This month, our regular monthly Wild Asparagus Table was transported to Spain for music, song, dance, poetry and of course food.
It was extra special because it was organised by Reetha Balsawar and Shivani Vakil Savant along with their friend Dilshad Edibam Khuran who actually run 'MoonlightCafe' where people from the theatre and other fields celebrate their talents through workshops, performances, selling their creations etc.
Five years ago, a motley group of actors, producers, drama teachers got together to collaborate on their other shared passion - food. Each had their own brands and moonlit as home chefs and bakers. All of them had worked on plays, been associated with the same theatre groups or just enjoyed time together off stage over the past 15 years. So it was very natural that working together in the kitchen would be easy! Besides they had a great time hanging out and doing what they loved to do. And so, Moonlight Café was born!
So Moonlight Cafè it was, all set behind the kitchen for an elaborate Spanish meal.
The venue was an artistic bungalow with a spacious living room separated from dining room by five wooden steps.
While we waited for people to arrive, we familiarised with other guests over a cup of Sangria.
The room was filled with food lovers and performers that included Avantika Ganguly @gangulytikka (the singer,) Diggie Savant @diggie.savant @di999ie (the actor, director visual story teller,) Arya Lalka @aryanlalka, (the musician ) and Shubha Pachigar @shubhapachigar, (the dancer.)
The party started with a warm welcome by the three hostesses Dilshad Edibam Khurana @dilshade.k @doughremi.homebakery, Reetha Balsavar @reethabalsavar @tossed_and_dressed Shivani Vakil Savant @shivani_vakilsavant @theoddhourkitchen followed by introduction of Wine of Mia brand by Ms Saloni Malkani @sallonim2
Two tables (6seater and 8 seater) were set in the dining area with beautifully arranged cutlery and tapas. On the tables were Pimiento padrones, stuffed dates, marinated olives, mojo picante and sour bread
But first, we must get hungry to eat.
So, everybody turned towards Shubha Pachigar to learn the basic steps of 'La Cucaracha dance' (a typical Mexican ballroom and nightclub dance) dance video The dancing sessions went on for next 20 minutes, during which everybody learnt the basic dance steps and then danced to rhythmic Spanish music. Everybody was having fun, moving freely and gracefully across the room, enjoying the music and the rhythm of their free style movements. With sweaty body, everybody climbed 5 wooden steps to seat at the tables in the dining area, ready to nibble on tapas.
One by One, the food appeared at our tables from the large kitchen behind the large collapsible glass doors.
And the feast began Empañadas, Garlic Prawns, Mushrooms, Eggplant rolls with feta cheese, clams with white beans, Spinach &Chickpeas, Spanish Meatballs, Vegetable stew, Patatas bravas, Paella, Cider glazed Chorizo, sweet pepper &Ricotta.
The servings were evenly spaced out, with enough time to relish each dish. During the meals, poetry on food of different poets was recited by Dilshad Edibam Khurana. I too was inspired to share my own poem on food during the session.
The food was very satisfying and was actually transported to Spanish café. It is difficult to find such food in any restaurant in Mumbai. It was so meticulously cooked by our friends.
My sincere compliments to the whole team.
After dinner, we moved back to living room to enjoy the rest of evening of music and song over dessert of Tres Leches with Mango and Churro with hot Chocolate.
It was very relaxing to listen to melodious lyrics by Avantika Ganguly and Arya Lalka.
Thank you so much for the lovely evening.. I enjoyed it a lot.
My sincere thanks to FBAI and Wild Asparagus Table team for creating this opportunity of enjoying different cuisines from around the world.
Do watch the video for the visual moments of the evening….
