Comorin's Craft Cocktails and Unique Flavors Shine in Bengaluru Pop-Up

Comorin's Craft Cocktails and Unique Flavors Shine in Bengaluru Pop-Up

By Author

Published on February 27, 2024

Comorin, named India's Best Restaurant Bar for three consecutive years, made its mark in Bengaluru with a dazzling pop-up event at UNO Izakaya in JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru. On February 2nd, starting at 8:00 PM, the renowned Gurugram-based restaurant and craft cocktail bar transformed the UNO Izakaya bar into a haven for exceptional cocktails.

Guests embarked on a sensory journey curated by Varun Sharma, Head of Bars at EHV International and Head Mixologist at Comorin. He had been in the industry for over 17 years, and he strongly believes in using ingredients that guests can relate to. The Bengaluru pop-up offered a sneak peek into Comorin's celebrated bar program—an artistic venture recognized for its innovation, featuring craft cocktails, house-made liqueurs, and bespoke infusions.

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“Our guests are always at the heart of our thought process and today’s guests are very well-travelled and open to trying newer, bolder flavors. All our drinks have ingredients that resonate with guests because they might have tried the flavours at some point of time, but we try and add our own spin to it, evoking nostalgia,” he said.

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This is not Comorin’s first pop-up; however, it is their first pop-up in Bengaluru. “We are excited to be in Bengaluru as the city is extremely diverse, warm and welcoming. There is also a wide variety of cuisines available in the city and we are looking forward to introducing and showcasing new flavours that are not commonly used in cocktails,” Varun Sharma said prior to the event.

Comorin offers regional Indian comfort food that evokes nostalgia and the chef plays on the flavours to create a surprise element in most dishes. Following this thought, the beverages at Comorin are designed to invoke nostalgia. Additionally, Comorin also uses a few additional flavors to create surprising elements. For example, the establishment makes fruit leathers to use as garnish.

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Comorin highlights locally sourced ingredients. The best example is their Jamun based drink. “We feature this drink as it is a summer staple in Delhi and NCR region, where trees are laden with Jamun. We also wanted to support the local fruit vendors by creating a seasonal drink. This drink has become such a rage and guests keep calling us to check its availability because it’s a seasonal drink,” he added.

Comorin has an innovative Sous Vide live infusion counter. Sous Vide is a slow cooking method with vacuum and controlled temperature which is typically used in European cooking. “We have been using this technique to flash infuse flavors from natural ingredients and hence do not have to use any artificial flavor enhancers. Using this method creates a flavour bomb that enhances our cocktails,” adds Sharma proudly. He emphasizes that it is the ingredients and the taste that brings back memories. 

Hosted within the luxurious JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, known for its commitment to unparalleled experiences and sophisticated ambiance, the collaboration promised an evening of extravagance and culinary mastery. 

Sharma recommends Rice and Shine Cocktail. It has Malfy Limone Gin mixed with their homemade Mango and Rice cordial and they add Roasted Pineapple Fino to it that goes really well with Chicken Yakitori, which are chicken skewers with Soya Sauce and vegetables on top.

The hotel's central location in Bengaluru seamlessly blended modern comfort and opulence, providing the perfect backdrop for the Comorin pop-up.

In Varun’s words, “The world of bars and cocktails is everchanging and so are the trends. Bartenders also want to be sustainable and are using local and seasonal ingredients. Another trend is experimenting with new and different flavors. We are also trying to recreate dishes through cocktails such as the Tom Yum Gimlet, Tom Kha Colada and Mango Rice. Technology is also becoming a big part of the bar industry as bartenders are now using cool gadgets, making mixology nothing less than experimenting in a chemistry lab! Bartenders are also putting a lot of thought and effort into bringing out unexplored flavours for guests who do not consume alcohol.” 

As a special treat, the pop-up event offered unique food pairings with cocktails at UNO Izakaya, elevating the overall experience. This fusion of flavors, complemented by Comorin's signature drinks, ensured an unforgettable evening for both connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike.


Chinese Wok and Big Bowl Shine with National Awards in 2025

Chinese Wok and Big Bowl Shine with National Awards in 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 10, 2025

Lenexis Foodworks, a key player in India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, has made a remarkable mark in 2025, with its brands Chinese Wok and Big Bowl sweeping top honours across multiple award platforms nationwide. These recognitions reflect the group’s consistent growth, operational strength, and deep connection with Indian consumers.

Chinese Wok, the company’s flagship brand, was crowned QSR Chain of the Year at the ET Great India Retail Awards, and was celebrated as a Category Disruptor in the Restaurants, QSR & Food Services segment at the ET Brand Disrupt Awards. Its innovation in digital engagement was recognized with a win at the MOMMY Awards 2025 for Best Use of AR/VR, showcasing its shift towards experiential marketing.

At the Food Connoisseurs India Awards 2025, Chinese Wok earned the title of Best Quick Service Restaurant Chain - West India. Regionally, it stood out at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards with multiple titles including:

  • Best Asian Casual Dining – Navi Mumbai and Thane

  • Best Chinese Restaurant – Thane, Navi Mumbai, Jaipur, and Noida

  • Best QSR Casual Dining – Gurgaon

On the delivery front, the Swiggy Awards 2025 recognized Chinese Wok’s popularity across several cities:

  • Best Chinese:

    • Rank 1 in Madurai, Amritsar, Mysore

    • Rank 2 in Vadodara, Mumbai, Faridabad, Kanpur

    • Rank 3 in Jalandhar, Chennai, Vijayawada, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur

  • Best Momos – Chennai

  • Best Newcomer – Manipal

Meanwhile, Big Bowl, the cloud kitchen brand from Lenexis, won Cloud Kitchen of the Year – West India at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards, and ranked second in Best Chinese (Amritsar) at the Swiggy Awards.

