It was the 4th Hyatt Regency Summer Ball and still the poshest date of the year in Hangzhou. Perhaps nobody else can pull it off? Our group gathered in Bellevue Bar all togged up for the first, and probably last time this year. Martinis, Maitais flowing. Bellevue makes a good drink. And a cigar for the pocket, not forgetting to cut it on the way out.

Downstairs was already packed. Champagne and tidbits rushed around the room by an army of waiters. Little chunks of pate de foie gras on crunchy toast, prawns in a Chinese spoon dressed in a ginger and yellow wine (?) drizzle. And more Champagne.

The theme this year was red and black and the dining room was indeed red and black. As always the Hyatt table decoration was spectacular, with under table lighting, enough glistening wine glasses to make any experienced drunk know there was more than enough to go around.

Speeches went on a little long, but hey, it is a charity event and sponsors need to be recognised. FInally food to soak up all those drinks. The menu was slightly strange given the event: The prawn with green tea sauce tasted great, but pumpkin and sharks fin soup for 300 at a charity event? Heavy tasting braised beef cheek in China? An awful lot of Chinese poeple dont eat steak at all. It was good, but most of my table guests didnt touch it.

Speaking of table guests. I was invited by a woman who owns a spectacularly smart spa on Jianguo Road and she brought many of her staff with her. Surrounded by girls.

At the end of the meal the raffle gave away weekend getaways in many of the hotels around east Asia – I was hoping for the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong. No such luck… As usual the room emptied so fast after the raffle somebody could have walked in screaming, “I have swine flu!” Left us lot to the music. Little grooving to just dead Michael Jackson and back to Bellevue.

Hangzhou Hyatt Regency Summer Ball, 27th June 2009