Roving Eye

Sake Swish
Friday night, the Oberoi Hotels teamed up with Cathay Pacific to host a Japanese evening. The select invitees of Mumbai were able to spend an evening seating on sushi, sake and soba noodles. The place was jam-full with the Japanese expat community in Mumbai, who were all visibly pleased with the spread. Everything looked and tasted absolutely authentic. Over Rs 3 lakh of food was flown in just for the occasion. It was a tad odd that a Hong Kong national airline should host a Japanese evening (and not a Chinese one) — it seems that the chef was flown down from Hong Kong where sushi is now a big craze. Here sushi-lovers are still small in number, though one or two media personalities, like Mid-Day‘s Bachi Karkaria, were spotted at a table. Not too many other familiar faces though — unlike Arti and Kailash Surendranth’s Breach Candy residence, which is always packed with the city’s who’s-who for their sushi spreads.

So, Friday night seemed like the night for food festivals as the Swiss festival at Taj’s Apollo Bar was also packed to the brim with Mumbaikars pouring over the menu featuring cheese fondues, roestis and racklette. While the wine selection ranging from Swiss, French, Chilean and Californian was decidedly impressive, the food unfortunately wasn’t. We recommend the Swiss Cheese Fondue at Churchgate’s Starters & More.

More for less
Also on Friday, Breach Candy’s most popular clothes and accessory store, Tie-Ups, announced their annual sale to celebrate their second birthday. A favourite among models like Lisa Ray and Akanksha Mathur Nanda, the store carries affordable designer wear. From Bisou Bisou to Gomzi, the range of clothes will be available all week (until July 15) at fabulous discounts from 30 per cent to 80 per cent. Rush!

American Pie
The Taj Hotel seemed to be the venue of the week as on Saturday night the troops marched back in for the Annual 4th of July Ball organised for the American community in Mumbai. US Consul General David Good heralded the evening with a speech from US President Bill Clinton. But once the formalities were done with, the black-tie gathering flocked to the dance floor to jive to the music of Kim Kardoz and his band Fame. USIS Director Sheldon Austin, Ravi Krishnan and Bandana, the dapper Brian Brown with beautiful wife Kaysoon, Ash Chandler, Economist‘s Aurobindo Patel with Twinspotting wife Ketaki walked over to the buffet instead. Each year, Executive Chef Hemant Oberoi prepares the menu of a typical American meal of fried chicken, roast beef and macaroni and cheese. The recipe is now safely locked away until next year. From an Evian crystal bottle to holidays in Goa, the evening had a lot of prizes given away at silent auctions. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross for droughtrelief.

And finally…
Last week we told you that two model wedding were rumoured to be happening. Well, the grapevine got everything right for once. Last night Rajlaxmi and Rahul Roy held their wedding reception at the Casbar (the party room above Khyber). Also Lascelles Symons was spotted with fiancee Pallavi Sharma at Indigo looking very much in love. They confirmed that their wedding would follow in the next few weeks. Now, if you are wondering what happened to Samir Soni (Rajlaxmi’s former husband) he too has found true love, in the form of VJ Nafsia Joseph.

Life, sweet life
A couple of months ago, Mumbai fashion world was shaken with the news of designer Hemant Trevedi having met with a near-fatal car accident. The designer is finally back home and is receiving visitors, though he still finds it hard to talk for long. He was in a coma for 18 days and says "It was a miracle I got better. But I don’t think I was ready to die yet!" Still not hundred per cent back in shape, one of the city’s most talented designers is itching to get back to work. "I’d like to be back at work tomorrow," he says. He is especially excited to see Lara Dutta, who won the Miss Universe title wearing a red gown designed by him. "She has done so well. I am so happy for her and can’t wait for her to come back." Looks like his wish will soon come true when Lara returns next week. Hemant is grateful to his doctors, friends and his family who flew down from Australia to be with him. "I never knew I had so many friends. I am so touched and humbled by the experience."