Raffles Hotel Le Royal has introduced ‘Mindy’s’, a pop-up speakeasy that brings the charm of 1920s-1940s New York to Phnom Penh. Known for its long-standing legacy, the 97-year-old luxury hotel is adding a fresh layer to its offerings with this immersive nightlife experience.

Set to run from May 7 to 31, Mindy’s will be open from Thursday to Sunday between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. The concept draws inspiration from the golden era of speakeasies, blending vintage style with a modern touch.

Hidden behind an unmarked door, the space recreates the quiet and exclusive feel of classic speakeasies. Guests are welcomed into an intimate setting with dim lighting, vintage décor, and subtle gaming elements. The experience is brought to life by engaging bartenders, while the sound of jazz and swing music adds to the overall mood. A dedicated cigar lounge further enhances the setting, offering a refined evening for visitors.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, General Manager Dagmar Lyons said, “We are thrilled to bring the vibrant energy and timeless glamour of old New York to Raffles Hotel Le Royal with Mindy’s. This immersive pop-up perfectly embodies Raffles’ spirit of storytelling and exceptional experiences, offering our guests and Phnom Penh’s discerning crowd a truly unique evening they won’t forget.”

The pop-up also features a specially curated cocktail menu that reflects the theme. Signature creations include Sky Masterson’s Lucky Flight made with bourbon, honey syrup, lemon and bitters, finished with a flaming orange peel, Miss Adelaide’s Lament with London Dry Gin, raspberry liqueur, lemon and cocktail foamer, and Nathan Detroit’s Hustle combining rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters and cherry candy. For non-alcoholic options, The Reformer offers a refreshing mix of ginger beer, lime and mint.

Open to both hotel guests and visitors, Mindy’s aims to offer a memorable evening that blends heritage, music and crafted drinks. With its limited run and unique concept, reservations are recommended for those looking to experience this exclusive pop-up.

Meliá Pattaya Hotel has introduced a new ‘Dim Sum Unlimited Brunch’ at its Yitong Chinese Restaurant & Sky, bringing a fresh dining experience for guests looking to enjoy a relaxed weekend meal.

Set on the 12th floor in the heart of Pattaya, the rooftop restaurant and bar hosts this brunch every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 3pm. The offering includes an all-you-can-enjoy spread of steamed and deep-fried dim sum, along with soups, rice and noodle dishes, and desserts.

The menu features a wide mix of classic dim sum favourites. Guests can enjoy steamed options like Ha Gaw, shrimp balls, rice rolls with shrimp, pork shumai, Xiao Long Bao, pork wontons with Mala spicy sauce, and a variety of buns including Cantonese pork, BBQ pork and Chinese mushroom. The deep-fried selection includes taro and roasted pork dumplings, shrimps wrapped in tofu sheet, pan-fried turnip cake, vegetable spring rolls and green chives dumplings.

Alongside dim sum, the brunch also offers comforting dishes such as double-boiled pork ribs soup, ‘Yitong’ fried rice with crab meat, and Tang Yuan glutinous rice balls served in caramelised ginger broth, adding a balanced mix to the overall experience.

Sharing the idea behind the concept, Peter Laird, Director of Food and Beverage at Meliá Pattaya Hotel, said,

“Translating to ‘touch of the heart’, dim sum represents a Cantonese tradition of sharing small, delicate dishes and tea, sometimes described as a ‘team sport’ where everyone shares. At Yitong, we’ve made it a team sport of serving a joyous, communal dining experience with an incredible selection of dishes accompanied by a front-row view of Pattaya’s shoreline.”

The dining experience is further enhanced by the restaurant’s design. Guests are welcomed by a striking ribbon-like ceiling installation inspired by calligraphy. The space blends gold and black accents with hints of crimson, symbolising prosperity, while large windows offer sweeping views of Pattaya’s beach and skyline.

The main dining area features soft lighting, earthy tones and natural textures inspired by the landscapes of Chonburi and Northern Thailand, creating a calm and refined setting. The rooftop sky bar adds to the charm with greenery and panoramic views, making it an ideal spot for a weekend outing.

The ‘Dim Sum Unlimited Brunch’ also comes with a special ‘Dine as five and pay for four’ offer, making it a great option for groups looking to enjoy a shared dining experience.

Andaaz Restaurant, New Jersey, has announced the appointment of Ashish Tiwari as its new General Manager. This move highlights the restaurant’s focus on strengthening leadership and enhancing overall operations.

Ashish brings with him rich experience in hospitality and food and beverage management, having worked with several well-known global hotel brands. His expertise spans guest service, banquet operations, and driving business growth through strong operational strategies.

Before joining Andaaz Restaurant, he was associated with Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi, where he served as Director of Food & Beverage. In this role, he played an important part in maintaining service standards, improving operational systems, and managing cost efficiency. His attention to inventory control and quality helped improve the property’s overall performance.

Over the years, Ashish has worked with leading hospitality names such as DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram, Sheraton Hyderabad, Marriott Hotel Jaipur, Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre, and Rambagh Palace Jaipur under the Taj Group. Across these roles, he has handled large banquet setups, outdoor catering events, and high-profile conferences, consistently delivering smooth and memorable experiences for guests.

During his time at DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram, he contributed to revenue growth by achieving food and beverage targets and supporting marketing efforts. He also worked closely with clients and culinary teams to design customised event experiences.

In earlier roles at Sheraton Hyderabad and Marriott Hotel Jaipur, Ashish managed large-scale banquet operations, handling events with capacities of up to 1,000 guests. His experience at Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre further strengthened his skills in event management, client coordination, and operational execution.

He started his journey in hospitality with Rambagh Palace Jaipur, part of the Taj Group, where he built a strong foundation in service excellence and luxury standards.

Ashish is also known for his focus on team development. He has led structured training programs aligned with SOPs, helping teams perform better while ensuring high levels of guest satisfaction.

In his new role at Andaaz Restaurant, he will focus on improving guest experiences, strengthening operational systems, and introducing fresh dining ideas. His approach to teamwork and service is expected to support the restaurant’s growth in the competitive New Jersey market.

Speaking on his appointment, Ashish Tiwari said, “I am excited to join Andaaz Restaurant and look forward to creating memorable dining experiences for our guests. My focus will be on strengthening service excellence, building a motivated team, and introducing innovative concepts that resonate with evolving customer preferences.”

With this appointment, Andaaz Restaurant continues its commitment to delivering quality hospitality and a strong dining experience for its guests.