Can Home Cleaning be paused midway?
Many homeowners wonder whether professional Home Cleaning services can be paused midway through an appointment. In most situations, the answer is yes. Professional cleaners understand that unexpected events, schedule changes, or emergencies may happen during a cleaning session. Reputable cleaning…
Which materials are used for commercial kitchen flooring?
Commercial kitchen flooring When designing or upgrading a food service facility, one of the most critical decisions to make is choosing the right material for Commercial kitchen flooring. Kitchens operate in high-stress environments where spills, heat, heavy equipment, and constant…
Madhampatty Rangaraj moves Madras High Court over defamatory posts by costume designer Joy Crizildaa
Joy Crizildaa and ‘Madhampatty’ Rangaraj | Photo Credit: Instagram/@joycrizildaa, @madhampatty_rangaraj Madhampatty Thangavelu Hospitality Private Limited has approached the Madras High Court to restrain costume designer Joy Crizildaa, who claims to have married one of the directors of the catering company,…
Madhampatty Rangaraj moves Madras High Court over defamatory posts by costume designer Joy Crizildaa
Joy Crizildaa and ‘Madhampatty’ Rangaraj | Photo Credit: Instagram/@joycrizildaa, @madhampatty_rangaraj Madhampatty Thangavelu Hospitality Private Limited has approached the Madras High Court to restrain costume designer Joy Crizildaa, who claims to have married one of the directors of the catering company,…
Onam 2025 Chennai Guide: Feasts, takeaways and traditional sadhya
Geetham, all outlets in Chennai city Geetham celebrates Onam with an elaborate vegetarian Sadhya of over 25 traditional dishes. The spread features curries such as erisseri, and uli theeyal, and a variety of pradhamans. Guests can pre-book the feast for…
Cuddalore restaurants too shun Swiggy, Zomato; switch to Tamil Nadu-based food delivery platform Zaaroz
Cuddalore District Hotel Owners Association flagging off delivery services of the Chidambaram-based online food delivery platform, Zaaroz, in Cuddalore on September 1, 2025 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Ending ties with online food aggregator giants such as Swiggy and Zomato, the…
Madras Day: Celebrate Chennai’s tiffin traditions with rosemilk and rasam focaccia
What does 4 pm mean for you? For most school children, it is the quick joy of a veg puff or an egg puff after school, or a bajji on the way back from tuition classes. For office-goers, it is…
Enjoy home-made puddings at Tree of Treats in Thiruvananthapuram
Tree of Treats, a weekend home cafe located at Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram, comes to life at five on Friday evenings. The fairy lights wrapped around the name board, patio furniture arranged on the front porch, and wobbly puddings soaked in sauce…
Avartana at ITC Grand Chola launches a new limited edition menu. Here’s what’s special about it
At Avartana, drumsticks — wrapped in a crunchy gram flour coat — look like they hopped off the Met Gala red carpet. Buttermilk — spiked with pepper, jaggery, beans, asparagus and toasted almonds — resembles an embroidered sari with pink-yellow…
Bengaluru’s Beku brings together books, bakes and beverages
Prarthana Prasad says that her founding of Beku, a café, bakery, and bookstore, which just opened its doors to the public, came from a very “selfish place of creating the kind of space that I would have loved to go…
Celebrate Independence Day with a Persian culinary journey by Nasrin Karimi in Chennai
If you wish to experience a truly heartfelt meal infused with love, nostalgia and tradition, look no further than the authentic Iranian–Persian home-cooked creations of Nasrin Karimi. From the almond gum and sabja seed based lemon drink to the Persian…
Pazham pori, congee, pepper rasam: Indian chefs on their favourite dishes for the monsoon
Chef Harish Rao – HOSA, Goa Goa is in the thick of its monsoon. And amidst the fragrance of petrichor, Chef Harish Rao’s kitchen is awash with the whiff of pepper rasam. “During the monsoon, I like something spicy and…
Pazham pori, congee, pepper rasam: Indian chefs on their favourite dishes for the monsoon
Chef Harish Rao – HOSA, Goa Goa is in the thick of its monsoon. And amidst the fragrance of petrichor, Chef Harish Rao’s kitchen is awash with the whiff of pepper rasam. “During the monsoon, I like something spicy and…
Taste the flavours of Lahore and Patiala in Delhi at Amninder Sandhu’s Kikli
The culinary disposition of Punjab, unlike its geographic landscape, remains undivided. It spells the fusion of hearty, robust and fiery palate coupled with cooking techniques that date back to the Harappan civilisation. Fortunately, you do not have to travel back…
Pizzeria Toto in Thiruvananthapuram serves pizzas inspired from different parts of the world
It is easy to miss Pizzeria Toto at Ulloor, in Thiruvananthapuram, while driving if not for the sign of an illuminated cartoon pizza slice topped with pepperoni standing next to it. Fairy lights dangle down the eatery’s face, leading up…
The 7th edition of Shefs at The Leela celebrates women in culinary leadership
Bunuma Patgiri | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The Leela Palace Chennai presents the seventh edition of Shefs at The Leela in collaboration with ‘Dean With Us’ — the mother-daughter duo of Rupali and Akanksha Dean. The event honours the transformative…
Salty Nerd launches six new vodka flavours
Salty Nerd Vodka flavours | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT In a market that worships tradition and legacy, a new player has come along to stir the pot — literally. The latest formulate of Blisswater Industries, Salty Nerd Vodka, is now…
Namakkal food delivery app Zaaroz, a Tamil Nadu-based platform, gains traction as restaurants shun Swiggy and Zomato
Food delivery service through Zaaroz in Namakkal commenced after a puja at Anjaneyar temple on July 7, 2025 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The restaurant owners in Namakkal who stopped receiving food orders from online food delivery majors like Swiggy…
Bubbles & Bobas: The history behind the tea and understanding what’s actually in it!
Originating in the 1980s, the story of boba starts in the tiny traditional tea shops of Taiwan. These shops used to sell cold tea, a popular beverage back then, which later got an additional ingredient added — the boba pearls….
Watch | What is a Michelin Star? Origin and history explained
Watch | What is a Michelin Star? Origin and history explained | Video Credit: Shikha Kumari A | Sharmada Venkatasubramanian | Shivaraj S What is a Michelin Star? Ever wondered why it’s called the “Oscars of food” and what tyres have…
Aakhol offers homestyle Assamese food Hyderabad
A la carte dishes in the menu from Aakhol_Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement There is no greater joy than tucking into a comfort meal you did not have to cook. If that meal happens to be Assamese, and you…
Aakhol offers homestyle Assamese food Hyderabad
A la carte dishes in the menu from Aakhol_Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement There is no greater joy than tucking into a comfort meal you did not have to cook. If that meal happens to be Assamese, and you…
Madurai Kullappa Mess brings the flavours of southern Tamil Nadu to your plate
An assortment of popular dishes at Madurai Kullappa Mess | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Now, find the flavours of Madurai in the heart of Chennai. At Madurai Kullappa Mess, the menu is built around meat: ghee mutton chukka, brain masala,…
Looking for meat-heavy breakfast options in Madurai? Try Amsavalli Bhavan
Amsavalli Bhavan in Madurai is among the oldest restaurants in the city. | Photo Credit: MOORTHY G It is not yet 9am when a man arrives at Amsavalli carrying a steel thookuvali and a cloth bag. The hum of workers…
Historically, did life really just give us lemons?
