Bite-Sized India: Discover the Nation’s Flavors at Monkey Bar

Bite-Sized India: Discover the Nation’s Flavors at Monkey Bar

By Author

Published on October 17, 2023

Monkey Bar, ever a connoisseur of unconventional culinary delights, unveils its latest masterpiece, “Tales of India.” A menu that doesn’t just satisfy your taste buds but takes them on an evocative journey through the diverse flavors of India. With the innovative magic of Group Head Mixologist, Harish Chhimwal, and the culinary artistry of Corporate Chef, Irfan Pabaney, and Chef Sumit Choudhary, the “Tales of India” is not a meal but an experience, a story, a celebration of the subcontinent’s culinary treasure.

Cocktails with a Twist of Tradition

Each cocktail is a creative explosion of traditional and contemporary, where Indian classics meet innovative mixology. Imagine sipping on a ‘Pom Pom Cola’ with the rich, beloved flavor of Old Monk rum, tickled with pomegranate cordial and a zest of lime, or the ‘Rum Cha,’ a nostalgic nod to the iconic cutting chai, swirled with the warmth of homemade masala tea cordial and the bold embrace of rum.

A Symphony of Flavours

Each drink is a narrative, each sip, a paragraph of a tale that unwinds the rich tapestry of Indian flavors. The menu, a brainchild of exceptional innovation, brings together Parsi cola and masala tea, murabba and panipuri, in a dance of flavors so harmonious, it's poetic. Every ingredient, sourced from the varied terrains of India, adds a stroke of authenticity, painting a canvas that’s as Indian as the warm, golden embrace of the afternoon sun.

A Culinary Canvas

The culinary offerings, a meticulous orchestration by Chefs Pabaney and Choudhary, are not just meals but palettes where Indian ingredients waltz in flawless synchrony. From the tangy revelation of the Baked Mirchi Salan to the homey embrace of the Mix Veggie Cutlet and the fiery melody of the Shroom Tikka, every dish is a sonnet, a lyrical expression of the regional flavors of India.

Dine in the Lap of Luxury

Yet, the elegance isn’t confined to the plate. The experience is heightened by the aesthetic allure of the cocktails served in earthen pots, crafted meticulously by local artisans. Every sip, a harmonious blend of taste and visual delight. Every bite, a tribute to the traditional and contemporary, the local and the global, the classic and the innovative.

A Journey Across Regions

Each dish, from the Kerala Roast Chicken's tender embrace to the fiery revelation of the Shroom Tikka, is a journey. The menu takes you through the valleys of Uttar Pradesh with the Chicken Nihari Kulcha, to the spicy terrains of Tamil Nadu with the Chettinad Mutton Seekh. Desserts like Gur Kulcha don’t just satisfy your sweet tooth but transport you to the nutty, sweet landscapes of North India.

The Monkey Bar Experience

With outlets in New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Mumbai, each visit to Monkey Bar is not just a dining experience but a sensory journey. A narrative of flavors, aromas, textures, and visuals that pays tribute to the rich, diverse, and vibrant culinary landscape of India. In the world of Monkey Bar, dining is not just a necessity but an art, a story, a celebration - a tale as diverse, rich, and enchanting as India itself.

Connect with Monkey Bar

A delight awaits the gourmet soul at every corner of India. Each outlet is a unique chapter of the “Tales of India.” For inquiries and reservations, connect with Monkey Bar on their social media handles @monkeybarind or contact the outlets directly in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Indulge in the narrative, be a part of the story, experience the “Tales of India” - where every bite is a paragraph, every sip a line, of a tale that unfolds the mystical, diverse, and enchanting flavors of India.


The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

Ahmedabad’s homegrown vegetarian restaurant chain, The House of Makeba, is preparing for a significant leap beyond Gujarat. Founded in 2018, this bootstrapped startup—known for its north Indian and global cuisines—has already crossed Rs 125 crore in cumulative revenue, scaling from Rs 1.2 crore in FY 2018-19 to an estimated Rs 24 crore in FY 2024-25, all without external funding.

“With every outlet and milestone built organically through belief, discipline, and reinvestment, we’ve focused on profitability over chasing valuations. We’re proud to have scaled sustainably in a fiercely competitive market,” said Ram Singhal, co-founder, The House of Makeba.

