Viewing a city through the lens of food is a good way to understand its socio-economic history
The nights have become chillier in recent weeks and in most parts of the country the weather is now perfect for long walks around the city in search of stories, books, music, food or history. A great way to learn more about the city you live in (whether it's been your home for decades or you moved in three weeks ago) is to sign up for a guided food walk. Many food tours have unfortunately become a reason to overeat at the most popular restaurants, but carefully curated walking tours can be an immersion into a city's culture.
Seeing a city through the lens of its food is not only a way to learn about the best places to eat, but also to understand its socio-economic history. Our cover story brings together curated walks that show a different side of cities, and serve as a guide to help you find similarly unusual tours in your own city, or any other city you visit.
In Kolkata, for example, a mishti walk takes you through age-old neighborhoods, the work of the sweet makers and a way of life that is slowly disappearing. In Mumbai, we take you on walks that give you a glimpse of the city's prohibition era, its rapid growth and urbanization fueled by a construction boom, and its unusual drinking habits and watering holes. In Goa, instead of just hitting the beach and bars, you can also spend a day getting to know the state's indigenous communities through food tours.
In the same spirit of inquiry, we have a story about “empty nesters,” aka couples whose children have left home, who have opted to take long road trips and check off their bucket list of things to do instead of waiting for their birthday. now independent children to call on them. We also have an interview with Twinkle Khanna, who has reinvented herself time and again; she now has a master's degree in writing and has published another book of short stories, which she discusses Lounge. We also have our regular lineup of stories and reviews of streaming shows, books, music, style, food and culture.
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