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade | Photo Credit: Pexels Lemons, with their bright yellow hue and tart flavour, are a staple of cuisines and households around the world. From culinary dishes and refreshing beverages to cleaning products and…
Casamigo in Thiruvananthapuram serves a blend of international flavours in a cosy bistro setting
Casamigo restaurant interiors | Photo Credit: Nainu Oommen The wicker basket of toasted bread and butter placed on a table covered with a green plaid tablecloth at Casamigo transports you to an Italian supper setting. Resembling a European bakery, the…
Feathers hotel celebrates the Tamil flavours in a pop-up curated by celebrated Singaporean Chef Devagi Sanmugam
As a Tamilian born and raised in Singapore, 69-year-old Chef Devagi Sanmugam, connects to her roots through the rich aromatic world of spices. In Chennai to curate Ayalagam, a food festival that celebrates Tamil flavours from Singapore and Malaysia, Devagi…
Author Prajwal Parajuly on why chutney, not idli, is his go-to dish
Illustration | Photo Credit: Saai To survive the many splendours of Sri City, where I live part of the year, one must get away every so often. Weekending in Chennai is the easiest option. For several of my colleagues, Chennai means…
Discover native mango varieties in Chennai
The Organic Shandy, Mylapore Native mango varieties reign this year says organic farmer and co-founder of Organic Shandy, PB Murali. He adds that the mango season in Tamil Nadu has been quite the disaster so far, with farmers managing only…
This year try a native mango variety, like Yaanathalai, Kalapadi or Nadusalai. Here is where you can find them in Chennai
The Organic Shandy, Mylapore Native mango varieties reign this year says organic farmer and co-founder of Organic Shandy, PB Murali. He adds that the mango season in Tamil Nadu has been quite the disaster so far, with farmers managing only…
Science of cooking: the secret life of the rising cakes!
You must be wondering why I am writing this. I am not an ingredient, nor something you enjoy munching on, but guess what? I am the one who knows all the secrets! I watch all your batter rise into cake…
Taste Idukki with Chennai’s Yura gelato by ITC Grand Chola
Yura Artisanal Scoops | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Brightly lit and thoughtfully designed, ITC Grand Chola’s gelato bar, named Yura – Artisanal Scoops, is inspired by the Japanese word that literally means ‘beautiful dream’, and offers an imaginative selection of…
Tamil Nadu bans mayonnaise made from raw eggs for one year
Representative image | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Tamil Nadu has banned the manufacture, storage, and sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs for a period of one year with effect from April 8. The ban, issued in the interest of…
Can you list a few top interior designers in Bangalore with portfolios?
top interior designers When searching for the best design solutions in Bangalore, it’s important to explore the portfolios of the top interior designers in Bangalore. These professionals not only bring creativity and expertise to the table but also ensure that…
Food start-up Tocco connects home chefs from across the country with people looking for healthy snack options
Remember that craving for homemade pickle, mulagu podi, chammanthi podi, poha, cookies and chivdawhen you were away from home? If you live or have lived away from home — either as a student or for work — you know it….
Tamil Nadu’s oldest ice cream spots
Apple milk, Madurai Apple mix or apple milk, an ice cream-like dessert served at Amsavalli Bhavan in Madurai. | Photo Credit: G. Moorthy Nothing much has changed at Amsavalli Bhavan on Madurai’s East Veli Street ever since it was started…
House of Klothberg, a new cafe in Chennai, also features a boutique and an ice cream parlour
House of Klothberg | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A blue wall with murals of cheerful sunflowers and dapper-looking girls has become an Instagrammable spot on Harrington Road. Beyond this vibrant facade lies the House of Klothberg which is a boutique,…
What is adulteration, and what is its impact on our daily lives?
What is adulteration, and what is its impact on our daily lives?
Thiruvananthapuram’s Eateries put their spin on idlis
Growing up, Athira J was not a big fan of idlis. “If someone at home said we have idli for breakfast, my whole mood would be spoiled,” she says. However, now, Chaikaari, the eatery she runs with her cousin Arun…
Kampot restaurant review: Some hits, some misses, but options aplenty and a pleasant vibe
Kampot in Haralur Road | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement After its debut at Ecoworld, Kampot has opened its second outlet on Haralur Road, just off Sarjapur Road. The restaurant brings together Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Korean cuisines with a live ramen,…
Exploring Bengaluru’s Iftar hotspots: Shivaji Nagar, Frazer Town, and Koramangala
Bengaluru, for all its tech-driven energy, is not exactly a city that never sleeps. Unlike Mumbai’s 3 am vada pav stalls or Delhi’s all-night paratha joints, most of Bengaluru winds down before midnight. Late at night, the roads empty, streetlights…
CFTRI to host network meeting on probiotics and fermented foods in Mysuru
The event will focus on the latest advancements, innovative applications, and emerging trends in probiotics, including their role in gut health, immune support, and overall well-being. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram Department of Microbiology and Fermentation Technology, Central Food Technology…
A look at popular haleem spots in Visakhapatnam this Ramzan
Haleem and parathas dished out at Hotel Daspalla for Ramzan in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak As the holy month of Ramzan unfolds, the streets of Visakhapatnam come alive with the aroma of haleem simmering in large cauldrons. This…
A look at Chennai’s Iftar trail this Ramadan
Abid’s Abid Zahid, the proprietor of Abid’s, has made elaborate arrangements for Iftar and Salah (prayer) this Ramzan. The buffet features flavours from Hyderabad, West Asia and Kerala, offering a variety of juices, snacks, kebabs, biryani, mandi, nombu kanji, and…
Coimbatore Race Course Road food guide: Top places to eat
It was not always a food hub. Race Course Road, one of Coimbatore’s most prominent stretches, has had many lives. Originally, it was exactly what its name suggests: a racecourse where thoroughbred horses once thundered down the track. As the…
Journey through a Naga spice trail
Naga food available at Nagaland House in Delhi | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Birthday lunches tend to be heavy affairs — full of special dishes cooked in elaborate ways. And that is why I remember in particular a birthday meal…
Journey through a Naga spice trail
Naga food available at Nagaland House in Delhi | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Birthday lunches tend to be heavy affairs — full of special dishes cooked in elaborate ways. And that is why I remember in particular a birthday meal…
Chennai’s Elba Trading Company introduces a languid Italian brunch on weekends
ETC has a seating capacity of 30 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Elba Trading Co. (ETC). which specialises in fresh handmade pasta, has introduced a weekend brunch featuring a six-course authentic Italian dining experience. The small restaurant has been open…
9 chefs meet 9 artists: How India’s chefs are building a collaborative future
A bamboo structure rises skyward, inspired by the various headgears of Arunachal Pradesh’s tribal communities. Discarded fishing nets repurposed into walls enclose a space that echoes the raw charm of Kerala’s toddy shops. Elsewhere, a visual feast of Himalayan foraged ingredients…
Bento is now a staple for sweet tooth in Chennai
Heavy demand: Jannathul Firdous, a home-baker, conducts Bento cake workshops. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam It is undeniable that the younger population of Chennai has wrapped the Pinterest aesthetic around them in full force. From the drip of their…
This new restaurant in New Delhi serves food from undivided Punjab
The framed front page of a leading daily from the day India got independence, a grandmother’s old wooden comb, centuries-old sword — for a minute, I mistake it for someone’s home. But this is Ikk Punjab, a fine dining restaurant by Rajan…
chef Harshini is reintroducing diners to the flavour-laden dishes of Kongunadu
Fish fry at Kongunadu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements Chef Lakshmi Divya Harshini always wanted to learn pastry making, but she had to wait until she turned 23. “My grandfather wasn’t ready to allow me to travel abroad alone, even…
Try handmade pizzas by Kochi couple Sanoop and Jithu George
