Category Archives: nightout

Soul Migrations ll

Moments in Zen, expresses Blanca’s enquiring engagement with the dynamic journey of the human spirit across physical/political boundaries into personal, cross-cultural adaptations in expressions of love, play, exuberance, simplicity, peace and quietude. Her Soul Migrations series pay tribute to the profound mimetic links between her motherland India and other world cultures.

Blanca’s fascination with Japanese aesthetics blossomed as a little girl, as she was regaled by stories told to her by family that lived there. In June 2008, she finally arrived in Kyoto – beginning her sojourn through Gifu, Tokyo and Sado Island. Of her two months in Japan she writes,”everywhere I found expression of a profound sense of exacting precision, meticulousness, compassion, dedication and fine detail in each human undertaking. And yet within this absolute expression of relentless boundaries…”

Blanca’s images mingle the animistic rawness of Shinto, the elegant simplicity and tranquillity of Zen and her own playful, poignant responses to the traditional and current in Japan.

In describing her portrayal of Japan, American journalist David Kubiak writes, “Half of her drawings present emblematic statuary that has moved beyond depiction and absorbed enough folk respect to possess a life force of its own. Her other monochrome work portrays figures from highly stylized traditions – the Noh play, the Buddhist path, youth fashion fads and the exquisite geisha world.

Her powerful multihued paintings expose the fertile tension between the prim reserve of Japan’s public life and the wild abandon of individuals’ private fantasies.  Blanca’s travels with the renowned Kodo drumming troupe yielded particularly telling insights as she watched them transmute years of sweat and quiet discipline into thundering cascades of soul-quaking sound.

Seen admiring the exhibition were Ritu Kumar with husband Shashi kumar and sons Ashwin & Amrish Kumar, designers Abhishek Gupta & Nandita Basu, Gauri & Nainika karan, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, Nishant Peralta, Satish & Amita Gupta, Jay Bajaj, Neera Nath, Anita Wissenbach with daughter Sita, amongst others.

Nevermind the Bullfish, Here’s a spot of ‘T’

Visual Arts Gallery, celebrated with panache the grand opening of Tarun Jung Rawat’s Show Nevermind the Bullfish, Here’s a spot of ‘T’, a collection of works that present a singular theme, and is integral to the artist’s creative spirit. It is the power of positive and the strength of goodness, weapons that have the potential to battle and conquer evil and negativity of any kind.


The ‘Bullfish’ is a character that represents everything that is negative and evil, and it mutates into different forms, as it slips and slides from one story to another. The collection of works is a manifestation of that spirit, the belief that one needn’t worry about that ‘Bullfish’, never mind it, let’s get on with what gives us true happiness, and enjoy the pleasure of living. There is extensive use of bold collage style graphic imagery, a style that is an intuitive connection to the works, because of its power and propinquity. ‘Never Mind the BullFish, Here’s a Spot of T’, uses some elements of this visual spirit to present its tales.

The who’s who of the capital showed their support seen at the venue appreciating the art on display were Artist Sheyna Baig, Designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, Renowned Artist Gopi Gajwani, Designers David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, Smita Aggarwal, Gunjita & Abhinav Dhawan, Designer Nida Mahmood with Rahul, Designers Abhishek Gupta with wife and Designer Nandita Basu, Choreographers Asha Kochhar & Vidyun Singh, Ramneek Pantal, Ammu Saidi, Francesca Toscano wife of H.E. Italian Ambassador, Farideh Lashai Painter from Iran,  Designer Rahul Reddy and wife Shruti, Tarana Khubchandani Gallerist from Gallery Art & Soul of Mumbai, Reynu Taandon, Bharti Bhalla, Tanisha Mohan, Sandeep Jajodia of Monet ISPAT Group, Witty Bawa, Sanjay Kapoor of Genesis Luxury, Designer Namrata Joshipura, Nishi Singh, Artist Kanchan Chander amongst many others.
 

News Cafe

 South Africa’s premier chain News Cafe is now in India. 


The first News Cafe opened its doors in 1995, and from the very beginning, it was much more than just an outlet for food and drink. 

News Cafe Italian Kitchen flavors one of classical enmeshed in a newsy environment, where an intellectual air prevails and the common language of information is spoken. Within the informality of a European street-side café it has simple, fresh, and inventive ingredients. Our restaurant’s menu selections include an array of house specialty pastas, burgers, classic Italian entrees and light fare salads. News Café’s cuisine and atmosphere are perfect for casual meals, but are also easily accompanied by candlelight and wine for evening http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/dining/dining/http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/dining/dining, says Martin their Operations Manager.

After a tiring day at work, three of us took our weight off at the Newscafe and indulged in their fabulous cocktails (French martini, que paso, faithful bitch) which was a perfect antidote. The continental feel that it depicts, makes “culture vultures” come back again and again. This “European” style café specializes in global cuisine and is open from early in the morning for breakfast until late into the night. 

