SaSaSalsaaaaa » Salsa Parties Reviewed

Review of H2O Salsa Party on 28th Jan

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:11:19 +0000

This is a chat review where me and Raj who turned up that day for H2O Salsa Party, only to find out that the Organizer Ravi had left the place as no one had turned up.

Ravi Akhade is the only instructor other than SIDC who holds Salsa Parties, I really think we should support him, but I feel he needs to get his act together also. Read the chat below.

rshekharr: hey manoj

rshekharr is online.

rshekharr: nice meeting u that day

Manoj: hiii

same here dude

rshekharr: no update on the dud the at H20

You can highlight the issue..

Or explain the people what RSVP means

Manoj: haha who RSVP’d

rshekharr: some 63 people i guess

Manoj: arre lets give Ravi some chance…

oh on FB?

rshekharr: yeah

i know the pain ravi would have gone to organise this

i hve been behind the scenes quite a few times

Manoj: actually its Ravi’ fault

rshekharr: is it?how

Manoj: as an instructor he should get the crowd..

he is not doing his part

rshekharr: well..i guess he was expecting people to just show up

which doesn’t happen without it being a marked event

Manoj: where r his students?

rshekharr: yeah thats correct

Manoj: he seems uninterested

rshekharr: then it will not fly for sure

where does he teach ?

Manoj: some 6 locations

rshekharr: 6 locations???Phew..

Manoj: hmm

rshekharr: & still nobody shows up

seems fundamentally something is wrong

Manoj: thats the point,isnt it?

rshekharr: yeah

Manoj: not even his partner

rshekharr: thats sad to know..

Manoj: salsa meetups are a lost cause

with uncommitted instructors’

rshekharr: same old story

with all of them..

Manoj: ok going to make this chat as a review of h2o

rshekharr: i think they can make a lot of money if they put there head into it

Manoj: hope u dont mind, bye gotcha go

rshekharr:

no problem

carry on..see you arnd

Manoj: cya

rshekharr: cya

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K-Style Bachata abused on the dance floor?

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:35:12 +0000

Yesterday I had been to Zenzi Mills, for the Pre-New Years Bash. The party was at the Ist floor instead of the the usual ground floor, that meant a large place to dance and place for beginners like me to get indulged and practice my moves.
It was a great party, the crowd usually coming in very late and there wasn’t much of a forum for the tango lessons as I was told. But slowly and surely the crowd trickled in and it was getting to one of the best parties I attended especially because of the number of new comers.
Except for a few downers, like a bunch of Australian women out there, who were indulging this young unruly kid who was buying them free drinks.I must commend Santosh the Instructor from Salsa India for doing his job so well, he kept a very kool head and asked the guy to take the walk with the Australian women who he was trying to buy out.

I can understand a complete newcomer to the Salsa scene misbehaving, but what I cannot understand is regulars to the Salsa party who misbehave. I was particularly shocked to see a guy who is almost at all the Salsa Parties,forcing a kiss on a girl, after dancing K-style bachata on the dance floor. After being reprimanded, he explains, this is how things work and beginners should know.

As per the usual customs of social dancing, girls generally don’t refuse anyone for a dance, and if that is taken as a consent to molest her, I can predict that Salsa dancing as a social activity in clubs would die a premature death,and we would be restricted to hold dance events in school halls, where the deadline would be 9pm.

what do you ladies think? If any of you feel you have been abused in the name of power or dance, and want to warn these predators, write to me at manoj@mumbaisalsa.info

P.S For people who are wondering what’s K-Style Bachata is, “its a sensual form of dance, where the guys right leg are essentially(well most of the time) between the girls legs” still don’t get it, check out kaytee dancing in this video

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Lounge Review | Dragonfly.

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:58:10 +0000

The Guava Spiked Marguerita with vodka, triple sec, tequila and guava juice was gimmicky, but we liked it

Parizaad Khan Posted: Sat, Jul 19 2008. 2:35 PM IS

Mumbai

If there are two commodities that are way up there on many Mumbaikars’ list of luxuries, it would be space and a good bar. Or, at least, that’s our theory. So, it was pleasant to step into Dragonfly and find both in one package. Kind of like getting a Rajesh Pratap Singh dress and a quilted Chanel carryall for the price of one.

Seriously, though, at almost 6,000 sq. ft, Dragonfly is big by Mumbai standards and seems even bigger when you factor in its Nariman Point location. Started by Aashiyana Shroff, the owner of Vong Wong, the Chinese-Thai restaurant on the same floor of Express Towers, Dragonfly has the same (from some spots, even better) expansive view of Nariman Point and similarly high ceilings.