From the outside, Adam’s Pizza does not look like a takeaway restaurant. One might easily pass it by without knowing it is a pizzeria. But the regulars know it, students and IT professionals, too, know of it. Adam’s Pizza is…
Kochi’s growing appetite for ramen: Try these varieties- tonkotsu, ichiraku, miso
Extremely curious about the buzz around ramen, we headed to Tony’s Kitchen at Kacheripady, in Kochi, where we were greeted with a visual treat and a surprise for the tastebuds. Miso ramen arrives in a white ramen bowl. Under the…
Cycle, celebrate, connect at the Chennai Cycling Thiruvizha
An exclusive cycling competition will be conducted for kids in the age group of 8 to 12 in a safe environment | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Chennai Cycling Thiruvizha is a carnival dedicated to all things cycling. This annual…
Try handmade pizzas by Kochi couple Sanoop and Jithu George
From the outside, Adam’s Pizza does not look like a takeaway restaurant. One might easily pass it by without knowing it is a pizzeria. But the regulars know it, students and IT professionals, too, know of it. Adam’s Pizza is…
Thiruvananthapuram makes good food choice with healthy eats
For 25-year-old Vrinda Vinod, who lost her grandfather to high blood pressure, an affinity towards healthy food started at a young age with her mother bringing in a healthy twist while packing her lunch boxes to school. Following her graduation…
Tamil Nadu’s first floating restaurant opened at Muttukadu
The ₹5-crore double decker boat can accommodate up to 125 persons at a time. Tamil Nadu’s first floating restaurant was opened on the backwaters of Muttukadu near Chennai. The ₹5-crore double decker boat can accommodate up to 125 persons at…
Biryani is a ₹10,000-crore market in Tamil Nadu
There are countless push-cart vendors serving biryani throughout the day and night, contributing to the widespread availability of this popular dish. The biryani market in Tamil Nadu is a culinary powerhouse, with a staggering valuation at ₹10,000 crore. Those tracking…
A cookery book from a Sahitya Akademi winner explores traditional recipes of Nanjil Nadu
Sahitya Akademi award winner Nanjil Nadan’s book ‘Nanjil Naatu Unavu’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Food is an integral part of society, and like the fine arts, it flourishes in regions where basic human needs are met. The food habits…
Highlights from the Nilgiris Earth Festival 2024
When it comes to conservation messaging, two distinct approaches often emerge. The first is a celebration — showcasing the planet’s wonders, like the comforting bird songs at dawn or the life-giving shade of an ancient forest. It gently reminds us…
A guide to Christmas cakes in Chennai
Ciclo cafe | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Pumpkin Tales The team at Pumpkin Tales has curated a wide range of Christmas goodies for the season. They offer assorted cookie boxes (₹550, four pieces) that feature an assortment of Christmas-themed cookies;…
How Madurai bakeries keep the spirit of Christmas alive with plum cakes
Fruit mixing | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As the air turns chill and holiday lights twinkle in every corner, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked plum cakes wafts through the city, signalling the arrival of Christmas. The rich, dark cakes,…
Madurai treats with a side of jigarthanda at a food festival in Coimbatore
Mallippo idli in nalli kuzhambu | Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M Ayira meen kulambu, a quintessentially Madurai dish often served alongside steaming idlis, rice and idiyappams, is a blend of tamarind, spices, and perfected culinary techniques over many generations. But the star of the delicious, tangy curry is the tiny…
Wander into Chennai’s first speakeasy style bar and discover unique cocktail and food pairings
I have reached an age when everything is too loud. Bars, concerts, and the inevitably rambunctious family sitting beside me at a restaurant. So, I am intrigued when I hear whispers about a speakeasy launching in Chennai. Especially since —…
Meghalaya: Looking beyond the grape | Market demand for fruit wines and an enabling government policy is motivating small-time winemakers to go commercial
In the last couple of years, te.gism, the “fruit with a dot in its name”, has caught the imagination of wine lovers in the Northeast who fancy non-grape elixirs. Also known as the Himalayan cherry (Prunus jenkinsii), this fruit that grows…
Thoughtfully curated Deepavali hamper guide for Visakhapatnam
A sustainable Deepavali gift hamper by Dhanak Naturals. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT As Deepavali approaches, the art of gifting takes centre stage. It’s time to spread festive joy with thoughtful gifts that not only celebrate the spirit of the…
Thoughtfully curated Deepavali hamper guide for Visakhapatnam
A sustainable Deepavali gift hamper by Dhanak Naturals. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT As Deepavali approaches, the art of gifting takes centre stage. It’s time to spread festive joy with thoughtful gifts that not only celebrate the spirit of the…
Old Mahabalipuram Road, a late-night food haven for the young and old
Active at night: The area is home to IT companies and start-ups. Many of their employees step out for a snack at night. | Photo Credit: Sangeetha Kandavel V.M. Food Street on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) has emerged as a…
Anna Samuel creates hyper reality cakes, crafting edible art like kappa-meen curry and biryani
Anna Samuel | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Anna Samuel gifted her a father-in-law a potted succulent on his birthday. He kept it on a shelf with his collection of cacti. “When it was time to cut the birthday cake, I…
Homemade jams, concentrates, preserves made with fresh produce, capture essence of Kerala’s seasonal fruits
Homemade with fresh produce, these jams, concentrates and preserves are not the run-of-the-mill sweet spreads that pass off as fruit treats in the market. These fruity treats capture the warmth and sweetness of the sun and the rain in glass…
Circars Bistro: A new hub for American and continental cuisine in Visakhapatnam
People enjoying a meal at Circars Bistro, a new American and continental dining space in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak Stepping into Circars Bistro, you’re greeted by a blend of casual yet retro design with just enough cozy elements…
Apart from Puja and prasadam, high tea takes the centre stage during the Navaratri festival in Chennai
Navaratri is here and the dolls that are safely bubble wrapped and stored in the attic have been brought out and arranged thematically on the golu padi (steps) and decorated with lights and flowers. It is that time of the…
Celebrated Chennai cook, Mountbatten Mani Iyer, no more
One of South India’s most popular wedding caterers, Mountbatten Mani Iyer, passed away at the age of 92 on September 22. Mount Iyer as he was fondly called, took South Indian weddings by storm by creating tasty versions of familiar…
Head to Ishtaa to relish tried and tested comfort food
Ishtaa in Jaynagar, Bangalore | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Bang smack in the middle of Jayanagar’s bustling best is Ishtaa — a vegetarian restaurant where you can start your day trying something new or relax by indulging in the familiar…
Karnataka government wants sugar content in beer capped at 25% of weight of malt of grain and declared on bottle label
The Brewers Association of India has expressed fears that forcing brewers to put ingredients on the label was “discriminatory and amounts to forcing the beer manufacturers to share confidential and privileged information in public domain.” | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto…
Watch: Hyderabad’s Chika Cafe serves coffee-infused gulab jamun
Watch: Hyderabad’s Chika Cafe serves coffee-infused gulab jamun
Woodlands Drive-in reopens in Chennai after 18 years
The newly launched Woodlands Drive-In funtions at a one-acre land in Arumbakkam | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B For those of us who grew up in Madras, the memory of Woodlands Drive-in will never fade away. The restaurant, where you could…
A collaboration to make Mumbai green this Independence Day
This Independence Day, the worlds of food and Nature will collaborate to bring down Mumbai’s increasingly warm temperatures in a bid to invite more butterflies and birds to Mahalaxmi that lies at the heart of the city. To make this…
At The Madras Taproom, Chennai’s new resto bar, take on a challenge to demolish fiery chicken wings or a mammoth slice of cake
Berry Cheesecake | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B For a month and a half now, a jali work facade on Montieth Road has been the object of much intrigue. Morning walkers, passers-by, residents of the locality, have popped their heads in…
Are there playful styles in Dallas event furniture rentals?
