HELLO! Eat Buy Try: What's on Team HELLO!'s hot list right now

The lifestyle world is innovating so vigorously, there's more to discover since you began reading this sentence. Across the country, there's a new restaurant launching almost every month, a prime shopping pick that the internet cannot stop gushing over or an experience like never before that has made its way to your city. While it allows for plenty of choice, it can also be tricky to choose what's worth your time and money to dine at, shop for and visit. Enter Team HELLO!'s Eat Buy Try list: a curated list of personally-recommended choices for a variety of experiences across the country. It's the hand-picked hotspots for you to head to, so you don't have to spend a second on those that don't make the cut.

This month on Team HELLO!'s Eat Buy Try, we're digging into Japanese food, walking through hotels in the Aravalli mountains and spritzing on a a floral perfume.

Dayle Pereira-Alemao, Associate Editor

Eat At: Otoki in Mumbai

Otoki, which lies deep in the lanes of South Mumbai, is a rare Mumbai restaurant that celebrates solely Japanese cuisine. Adopting the premise of Izakaya-style fare in a refined setting, its take on the popular Asian cuisine is inspired by the fast-paced city's street carts, pubs and restaurants, but in the style of a fine-dining restaurant. The precision and minimalism of Japanese cuisine extends to its decor; where high ceilings, neutral shades and clean cut furnishing takes over. Staying true to its core, ingredients like salmon, mushroom and much more, are carefully imported all the way from Japan to make it on your plate by night. The Chicken Sando, with its succulent yet crisp chicken fillet, is a classic street treat you cannot leave without tasting; while the Unagi Nigiri, which featured eel, was relished without even a hint of fishiness. Buff Tarter Gunkan, which involved a bite of quail egg with nori and rice, was a heartier morsel than any other. The selection of Soju is vast so finding the perfect accompaniment is as easy as sipping these down. While the Dark Chocolate Mousse paired typical flavours with coffee jelly and orange, the Parfait proved to be a textural dream as you bite into warabi mochi as well as lemon sponge and strawberry jelly.

Buy: Birkenstocks

My great love of Birkenstock footwear through the years has ensured that I never needed a particular season or a reason to add another pair to my collection. Their sturdy make and minimalistic look were part of their instant appeal to me, but their thoughtfully-designed signature footbed was the final kicker to turn them into a comfortable choice for my sole for hours to come. The Arizona style, with its quintessential buckled dual bands, is my current choice du jour. From waterproof materials to glossy patent leather finishes, the chunky style with buckles has lent an effortlessly chic touch to many of my looks; be it flowing summer dresses or denim shorts. Besides the cool girl aesthetic they lend, their durability and sustained comfort has made them a great wellness investment for my foot health too. 

Try: Light therapy with House Of Beauty's LED face mask

Having experienced the magic of LED light therapy in facials and saunas, I've always tinkered with the idea of bringing it; albeit safely, into the comfort of my home. Finally, that was made possible when I got my hands on House Of Beauty's LED Face Mask. The product features 6 different LED shades which target a variety of skin concerns, from pigmentation to pimple eruptions. Once you secure its straps to either side of the face and connect its wire to the remote, expect to sit back and let the LED light do its magic on your skin. Its wireless remote allows you to click between light shades; from white to red to blue, depending on what skin problem you are treating. If the new technology can seem confusing, their customer service can smoothly wrangle it out in minutes. Wire-free and portable enough to slip into while watching TV at night, five minutes of LED light therapy is all it takes to boost your collagen production, minimise lines or stop acne; which feels pretty futuristic.

