A Bite-Sized Bengali Bliss Ball

A Bite-Sized Bengali Bliss Ball

By Author

Published on March 13, 2024

The world of Indian sweets is a treasure trove of diverse flavors and textures. Among these gems lies the Pantua, a delectable Bengali delicacy offering a unique taste and delightful history.

Pantua, also known as Pontooa, finds its roots in the vibrant culinary scene of West Bengal, India. Its origin story is believed to be linked to the iconic Bengali sweet, Chhena Gaja. Legend has it that leftover chhena (cottage cheese) from making Chhena Gaja was used to create Pantua. This resourceful practice resulted in a melt-in-your-mouth sweet that quickly gained popularity.

Unlike its close cousin, the Gulab Jamun, Pantua boasts a subtler sweetness. The fluffy exterior, made from a mixture of chhena, semolina, and flour, gives way to a soft, slightly grainy interior. The key to its unique flavor lies in the use of cardamom, which adds a warm and aromatic touch.

Traditionally deep-fried in ghee, some modern renditions of Pantua opt for healthier methods like baking or shallow frying. This adaptation caters to health-conscious individuals while preserving the essence of the dish.

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Ready to Indulge? Here's a Recipe for Homemade Pantua:

Ingredients:

250 gms fresh chhena (cottage cheese)

2 tbsp semolina (sooji)

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

A pinch of baking soda

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Sugar syrup (1 cup sugar dissolved in 1/2 cup water)

Ghee (for frying)

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Instructions:

Knead the chhena, semolina, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cardamom powder into a smooth dough.

Divide the dough into small balls.

Heat ghee in a pan (or preheat oven to 180°C).

Deep fry (or bake) the balls until golden brown.

Immerse the fried balls in warm sugar syrup for at least 30 minutes.

Tips:

Ensure the chhena is well-drained to avoid a wet dough.

Adjust the sugar syrup consistency based on your preference.

For a richer flavor, add a few drops of kewra water to the sugar syrup.


Even Steven Brings a New All-Day Diner Experience to Bandra

Even Steven Brings a New All-Day Diner Experience to Bandra

By Hariharan U

Published on September 1, 2026

Even Steven has opened its doors in Bandra, Mumbai, bringing a new all-day diner concept centred around flavour-driven food, house-made breads, inventive beverages and an easy-going neighbourhood atmosphere.

Founded by Geeta Amin and Timanshu Mokal, Even Steven is designed as an unpretentious neighbourhood diner where guests can drop in throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, coffee or dinner.

The 25-seater space features an open kitchen that allows diners to watch their food being prepared, while its signature green aesthetic and warm interiors create a relaxed setting designed for lingering over meals and conversations.

Chef Christopher Fernandes worked closely with the founders to develop the culinary and beverage programmes while also helping shape the overall character and energy of the diner.

The menu represents one of Chef Fernandes' most extensive explorations of vegetarian cooking, with vegetarian dishes given equal prominence alongside meat-based offerings.

The Egg Section moves beyond conventional breakfast dishes with options such as Jumbo Lump Crab or Chicken Krapow French Toast and the Arnold Bennett Omelette, adding a more contemporary approach to familiar egg-based preparations.

At the centre of the offering is the diner's sandwich programme, with every sandwich built using bread baked in-house.

The non-vegetarian selection includes the Fried Chicken Donut, combining hot honey, smoked cream cheese and crispy fried chicken, along with the Pain Suisse Smash, featuring a double beef patty, charred onion, cheddar, pickles and black garlic aioli.

Vegetarian options receive similar attention. The Grilled Halloumi sandwich combines grilled halloumi with pesto, charred tomato, balsamic and smoky romesco in fresh ciabatta, while the Caprese Sando brings together stracciatella, tomatoes, pesto and balsamic on house-made focaccia.

Beyond sandwiches, the menu features familiar comfort food with contemporary touches. The vegetarian Rigatoni combines roasted red pepper emulsion, creamy cheese curds and fresh herbs, while the Steak & Frites pairs tenderloin fillet with green peppercorn jus and truffle fries.

