The one event I have looked forward to every Fall here in NYC, for as long as I can remember, is the MIAAC Film Festival. This year, the Festival promises to show even more fabulous films, amazing parties and great panels with distinguished participants from all sides of the film industry. My personal plan includes attending the opening night Gala, featuring the film “Heaven on Earth” by distinguished director Deepa Mehta. Then watching the Festival’s Centerpiece, the film “Slumdog Millionaire” and finally catching both “Shot in Bombay” - Liz Mermin’s documentary about a Bollywood production AND “Shootout at Lokhandwala” the film which Ms. Mermin followed for her documentary. How often in life does one get to see the Behind the Scenes of Behind the Scenes?!? It’s going to be an amazing five days of Bollywood meets Hollywood, with loads of great films programmed and I only wish I could clone myself before then…

If you find yourself in the mood for some Indian food, after your Indian movie-watching extravaganza, then by all means try out Purnima on 54th Street, right here in NYC. Chef Vikas Khanna is quite possibly the best chef this side of the Atlantic and a wonderful human being as well. You’ll feel his warming spices and nourishing touch begin to melt away your stress from the moment you will first set foot into his bright, fabulous eatery. Go hungry and thank me later.

For the best and brightest of the Indian clothing designers, do check out the film “Fashion”. The film stars Priyanka Chopra and Arbaaz Khan, in a great role for the underappreciated hunk. It’s not the best of films to catch at 10.30 pm, which is when I watched it, at a film festival last week, but it is worth sitting through to the end. The story may not be the best script I have ever seen produced, but the clothing and looks are simply divine. And just in time for Christmas, you can put some of the looks on your list for Santa.

Buy some chocolate. And I don’t mean that run-of-the-mill stuff from Trader Joe’s that I have gotten into the rut of grabbing, on my way to the registers. I mean something luxurious and precious that feels like a very special indulgence when you are getting ready to eat it! My favorite this season is L.A. Burdick’s, from a company based in Cambridge, MA. With their artisanal chocolates and the beautiful packaging, they are truly the perfect chocolates for those of us who wish to indulge our senses and our hearts. Try their Cigar Boxes selections, starting at $14, which come with little chocolate mice, complete with silk threat tails…

And finally, do check out the upcoming Joan Miró: Painting and Anti-Painting 1927–1937 exhibit at the MoMA. It promises to be everything that Miró can be and more. I am always partial to the art exhibits at MoMA as no other institution curates their shows quite like them. It will officially open to the public on Nov. 2nd and lasts through January 12th, 2009.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 30th, 2008 at 9:49 am and is filed under The List.