playful styles in Dallas event furniture rentals When hosting an event, the right furniture can transform a venue and enhance the aesthetics of a space. It can also add comfort and functionality for guests. Dallas event furniture rental companies offer…
The trials and tribulations of apples and other imported fruits in the Nilgiris
When the British settled in the Nilgiris, Coonoor, Kateri, Kotagiri, the slopes round Kalhatti, and the higher parts of Ootacamund were found suitable for apple cultivation since frost did not settle there. | Photo Credit: M. Sathyamoorthy The Nilgiris is…
Meet Chennai’s Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory as city-based Cheers Chocolates launches its first store
SSS Keshav Krishna, founder of Cheers Chocolates, at a workshop Cheers Chocolates’ newly launched outlet is like a Lego store, but for chocolates. It is a riot of colour with red, yellow, blue, green chocolates and dragees lined up against…
Meet Chennai’s Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory as city-based Cheers Chocolates launches its first store
SSS Keshav Krishna, founder of Cheers Chocolates, at a workshop Cheers Chocolates’ newly launched outlet is like a Lego store, but for chocolates. It is a riot of colour with red, yellow, blue, green chocolates and dragees lined up against…
Madras Maplai in Chennai focusses on Chettinad flavours
Maplai virundhu at Madras Maplai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement High school buddies, Jerome Fenelon and D Badrinarayan, were always interested in the world of cooking and food. Five years ago, they decided to pursue this passion more seriously. After…
Award-winning Idaaya premium sipping rum set to make a mark in Indian markets
Idaaya sipping rum | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement It was while sipping on what she calls “a really nice rum” sometime during the lockdown, that Delhi-based Karishma Manga Bedi and her husband Samrath Bedi arrived at the unfortunate conclusion that there…
Award-winning Idaaya premium sipping rum set to make a mark in Indian markets
Idaaya sipping rum | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement It was while sipping on what she calls “a really nice rum” sometime during the lockdown, that Delhi-based Karishma Manga Bedi and her husband Samrath Bedi arrived at the unfortunate conclusion that there…
Egypt’s Sudanese refugees using rich cuisine to build new lives
Sudanese entrepreneur Julie Samir’s dream of opening a restaurant has finally come true, but it’s a bittersweet achievement after she fled to Egypt from her war-torn homeland of Sudan. Now, Ms. Samir has one aim for her menu: winning over…
Ladies’ night out in Coimbatore: Free drinks and fun at Sherlock’s Lounge
Sherlock’s Lounge and Kitchen | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement “When does the ladies night start?” enquired a bevy of ladies, who were dressed to the nines and were ready to dance and party while Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ blasted from the speakers…
Dubai’s Michelin starred Avatara, an Indian vegetarian restaurant launches in Mumbai
There is no paneer on this vegetarian menu. Mumbai’s recently opened Avatara won a Michelin award in Dubai last year for a good reason. Now the world’s first and only vegetarian, Indian and one-Michelin-star restaurant, it finds imaginative ways to…
Rampyari Chaiwala Netaji Bhajiawala brings a taste of the East to Bengaluru
Rampyari Chaiwala Netaji Bhajiawala on Sarjapur Road | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As the sun makes its descent into the horizon, a buzz builds up around a nook on Sarjapur Road. Nestled between a bakery and a Hot Chips store,…
Dubai’s Michelin starred Avatara, an Indian vegetarian restaurant launches in Mumbai
There is no paneer on this vegetarian menu. Mumbai’s recently opened Avatara won a Michelin award in Dubai last year for a good reason. Now the world’s first and only vegetarian, Indian and one-Michelin-star restaurant, it finds imaginative ways to…
A culinary adventure in Auroville: Explore authentic Korean cuisine at Nowana
Entrance to Nowana | Photo Credit: Sangita Rajan A restaurant with outdoor seating and no air conditioning is rarely the first choice on a sweltering summer afternoon. Yet, there I was, at Nowana’s verdant outdoor space in Auroville. Brushing up…
Rampyari Chaiwala Netaji Bhajiawala brings a taste of the East to Bengaluru
Rampyari Chaiwala Netaji Bhajiawala on Sarjapur Road | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As the sun makes its descent into the horizon, a buzz builds up around a nook on Sarjapur Road. Nestled between a bakery and a Hot Chips store,…
Palooda and Paalum Pazhavum are just two of the many traditional drinks that are served for Iftar
Creamy Palooda | Photo Credit: Shakira Banu Shakira Banu cannot imagine an Iftar without homemade palooda. No cousin of falooda, palooda is a popular dish that is part of Iftar in Northern Kerala, especially Kannur. A home-cook, Shakira says her…
Palooda and Paalum Pazhavum are just two of the many traditional drinks that are served for Iftar
Creamy Palooda | Photo Credit: Shakira Banu Shakira Banu cannot imagine an Iftar without homemade palooda. No cousin of falooda, palooda is a popular dish that is part of Iftar in Northern Kerala, especially Kannur. A home-cook, Shakira says her…
Mangalorean Goli Bajji recipe – The Hindu
Mangaloren Goli Bajji | Photo Credit: Johan Satyadas Ingredients 1 cup – Maida ½ cup – Curd 2 tsp – Minced curry leaves 2 tsp – Chopped coriander leaves 2 tsp – Jeera 2 tsp – Minced ginger 2 tsp…
Orange rasam | No tomato recipe
Rasam | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Orange rasam Ingredients 1 cup – orange juice 1 tbsp – moong dal (soaked and boiled) Chopped coriander leaves (for garnish) 1 tsp – lemon juice 1 – orange rind (grated) 3 slit green…
Kongu style arisi paruppu sadam
Arisi Paruppu sadam Ingredients Ponni rice 200 grams Toor dal 200grams Small onions peeled 100 grams Red chillies 6 nos Tomato 50 grams Sesame oil 100 grams Mustard 1/2 tsp Jeera 1/4 tsp Sambar powder 10 grams Turneric powder 1/2…
Akki Roti with eggs and greens
Akki roti with eggs and greens by chef Kavan Kuttappa | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Chefs don’t usually get a lot of time at home. I live in a family home in Bengaluru so I am spending a lot of…
Maayaa serves up South Indian coastal delights for office goers
Maayaa restaurant, Bengaluru | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Maayaa has a warmly lit ambience with tropical-inspired décor, adorned with banana and palm tree wallpapers, golden cane lamps, and plush velvet-clad orange sofas that are in harmony with the chic black-and-white…
Fresh green salad – The Hindu
Fresh salad. Mixed falling vegetables in bowl on white background Ingredients ceberg Lettuce 100 grms Broccoli50 gm Chickpea boiled25 gm Kidney beans (cooked)25 grms Red pepper30 grms Green pepper30 grms Feta cheese (or Tofu)20grms Flax seed15 grms Vinaigrette dressing30 ml…
This Ramzan, Chennai offers Arabian, Hyderabadi and Vegan Iftar boxes
Abid’s Executive chef Mohammed Nizamudeen has introduced a few new items for Ramzan such as the Turkish lamb adona kebab, Russian cutlets, chicken cheese cigars and peri peri grilled chicken. The Arabian-style kebabs and snacks are the popular items. Abid…
No Frills Chicken curry recipe
Ingredients Vegetable oil – 3 tbsp Cloves – 4 nos Green cardamom – 2 nos Cinnamon 1-inch stick Peppercorns – 10 nos Chicken breasts, 4 cut into 3 pieces each (I use chicken without skin but with bones) Onions, grated,…
Apple sauce – The Hindu
Fresh homemade apple sauce Ingredients Apples – 4 large Zest and juice – 1-2 lemons, rind grated and juiced Water – 2 tablespoons Sugar – 2 tablespoons Cinnamon powder – 1/8 teaspoons Preparation 1.Peel, core and chop apples. 2.Combine apple,…
How to make thenga manga pattani sundal
Beach Sundal | Photo Credit: K.V. Srinivasan Ingredients Pattani or dried white peas – 2 cups 1 big or 2 small tomatoes, pureed Finely chopped raw mango – 3 tbsp 1 big or 2 small onions, finely chopped Coconut, grated…
How to make madras chicken curry (சிக்கன் கறி)?
