Wendell8217;s Way

A few lucky people received a call from Wendell Rodricks, last week, inviting them to the opening of his new restaurant, Sorpos -- right ...

A few lucky people received a call from Wendell Rodricks, last week, inviting them to the opening of his new restaurant, Sorpos 8212; right next to his clothes store, in Panjim. Of course, I jumped at the chance to make a trip to Goa but little did I know that I was in for one of the finest dining experiences, ever. On Thursday night, Wendell hosted a do at the restaurant where we were served morrels, tender chicken pieces, mussels and smoked cheese. Also to be drunk with the finest French wines.

Savouring the delicacies were some of Goa8217;s most beautiful people, like Jimmy Gazdar, Jagdeep and Mitra Chowgule and the Nawab of Rampur. To enhance the experience, the simple and elegantly decorated restaurant had a coffee table book on food and dining in each corner. Thanks to Jerome Marrel one of Wendell8217;s partners, one corner was soon dedicated to cigar smoking.

Jerome and Mumbai8217;s Anish Trivedi banker-TV presenter-writer found they had a lot in common since both of them are cigar-smoking foodies. HemantTrevedi stayed in a corner, almost all evening, chatting to ramp model Sakala. She, incidentally, was dressed-to-kill in a Wendell outfit. The next day, at a nine-course lunch, I was seated between Anish and Jerome 8212; the conversation picked up from last night, till I had smoke coming out of my ears! The lunch, made by Chef Ganesh who has also worked at the Guestline Days Inn was a three-hour-long gastronomical experience.

It started with red wine and a carpaccio of turnips. Then there was a red pumpkin soup followed by mussels and fish. Halfway through the meal we shifted to red wine and Anish shifted venues he left lunch midway as he had a plane to catch. His place was quickly taken by Femina8217;s Satya Saran who said she was not going to eat. But after one look at the food, she changed her mind! Anyway four more courses followed and everyone looked like they were going to pop! How we managed to make it to Nalaya that evening, I do not know. When our hostess Claudia asked us if we wanted a snack, all Icould say was, No way8217;. Nalaya was another experience all together. This 10-bedroom resort is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Each room has a theme to it like moon or fire. There is a huge pool, tennis courts, a steam room, badminton courts the list goes on. No wonder some Hollywood stars have chosen this resort as their favourite resting place in India!