‘There’s nothing like the taste of good life’

For good friends Raja Dhody and Rishi Acharya, it is their penchant for all things luxurious that has inspired them to open an African-themed restaurant in Mumbai

If you didn’t know better, you’d never tell what brought Raja Dhody and Rishi Acharya together, businesswise that is. The two are old-friends; each can discuss the finer nuances of a work of Souza and the lightness of a foie gras with equal aplomb.

They’ve also trekked across London, the French Riviera Cannes, and Monte Carlo — often seeking inspiration for their work from the things around them. This time for the duo that inspiration translated into an African-themed restaurant, Oba, that’s slated to open its doors in South Mumbai soon. 

“Do you know, he’s (with a nod to Raja who’s away in a corner of the plush hall at the Dhody home at Worli) an easy going guy,” and breaks off good-humouredly with a “well most of him at least. But, seriously, the architectural aspects apart, he’s also a great cook. Once at a meal at here, I was served lobster in its shell and
delicious Thai food. It was really authentic and I wanted to know where the food came from, only to learn they were all Raja’s recipes.”

For someone who works at his own will, doing one project a year, “purely out of passion”, it is donning the chef’s apron to make French or Italian food whenever he gets he chance to, that takes Raja’s mind off the daily humdrum. “I love to cook,” he states plainly, “It’s a great de-stressor. But don’t ask me to make Indian food, I can’t.”
The idea of wanting do something together kept coming up, adds Rishi. “We wanted a restaurant on the lines of those we had seen abroad. Raja agreed but said ‘I’ll do it my way’ and that moment on I said it was all his.”

”That’s true,” joins in Raja, “It’s high time we has some good international cuisine in South Mumbai. All you get is the same old stuff. Oba will change that. It’s an extravagant place, but that’s how the good things in life are, you know.”
From the recipes, to the lion-headed centre tables and detailed animal print couches, he’s done it all, informs Rishi.

“What he’s not telling you,” chides Raja in mock-anger as he leans across the crimson sofa, “Is that he was a slave driver. There was no time for travelling or golf or anything,” and ends with a “I’ll take my revenge Rishi.”

Their other hobbies might be on hold for a while longer, as Oba is set to come up in Delhi and Pune. So, meaning ‘kingly’ in Swahili, will Oba make Raja the new man on the gastronomic block?