Madras Chicken curry | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement This is an easy chicken curry recipe that has the deep flavours of a classic Indian curry, but is ready in less than an hour! It is made with spicy Madras curry…
How to make thoran (തോരൻ) with cabbage and carrots
Thoran is a simple mixed vegetable stir fry that can be made with an array of vegetables. It is aromatic with shallots, garlic cumin and coconut oil. It is a compulsory component of an onam sadhya. Thoran Ingredients Mix vegetabless…
How to make Kerala-style Aviyal (അവിയൽ)
Aviyal | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The recipe for Avial changes from kitchen-to-kitchen and is influenced by the vegetables used to flavour it. It comes with a curd-based sauce. By replacing curd with a plant-based yogurt, this wholesome dish can…
How to make Beetroot Pachadi ബീറ്റ്റൂട്ട് പച്ചടി
This bright pink pachadi is a side dish that can be made quickly and has the potential to elevate your sadya with sweetness from beetroot and sizzle from green chilli. Beetroot pachadi Ingredients Beetroot, medium size, peeled and grated –…
How to make fast food restaurant style lamb burger at home?
Lamb Burger | Photo Credit: Special arrangement There is a class action lawsuit in the US against fast food giant Burger King that their signature Whopper burgers shown in images are allegedly 35% larger, with more than double the amount…
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Halo Cocktail bar and kitchen opens in Hyderabad
The most popular corner at Halo Cocktail bar and kitchen in Hyderabad for photos | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Here is a place where the outdoor seating will not want you to move from there. HaloCocktail bar and kitchen takes…
Eating regenerative grown food at Mumbai’s Araku
In the bustling streets of Mumbai’s Colaba with numerous restaurants to choose from, the recently-launched Araku stands out for its dedication to regenerative agriculture produce. Located on the ground floor of Sunny House, built by the Nawab of Surat in 1897,…
Puran Da Dhaba in Chennai offers authentic Punjabi food
Puran Da Dhaba is located on the 9th floor of The Pride Hotel | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Dinner begins with chicken shorba, recommended by executive chef Sheik Abdul Rab. It is soothing, served at the perfect temperature for a…
Chennai’s kulambu kadais | Popular spots for affordable, home-style gravies
Post the pandemic, a trend seems to have emerged in the city, where every neighbourhood has a kulambu kadai, selling competitively priced homemade gravies and side dishes. They cater to young couples who work from home, bachelors, and elders who…
Chennai caterer serves dosas to Bill Gates and Rajinikanth at the Ambani pre-wedding bash
The ambience at Vantara. Photo: Special Arrangement Celebrity couple Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities featured an extensive menu between March 1 and 3. Feeding guests at what is now being referred to as Jamnagar’s Met Gala, was Chennai’s…
This is why India loves gobi manchurian
No matter which side of the gobi manchurian debate you took after Mapusa in Goa recently banned the dish, which features batter-fried cauliflower coated with a hot and sour sauce, you have to accept that Indo-Chinese cuisine has permeated the…
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How India’s mixologists are curating history-inspired cocktail menus
Once upon a time, in the 17th century, the governor of Malabar wrote a botanical treatise. Hortus Malabaricus (Garden of Malabar) is a series of 12 tomes that highlighted the flora in the Malabar Coast and its medicinal properties; it…
How India’s mixologists are curating history-inspired cocktail menus
Once upon a time, in the 17th century, the governor of Malabar wrote a botanical treatise. Hortus Malabaricus (Garden of Malabar) is a series of 12 tomes that highlighted the flora in the Malabar Coast and its medicinal properties; it…
This Pizza ATM in Chandigarh is up for renewal
The machine was installed at the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh in January 2021 | Photo Credit: Amarjot Kaur Like any foreigner in Paris, Rohit Shekhar Sharma, the founder and CEO at iMatrix Group of Companies, was fascinated with the art…
In Chandigarh, a popular three-year-old Pizza ATM is up for renewal
The Pizza ATM at Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake | Photo Credit: Amarjot Kaur Like any foreigner in Paris, Rohit Shekhar Sharma, the founder and CEO at iMatrix Group of Companies, was fascinated with the art and architecture. While attending an exhibition,…
Tiruchi cloud kitchen K Noms gives people food for thought with tasty diet menu
K-Noms Foods founder Abirami S Shakthivel with her team at the cloud kitchen’s premises in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: M MOORTHY Abirami S Shakthivel has an intimate relationship with food. As a former weightlifter and now a mother, she has…
Tiruchi cloud kitchen K Noms gives people food for thought with tasty diet menu
K-Noms Foods founder Abirami S Shakthivel with her team at the cloud kitchen’s premises in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: M MOORTHY Abirami S Shakthivel has an intimate relationship with food. As a former weightlifter and now a mother, she has…
The regenerative switch: zero waste dining is changing the face of restaurants
To the untrained palate, carrot leaf pesto registers the merest of blip. Making it almost indistinguishable from the basil-saturated de rigueur iteration is that same vegetal taste. But to the guys behind RE- in Australia, it signifies a paradigm shift…
Data | Retail price of tomatoes more than ₹100 a kilogramme in over 50 cities
Tomato inflation: The wholesale price of the tomatoes for the first-grade variety stood above Rs. 100 per kg in many parts of India by the last week of June The sudden and rapid fall in the quantity of tomatoes brought…
Read how Pootharekulu from Atreyapuram that recieved the GI tag last month is made
Atreyapuram women making pootharekulu | Photo Credit: Vijaya Bhaskar CH When the pootharekhulu from Atreyapuram village received the coveted GI tag, under the Food category, it got the rest of the world curious about the dish. The name itself translates…
World chocolate day: how does India like its chocolate
Chocolate bars | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Every year July 7th is celebrated as world chocolate day. The fermented treat has cemented its position as the world’s most popular form of indulgence for centuries now. While India celebrated its sweet…
Inside the iconic Kannan and Co. Goli Soda factory
Inside the iconic Kannan and Co. Goli Soda factory | Video Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy Holding on to the legacy drink, Kannan and Co. Goli Soda in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, is successfully marching towards its 100th year. The company…
Google Doodle celebrates popular street food pani puri with interactive game
On July 12, 2015, a restaurant called Indori Zayka and Dainik Bhaskar achieved the World Record for serving the most flavours of pani puri by offering 51 options. Google on July 12 celebrated one of India’s most loved street food…
