Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Taj rocks again!!

Yes, it is childish and probably super 'elitist' too ( God!! I am just so sick of that word and the way it has been converted into an epithet), but when my husband and I walked into the 'Golden Dragon' last night, I experienced such an overpowering surge of good energy and hope. This popular restaurant which had revolutionised Chinese cuisine in India by introducing diners to the fiery flavours of the Schichuan district for the first time, had been totalled during the terror 26\11 attacks on the Taj . It has taken one year to get it going again in its brand new avatar - and what a fabulous makeover it has undergone! We loved the white interiors - pristine, pure and contemporary. We drooled over the new, bold and imaginative menu. And basically, we were just happy to be back at an old haunt and see so many familiar faces at adjoining tables. Chef Oberoi presided over the evening with justifiable pride and took us through some of the new specialities, like 'The Song of the Dragon', a visual treat even before you taste a morsel! Let it remain a surprise... but don't miss the outstanding dim sum menu, especially a delicate vegetarian version which is served in a peppery soup.
The lobby was once again crammed with gorgeously dressed people - this was such a reassuring sight. The previously deserted corridors were abuzz and alive, as guests strolled around soaking in the delights of all those areas that had remained out of bounds for twelve troubling months of sorrow and fear. Ladies and gentleman - The Taj is back on its feet! And so is Mumbai. Let's raise a toast to us!
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Earlier, we'd spent a short time at an elegant Rolex event, which was discreetly structured and held at an appropriate venue. The jewelled watches on display were absolute beauties... but I am very happy with my workhorse model which never lets me down. I met two polite, little boys called Jehangir and Karl and was swept off my feet by their gentlemanly conduct. Jehangir, all of seven ( I'm guessing), expressed a desire to meet me. When his mother asked him ''Why her?" he answered solemnly, ''Because she loves Mumbai" ! Now, how the hell did this little chap know?? It is the best compliment I have received in a long, long time. Thank you, Jehangir.

16 comments:

Weirdo guy said...

Who knows.. maybe jehangir might be your youngest blog reader after all !!!

Unknown said...

How can you equate mumbai with the Taj? Taj is an over priced illusion created for the haves. Mumbai is the reality with its underbelly. Mumbai is more vibrant than New York. Both are back. Hope the illusion and the reality will face less threats.

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

Long live Mumbai...Long live India...Long live Taj with its mouthwatering menu :)

Mukesh Bhatia said...

Taj what was it then & what is it now, is always not so near to us. Its still a dream for ppl of our town (Nashik), though upculture.
Jehangir ohhh, it cud b just because of his parents, or paa alone.

introspection said...

Who does'nt love Mumbai? Taj or no Taj. I don't get it. 26/11 happened - people!

Taj or Raj (thakeray) are not Mumbai, there's more to it.

Alex Engwete said...

As everyone else, I was riveted to the TV screen to watch IBN-CNN when the horrors occurred... I'm glad you and the Taj have fully recovered. Maybe next time you'll give us a take on Leopold Cafe.

Jennifer Tavares said...

hahaha she bickered in the studio about leopold having a rock concert and even called it DUMB, all candle marches were equally dumber BUT BUT to enter the taj on the day it reopened one of its finest restraunts and feel hope and energy is healing. yes you are elitist and not in tune with the spirit of mumbai. u dont love mumbai you only critize it....

Unknown said...

ms de, he who strikes and runs away, lives to fight another day!! well, someone has to stand up for cowards, i say. but i digress, ok taj is back with new decor and menu, so it has not been restored to its former historic glory, but completely renovated to a generic modern offering. so mundane. like the people, who have moved on with new exteriors and interiors and are no longer the original inhabitants. we should take the hint from nature - every leaf re-appears in its original form, rejuvenated but not redesigned. and congratulations, you have reached across the great divide that lies between the little jehangirs and us!!

shibin said...

One of the dangerous aftermath of 26/11 is out work actress,bimbos ,socialites making opinions and suggestions as if they knew everything about mumbai.Subsequent election showed they have no idea of about the city and press chased the wrong people about the opinions.1 year later they are back in action in various channels left right and center, criticizing politicians as they are responsible for every thing. Remember politicians have not come from some alien world,they are very much part of us.U have problems about their security.Plz remember there are certain people who need to be protected. An attack on elected leader may lead to political instability. I have no special corner for anyone. Needless bashing will not lead anyone. Truth is that nobody in his wildest of imagination have imagined such a dangerous aftermath and killing so openly. we have key intelligence failures and we are working hard on it.let's co-operate and be united in this fight. Out of mind people like u will make comments like why not tear gas?.why not helicopter etc.have u ever been to such situation?.Have u ever been faced even a cockroach in ur life.Shut up de.

Now to make matter worse,ur comparing mumbai to rani mukherjee in Sunday edition of TOI.So insensitive.What is ur problem with her.Nobody can deny in the era of miss worls,top models and bollywood clans an average looking actress had made to top of the charts.she ruled almost 6 years .no body can deny she made critically appreciable performances in the commercial cinema .The downfall which she is currently facing may happened to anyone in the current crop.In the male dominated cinema,it is tough for anyone actress to stay beyond 5 years for sure.Don't be so mean.She is hardorking not gossiping like u

shibin said...

Read Vri singhvi blog on socilite bimbos(The media have much to learn from 26/11 -- but so does the government ,vrisanghvi.com)

" So it is with the bimbos who made it to TV. Who you call to your panel discussion or who you interview outside the Taj are subjective decisions. I may think Simi Garewal is a fool who lowered the tone of the coverage: others may feel that she’s a valid representative of a certain South Bombay mindset.



Besides, let’s be honest, the long-haired midgets, the pompous flacks and the admen in ill-fitting toupes are staples of TV coverage of Bombay at all times. Their presence may have seemed jarring in the context of 26/11 but it was hardly a new development. They were there before. And no doubt they will all reappear on the night of the first anniversary to repeat much of the nonsense they spouted a year ago."

Courtesy virsanghvi.com

Desmond Macedo said...

You had once written, after a terrorist attack, "I'm sick of this praise for Mumbai's Spirit, let's have some action" (or words to this effect).

Again you've returned to saying,"The Taj is back on its feet! And so is Mumbai. Let's raise a toast to us!"

Your earlier point of view...Action... is more helpful.

Unknown said...

Refering to your article- Why aamchi Mumbai is like Rani Mukherjee- The mumbai aspects is fine, but what has Rani Mukerji got to do with this??? Come on... Even you Shoba, leave the girl alone...What's with this undying love of the media and writers to quote Rani Mukerji for every negative thing???

Unknown said...

best of luck for ur new novel

Harish said...

:) that is a compliment indeed. :)

There is something about the Tatas that's very endearing. And the name itself.. the way it sounds... and looks. "TAJ" wow!

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Haddock said...

I think the staff of the Taj (and other brave people like Omble) should be given their due credit.

keralam said...

Thanks for sharing.
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