The good stuff

Shroff’s done up the place herself, with a wine glass chandelier over an undulating long bar, while an LED screen runs under the bar, displaying video content which includes news and stock quotes. The space is split into three levels, with a 60-seater fine dining restaurant which distinguishes itself from the bar by giant cocoon-like pillars, adorned with rows of golden rings. The pistachio-green and white Wedgewood-hued restaurant opens later this month, with a South African chef, but meanwhile, the canapes at the bar reflect the cuisine of the restaurant.

The wooden-floored bar, with a special VIP section (don’t miss the racy wallpaper here) is open after 6pm, ready to receive parched executives from the neighbourhood offices. The jazz is soothing. You can perch yourself on the bar and have a good post-work chat.

Or maybe a cocktail; we sampled a few. The Guava Spiked Marguerita with vodka, triple sec, tequila and guava juice was gimmicky, but we liked it, especially the chilli flake-salt rim. Our co-taster loved the whisky-based Apple and Hazlenut Martini; we found it a tad sweet. The Pom-A-Melon with vodka, pomegranate and watermelon juices was refreshing. The Bellini and the other champagne cocktail we tried (alas, our memory was a little fuzzy around the edges at this stage) were both subtle and fresh.

The only eats at the bar are what they call the Tasting Plates. Seafood, open sandwich, vegetarian and mixed plate are the options; you’ll get a large dish set with dainty five-six bite-sized canapes. They were, without an exception, inspired (ok, we didn’t dig the nori and carrot mousse roll).

But, the singularly best thing we ate was the sweet-potato chips, made in-house, and served as a bar snack. They were crisp, with a caramelized sweetness and sprinkled with rock salt; we had to ask for seconds. Sometimes the best things in life really are free.

The not-so-good

The Mojito, a basic test for any bar, somehow didn’t make the cut. The flavours were fresh and vegetal but there was too much sugar (we crunched through our first few sips). Also, a majority of the cocktails have a fruit element. While that’s great for people who love fruit, there are not many options for those who don’t.

A word of caution if you’re going to order the Tasting Plates: Notice how we used the word dainty earlier? Well, they really are. If you aim to fill yourself on the munchies at the bar, you’ll definitely need two plates (that’s if you have an average appetite).

Talk plastic

Cocktails are from Rs350 to Rs425; 30ml of JW Black is Rs470 and beers range from Rs200 to Rs320. The Tasting Plates are from Rs325 to Rs625 (per person).

Sourced from :http://www.livemint.com/2008/07/19000940/Lounge-Review–Dragonfly-Nar.html

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Review Of Zenzi

admin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:37:36 +0000

Linked from http://bandra2007.blogspot.com/2008/04/zenzi.html

HE SCENE »
A warm orange glow down the street tells you you’re approaching Zenzi, a resto-lounge bar with street-facing, low, open windows. Thai and Balinese interiors give a touch of contemporary Asian, and a mix of wooden panels, glass doors and orange hues give a warm transparency to the casual dining experience or an evening soirée. The concept of using space is remarkable unlike the boxed enclosures of most hangouts. The main area, a good size away from the entrance is air-conditioned with two huge bars. You can hop on to the bar stools for cocktails, socialise in the lounge area or have a meal amidst RnB, drum and bass, house to IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) revved up by their resident or guest DJs. Since Zenzi encourages artistic talent, you can enjoy various exhibits put up for display on the walls.

HE FOOD AND DRINK »
The Zenzi kitchen tantalises the taste buds with a fusion of Asian and European cuisine. Serving authentic Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, French and Italian cuisine, Chef Shahaf Shabtay has his hands quite full but he delivers with aplomb. For starters, the Zenzi Mozzarella Salad and the Honey Wasabi Prawns are a good bet. The main course has specialities like the Mushroom Mirin Risotto (Italian style rice flavoured with mirin, wok-fried mushrooms, vegetables and Parmesan cheese – Rs. 350) or the unique Zenzi Tempura (Roll of Japanese tuna and Norwegian salmon shallow fried, served with asparagus, peas, Udon noodles, wasabi and black sesame sauce – Rs. 525). Other interesting dishes are the Zenzi Wok, Osso Bucco and Korean Style Beef.
At the bar, have a go at either the Zenzitini (vodka, triple sec and fresh lime, spiked with wasabi), the Cran Mojito (Rum in muddled fresh lime, sugar, mint & topped with soda with a splash of cranberry juice) or the Black Python (Amaretto, Crème de cacao, lime juice, sugar syrup) or you’ll sure be missing out on something! Their Minty Coolers (choose between strawberry, peach and grenadine) are worth trying out, especially in this sultry weather.

THE VERDICT »
This place is great in catering to every mood. Besides providing exceptional cuisine, Zenzi has taken an appreciative interest in hosting live acts and performances in music and organising various cultural events such as art exhibitions, salsa classes and poetry nights.

Phone: 6643 0670 / 71 / 72
http://www.zenzi-india.com/

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