ABD Revolutionizes Whisky Packaging with Trendy 'Hippy' Design

By Author

Published on November 14, 2023

Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD) is making waves in the whisky segment with its innovative approach to packaging. The company has unveiled a stylish and trendy 180ML pack named 'Hippy,' a contemporary reimagination of the traditional 180ml SKU, commonly known as the 'quarter.'

ABD, known for its commitment to constant innovation, introduces the Hippy as a consumer-centric offering, aiming to broaden the occasions where consumers can engage with the brand. The sleek and stylish design of the Hippy pack enhances its appeal across all age groups, marking a departure from the conventional 'brown-bag syndrome' associated with the humble 'quarter' or 'pau-a.'

Alok Gupta, Managing Director of ABD, expresses the company's dedication to innovation. "Constantly Innovating is one of ABD’s core values. The Hippy is a great example of this core value brought alive on the back of consumer-centric thinking. It is an offering that allows for widening the occasions where consumers can engage with our brand on account of its style quotient and mobile form factor."

Bikram Basu, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at ABD, emphasizes the liberation that the Hippy brings to alcobev consumers. "For long, alcobev consumers have suffered from the ‘brown-bag syndrome’ where they would be hesitant to be seen with their humble ‘quarter’ or ‘pau-a’. The Hippy allows consumers to break free of inhibitions and flaunt their Sterling Reserve BX Whisky."

The Hippy is currently available in select regions, including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Daman, and Tripura, presenting consumers with a modern and stylish option to enjoy their semi-premium whisky. As ABD continues to prioritize consumer satisfaction and innovation, the Hippy stands as a testament to their commitment to redefining the whisky experience.

Rola Opens in Bandra as a New All-Day Diner for Every Occasion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2026

Bandra has a new neighbourhood dining destination with the opening of Rola, an all-day diner at Pali Hill that brings together breakfast, lunch, dinner, Neapolitan pizzas, home-style curries and specialty coffee under one roof.

Designed for different times of the day and different kinds of gatherings, Rola offers a menu that moves from morning coffee and breakfast to leisurely lunches and dinners. A coffee cart placed outside the diner adds to the lively neighbourhood feel, welcoming guests even before they enter the space.

The name Rola draws inspiration from the joyful sounds around a busy dining table, laughter, coffee cups, shared plates and conversations that continue long after the meal. The diner can accommodate 70 guests across indoor and outdoor seating, making it suitable for everything from catching up with friends and family gatherings to first dates and casual work meals.

“For me, hospitality has always been about people. Good food is important, but it's the conversations, the warmth and the feeling of wanting to stay a little longer that people remember. That's the experience we wanted to create with Rola,” says Puneet Anand, Founder, Rola.

The Food

Rola's breakfast and brunch menu sets the tone for the day with a mix of familiar flavours and creative combinations. The Breakfast & Brunch Club includes dishes such as Bombay Keema & Brun, featuring slow-cooked spiced mutton keema, a fried egg and buttered pav.

Another highlight, Benedict Goes Bandra, combines toasted brioche, grilled chicken salami, silky hollandaise and tandoori pineapple salsa.

The House Kitchen takes inspiration from home cooking, with recipes influenced by mothers, grandmothers and khansamas from across India. Khansama's Nihari brings together slow-cooked nalli nihari, marrow and fragrant spices, while Maa's Sunday Mutton Masala offers a comforting home-style curry served with buttered pav.

The Neapolitan pizza selection adds another dimension to the menu. The Kejriwal Pizza comes topped with a sunny-side-up egg, green chillies and cheese, while the Truffle Malai Chicken Tikka Pizza combines the flavours of an Indian favourite with a Neapolitan-style base.

Desserts include the nostalgic Chai & Parle-G Cheesecake and Basque Cheesecake served with raspberry compote.

The Coffee Program

Coffee is an important part of the Rola experience, beginning with the outdoor coffee cart and continuing with a dedicated menu inside.

Guests can choose from classics such as the Flat White and Hot Spanish Latte, along with house creations including the Mint Charcoal Mocha, Sea Salt Vanilla Mocha, Coffee Tonic and Affogato. Whether it is a morning coffee, an afternoon break or a casual catch-up, the coffee programme adds to Rola's identity as both a diner and a coffee destination.

At its core, Rola aims to become part of Bandra's everyday dining scene, bringing together thoughtful food, specialty coffee and a relaxed approach to hospitality. With its all-day format and varied menu, the new diner offers guests a space to gather, eat and spend time together.

Launch Details:

Launch Date: 17th August 2026
Where: Rola, Pali Hill, Bandra, Mumbai
Capacity: 70 guests across indoor and outdoor seating.

Most Read In News

4 Independence Day Celebrations to Check Out Across Delhi-NC...

With Independence Day 2026 approaching, Delhi-NCR is gearing...

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore Celebrates Independence Day wit...

Marking India's 80th Independence Day, Sheraton Grand Palace...

Rajnish Sharma Joins ITC Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager a...

Rajnish Sharma has joined ITC Hotels as Food & Beverage Mana...

Novotel Vijayawada Varun Revives Nizami Culinary Heritage wi...

Novotel Vijayawada Varun invites diners to embark on a culin...

Azure Hospitality Begins Pre-Opening of Jhoom in Chandigarh

By Hariharan U

Published on August 18, 2026

Azure Hospitality has commenced the pre-opening phase of Jhoom in Chandigarh, marking the group's entry into the city with its first multi-cuisine restaurant concept.

Positioned as an immersive dining destination, Jhoom will bring together Indian, European and Asian influences alongside entertainment, nostalgia and contemporary hospitality. The concept is designed to offer diners a diverse culinary experience while creating a distinctive atmosphere built around food, music, culture and storytelling.

Leading the culinary pre-opening and launch preparations is Chef Kartik, Regional Brand Chef, Azure Hospitality. The project marks a significant milestone in his career, representing his 11th outlet opening with Azure Hospitality in two years.

Jhoom's menu is being developed across a broad range of categories, including Indian and European favourites, Asian small plates, artisanal pizzas, sushi, dim sum, wok preparations, international comfort food and contemporary desserts. The multi-cuisine format is intended to give guests flexibility while maintaining distinct culinary identities across different sections of the menu.

Beyond its food offering, Jhoom draws inspiration from nostalgia, travel, cultural exchange, music and the spirit of a bygone India. The concept aims to bring familiar memories into a contemporary setting through its interiors, ambience, entertainment and culinary experiences.

As Regional Brand Chef, Chef Kartik has been closely involved in the pre-opening process, overseeing menu development, culinary systems, kitchen readiness, operational planning, quality standards and team training. His role focuses on translating the restaurant's conceptual vision into a consistent and engaging guest experience.

Commenting on the project, Chef Kartik, Regional Brand Chef, Azure Hospitality, said the concept brings together flavours, techniques and memories from different parts of India and the world. He added that his focus during the pre-opening phase has been to ensure consistency and quality while retaining the character of the Jhoom concept.

The pre-opening marks Azure Hospitality's entry into Chandigarh's evolving dining landscape, with Jhoom positioned around culinary diversity, nostalgia and immersive hospitality. The restaurant is expected to offer diners a format where multiple cuisines, entertainment and experiences come together under one roof.