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MasterChef Australia’s chef Brendan Pang debuts his Chinese-Mauritian menu in Bengaluru
Chef Brendan Pang with Chef Simran Singh Thapar, executive chef, The Leela Palace, Bengaluru | Photo Credit: Special arrangement MasterChef Australia’s popular Brendan Pang’s passion for food was sparked by his Chinese-Mauritian grandmother, whom he fondly refers to as ‘grand-mere.’…
Hawker Chan’s journey from a Singapore street stall to Michelin Star
Singaporean chef Hawker Chan | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Michelin star restaurants immediately conjure up the image of opulent restaurants with fine dining and highly trained chefs. But in 2016, when Hawker Chan Hon Meng received a star for his…
Dollops of goodness
Outsourcing dosa batter? Check out these brands that grind hygienically and pack ethically. They also offer gluten-free options with sprouted millets, heritage rice, and come coloured with beetroot and carrot to appeal to children
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In Chennai: Enjoy Doma Wang’s authentic Tibetan momos and flavours from the North East
Chef Doma Wang and her daughter Chef Sachiko Seth | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Doma Wang is considered Kolkata’s momo evangelist. Now find out why. She is in Chennai’s Hyatt Regency for a five-day food pop up featuring Nepali and…
An ode to kitchen poetry – The Hindu
“Remove the head and feet. Open the body and clean the birds.. …which you will expose to the heat of the fire for a moment.” This is part of the oldest known recipe-poem in western literature, from the Yale Culinary…
State Seed Farm in Kochi gears up for Onam with an assorted seedlings tray and a dance
“Onam is just 60 days away and people can start growing vegetables and flowers to be ready in time for the festival,” says Lisymol J. Vadukkoot, Assistant Director of Agriculture at the State Seed Farm (SSF) in Aluva. The farm has…
Blind Bake Cafe in Hauz Khas is redefining inclusivity
Blind Bake Cafe in Hauz Khas receives good patronage. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Rajini always liked to experiment in the kitchen, but when at age 18 she lost her eyesight due to the genetic condition, retinitis pigmentosa, her dream…
On a Delhi food trail in Hyderabad
The next time you are talking about street food in Delhi and someone suggests trying momos, noodles and kathi rolls, zone out from the discussion right away. There is much more and the Dehlnavi trail pop-up at the Golconda Pavilion…
Chai Sutta Bar spreads the flavour of kulhad chai across India
Tea being served in a kulhad (earthen cup) at the newly opened branch of Chai Sutta Bar at Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak In India, chai is more than just a beverage. It brims with nostalgia…
Watch | How is the long-grained Travancore biryani prepared?
How is the long-grained Travancore biryani prepared? What was the aromatic biryani that whetted your appetite for more biryani? For years, this long-grained fragrant rice biryani was a staple in the upmarket and small restaurants and eateries in the former…
How Sake Club India is propelling the popularity of Japanese rice spirit sake
Sushi has been gaining popularity in India for over a decade now, and with sushi, saké has quickly gained a loyal following as well. A Japanese rice spirit, sake is made from four key ingredients: rice, water, koji (rice mould)…
At Chennai’s new rooftop bar, catch sunsets and sip on innovative cocktails like shiitake-infused whisky
The 4,500 square feet space has three levels of seating Kale and bok choy chaat At Irida Skky Lounge, the wind whispers secrets in your ears. Secrets that are better deciphered after a few sips of the innovative cocktails that this…
Bengaluru’s Puffizza festival brings together the best of puff pastry and pizza
Chef Madhura Deshmukh baking a puffiza | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Roxie in Bengaluru is currently hosting a puffizza festival that combines the flavours of puff pastry and pizza. The festival showcases a variety of puffizza creations, each with its…
Karnataka coffee planters worried as rains play truant
A worker in a coffee estate. Image for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: The Hindu photo library Karnataka’s key coffee-growing districts – Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan – have received significantly lower rainfall so far this monsoon compared to last…
At Chennai’s new rooftop bar, catch sunsets and sip on innovative cocktails like shiitake-infused whisky
The 4,500 square feet space has three levels of seating At Irida Skky Lounge, the wind whispers secrets in your ears. Secrets that are better deciphered after a few sips of the innovative cocktails that this shiny new resto bar stirs…
Bengaluru pub owners brace for impact as alcohol prices set to reach new heights
Bengaluru, renowned as the pub capital of India, is facing a new obstacle as the state government announces its annual increase in the additional excise duty on alcohol. Effective from August 1, the excise duty on Indian-made liquor (IML) will…
Fusion food, fun drinks and more at SOCIAL’s latest outpost in Bengaluru
It is hard to miss Hebbal’s latest watering hole. With neon red lights announcing its name, Hebbal SOCIAL catches your eye instantly. And if you have been a resident of Bengaluru for the past few years, chances are, you are…
From Mumbai to Bengaluru: India secures four spots on Asia’s 50 best bars 2023 ranking
The eighth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, held at the Rosewood Hong Kong on Tuesday, July, 18, celebrated the finest cocktail establishments in the continent. This year’s list featured entries from 17 cities and 12 countries, with…
Enjoy the flavours of Malaysia at the Park Hyatt Chennai
Cucur udang, tauhu dengan kuah kacang or Prawn fritters | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Have you ever tasted a ginger flower? It looks like a mini banana blossom and is sweet, slightly sour and has refreshing floral notes. Chef Muhammad…
Craving biryani at 2 am? Chennai’s food streets come to the rescue
It is official. A wave of young students, IT professionals, families, and lounging friends are reclaiming the streets at night. And the twinkling lights of the thriving food hubs that cater to them now beckon travellers and passers by as…
The journey of the pothichoru from homes to hospitals in Kerala
An elderly woman from Ambalamedu tops a parcel with a pappadum. | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat From the small pond within the premises of his home in Ambalamedu, Kerala, Basil nets around 20 fish, retains a few for his family,…
Bhumi Pednekar on her first boutique hotel, Kaia in Goa, slow living and disruptive tech
Bhumi Pednekar’s connection with Goa runs deeper than her scenic Instagram posts. The Afwaah actor’s paternal side of the family belongs to Pedne (or Pernem) in North Goa, so she makes annual trips to the Mauli temple set in the…
World’s 50 Best Bars finale in Singapore this October
This is a big year for the Asian bar industry. For the first time ever, the World’s 50 Best Bars finale will be hosted in Asia, scheduled for Singapore this October. Another first was just marked, however, with the first-ever…
Watch | Have you heard of an ‘ATM’ for pani puri?
