Scene and Heard

Marcellus Baptista

What's happening in Mumbai’s hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city...

Factory fresh

Anita Raaj and Sophia Premjee at Barbecue Factory

It was time to say hello to Barbecue Factory brought to you by the foodie trio of Sunil Hingorani of Some Place Else fame, Karim Premjee and Adil Halani. On preview night it was time for an assortment of succulent vegetarian and non-vegetarian kebabs including shahi galouti kebab cooked beside your table, salads at the bar, a buffet dinner spread and a choice of desserts. "People have been cooking on open fires since the beginning of human history. At Barbecue Factory we have perfected the art of slow-cooking meat, well-marinated with various herbs and aromatic ingredients over red-hot coals - with recipes and combinations that will keep you coming back for more," informed Premjee. The unlimited buffet has been attractively priced at Rs 350 per head for lunch and Rs 450 for dinner. Partaking of the drinks and dinner on opening night were party people from the entertainment and glamour industry like Rohit Roy, Vivek Mushran, Punet Issar, Vikas Bhalla and wife Puneeta, Suman Ranganathan and Bunty Walia, Anu Mallik, Aditi and Arzoo Govitrikar.

Sipping in style

Glen McGrath and Stephen Fleming with Shantanu and Nikhil at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour at ITC Grand Central

It was time to relive those magical nights once again with the annual Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2006 that swept across the country. In Mumbai it flashed across the terrace lawn of the ITC Grand Central, kicking off with a slick and chic show by Tarun Tahiliani. We were informed that Blenders Pride whisky is a 'taste that speaks for itself' and that was transformed into the wondrous creations on the catwalk. The first night attracted the likes of Shekhar Suman, Mehr Jessia, Arjun Rampal, Aditi Govitrikar and sister Arzoo. "The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour is still the most comprehensive travelling fashion event that highlights couture to smart ready-to-wear with a diverse range of designers and, of course, is the only one that allows people across the country to partake of this magic and madness first hand," said Tahiliani. Other designers that followed during the three-night whirl were Aki Narula, Nandita Mahtani, Shantanu & Nikhil, Rocky S, Aparna Chandra, Suneet Varma, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, and Malini Ramani. While the regular models were shining, making heads turn were cricketers Glen McGrath and Stephen Fleming on the ramp. Another highlight was an exciting aerial dance performance by Isha Sharwani.

Chic cheer

Vickrant and Kavita Chougule at Tetsuma

The Japanese fine dining restaurant Tetsuma launched its bar by unveiling a signature cocktail collection menu created by international mixologist and brand ambassador of Belvedere vodka, Grant Collins who has mixed some creative contemporary cocktails to Paris Hilton and Cameron Diaz among other celebrities. Host Vickrant Chougule and wife Kavita welcomed guests into a heady world of Bellini, Hennessey Julip, Golden Martini, cool cucumber martini and other concoctions with Belvedere, Moet & Chandon and Hennessy, enjoyed with the Japanese hors d'oeuvres that were light, modern, clean and fresh, just right for the discerning diner. Tetsuma, you were informed, means tornado in Japanese and you felt the force floating over you as you sipped and savoured the cocktails. A stroll through the restaurant and bar revealed sliding glass doors for each table, creating an illusion of privacy, and niches unfurling into ponds. The interiors, you discovered, were chic and contemporary, tastefully embellished in natural wood tones - a splendid setting where time stood still. And amazing was the wine cellar across the wall with over 3,000 bottles from across the globe.

Rum time

Brian Lara, Randhir Kapoor and Mike Arnold at the Angostura rum launch at Indigo

Everyone had a rum time at Indigo with the launch of the Angostura range of rums. Introduced were some award-winning premium aged rums like the 1919 eight-year-old golden-amber hued mellow rum. Also in full flow was white rum with a shiny butterfly on the bottle. The rums represent romance, the thrill of a carefree day on the beach, the pleasure of a lingering Caribbean sunset, the joy of a walk beneath rustling palm trees on a tropical night and the first deep look into that special someone's eyes - that's what you were told. And, if you were not a rum-drinker, you could have your fill of Sobieski Estate vodka from Poland and Bunnahabhain single Islay malt, all spirits brought to you by CL WorldBrands whose director Mike Arnold was present. Also making his presence felt was Brian Lara, Angostura's global brand ambassador and a native of Trinidad and Tobago, home of the famous Angostura aromatic bitters. It was a happy brunch with guests like Randhir Kapoor, Meera and Nirmal Zaveri, Sabina and Anil Chopra, Asha Patel, Deepika Gehnani, Indu Shahani, Monica Vaziralli, Reshma Malhotra, Ritika Rawal, Naaz and Remo Javeri, Tanisha, Chunky Pandey, Rashmi and Sudheer Bahl, Bindu Zaveri, Prerna Goel, Rishi Acharya, Samir Chabbria and others.