Atmosphere Kanifushi Celebrates ‘Just Veg Festival’ with Chef Fabrizio Marino

Atmosphere Kanifushi Celebrates ‘Just Veg Festival’ with Chef Fabrizio Marino

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 30, 2024

Atmosphere Kanifushi is delighted to announce the return of the much-anticipated ‘Just Veg Festival,’ set to take place from 21st to 26th October 2024. Now in its fourth edition, this year’s festival promises a week of culinary excellence against the stunning backdrop of the Maldives, featuring a special menu crafted by the award-winning Italian Chef Fabrizio Marino.

Chef Fabrizio Marino, known for his innovative and health-conscious Italian haute cuisine, will bring his expertise back to the idyllic shores of Kanifushi Island. Hailing from the prestigious Ristorante Maggese in Tuscany, Chef Fabrizio will once again captivate guests with his artfully presented dishes made from fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, creating a limited-edition gourmet menu that is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

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 Award-winning Chef Fabrizio Marino

The festival will be centered at JUST VEG, Atmosphere Kanifushi’s celebrated restaurant, renowned as the first purely vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives and a top-ranked dining venue on TripAdvisor. Guests staying at the resort will have the unique opportunity to indulge in the finest Italian and Mediterranean cuisine while enjoying breathtaking views of the turquoise lagoon.

This six-day culinary event is part of the Kanifushi Plan™, a comprehensive holiday package available to all resort guests, aligning with Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts' core philosophy, "Joy of Giving." The festival will showcase a thoughtfully curated menu, with each dish perfectly paired with wines selected by Atmosphere Core’s Director of Wines, Nicolas Laguette.

Highlights of the menu include "Happiness," an appetizer featuring coconut foam, pumpkin curry puree, fresh apples, broccoli, and tomatoes, drizzled with a raspberry, mint, and turmeric sauce, paired with the Martín Codax Cuatro Pasos Rosado. Main courses include “Gnocchi,” delicate potato dumplings in a rich beurre blanc sauce, complemented by Glenelly Glass Collection Chardonnay, and “Caramelised Aubergine,” an oriental-style dish paired with Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The menu concludes with "Bee-Side," a delightful yogurt and honey ice cream dessert, accompanied by osmotised strawberries and crumble, perfectly paired with White Rabbit Riesling.

“Bringing my culinary creations to the pristine shores of Atmosphere Kanifushi is a true honour,” says Chef Fabrizio. “The dynamic team at JUST VEG and the warm reception from guests drive me to strive for excellence each time. I look forward to introducing guests to the incredible variety and richness of vegetarian cuisine.”

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Raman Gomathi, Director of Food & Beverage at Atmosphere Kanifushi, adds, "At Just Veg, we’ve always been ahead of the trend in embracing flexitarian diets. It’s an honour to welcome Chef Fabrizio each year for our culinary festival, where he also leads workshops for our culinary team. Together, we keep the menu exciting for our guests."

A scenic 35-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport in Malé transports guests to the serene Atmosphere Kanifushi, where they are greeted by a 2-kilometre-long beach, swaying palm trees, and the pristine waters of Lhaviyani Atoll. The classic five-star luxury resort offers 162 stand-alone beach and water villas, ensuring an unforgettable stay in paradise.

About Just Veg:

JUST VEG is the first à la carte vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives, consistently topping TripAdvisor’s rankings. The restaurant serves gourmet cuisine inspired by Arabic, Indian, Mediterranean, and Jain traditions. Diners can enjoy their meals on a deck perched over the turquoise ocean, offering an exotic and immersive dining experience.

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About Atmosphere Kanifushi:

Atmosphere Kanifushi, a secluded tropical getaway in the Lhaviyani Atoll, is a five-star luxury resort that offers 162 stand-alone villas and suites spread along the beach or lagoon. The resort features airy living spaces, sophisticated interiors, and a premium all-encompassing holiday package—the Kanifushi Plan™, which includes a fine selection of wines, spirits, and dining options, as well as various activities like excursions, sunset fishing, snorkeling, and non-motorized water sports.

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About Atmosphere Core:

Atmosphere Core is a dynamic hospitality company with three distinctive lifestyle brands—THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. With nine resorts currently operating in the Maldives, the company has an exciting pipeline of properties in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India, set to open within the next three years.

About Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts:

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is known for curating distinctive spatial experiences that immerse guests in the local culture, promising "A New Experience Awaits" at every destination. The brand portfolio includes Atmosphere Kanifushi, VARU by Atmosphere, and RAAYA by Atmosphere in the Maldives, along with several upcoming properties in India.


Seoul Dak Opens in Oshiwara Andheri and Mumbai's Korean Food Scene Just Got Crispier

Seoul Dak Opens in Oshiwara Andheri and Mumbai's Korean Food Scene Just Got Crispier

By Hariharan U

Published on March 16, 2026

Mumbai's love for Korean food isn't slowing down, and Seoul Dak is making sure Andheri doesn't miss out. The Korean-founded QSR brand has opened its newest outlet in Oshiwara, bringing its cult-favourite Korean Fried Chicken and Seoul-style street food to one of the city's busiest hubs.

The star of the menu is Seoul Dak's signature Korean Fried Chicken, and it earns every bit of attention it gets. Deeply marinated for flavour and double-fried for that ultra-light, shatteringly crispy coating, it's the kind of fried chicken that makes you understand immediately why South Korea turned it into a cultural institution. The sauce lineup runs from smoky K-BBQ and garlicky Ganjang (soy garlic) to Sweet and Spicy and the aptly named Volcano, which does exactly what it promises.

