Restaurant Roundup: Two New Feni Brands from Goa, A Karnataka-Focussed Restaurant
Joanna Lobo looks at the industry’s biggest news and newsmakers over the last month.
It may be the season of unusual experiments like biryani in samosa, or bhindi in samosa found in Delhi. Amid this craziness, there is some good news.
India's consumer inflation eased in March to 5.80% from 6.44% thanks to softer food price rises, found a Reuters poll of economists. Indian-origin chef and British Empire Medal (BEM) winner, Manju Malhi, is one of the invitees to King Charles and Queen Camilla's Coronation ceremony in London. Malhi works as resident chef for the charity, Open Age. Shahi Paneer and Paneer Tikka, among other paneer dishes, made it to the Taste Atlas’ list of 50 Best Cheese Dishes in the World. The sixth edition of the Godrej Food Trends Report says India is all set to be acknowledged as an Atlas of Food in 2023, because of an unprecedented increase in interest from around the world.
Here's what else made news this month.
Pop-Ups to Watch Out For
It’s been the season of pop-ups, and it’s nothing like Prince William and Kate Middleton popping into an Indian eatery in Birmingham and making rotis. Massimo Bottura brought a taste of the award-winning Osteria Francescana to an event organised by Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace New Delhi. Kolkata’s Sienna Café and Store did a pop-up at The Lodhi, New Delhi. At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, Chef Rupert Blease showcased signature flavours from his Michelin-starred Lord Stanley.
Chef Hussain Shahzad of The Bombay Canteen (TBC) partnered with chef Himanshu Saini for a dining experience at the latter’s Tresind Studio in Dubai. TBC had a busy month — they brought the Sri Lankan flavours of Kotuwa by Chef Rishi Naleendra from Singapore for a pop-up. Chef Rahul Punjabi of Masala Library teamed up with Malaysian-born Australian chef, Esca Khoo, for a 16-course tasting menu.
Pincode, New Delhi
Nksha, Mumbai
Paya soup at Malgudi Mylari Mane, Bangalore
Chef Simone Loisi, Chef de Cuisine at Shangri-La Singapore’s Waterfall Ristorante Italiano will take over Caprese at Shangri-La Bengaluru to showcase his handmade pasta and heirloom recipes (ongoing till May 7). Culinary residency programme Mandala Club is hosting a two-week residency of Indian Accent in Singapore (May 9-25).
Air India has revamped its inflight food & beverages menus on all international flights, which include vegan options, nutritious mains and a curated wine list. Cricketer Hardik Pandya has invested in D2C food startup, Yu Foodlabs, and is also their brand ambassador.
Bournvita-maker Mondelez India was in the news for attacking social media influencer Revant Himatsingka who highlighted the high sugar content in the ‘health’ drink. Now, the company has received a notice from the child rights body NCPCR asking it to review or withdraw all "misleading" advertisements, packaging and labels.
New Feni & Alco-Bev Awards
Pistola Agavepura won big at the Global Spirits Masters Competition 2023, picking up the Master Award for the Pistola Añejo, Gold for the Pistola Reposado, and Silver for Pistola Joven, under the Agave Spirits category.
At the IWSC awards 2023, Quaffine Coffee Liqueur picked up a Bronze Medal. Goa’s Satiwa gin launched the limited edition Satiwa Passion — a passionfruit flavoured hemp craft gin. Also from Goa are two new Feni brands — Goenchi (coconut and cashew Feni), and Moji (only cashew).
PISTOLA AGAVEPURA
SATIWA GIN
New Restaurant Openings
Malgudi Mylari Mane made its foray into Bengaluru with a 50-seater restaurant serving Karnataka-style food. Also in the city are baklava brand Klava with its first boutique café; all-day bar and eatery, Daysie; and UAE Kulfi brand Kulfilicious opened its first Indian outlet.
Chef Kunal Kapur launched the Indian restaurant Pincode in Delhi, following its successful debut in Dubai. Over in Sawantwadi is the Kokani Heritage. Hyderabad has the Indian-focused The Pink Elephant. In Pune is the modern Indian mezze Mister Merchant’s, and the global-inspired Living Room by Coco.
Mumbai has an Asian-inspired deli Jade & Ginger; Frys with Fry offering seafood with fries; Nksha offering diverse North Indian culinary fare; and artisanal ice cream brand, Indu, with a menu offering mango shrikhand ice cream and a kacchhi kairi sorbet.
In Goa is the new chip shop, P2s Chippy and Pub; Casa Lusitana with its nostalgic Goan Portuguese food; Milagro with its world cuisine; the Greek Kiki by the Sea; and the resto-bar Surboos.
In the non-restaurant space, coffee brand Beanly launched two new products, Cold Choco — a dark chocolate beverage with zero caffeine; and DIBS — a sweet dip with crispy breadsticks available in coffee and chocolate hazelnut flavours.
Cookbooks & Recipes
Australian food writer and historian Charmaine O’Brien launched her new book, Eating the Present, Tasting the Future (Penguin India). It looks at the changing eating habits of urban and urbanising India.
Cookbook author and television chef Madhur Jaffrey won the 2023 James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first Indian and South Asian to win this honour.
Indian food evangelist and author Raghavan Iyer passed away soon after launching his last book on Indian food, On the Curry Trail: Chasing The Flavour That Seduced the World.
Joanna Lobo is an independent journalist from Goa who enjoys writing about food, her Goan heritage, the freelance life, and other things that make her happy. Follow her on @thatdoggonelady.
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