The beverage programme is led by an experienced master barista and spans traditional coffee preparations as well as more experimental creations. The menu includes Chemex pour-overs and Hot Matcha Lattes, alongside signatures such as Coca-Cola Espresso, Tiramisu Iced Coffee and Island Pineapple Coffee.

Coolers, frappes and teas further expand the beverage offering, creating options suited to different times of the day.

Desserts include Banana Foster Toast and Dark Chocolate Ganache, providing a sweet finish to the diner experience.

Located in Bandra West, Even Steven aims to establish itself as a neighbourhood destination where guests can enjoy everything from a quick coffee to a leisurely meal, with the philosophy "Eat Easy, Live Easy!" guiding the overall experience.

Restaurant Details:

  • Venue: Even Steven
  • Address: Shop 8 & 9, Dunhill Apartments, Co-op. Society, 5, Waroda Road, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
  • Opened: 19 August 2026
  • Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM

Rola Brings All Day Multi Cuisine Dining to Mumbai's Bandra

Rola Brings All Day Multi Cuisine Dining to Mumbai's Bandra

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 1, 2026

Hospitality entrepreneur Puneet Anand, known for creating Anandvan Resort in Bhandardara, has launched his latest venture, Rola, in Pali Hill, Bandra. With the new restaurant, Puneet brings his people-first approach to hospitality to Mumbai.

Rola has been designed as an all-day, multi-cuisine destination, offering everything from breakfast and lunch to dinner and specialty coffee under one roof. Located in a neighbourhood known for its independent and niche dining concepts, the restaurant aims to become a place that guests can visit at any time of the day.

The menu brings together a mix of familiar and international favourites. Guests can find home-style Indian curries, Neapolitan pizzas and a thoughtfully developed coffee programme, creating a varied offering for different dining occasions. The concept is built around the idea of creating a comfortable space that people can return to throughout the day, whether for a morning coffee, a casual meal, an afternoon break or dinner with friends and family.

For Puneet Anand, Rola marks a move from the resort space into Mumbai's dining scene, while carrying forward the warm and people-focused hospitality approach associated with his earlier venture. With its all-day format and broad menu, Rola adds another dining option to Pali Hill, Bandra, bringing breakfast, coffee, Indian food and pizzas together in a single destination.


Third Wave Coffee Enters Andhra Pradesh with Two Cafés in Visakhapatnam

Third Wave Coffee Enters Andhra Pradesh with Two Cafés in Visakhapatnam

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 31, 2026

Third Wave Coffee has entered Andhra Pradesh with the opening of two new cafés in Visakhapatnam, marking another step in the brand's South India expansion.

The new cafés are located at Waltair Road and Inorbit Mall, taking Third Wave Coffee's South India footprint to over 100 cafés. With these additions, the brand's national network has also grown to 240+ cafés.

The new Visakhapatnam cafés have been designed around the city's coastal character and growing urban community. The spaces bring together specialty coffee, food, comfortable work-friendly settings and a relaxed environment for customers to meet and spend time. The menu features Third Wave Coffee's signature brews, specialty single-origin coffees, artisanal bakes, quick bites and curated food offerings. Customers can also access a tech-enabled café experience through the Third Wave Coffee app.

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Speaking on the launch, Rajat Luthra, CEO, Third Wave Coffee, said:

“We're excited to bring the Third Wave Coffee experience to Andhra Pradesh with the launch of our cafés in Visakhapatnam. The city's vibrant culture, expanding IT and academic ecosystem, and growing appreciation for specialty coffee make it a compelling destination as we deepen our presence across South India. As we look ahead, the South will remain a key pillar of our expansion strategy. Backed by our Food Innovation Lab and state-of-the-art roastery, we remain committed to offering our signature food and beverage experience as we scale into new markets and serve more coffee lovers across the country”.

Third Wave Coffee continued its expansion across South India during FY26, adding to its presence in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mysuru. The brand also entered new markets including Ahmedabad, Agra and Kolkata, further extending its reach across India. Building on this growth, Third Wave Coffee plans to open 100 additional cafés by FY27, with an aim to take its national store count to 320.

As the brand continues to grow, it remains focused on product innovation, operational excellence and creating café spaces built around local communities. The latest launch in Visakhapatnam adds another destination to its growing network while strengthening its position in India's specialty coffee and QSR market.

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