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.


Nepal's Jimbu Thakali Makes India Debut with First Restaurant in Gurugram

Nepal's Jimbu Thakali Makes India Debut with First Restaurant in Gurugram

By Hariharan U

Published on August 1, 2026

Nepal's popular restaurant brand Jimbu Thakali has made its India debut with the opening of its first outlet in Gurugram, introducing authentic Thakali cuisine from Nepal's Himalayan Mustang region to Indian diners.

Following the success of four outlets across Kathmandu, the restaurant has opened at M3M 65th Avenue, Sector 65, offering a dining experience centred around the culinary traditions of the Thakali community.

The highlight of the menu is the Thakali Thali, a traditional platter featuring lentils infused with the Himalayan herb Jimbu, fragrant rice, seasonal vegetables, crispy potatoes, fermented gundruk, tangy radish pickle, tomato chutney, and a choice of chicken or mutton. The dishes are prepared using traditional family recipes that celebrate the balance of flavours and ingredients characteristic of Thakali cuisine.

Beyond the signature thali, guests can explore a selection of Himalayan specialities, including Buckwheat Fries, Mutton Momos, Chicken Choila Wings, Sukuti Sandheko, Timur Chicken, and Baked Buckwheat Nachos, showcasing the bold and comforting flavours of Nepal.

The restaurant places a strong emphasis on authentic Himalayan ingredients, including Timur, Nepal's distinctive pepper known for its citrus aroma and tingling finish, and Jimbu, a rare high-altitude herb valued for both its flavour and traditional medicinal properties.

Inspired by the historic salt trade routes connecting Nepal, Tibet, and India, Thakali cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange while preserving its Himalayan roots. This heritage is also reflected in the restaurant's interiors, which feature handcrafted Newari-style wooden windows inspired by the traditional homes of Mustang.

Alongside its signature Nepalese offerings, Jimbu Thakali also serves a curated selection of continental dishes, catering to a wider range of dining preferences.

Spread across 2,500 square feet with an 80-cover dining space, the restaurant aims to offer guests an immersive Himalayan dining experience complemented by warm Nepalese hospitality.

Restaurant Details

  • Venue: Jimbu Thakali, M3M 65th Avenue, Sector 65, Gurugram
  • Price for Two: ₹1,500 + GST

Celebrate Friendship Day with Craft Beer and Bold Flavours at Tropika Brewing Co.

Celebrate Friendship Day with Craft Beer and Bold Flavours at Tropika Brewing Co.

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 1, 2026

Friendship Day is the perfect occasion to catch up with your favourite people over great food and freshly brewed craft beer, and Tropika Brewing Co. is making the celebration even more memorable with its newly launched Tropikal Treats menu.

Located in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, the brewery offers a lively setting where friends can come together for long conversations, shared plates and refreshing brews.

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The limited-edition menu features a variety of dishes that cater to every palate. Guests can begin with appetisers such as Peri Peri Corn Cob Ribs and Shawarma in Pita Pockets, before moving on to hearty specialities including Andhra Naatu Kodi Vepudu, Smoked Tandoori Chicken, Telangana Lamb Chops, and Ghee Roast Pomfret.

Seafood enthusiasts can also enjoy dishes like Hot & Spicy Prawns, Crab Cakes & Crackers, and the Kerala-inspired Meen Pollichathu Fillet, all paired with Tropika's freshly brewed craft beers.

Designed to bring people together over flavourful food and refreshing drinks, the Tropikal Treats menu offers the perfect setting for reunions, weekend catch-ups or spontaneous Friendship Day celebrations.

This Friendship Day, gather your gang, enjoy seasonal flavours and raise a toast to friendships that deserve to be celebrated.

  • Venue: Tropika Brewing Co., Marathahalli, Bengaluru.


Celebrate Friendship Day with Craft Beer and Great Company at Bengaluru's Favourite Breweries

Celebrate Friendship Day with Craft Beer and Great Company at Bengaluru's Favourite Breweries

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 1, 2026

Friendship Day is the perfect excuse to gather your favourite people, enjoy great food and raise a toast to friendships that have stood the test of time. This year, two of Bengaluru's popular breweries are offering experiences that promise good conversations, handcrafted beers and memorable moments.

Gladia Brewery & Kitchen

Who says dates are only meant for couples? This Friendship Day, Gladia Brewery & Kitchen invites guests to celebrate their closest friendships in a setting inspired by grand Roman architecture.

Located in Sarjapur, Bengaluru, the brewery features elegant stone interiors, warm lighting and spacious seating, creating an inviting atmosphere for everything from casual catch-ups to long conversations over craft beer.

Guests can enjoy Gladia's handcrafted brews alongside an indulgent food menu while celebrating with childhood friends, college companions, work buddies or anyone who has been part of their journey. Whether it's sharing stories or creating new memories, Gladia offers the perfect backdrop for a Friendship Day outing.

  • Location: Gladia, Sarjapur, Bengaluru
  • Timings: 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM

Brooks and Bonds

For beer lovers, Brooks and Bonds is marking Friendship Day with its seasonal Mango Beer, a refreshing craft brew featuring tropical mango flavours and a crisp finish.

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The limited-edition beer pairs perfectly with the brewery's menu of bar bites, hearty mains and comfort food, making it an ideal destination for group gatherings. Whether you're planning a relaxed afternoon or an evening celebration, Brooks and Bonds combines fresh seasonal brews with a lively ambience that's perfect for spending time with friends.

  • Timings: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Whether you prefer a beautifully designed brewery, seasonal craft beer or simply spending quality time with your favourite people, Gladia Brewery & Kitchen and Brooks and Bonds offer two memorable ways to celebrate Friendship Day in Bengaluru.

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