bpb’s Dim Sum series tries to make sense of the city with a new number in every episode. And how do we pick this digit? From a hat, of course! Yes reader, this math is mental.

Today’s number: 5

Pin code 5 brings you downtown to Colaba, home of Basilico and Bombay Electric, Gokul and Gateway. The newest kid on the block is Aura (5/5H Grants, 13 Arthur Bunder Road, call 65204444) fifth outpost of the popular spa chain, which boasts five private rooms for men (and strangely, only three for women). Branch five of Jean Claude Biguine also opens in Colaba next month. Since you’re in the neighborhood, remember to swing by the bpb office at the World Trade Center to say hi!

We’d like to take this opportunity to bring to your notice 5 The Restaurant (25, D. Willingdon, next to Yoko’s restaurant, Santacruz (W), call 26000367), one of the most underrated eateries in the suburbs – try the pumpkin and fenugreek soup with crispy fried jalapenos to know what we’re talking about.

Famous Five: Yours truly and four other cyber-samurais get featured in Hindustan Times as “Opinion Leaders on Blogspot.com”. Yay!

Take five: Our preferred way of releasing mid-week frustration at our desks.

Stock up for holiday parties at Fifth Avenue, a tiny export surplus store where eagle-eyes can spot dresses from MaxMara and BCBG amongst the usual Bangkok merchandise.

We scared up a list of the five best Halloween parties in town: Trilogy, East, Horror Show at Kala Ghoda, Blue Frog and everyone’s favorite sex monkey Bonobo, to which you can win passes from bpb! Just write in to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and tell us who you’re dressing up as this year. Perhaps Superman, also the name of Five for Fighting’s kickass track.

An army of five (Nobodaddy, Bear the dog, Dog the bear, the Insultana of Ott and our hero Luka) brave all kinds of evil forces to steal the Fire of Life in Salman Rushdie’s magical new caper, Luka and The Fire of Life. October’s best read!

Five minute recipe for the delish Alaska shot at Olive Bar and Kitchen: blend ice, lychee syrup, vodka, and pour into a shot glass. Add a thin layer of crushed ice and top off with a dash of strawberry syrup. High five!

The dimmest sum: [(Third Pasta Lane x Four Bungalows) + (Saath Rasta x Teen Batti)] - Sector 28 = 5

November 5: Happy Diwali en avance!