We tried menu item (chicken wings , pasta, paneer kathi roll) and nothing failed our demand(although they don’t have much variety for veggies like me) for quality food and service at News Cafe. The portions are quite big for which Martin warned us before hand, even said that burgers are our specialty, to which we said next time. Not only is the service personable, but also the new Mediterranean atmosphere is very cozy and inviting.

On popular demand they are getting one DJ imported exclusively from US and Fridays they go pink especially for ladies.
 

Party at Blue Frog

Devieka and Suresh Bhojwani celebrated a glamorous fun filled party hosted for friends at The Studio, Grey Goose Lounge, Blue Frog. 

Warm wishes poured in as the guests arrived to congratulate Devieka and continued to do so till late into the night. Among laughter and animated conversations, the guests sipped on champagne and enjoyed the delicacies prepared by the Mrigank Singh, Blue Frog’s Executive Chef who had also whipped up a delicious Chocolate Ganache cake .

Among those who dropped in to celebrate the occasion were Devieka’s sister, Malavika Sanghvi, Narendra Kumar Ahmed who walked in with Archana Pillai, Reena and Ashok Wadhwa, Oueenie Dhody, dazzling in gold with Farhad Taraporevala, Ritu and Shashi Kumar, Kailash Surendranath, Shweta Shetty and Nawaz Singhania, Czaee and Suketu Shah, Gauri and Mohan Poohomal, Sunita Kohli, Mahesh Jethmalani, Anju Taraporewala, Laila Lamba, Tasneem Mehta.
 

Party with Zac

On Thursday night, Zac Posen celebrated his Zac Posen for Target line with a 24-hour shopping bash, a performance from The Like and a slew of celebrity friends all in the heart of Manhattan.  We already gave you a sneak peek at the lookbook so here are some pics from the night’s festivities.

Guests that poured in to celebrate included Claire Danes, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Coco Rocha, Ann Dexter-Jones, Tennessee Thomas, Juanita Rocha, Parker Posey, Ginnifer Goodwin, Sessilee Lopez, DJ America, Emma Snowdon-Jones and Ksenija Belsley, Daisy de Villeneuve, Patricia Field and Pat Cleveland, Tennessee Thomas, Annabel Vartanian and Kristian Laliberte, Alek Wek, Carmen Scott, Kate Schelter and Chris Schumacher, Michelle Trachtenberg, Paul Longo and Alexandra Richards Rosson Crow and many more.

Pepper Launch

Pepper, a bistro lounge that echo’s a déjà vu flavour ridden journey across Europe, Asia and America opened it gates for the capital with glamour and fun laden evening at Chankyapuri hosted by Mr. Kamal Khattar, MD, Forte Grand.

Soulful global cuisine languorously soaked the taste buds in a melange of handpicked gastronomic masterpieces that unwind over conversation-strewn evenings serenaded by excellent music in an easy setting. The interiors enhance a setting that helps whisk away into a pastoral hideaway artistically fashioned around the theme of barn by renowned architects Segel design Associates.

Speaking on the occasion Kamal Khattar said, “Pepper for me is an attempt to create a venue where something as simple as a conversation with friends, meal shared with family or an engaging evening transforms into memories cherished forever. I aim to cater people who love good food to be served in a setting that flaunts creative interiors.”

The exhaustive guest list that flowed down at the venue included Vijay & Shobhna Arora, Shiv Karan, Saddam & Sophia Azad , Monu & Alka Bali, Varun Bahl, Bharti & Vijay Bhalla, Ajay & Celina Bijli, Suneet Varma, Ramneek & Rajat Paintal and many more.

Caressa Launch Party

Caressaa Day Spa, a centre with six treatment rooms and one couple room opened its doors to Spa lovers and gave a taste of its exclusive services to the crème-de-la-crème of Mumbai. 


Rekha Chaudhari, Co-Founder, Caressaa Day Spa said, “With increasing stress levels in today’s life, spa treatments are becoming a necessity more than a luxury. With rise in level of health awareness has created strong opportunities for spa treatments in India. We at Caressaa are planning to tap the ever growing spa industry by opening our first treatment centre in Juhu, Mumbai which is considered to be one of the high-end areas of the city.”

The evening saw a gathering of the who’s who including fashion designers, models, celebrities and consulate members. Ms. Smita Thackrey specially dropped in to congratulate Rekha for the wonderful spa. Designer Rocky S was accompanied by the young designer brigade of Masaba & Niska Lulla. Also present were Sheetal Menon, Shahana Goswami and Milind Soman. Swapnil Shinde, Sammeer & Palak Seth, Suchitra Pillai, Lubna Adams, Lascelles Symmons and Freddie were raving about the reflexology treatments that they received. Falguni & Sushil Javeri, Remu & Naaz, Nikasha Tawade, Nachiket Barve, Krishka Lulla, Designer AD Singh, Ameet Gaur, Rehan & Jeniffer Mayani and many more enjoyed the wine & innovative fresh fruit cocktails that kept the party in high spirits.
 

