What’s happening in Mumbai’s hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city… By Marcellus Baptista
Cause and effect
Aspri Spirits celebrated Negroni Week through promoting classic and innovative versions of the famous Negroni cocktail in the country from June 1 to 7. It was preview time at Radio Bar with guests enjoying this cocktails made of one part gin, one part Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (red, semi-sweet) and one part Campari, garnished with orange peel. Negroni Week was launched in 2013 as a celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and an effort to raise money for charitable causes around the world. Bars and restaurants raise money (minimum US$ one for each Negroni sold) to a local charitable organisation of their choice. India was featured for the first time among the other 35 countries participating in this international promotional activity, the number one country in Asia and also in the top 10 list in the world in terms of participating bars.
Second outing
Foodies rejoiced as the famed Neapolitan pizzeria from Battersea, London, Pizza Metro Pizza launched its second outlet in Mumbai – this one at Kemps Corner. The founders and directors, Diego Palladino, Sam Malde, Jay Mehta and Arja Shridhar, were there to welcome the many guests including Juhi Chawla, Milind Deora, Shaina N C, Mala and Harsh Goenka, Malini and Rahul Akerkar, Zeba and Rajesh Kohli, Nirav Modi, Gouri Pohoomull, Sangita Kathiwada, Rashmi Nigam, Sharmilla Khanna, Aarti and Kailash Surendranath and Italian Consul General Ugo Ciarlatani. And besides the premium drinks and fabulous food fare, guests enjoyed the live Italian music.
Grape escape
Enchanting Escapade was what they called the fine wine dinner with Grover Zampa Vineyard’s award-winning wines along with a gastronomic treat from ITC Grand Central. It kicked off at Dublin bar with Soirée Brut 2011 and then it was sit-down dinner time at K&K. Kapil Grover, chairman, Grover Zampa Vineyards and Kuldeep Bhartee, GM, ITC Grand Central were there to see that the guests had a good time. It was Amuse-Bouche with Gucci Anar Ke Kur-Kuri served with spicy curry flavoured mustard sauce, complemented by Art Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2014. Course one in the non-vegetarian choice was Murgh Angaar and Tali Subz Machli with Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection White 2013; course two: Murg Jumbari, Mahi Qaliya, Gosht Ki Nihari with La Réserve 2012; course three: Gosht Bohri Biryani with Chêne Grande Resérve 2012 and course four: Shaan-e-Aam with Soirée Brut Rosé 2011.
Kiwi delights
Refreshingly juicy, deliciously sweet – that’s the expressions that you encountered as you tasted Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, a treasure from New Zealand. Acclaimed actor Kalki Koechlin, celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, famed nutritionist Pooja Makhija, Zespri’s regional manager Ben Huges and Zespri’s country manager – India Ritesh Bhimani were present at Four Seasons Hotel to launch this fruit filled with nutrition. You were tutored on the correct way to eat a kiwifruit, a three-step process: cut, scoop and eat. You also learnt that this kiwifruit is grown, stored and transported to market using the safest and most efficient and sustainable processes possible and that you can have it as a fruit, a dessert, a snack, a meal or in a cocktail.