Have you heard of an ‘ATM’ for pani puri? In the early 90s, Indians looked on in fascination as ATMs dispensed cash within seconds Now, you can even order your favourite biryani from a vending machine after punching a few…
Railway coach-turned-restaurant to be set up in Bengaluru
One such restaurant is operational in Sri Siddharoodha Swami Railway Station at Hubballi. | Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE South Western Railway(SWR) is planning to set up theme-based rail coach restaurants in two places in Bengaluru. A senior SWR official said…
Bengaluru’s Record Room releases vinyl to celebrate first anniversary
Record Room | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement There was a time not too long ago when vinyls and gramophone records belonged in museums or at the very least, in the home of a stuck-in-the-’60s sort of person. Then, a couple…
From Dubai to New York: Chef Akmal Anuar’s expanding culinary empire
Born and raised in Singapore, Chef Akmal Anuar’s culinary journey began at the tender age of 10, amidst the vibrant hustle of his parents’ hawker food stall. “I grew up seeing my parents work really hard in the food business,…
How Chakkakkoottam, a WhatsApp group-turned-company, is bringing about a jackfruit revolution in Kerala
“There is so much you can do with the jackfruit,” Bushra Faisal says. She is a member of Chalissery Chakkakkoottam, a collective of 15 homemakers who are into making value-added products from jackfruit. A resident of Chavakkad in Thrissur district,…
Three Karnataka farmers retailing farm-fresh value-added products
Madhu Kargund @ Tengin Born and raised in a small village called Kargunda in Karnataka’s Hassan district, Madhu Kargund spent most of his childhood on farms. “My father is a farmer, and I vividly remember my weekends and summer vacations…
Nine women in Thiruvananthapuram curate gift hampers with handmade products to welcome the New Year
The She Made 2024 hamper. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRAGEMENT Nine women have come together with curated handmade, homemade products that can go into hampers for gifting in the New Year. Anna Varghese, who runs Rose Shop and has been…
Zoca Cafe Bengaluru restaurant review
As we entered the recently opened branch of Zoca Cafe in Sahakara Nagar, Bengaluru, we noticed that they were still putting the final touches on the interiors. A Wednesday noon visit meant the place was quiet, with only a few…
Find Morocco in Chennai at Ignna by Midnight Sun
Seafood Tagine | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Like every metro across the globe, Chennai too has been seeing a rapid increase in the number of restaurants serving international cuisine. But very rarely does it feel like we have been transported…
Regal Hyderabadi feast at The Park Chennai
Hyderbadi Thali with mutton dum biryani and gravies | Photo Credit: Special arrangement What does it mean to dine like a king? A. Large portions / B. Rich flavours/ C. Silver plates/ D. Heirloom recipes. The Park Chennai, in collaboration…
Kerala inspires Masque, the award winning Mumbai restaurant’s, new menu
The traditional puran poli as a tart, filled with the flavours of seasonal vegetables found in the ambati curry. String hoppers with meat curry reinterpreted and served with fried shallots flavoured kahwa broth? These and many more re-imagined versions may just be some…
Mutton soup is the signature dish of RL Cafe a Kudumabashree outlet in Thiruvananthapuram
Spicy and hot mutton soup is the signature dish of RL Cafe, a Kudumbashree outlet, on the DPI-Poojapura Road in Thiruvananthapuram. | Photo Credit: Sreejith R Kumar Although it is drizzling, a little curbside Kudumbasree outlet, almost opposite Akashwani on…
An Ayurvedic cookbook wins the Gourmand World Cookbook Award 2023
“When mustard crackles in hot oil it releases its healing properties. That’s why tempering with spices like mustard, cumin, fenugreek seeds and adding turmeric is commonly used in Indian food. It is common to almost all recipes in Ayurveda,” says…
What is unique about Hyderabadi Biryani?
Watch | What is unique about Hyderabadi Biryani? | Video Credit: Nagara Gopal When you think about Biryani, the first kind that comes to mind is the Hyderabadi biryani. Every day, a minimum of three lakh dinner plates of biryani…
The vegan masala chai chocolate from Paul and Mike that won a gold
Paul And Mike’s 57% Milk Indian Masala Chai Chocolate | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Now you can drink your masala chai and eat it too. Wondering how? Just take a bite of Indian chocolate brand Paul And Mike’s 57% Milk…
Flavours of Tangra in Hyderabad
Weather and food go hand in hand. As Hyderabadis enjoy the monsoon season, Chef Ye Chung Yuan aka Robert who hails from Tangra in Kolkata was dishing out food that complement the weather. Think juicy baos, Talumeinsoup, chilli chicken, mushroom…
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Hosting a festive party? Bring the chef home
As 2023 draws to a close, more families are choosing chef-plated dinners at home over the inevitably chaotic restaurant and party scene to celebrate. If you are one of those, here is how to host a Masterchef-worthy meal in your…
Watch | How is Thiruvananthapuram’s signature halwa made?
How is Thiruvananthapuram’s signature halwa made? Did you know that Thiruvananthapuram has a signature halwa? Meet a family from Kadakkavoor, Thiruvananthapuram, who have been carrying forward a cherished legacy of making signature homemade halwa for over four decades At Chekkalavilakom…
Hosting a festive party? Bring the chef home
As 2023 draws to a close, more families are choosing chef-plated dinners at home over the inevitably chaotic restaurant and party scene to celebrate. If you are one of those, here is how to host a Masterchef-worthy meal in your…
Sampling traditional flavours of Singapore with Theobroma
Kainaz Messman Harchandra To celebrate ‘Taste Obsession’, Singapore’s curated pop-up for the Indian audience, Theobroma has put out an exclusive curated menu inspired by Singaporean flavours. Kainaz Messman Harchandrai, co-founder and creative director of Theobroma, created Singapore- inspired desserts and…
Column | Kolkata’s Western fantasy Christmas may be a tad tacky — but I always feel homesick for the city this season
A crowded park in Kolkata on Christmas eve. | Photo Credit: Getty Images At one time, I was always embarrassed about a Kolkata Christmas. It felt like a big fat slice of colonial nostalgia. The British had left but we…
Chennai’s Margazhi Sabha Canteens: where to go, what to eat?
Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha Every family member of the legendary caterer, late ‘Arusuvai’ Arasu Natarajan is present at Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in Bheema Sena Garden Street through the month of Margazhi says Soumya Ramesh, daughter of Arusuvai Natarajan. After a…
Seaside villages in Thiruvananthapuram like St. Andrews have a special cuisine for Christmas
Come Christmas, home cook and culinary expert Marina Charles is busy baking her signature Orappam, a dessert that is must at homes in St. Andrews, a serene, beachside village, 14 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. Rice flour is cooked in coconut milk…
A newly-opened pizzeria brings Kundapuri ghee roast paneer and Kerala chicken roast flavours in pizzas
Van Dough Cafe and Pizzeria | Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M It is a match made in heaven — beetroot pesto and garlicky mushrooms. Nothing fancy, a straight forward pizza. The creamy pesto with a hint of sweetness forms the base…
chennais cakewalk is back with a new cafe that serves their iconic chocolate truffle and breads in a new avatar
If the metric for judging restaurants is by how well timeless dishes are made, CakeWalk Cafe seems to have figured out how to give its audience an easy bite of the classic margarita pizza. The trick is in getting the…
Chennai’s biryani ‘masters’ are experts at cooking massive feasts for thousands of people
Deep within Chennai’s biryani heartland of Triplicane, a cauldron of biryani is starting to burn. “Remove it from the fire and place it on the floor,” M Lookman Ali instructs his team on the phone. He is far from perturbed….