These accolades come as Lenexis Foodworks pursues its vision of scaling up to 500 stores by 2027, opening 100 new outlets annually. From one outlet in 2015, the company has grown to over 235 locations in 35+ cities, positioning Chinese Wok as India’s largest Chinese QSR chain. The group is also expanding into East India with aggressive growth plans in Kolkata and neighbouring markets.

2025 also marked a year of fresh innovations. Chinese Wok launched new street-style offerings such as Kurkure Momos and Desi Chowmein, tailored to local tastes. The brand also debuted its cricket season ad campaign, blending themed visuals, contests, and special packaging.

Lenexis Foodworks continues to invest in storytelling and community efforts, from school outreach programs to revamped in-store experiences, strengthening its identity as a vibrant, home-grown brand. As it celebrates a decade of impact, the company is set to redefine Asian fast food experiences across India.


Via Bianca Brings Soulful Regional Italian Dining to Delhi with CYK Hospitalities

Via Bianca Brings Soulful Regional Italian Dining to Delhi with CYK Hospitalities

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 3, 2025

Via Bianca, a charming new destination for regional Italian cuisine, has officially opened its doors at N Block Market, GK I, New Delhi. Conceptualised and launched with the support of CYK Hospitalities, India’s premier F&B consultancy, Via Bianca promises a refined, heartfelt culinary experience rooted in tradition and authenticity.

At the heart of this venture is Chef Kamalika Anand, an alumna of Le Cordon Bleu, London, and ALMA, Italy. With experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and deep immersion in the European culinary world, Chef Kamalika envisioned a space that pays homage to Italy’s diverse regional fare. "Via Bianca has lived in my head and heart for a long time. It's more than a restaurant—it's a tribute to the Italy I studied, lived, and loved," she shared.

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The restaurant’s ambience blends rustic Italian charm with contemporary elegance. Features like an open kitchen, wood-fired oven, and a pasta shaping station enhance the dining experience, offering guests an immersive look into the culinary craft.

The menu takes diners on a journey across Italy’s regions, with dishes such as Strata Bianca di Zucchini, Spaghetti all'Assassina, and Tigelle 'Nduja, reflecting both skill and soul. From seasoned gourmets to curious foodies, Via Bianca aims to make authentic Italian cuisine both accessible and memorable.

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CYK Hospitalities played an instrumental role in bringing this vision to life—from designing ergonomic kitchen workflows to curating the entire guest journey. "Via Bianca is a reflection of meaningful collaboration. We saw Kamalika's passion and aligned it with a solid framework, from planning to execution," said Pulkit Arora, Director of CYK Hospitalities.

With its soulful food, striking interiors, and operational finesse, Via Bianca is more than a restaurant—it's a culinary landmark in the making. Backed by CYK Hospitalities' end-to-end brand-building expertise, it stands poised to redefine experiential dining in Delhi.

About CYK Hospitalities

Founded by Pulkit Arora and Simranjeet Singh, CYK Hospitalities is a full-service F&B consultancy providing turnkey solutions across the hospitality spectrum—from concept creation and chef hiring to menu engineering, SOP design, branding, and market strategy.


Bluebop Subs: Mumbai’s New Gourmet Sandwich Delivery from The Bluebop Café

Bluebop Subs: Mumbai’s New Gourmet Sandwich Delivery from The Bluebop Café

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 31, 2025

Craving a sandwich that truly hits the spot? Bluebop Subs, the latest venture from the team behind Mumbai’s beloved Bluebop Café, is here to transform your sandwich experience. Now available for delivery on Swiggy, Bluebop Subs brings handcrafted, chef-driven sandwiches right to your doorstep — all made with in-house baked breads, premium ingredients, and a generous dollop of soul.

Where Craft Meets Craving

Bluebop Subs is not just another sandwich brand; it carries forward the Bluebop Café’s legacy of quality, creativity, and flavour. Each sandwich is crafted with care, featuring breads baked fresh in-house, including hearty rye and gluten-free options for mindful eaters. Whether you’re a vegetarian, meat lover, classic fan, or flavour adventurer, there’s a sandwich here made just for you.

Eesha Sukhi, Director of The Bluebop Café, shares, “We’ve poured the same care and craftsmanship into Bluebop Subs that made The Bluebop Café what it is today. This launch is a celebration of flavour, convenience, and creativity. We wanted to bring restaurant-quality sandwiches to your homes without compromise.”

A Menu That Sparks Joy

Expect a lineup of sandwiches that go beyond the ordinary:

  • The OG Fried Chicken sub with slaw and house sauce

  • Bright, creamy Egg & Avocado delight

  • Indulgent Pepperoni Melt

  • Spicy, satisfying Peri Peri Cottage Cheese

  • Crisp and creamy Caesar Chicken Salad

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  • Classic favourites like Caprese, Ham & Cheese, and BLT

  • Wholesome vegan options like Tofu Green Delight

And for the sweet tooth, don’t miss their decadent dessert sandwiches:

  • Lotus Cheesecake Sub

  • Oreo Cheesecake Sub

From gourmet to comfort, health-conscious to hearty, Bluebop Subs is designed to deliver happiness, whether you’re working late, binge-watching your favourite series, or just really hungry.

Available now for delivery across Mumbai on Swiggy.
Follow them on Instagram: @bluebopsubs
Contact: 093722 02586

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