Photos By:: Adil Arora
 As you enter the restaurant, you feel as if you have entered the huge drawing room of a super-rich politician or a bureaucrat who knows how to live life king size and in style, with clusters of plush and elegant sofa arrangements as far as your eyes take you. There is a rather huge bar on the left which gives you the impression that the host is fond of drinks-or at least serving them well. The tapestry is soothing white or pastels with soft or plain designs, the alcoves offering privacy within the expansive room. What makes you wonder is the semi-circular wall with dozens of symmetrical protrusions with niches carrying wine bottles resting in peace. Soft lounge music adds to the seductive mood.
Welcome to the Lounge of The Second Sin, the latest addition to the contemporary restaurants being added to the ever-expanding list of choices for the gourmands and gourmets of the capital city. The lounge music puts you in a relaxed mood while the bar is ready to offer drinks of choice and delicious snacks.
 But this Monday it was different- being the Delhi Wine Club dinner with Guy Saget wines.The only aperitif wine served was- Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2007 from Domaine de la Perriere , owned by Guy Saget in Pouilly-sur-Loire. This is the famous region known for Sancerre, considered by most to be the oldest and best Sauvignon producing region in the world. The dry, fruity wine was crisp and citrus but most of all very refreshing and handled the multiple delicious and succulent snacks in a very rounded fashion.
Laurent Guiraud, the General Manager who supervised the whole project and prefers to be known only as Laurent, welcomed the guests and stressed on the philosophy of the lounge, bar and the casual fine dining in the restaurant where one feels at home with good food and wine. He also introduced the open terrace grill which is already finding many takers because of its own private space within the surrounds of the Mall.
Sitting down, we savored the second wine-Sancerre 2007 Domaine de la Perriere served with Cream of Chicken with basil or the mushroom soup with morels. Although not served piping hot, both the soups were delicious and worth repeating in future, especially the latter. This wine was very concentrated, with grassy tropical aromas and ripe fruit flavour, full on the palate and quite persistent. This was by far the most popular wine of the evening.
 Vouvray 2008 Guy Saget is an AOC Vouvray made from Chenin Blanc that this part of Loire Valley is known for. It was slightly sweet but very refreshing with the Pan seared Basa – the interesting feature of the wine with marked acidity at the end was its ability to match even slightly spicy fish kebab or even fish curry.
Domaine de l’Aigle Pinot Noir 2007 Gerard Bertrand is a single vineyard Pinot Noir made under the warm sun of South of France, close to Limoux. The strawberry flavours and spiciness of the oak made this wine match the pepper crusted chicken very well.
The dinner was a special event as Arnaud Saget; the export manager of the family-owned company was visiting Delhi, primarily to be with the members of the Delhi Wine Club and share his family’s vision and present the wines. Guy Saget, the leading premium Loire Valley winery, is ninth-generation family- owned and managed winery. As Arnaud explained, theirs is the only family owned winery offering a complete range of Loire Valley wines. ‘We offer 50 out of the 70 appellations existing in the Loire.’ They source two-thirds of the production in the Loire Valley from their estates while the balance comes from the grape growers under long-term contract.
 The restaurant Second Sin is the 21st century Avatar of Manré Restaurant in the MGF mall and everything except Laurent who used to look after the old restaurant as well, is new, chic and contemporary with a touch of class. Apparently they have used a well-known interior decorator from overseas and the results are for all to see and appreciate. It was one of the launch dinners ; the cooking and waiting staff had really put their best feet forward under the careful eyes of the Restaurant Manager Nakul Chandra.
The evening was also to bid farewell to our long time friends and Belgian members Jan Brusselaeres and Veerle Behets who are leaving the club and India after being members for 7 years. It was a tribute to the club when Veerle said that the club had really changed their life in India. Another couple to bid us farewell was Graham and Eileen Mather who have been present practically at every dinner since they joined the club 3 years ago.
The evening was aptly summarized by a DWC member from San Marino, Tarsillo Nataloni, who owns restaurants including the ever-popular Flavors in Defence Colony. He was succinct in expressing his view about the evening- great ambience, great white wines. The food was quite well prepared and presented. A couple of minor tweaking adjustments by Chef Nikil will keep the guests smiling and frequenting the restaurant.
The Restaurant is all set to open and entice its clientele into committing the Second Sin so they come Eat, Drink and Enjoy and maybe some wines from Guy Saget being imported by Aspri Spirits and Wine will be there to welcome your palate as well. The Lounge and the Bar are open; Restaurant will be opened in another week.
Subhash Arora
Jan 31, 2011 |