Why are rains romanticised, you may ask. But take a moment to consider this. They can wash away an entire slum, bring the promise of harvest, offer respite from the heat, and ruin a date. Yet, you cannot hold it together in the palm of your hand for longer than you are taking to read these 74 words. And that's what makes rains romantic, as anything ephemeral is.

To add a little sugar, storytelling and fried food to the romance this season, the folks at The Bombay Canteen and Kommune have come together to curate Stories from Under The Umbrella. "The monsoon can evoke memories, especially those relating to comfort. So, we have created a pakora and hot toddy menu to complement the weather and make you feel at home," says Sameer Seth, partner at the Lower Parel resto-bar.