Tasneem Patanwala, Junior Digital Writer 

Eat At: Wagamama, Mumbai

Ramen to us is what pakodas were to our parent's generation. Nothing sounds better to me than a hot and steaming bowl of ramen during the Mumbai monsoons. While the city is filled with many options to try, I would love to pick a nice location that allows me to experience a great view as well. Enter Wagamama, the globally-beloved modern Asian kitchen originating from London. The chain restaurant, a hit across Europe and the Middle East, has launched their first chain in Mumbai's Churchgate, near the iconic Eros cinema. It allows you to slurp on a big bowl of ramen while enjoying the view of Bombay's most historic buildings across the green lawns of Azad Maidan. Besides ramen, the menu features many other Asian comfort food options, such as Bang Bang Prawns (or cauliflower, for the vegetarians) and Steamed Gyozas. Accompany your meal with their famed fresh-pressed juices, cocktails, and fruity mocktails. End your meal on a sweet note with Banana Katsu, deep fried panko-crumbed bananas served with creamy caramel ice-cream. 

Buy: Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild

As someone whose closet is filled with every kind of floral scent, I couldn't keep my hands off of the new Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild Eau So Intense, a limited-edition fruity and floral scent. A new addition to the long-running Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance family, this scent opens with juicy wild strawberry and crisp pear, unfolds into a lush heart of jasmine and violet, and settles into warm notes of vetiver and moss, making it a deeply vibrant and sensual scent. Not only does the scent make me smell great, but its bottle is equally eye-catching with a floral cap that adds aesthetic value to my room. 

Try: EMslim at Luna Clinic

Getting sculpted abs is no easy task so taking a little help from professionals to push things along never hurts. Enter EMslim, a combination of High Intensity Focused Electro-Magnetic (HIFEM) and Radio-frequency (RF) technologies to enhance muscle growth and reduce fat. While it's no magic, the EMslim equipment helps sculpt your body by stimulating contractions similar to exercise and targets fat cells. For good, lasting results, 4 sessions spaced 2 to 3 days apart are ideal; with each session that is 30 minutes long. The EMslim equipment is a huge machine that is securely placed over your abs and the frequency of the vibration can be increased or decreased according to your comfort levels. While exercising and eating right is the key to a well-toned, healthy body, treatments like EMslim can smoothen the path to reach there. 

Sabrina Mathews, Assistant Editor 

Eat At: Kamei, Delhi

What makes dining at Kamei a sensorial journey through pan-Asia's rich tapestry of flavours is the attention to detail from start to finish, from meal to meal. Located in Delhi, the restaurant offers an artfully curated menu featuring modern interpretations of Japanese, Thai, and Korean classics. From perfectly plated sushi rolls to robust ramen bowls and delicate dim sums, every dish is a harmonious blend of taste and texture. The ambience is contemporary yet intimate and complements the elevated cuisine. Signature cocktails and an exceptional sake collection elevate the experience is a bonus and a weekend kickstarter. It is a must-visit for gourmands seeking authenticity with a touch of finesse. 

Buy: Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation 

Given the high humidity levels across India, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation is a game-changer in the beauty world. True to its name, it delivers an airbrushed, soft-focus finish that minimises the appearance of pores, fine lines, and texture. Lightweight yet buildable, the formula glides on seamlessly and offers medium-to-full coverage without caking or creasing. Ideal for all skin types, it balances oil control with hydration for all-day comfort. Available in an inclusive range of shades, it also boasts a long-wear formula that stays intact through heat and humidity. The result is a flawless, skin-like matte finish that looks natural, radiant, and photo-ready.

Try: A staycation at the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali

Not far away from Delhi's urban jungle lies Courtyard by Marriott Aravali, set against the tranquil Aravali Hills, while still feels fully detached from civilisation. That isn't to say it is devoid of its many luxuries. The serene property blends modern luxury with nature, boasting lush landscapes, wellness-focused amenities and personalised experiences; and that's just speaking of the many facilities present at the property. The real luxury comes from the time it allows you to pause and reflect on life at a pace and space you find comfortable; in a thoughtfully designed room. The floor-to-ceiling views enhance the connection to nature, as do the care they take to be sustainable. Culinary offerings delight guests with their local highlights and family-friendly activities ensure there's something for everyone to enjoy so what's not to love?