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| Arora with Rajesh Khanna |
Although The Metropolitan was originally aligned with the Japanese chain, Nikko with whom it broke off last year to become a partner in the Summit Hotels & Resorts international hospitality brand, its authentic Japanese cuisine restaurant Sakura remains one of the top Japanese restaurants in Delhi, despite Wasabi at the Taj, the Olive- owned ai Restaurant in Select City Mall and recently multi-cuisine restaurant Zest opening at the DLF Emporio Mall having opened.
So when the Delhi Wine Club discussed the concept of hosting an event at the hotel, Sakura would have been the obvious choice; the club has had 3 successful events already. But it was also inviting to find the newly renovated bar available exclusively for the event. With the Independence Day around the corner, why not have a pre-Independence day bash at the bar where we could raise a toast to the 63rd anniversary with a Laurent Perrier champagne and enjoy some of the mouth-watering snacks from Sakura, we felt? Rajesh Khanna, the F & B Director (not the aging Bollywood actor, I might add) was quite amenable to the idea of handing over the keys to the Bar for an exclusive event for the DWC where instead of a wine and cheese, we could hold a champagne and sushi informal get-together.
Of course, there were the signature Tempura made with prawns and the vegetarian version as well as Yakitori, besides the various forms of Sushi prepared specially for the evening by the new young Japanese Chef Shikate. To give the non champagne drinkers an option, there was a Bordeaux Blanc made from the typical Sauvignon Semillon blend, as well as a Valpolicella and a Merlot-heavy Bordeaux red. Also playing an important role in countering the fried tempuras was the Freixenet cava from Spain.
The club has a fair number of ex-pat members, justifying our theory that wine unites people and nations. So we organised an unlimited supply of Michel Gonet Rose cuvee to raise a toast to the friendship of our ex-pat friends. Years ago, Indian Wine Academy had taken a delegation to Bordeaux Vinexpo and had Michel Gonet host a dinner for us. Later, it helped the company launch its champagnes and other wines in India through a mega event at the French embassy. Selecting the champagne was a reminder of the message of the friendship between our Indian members and the expats.
The Bar has become more comfortable than even before. With minimal of garnish used in the decoration, it is the great mood of members that added to the décor. Of course, the warm and personal service spearheaded by the Asst. F & B Manager Rajiv Bhatia along with the subtle presence of Rajesh Khanna added to the smoothness running of the evening which went way beyond the expected bell-time of 11 pm. A few members were still sitting and sipping, past 1 pm. One hopes that better and correct wine glasses are on order. Riedel may not be in place for the bar but the likes of Spiegelau or even the glasses from Hong Kong and Thailand doing the rounds ought to replace the pre-renovation glasses, if the management is as keen as they appear to promote wines for their guests.
Besides bringing the members closer to each other and their asking for more such events, the evening paved way for dinner at Sakura at the Metropolitan, Delhi next or even at their stand-alone restaurant in Gurgaon Mall. One may not wait till the next Independence Day to open Champagne bottles, after all.
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