Carafe is the all-day-dining at Peninsula Grand in Sakinaka, radiating a lively ambience with cheerful and helpful staff adding to the positive vibe to offer an enjoyable dining experience. I welcomed my guest and film actor Flora Saini who looked pretty in an animal print dress. She is on a veggie diet and so it was a vegetarian round-up. Flora is the dainty actor who got written about and recognized for controversy – her spat with producer Gaurang Doshi. If you remember even Aishwarya Rai had opted out of Gaurang Doshi’s film as he had indulged in physical abuse of Flora, who was his then live-in girlfriend. But that is in the past and she rues the fact that she did not listen to her mother’s advice. Now she is trying hard to emerge intact and emotionally stronger with her second innings and I would attribute her gaffe to those heady youthful years when some are rebellious to the extent of not knowing what is good for them. Before I could probe further into her career updates, indulging in Carafe’s tongue-tickling starters was a priority. We were inundated with mouth-watering appetizers by restaurant Manager Terence who made sure our plates were always filled with delicious entree. Apart from enjoying fresh and soft paneer in Naram Dil Kebab, Bruschetta and cheesy Sandwich, scrumptious Chinese Bhel captured Flora’s fancy, who revealed, “I love chaats, aloo tikkis, papdi chaats and this Chinese bhel is simply superb.” The attractive actor debuted in Hindi movies with Sonu Nigam in Love in Nepal. Incidentally, the famous singer was in the same venue attending a hi-profile wedding. Satish Shetty, the affable MD of Peninsula Grand, took us to meet Sonu Nigam and Flora was thrilled to meet up with her first hero. She eventually made her mark down South by acting in Telugu films and also appeared in Kannada and Tamil movies where schedules are much organized, punctuality is adhered to and films get wrapped up on time. She was recently seen as Ajaz Khan’s love interest in Ya Rub. Another film of hers waiting to be released soon is Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi, which deals with human trafficking. It was the lavish buffet we opted for the main course – starting with Waldorf and garden fresh Green Salads, we moved on to hot rotis to the accompaniment of side-dishes like spicy Mirchi ka Salan, creamy Methi Mutter Malai and flavorsome Subz Kheema Masala followed by Pulao and Dal Makhani. “If I could I would marry a chocolate factory,” declares Flora validating her love for everything sweet and sugary. “My mom is my fitness manager who keeps messaging me to eat healthy and on time.” We were also shown around the Presidential suite and the lounge of the hotel after which the sweet finale of sinful mithais, Pastries, Fruit Truffle and Chocolate Mousse assailed us until we said NO MORE! As I saw her off, I prayed none of the ghosts from the past haunt her anymore. Flora here’s wishing you a very bright and happy future! Rapid fire Qs with Flora Saini Foodie….. Fave cuisine…. junk food…. Sweet Yes! Indian ….. Delhi chaats, aloo tikki….. all desserts. A reality show you would like to take part in… Bigg Boss (the channel will consider her an ideal candidate if she is willing to talk about her belligerent past). High point of your life… Starring in South films. Any paranormal experiences… My ex (read producer Gaurang Doshi). Low point…. The ugly incidence with you-know-whom (the Gaurang Doshi scuffle). Pet peeve… Liars. Advantage of being an actor… Travel the world for free and the fan following. Shopoholic… Brand conscious? Total! ...... not really... I shop for both branded as well as regular stuff. If not an actor? A pastry chef. A kind of role you would love to enact… Urmila’s in Ek Hasina Thi. Fitness mantra… Going for long walks. Beauty secret… Cleansing and moisturising. Your idea of fun… Playing with my dog.