Opening: A vibe of Dubai in Islamabad

Terrace Café opens amid a pop of flashbulbs and paparazzi.

ISLAMABAD:

We walked into the open air terrace, amidst a pop of flashbulbs and paparazzi. The red carpet had people being interviewed and the event was managed by Rezz Events of Islamabad. At first glance there seemed to be more expatriates than locals but it soon balanced out.

A couple of models sashayed down the aisle — it gave me a very “Dubai” vibe. Dressed in tight black frocks with their red lips and ubercool Swarovski bracelets, they made more than a few heads turn.

The finger food and hors d’oeuvres were passed down on platters carried by smart waiters, and there was an array of it — sesame fish balls, fried mushrooms, sautéed prawns, stuffed jalapeños and an assortment of tiny, one bite pastries in a range of pastel shades.

There was also a variety of drinks on offer — a soda fountain, plenty of peach, orange, pineapple juice and a tray of baby tomatoes with cheese, presented with a flurry of dry ice amidst a plume of smoke. Nicely done.

The décor was Mediterranean — a lot of rattan chairs and sofas with colourful cushions thrown on, under an array of white umbrellas that threw a
fine cooling mist into the air. Great for the long summer evenings ahead!

And last but not least- the live jazz band gave the affair a terrific ambiance- and I must say that the saxophonist just played so well and with such feeling that even now I can hear the melodies in my head- so many hours later.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2011.