Scene & Heard

Marcellus Baptista

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

Pitch report

Shveta Salve at the 'Seven-year Pitch' party at Soul Fry

The Monday night karaoke session at Soul Fry has become the talk of the town and to celebrate seven years of this manic Monday musical mania host Meldan D'Cunha threw what he called a 'Seven-year Pitch' party for the regulars and other special guests who make the place a buzzing success Monday after Monday. The party though not held on a Monday had that Monday night feel with guests singing their hearts out and also the fantastic selection of songs (Spanish, Latino, African, Mexican and English) in between the karaoke ones. Getting into the singing mood were the likes of actors Shveta Salve and Saumya Tandon, man-with-the-voice Siddharth Kannan and Asif Adil, MD, Diageo India. It was time to sing and also enjoy seafood and other delights along with a selection of drinks like Black & White whisky and Tiger beer.

Warm welcome

A D Singh and Preity Zinta at the launch of the new Olive at Mahalaxmi

Party people said hello to yet another Olive Bar & Kitchen in town, this one tucked away near the stables of the Amateur Riders Club (ARC). While the horses were nice and quiet, the guests were abuzz with cocktail camaraderie as host A D Singh and Chef Max welcomed them into this Mediterranean-styled eatery and bar. You walked across or settled down in the somewhat beach-like setting of the outdoor area that included the famous white pebbles and sand and even what looked like a wishing well. The heat was on outside while inside it was cool with comfortable seating and, of course, that splendid view of the horses through the glass. Racing enthusiasts Cyrus Poonawalla and Raj Shroff were there along with a whole lot of other guests like Gautam Singhania, Preity Zinta, Queenie Dhody, Pria Kataria Puri, Seema Khan, Madhoo, Sabira and Chottu Merchant, Reshma Bombaywala, Kitu Gidwani, Esther and Raju Daswani, Simone Singh and Fahad Samar, Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jessia. The aromas of cheese, herbs and earthy, fresh food wafted in the air and guests partook of the clay-oven pizzas, Mediterranean capers wrapped in salmon, pasta and more, plus all the delightful desserts.

Lounging around

Neha Uberoi at the launch of Dragonfly

The corporate clientele and others were happy to welcome the launch of Dragonfly, the city's newest contemporary, international and cosmopolitan lounge bar. Hosts Deepak Shroff and Aashiyana Shroff of Cavim Hospitality Services were there to welcome the merry mix of guests like fashion designer Arjun Khanna, actress Neha Uberoi and singer Hard Kaur. It was time for some fine wines, Black Label and Singleton along with a selection of hors d'oeuvres like salt and pepper squid, ambrosial sweet potato and hazelnut pesto bites. Guests were all praise for the contemporary and artistic dark-wood décor, spread across 5,500 square feet, with the entrance leading to the main dining and the early bar overlooking the Arabian Sea. Earthy green walls reflected the warm glow of the custom-made golden rings adorning the four concave pillars, all lit up from the inside, separating the elevated dining area from the lounge area and dance floor. The stairway leading down from the dining area to the dance floor bordered the long bar while handcrafted dragonflies formed part of the carved wooden frame

Vodka high

Dimple Inamdar and Sunaina Gulia at the Wodka Gorbatschow launch at Hard Rock Cafe

The cheer was on at Hard Rock Café as Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD) launched the German vodka brand called Wodka Gorbatschow. International model Gabriella Demetriades was at this party that included hostesses offering guests shots of vodka and Russian dancers performing with passion and flair. Stepping up the tempo was international DJ Sharon. The vodka brand was the result of a joint venture between ABD and Henkell & Söhnlein Sektkellereien KG Wiesbaden, Germany under the name of Henkell & Company India. Dr Hans Henning Weigmann, CEO, Henkell & Söhnlein was there along with Deepak Roy, executive vice chairman and CEO, ABD. Guests from the corporate world and the entertainment and glamour world were there savouring the smooth vodka poured from a bottle that looked sophisticated yet traditional with a depiction of the swirling minarets of Moscow. The brand mark of the dove and the distinct brand colours of arctic blue, white and silver were said to represent the purity and pristine clarity that the brand stood for.