Asia 7

The restaurant lingers on the philosophy, that great taste is universal. The space welcomes to a unique, modern and elegant http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/dining/dining/http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/dining/dining atmosphere suited to relax customers and prepare them to embark on a Pan-Asian culinary experience of fine cuisine from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia and Myanmar

Master Chef LY VI CHAM from Vietnam has, over the last 16 years, mastered his repertoire of cuisine all over Asia. His cooking style is relaxed and unique, which clearly reflects in his signature dishes.

Reflecting its Pan Asian  influences & famous for its lively, fresh flavors and artfully composed meals, Vietnamese food is the true ‘light cuisine’ of Asia. Abundant fresh herbs and greens, delicate soups and stir-fries, and well-seasoned grilled foods served on, or with, rice or noodles are the mainstays of the Vietnamese delicacies.


During the course of festival which is starting from 16th April to 2nd May, gastronomic magician, Chef Ly Vi Cham will be presenting malaysian Lamb Rendang, Singaporian Black Pepper Crab, Vietnames Stir Fried Chicken with Lemon Grass,Thai Yellow Curry Chicken, CHICKEN SUIMAI along with the existing signature dishes like Prawn Tempura Roll, Soft Shell Crab with Salt & Pepper, Asparagus & Crab Meat Soup & Phad Thai Prawn Noodles.

The Thai steamed fish with lime, chili and garlic is a legendary dish and among the other signature dishes are the Vietnamese style Prawn Spring Rolls, Kung Pao Vegetable, Green salad with Cantaloupe and Balsamic dressing.

The space also has a well stocked bar serving everyone’s international and domestic favorites with an in-house dj to keep the visitors mood lifted playing lounge, retro-chic and rock.

400 Asian Stonegrillounge

“400 The Asian Stonegrillounge”. The concept along with the regular pan asian fare involves a section around guests preparing or rather cooking their own food . 


The décor is a rustic and casual outdoor lounge with cozy beds, lounges, an upbeat bar along with a sumptuous and unique Asian fare. This lounge promises to be the new destination for the trendy city dwellers. The bar is also extremely well stocked with a collection of single malts, wines, whiskies and cocktails.

400 also boasts the largest variety of shishas in tobacco flavours and is the first lounge to introduce the “herbal hookas” ( completely nicotine free) . Here one can not only choose the flavours but also the base ( redbull, wine, champagne, cognac) along with a fruithead ( apple, orange, pear) etc. 

The menu is divided into two the pan asian fare & the food from the stone grill. While we ordered Grilled Tofu squares with Vietnamese dressing and Balinese chicken Satay as starters, Sohrab told us that the pan asian fare is primarily the street food available in the South East Asian countries customized for the Indian palate. And we take extra care to present it in the same “Original State” as it is served in these countries. 

The stone grill menu comprises of some of the finest cuts and varieties of meat – right from Wagyu and Kobe to the perfect Rib eye and T Bone, as told by Sohrab. The darne and chops are perfect for the fish and the lamb lovers. Though there is not much variety for vegetarians but as mentioned in menu there is an exotic Portobello mushrooms. The starters were delicious, coming on to the main course Tanishq was forced to eat (since he thought was invited to taste the stone grill fare) braised chicken with dry red pepper served with rice and crispy noodles and I had my share of specially made stone grilled dish of Tofu (again). For sweet somethings we were served  with cheese cake and chocolate souffle with vanila ice cream.


Stone grilling is in fact one of the healthiest methods of cooking because of the absence of oils and fats. Moreover the quick searing at a specific 400 degree centigrade ensures a delicious and healthier meal which is lower in calories than traditional cooking. The LAVA STONE is where the cooking happens. The lava stone is a slab of volcanic rock which is heated to 400 degrees centigrade where the ovens burn out at approximately 260 degrees centigrade. 
 

Lighthouse 13 launches

The opening of Lighthouse 13 at MGF Mall, Saket was celebrated on Saturday night April 10th  giving the people of Delhi a place to experience live performances, fashion shows, music and food festivals, karaoke in addition to a spectacular nightclub and lounge. Lighthouse 13 is set to be the venue for not only lavish partying but also a treat for the senses in form of music, art and food.


The launch saw ultimate party experience being re-created in a classic Hollywood theme for Delhi’s party revelers. As they entered the club, they were treated to a red carpet with paparazzi to make each attendee feel like a star for the evening. At the stroke of midnight, the sky above lit up in dozens of myriad colors as a breathtaking firework display dazzled the senses.

One of the unique features of Lighthouse 13 is a high-tech, interactive bar top that reacts to patron’s every movement with changing patterns and colours. The fabulous duo of Easy Upside was DJ for the evening as they rocked the night away with their pulsating beats. The glitterati of Delhi stepped out in style to enjoy the opulent bash. From Ritesh Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez to Sanjana Jon and Ekta Chaudhary among others, have been bowled over by the experience of Lighthouse 13.