Lazy Leopard in Gopalapuram aims to serve classic Neapolitan pizzas with spots and San Marzano tomatoes
Lazy Leopard Pizzeria | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Lazy Leopard in Gopalapuram is Chennai’s latest pizzeria that aims to serve “almost authentic” Neapolitan pies. The pizzas here have spots. While this clarifies the leopard part, “Why lazy?” we ask. To…
Maayaa serves up South Indian coastal delights for office goers
Maayaa restaurant, Bengaluru | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Maayaa has a warmly lit ambience with tropical-inspired décor, adorned with banana and palm tree wallpapers, golden cane lamps, and plush velvet-clad orange sofas that are in harmony with the chic black-and-white…
7 Midway Plaza in Suryapet is a must stop while travelling from Hyderabad to Vijayawada by road
The newly opened FeastHouse at 7 Midway Plaza For people travelling from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh, especially to Vijayawada, a pit stop at 7 Midway Plaza at Suryapet is a must. It was first established in 2009 with the aim…
India’s alcohol brands are now making zero-carbon beer and recycling water
As bars across the country tweak menus to include zero-waste cocktails, the bigger breweries and distilleries are also looking to rewrite their scripts. World over, the spirits industry has set in motion, multi-pronged plans to address its soil, water, and…
Chef Amninder Sandhu’s Bawri in Goa is all about age-old recipes and traditional cooking techniques
More than two decades ago, when she was a hotel management trainee at the Taj Culinary School, Amninder Sandhu called her father to complain about the long working hours. “My father only had one thing to say — Ya toh…
where are the best boba spots in chennai
Bubble tea from Dr. Bubbles With the rise of East Asian pop culture in Chennai — aided by the diaspora living here and the Hallyu wave – ramen and sushi have crept into into every major menu. Now, places that…
How Baghdadi Jews with ties to India are preserving their culinary history
The Baghdadi Jewish community in India may only be around 50 strong today, as documented by the Jewish Women’s Archive, but the larger diaspora is holding on to their history. “My community [also called Mizrahi Jews, as they are from…
Karnataka’s Kunbi women farmers hope to bring climate-resilient tubers to urban dining tables
In the lush forests of Kali river valley in North Karnataka, the Kunbi community has been cultivating tubers in Joida taluk for generations, with approximately 300 households growing about 40 varieties. The climate-resilient crop has been a staple food for…
Chef Ton, Pam & Varun unite for an Asian Invasion in Bengaluru
For Chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn of Michelin-starred Le Du, in Bangkok, taking the mantle of representing Thai cuisine when he travels internationally is a big responsibility; one that he is also very proud of. “Thai cuisine offers a range of…
Restaurants in Chennai are offering traditional vegetarian Onasadya as dine-in as well as take away meal box options
onam sadya Le Meridian Chennai Ente Keralam Enté Keralam A team of cooks has arrived from Kerala to prepare the sadya at Enté Keralam. The feast consists of 32 dishes, which includes pickles, chips, thoran, avial, inji puli, inji thayir, erissery, kaalan, olan, pachadi, kichadi, nei paruppu, and many more vegetarian delicacies along with four payasams. A special takeaway counter has been set up for six types of payasams. @Ente Keralam, Anna Nagar and Alwarpet, August 23 to September 3, dinein lunch, take away payasam and sadya take away boxes available. Sadya is priced at ₹899 per person. Take away sadya for two people is priced at ₹1,699. For reservations, call 6374999506. For takeaway, call 6374999519. Dosai With A Twist The team at this restaurant…
Moplah’s restaurant in Bengaluru tries to bring alive the flavours of Malabar
There seems to be a new restaurant mushrooming in Bengaluru every fortnight. According to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) India Food Services Report – 2019, the city has over 42,000 restaurants approximately. That is more restaurants than the…
Learn to make parottas like a pro at this culinary school in Madurai
Mohammed Kasim shows his students the perfect way to make a parotta at Selfie Parotta Coaching Centre in Madurai. | Photo Credit: Moorthy G “The art of making the perfect parotta begins with hand exercises. Fold your thumb in and…
Onam celebrations of the Vallachira panchayat in Thrissur District of Kerala is now a showcase for tourists
Vallachira Panchayath Onagosham The Onam celebrations of Vallachira—‘Vallachira Panchayath Onagosham’— is set to go global. A Responsible Tourism Company, The Blue Yonder, along with Kerala Tourism is pivoting the festivities of the village, 15 kms from Thrissur, as a showcase…
Madras Day | Where to find the best biryanis in Chennai
K.G.N. Aarifa Biryani Centre At K.G.N. Aarifa Biryani Centre, biryani masters begin their work during the wee hours, so that by 8 am huge cauldrons of piping hot biryani are ready for sale. The biriyani shops here started on a…
Kora Karnival is a pit stop for fun games and lip-smacking food in Chennai
As there are so many food outlets at night, Kora Karnival focuses more on entertainment. It has battery-operated cars and mini-trains, besides a space for skating. A cricket pitch and football turf are coming up. | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni…
Onam festivities and sale continue in Coimbatore
Organic cotton dhoties | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement From a 21-dish onasadya with avial(vegetables made with coconut and milk), olan (ash gourd with beans in a thick coconut milk gravy), kichadi (gourd in yoghurt curry), pachadi (pineapple or bitter gourd…
Meet the makers of Chennai’s iconic foods
Sundal sellers of Marina A young lad with a steel container balanced on his shoulder, weaving his way through a crowded Marina beach: this image has long been synonymous with Chennai. Marina is lined with food trucks and stalls selling…
Understanding Beer: Man’s first beverage
“Man cannot live by bread alone.” Well, bread and beer use (almost) the same ingredients thereby allowing one to put a (heady) twist on this adage. Cheeky as that may sound, even some historians contend that beer possibly came before…
A new bakery in Visakhapatnam experiments with preservative-free artisanal breads
Cookies baked with Breadway without preservatives and artificial emulsifiers dished out at Breadway bakery in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak The sweet smell of freshly-baked multi-grain bread greets us as we enter this cosy bakery. Breadway, an artisanal bakery…
Revisit late Mrs KM Mathews’ traditional Kerala recipes in a new book
Annamma Mathew, more popularly known as Mrs K M Mathew, woke up every morning at 3.30am and picked a new recipe to try out for the day. Dishes she had probably tried out at a restaurant or read about in…
Why is ‘Ayyampalayam Nettai’ coconut variety unique?
Why is ‘Ayyampalayam Nettai’ coconut variety unique? | Video Credit: G. Karthikeyan Ayyampalayam, a town on the way towards Marudhanidhi dam in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, is known for this unique variety of coconut. ‘Ayyampalayam Nettai’ coconut trees near…
Tiruchi’s eateries turn the page on newspapers as food packaging material
Several road side food sellers in Tiruchi still use newspapers as an alternative to disposable paper plates despite the directive from FSSAI not to do so. | Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY Restaurants and eateries in Tiruchi have started complying with…