Beyond the chicken, the menu covers the kind of Korean street food favourites that have been building loyal followings far beyond Seoul. Tteokbokki, the chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce, are a comfort food staple. Soupy K-Ramen brings warm, satisfying bowl energy to the spread. Cheese corn dogs round things out with the indulgent, crowd-pleasing energy that's made them a street food phenomenon.

What keeps Seoul Dak honest is its approach to authenticity. Most key ingredients are sourced directly from South Korea, and the recipes follow traditional Korean flavour profiles. The only concession made for local diners is spice level adjustment. The core flavours stay exactly as they should be.

Recent menu additions including Potato Cheese Corn Dog, Seoul Cheese Bombs, Onion Rings, and Matcha-based beverages show the brand evolving in a measured, consumer-led way without drifting from what makes it special.

The Oshiwara opening is also part of a bigger plan. Seoul Dak is working towards 10 outlets by early 2026 and 50 locations over the following three years, operating across Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru as it builds towards its goal of becoming the largest and most loved Korean QSR brand in the region.

Mumbai's Korean food movement keeps growing, and Seoul Dak is here to keep it crispy


Nestlé India Expands Nespresso Presence with New Boutique in Gurugram

Nestlé India Expands Nespresso Presence with New Boutique in Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 16, 2026

Nestlé India has expanded the footprint of its premium coffee brand Nespresso with the launch of a new boutique at Ambience Mall in Gurugram. The opening marks another step in the brand’s growing presence in India and aims to bring its signature coffee experience closer to consumers.

The new boutique has been designed as an immersive experiential space where visitors can explore Nespresso’s range of coffee machines and exclusive blends across its Original and Professional systems. The store allows coffee enthusiasts to discover different flavour profiles, receive personalised consultations, and participate in curated tasting experiences that enhance both at-home and workplace coffee rituals.

The launch builds on the successful debut of Nespresso’s first boutique in India at Select City Walk in Saket, which opened in 2025. With the addition of the Gurugram location, Nestlé India continues to strengthen Nespresso’s retail presence and expand access to its premium coffee offerings.

Gurugram has emerged as a significant market for the brand due to the growing demand for high-quality coffee experiences among urban consumers. The city’s expanding base of coffee connoisseurs and professionals seeking premium in-home coffee solutions makes it an important destination for Nespresso’s next phase of growth in India.

The new boutique at Ambience Mall provides a dedicated space for customers to experience the brand’s craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability-focused approach to coffee. By offering hands-on engagement with its machines and blends, Nespresso aims to create a deeper connection between consumers and its coffee culture.

Commenting on the launch, Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, said, “Indian consumers have long appreciated premium coffee experiences, and that affinity continues to grow. When we launched our flagship store in Saket, we recognised the potential of this evolving relationship. With Nespresso’s presence in Gurugram now, we are one step closer to extending that experience further, whether it is through an everyday household ritual or part of a larger cultural narrative.”

M/s Thakral Innovations Pvt. Ltd serves as the official distribution partner for Nespresso and Nestlé India in the country, managing the full range of Nespresso coffee products across various channels.

With this expansion, Nestlé India continues to bring Nespresso’s globally recognised coffee culture to Indian consumers while strengthening the brand’s retail footprint in key metropolitan markets.


Roots Café Has Become Anahata Café and the Transformation Goes Much Deeper Than a Name Change

Roots Café Has Become Anahata Café and the Transformation Goes Much Deeper Than a Name Change

By Hariharan U

Published on March 16, 2026

Some rebrands are just a fresh coat of paint. The transformation of Roots Café into Anahata Café is something else entirely.

The New Delhi dining space that built a loyal community around honest, farm-to-table food has officially stepped into a new chapter, with a new name, a new location, and a genuinely evolved sense of purpose. Anahata, the Sanskrit name for the heart chakra, carries with it the qualities of love, compassion, balance, and emotional well-being. Choosing it as the café's new identity says a lot about the direction Chef and Founder Meenakshi Kumarr is taking things.

Meenakshi was candid about what this shift means. "Roots Café was where we learned to nourish people. Anahata Café is where we learned to hold space for them. This transition is not just a rebrand; it is a reflection of inner growth, deeper intention, and our commitment to creating food and spaces that truly come from the heart. Anahata is not a goodbye to Roots; it is Roots growing deeper and blooming wider. The warmth, honesty, and care you experienced with us will only become stronger."

The menu at Anahata Café moves in a more wellness-forward direction, leaning towards sattvic principles and cleaner ingredients while bringing in seasonal farm-linked specials and chakra-inspired offerings. Functional beverages, fresh juices, and herbal infusions have been expanded, and there's a greater emphasis on storytelling around each dish, making the dining experience feel more intentional from start to finish.

The new location in Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar IV has been designed to match this evolved vision. Biophilic elements, natural materials, and a calmer sensory environment encourage guests to slow down rather than rush through a meal. The space feels like it was built with presence in mind.

For the community that loved Roots Café, this is an invitation to walk through a familiar door and find something that has grown quietly but meaningfully. The warmth is the same. The intention is deeper.

Find Anahata Café at: E 140, Ground Floor, Block E, Amar Colony, Opposite Tagore International School, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi 110024.

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