019s an original made special for you, you can name it.’
\nThe American stood, raised his glass, and shouted, ‘From the Harbor Since 1933!’\u201d
\n\u201cWhat a great story,\u201d I said, laughing. \u201cI’d like to try it.\u201d
\n\u201cFlamb\u00e9ed at the table,\u201d the waiter said.
\n\u201cFlamb\u00e9ed?\u201d I asked. \u201cEven better.\u201d
\nCharles nodded. \u201cWhen in Bombay … we’ll have two.\u201d<\/p>\n
The waiter returned with a cart holding two wine glasses filled with sliced fruit and another glass filled with fresh squeezed fruit juice and ice. He poured the content of the two glasses into a shaker and shook it with the fancy flair of a seasoned performer, and poured the mixture into two fluted bowl shaped glasses.
\n\u201cGorgeous glasses.\u201d I said. \u201cShaped like the kerosene hurricane lamp my grandmother used during storms when power went out.\u201d
\n\u201cIt’s called a hurricane glass,\u201d he said.
\nI laughed. \u201cOf course.\u201d
\nHe poured gin into another waiting wine glass, and struck a match to light it.
\n\u201cOh,\u201d I said, watching the flames rise.
\nHe swirled the glass and flames around, and slowly poured the flamb\u00e9ed gin into our hurricane glasses. One last stir and the signature cocktail was presented with a broad smile.
\nThe flames disappeared. We sipped the tasty cocktail.
\n\u201cPeachy and light,\u201d I said, asking for the recipe.
\n\u201cGin, cr\u00e8me de peach, pineapple juice, and green chartreuse.\u201d
\n\u201cThank you!\u201d I noted the ingredients in my travel journal.
\n\u201cFlamb\u00e9ed to perfection,\u201d Charles said.
\nWe clinked glasses together, and said, \u201cCheers!\u201d in unison.
\nThe waiter smiled.<\/p>\n
We decided to order dinner from a restaurant located in the hotel named Tanjore. Our waiter explained their menu offered dishes from all of India’s diverse regions. He suggested we order a sampler platter for two, which represents all of them. \u201cYou won’t be disappointed,\u201d he added, and explained tastes of India vary tremendously, as a result of local culture, geographical location, seasons, and economics.
\nCharles asked the waiter to select a white wine to go with all of the different cuisines.
\n\u201cAn Alsace Pinot Gris,\u201d he suggested. \u201cIt provides a touch of sweetness.\u201d
\n\u201cPerfect,\u201d Charles said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bombay, India June 1975 We asked about good restaurants in the area. She suggested the Harbor Bar, a lounge bar in the hotel where you can enjoy drinks and order food from any Taj Hotel restaurant. \u201cNice!\u201d I said. \u201cThe airline clerk recommended it.\u201d \u201cYes, and it’s famous for its selection of drinks; the first … <\/p>\n