Today, the brand operates seven outlets across Gujarat, serving over 12 lakh diners, with nearly one in three being repeat customers. Its distinctive rooftop dining concept and regional-first strategy have helped it carve a niche in India’s crowded vegetarian F&B space.

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The House of Makeba follows a hybrid model, blending company-owned flagship locations with carefully chosen franchise partnerships in cities like Gandhinagar, Vadodara, and Anand. This scalable approach is now set to drive its national rollout, with plans to enter five new states by 2026, targeting markets such as Indore, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Pune.

To power this growth, the company plans to invest Rs 45 crore by 2028, potentially scaling to Rs 60 crore by 2030. It aims to have 20 outlets operational by 2028 and 25 by 2030, emerging as a premium, homegrown alternative to legacy vegetarian dining giants.


L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

L’Opera has unveiled its latest culinary gem—Le Cafe at The Chanakya, New Delhi—marking a refined new chapter in the brand’s journey. Nestled within Le Gourmet, Le Cafe is a thoughtfully crafted space that blends the everyday charm of Parisian cafes with the luxury shopping destination’s elegance, inviting guests to pause, savour, and enjoy an elevated French dining experience.

Rooted in L’Opera’s hallmark dedication to authenticity and craft, Le Cafe adds a fresh layer of warmth and versatility to the brand’s expanding portfolio. It captures the quiet joys of French living—from the scent of freshly baked baguettes to the delicate flakiness of croissants—transforming each visit into a sensory retreat.

Speaking on the launch, Laurent Samandari, Founder & Managing Director of L’Opera, shared, “With Le Cafe, we wanted to create a space where every detail from the aroma of fresh bread to the last spoon of risotto reminds you of the quiet pleasures of French living. It’s our way of bringing a little Paris to your daily life.”

The new cafe is anchored by four elegantly designed counters, each offering a distinct experience:

  • The Pastry & Bread Counter, showcasing signature L’Opera delicacies.

  • A Live Kitchen for freshly prepared classics.

  • A Salad & Sandwich Bar blending fresh flavours.

  • An Artisanal Pasta Counter celebrating European culinary traditions.

The menu itself is a sophisticated balance of comfort and creativity, carefully curated to suit every mood and moment. True to L’Opera’s ethos, there’s an emphasis on premium ingredients, mindful preparation, and catering to diverse dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and protein-rich options—often featuring fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce.

Whether shoppers stop by for a quick pastry or linger over a leisurely meal, Le Cafe seamlessly adapts, offering both refined takeaways and leisurely sit-down experiences. With this launch, L’Opera continues to infuse Delhi’s culinary landscape with authentic French finesse, turning everyday moments into delightful rituals.


FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

India’s dessert scene just got a major upgrade as FES Cafe, the country’s first scalable 100% eggless, dessert-first cafe chain, raised Rs 3 crores in a seed round led by serial entrepreneur Aakash Anand and his venture studio, Wolfpack Labs. Known for backing breakout consumer brands, Wolfpack’s involvement brings not just capital but deep strategic support across innovation, franchising, operations, and brand-building.

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With this backing, FES is gearing up for its next phase of aggressive expansion, beginning with its Delhi debut this July, followed by a second outlet in Gurgaon and a Jaipur launch by year-end. The brand plans to scale to over 100 outlets across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities by FY 2027 through a hybrid COCO and FICO model, along with delivery-first hubs and packaged dessert formats to broaden its footprint. Since its inception, FES has carved a niche with its gooey cookies, whipped puddings, alt-ingredient cakes, and seasonal desserts served in vibrant, Gen Z- and Millennial-friendly third spaces. 

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Signature experiences like Coffee Raves and limited-edition menus keep their ever-growing community hooked. In just four months, FES achieved EBITDA-positive status at the company level, saw a 347% spike in delivery revenue, and recorded over 10,000 monthly orders as of June 2025.

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“FES was born out of one belief: desserts deserve better,” says Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO of FES Cafe.

“With Wolfpack’s backing, we’re building not just a cafe chain, but a national movement powered by community and creativity.” Aakash Anand added, “FES has all the right ingredients—buzz, brand love, business smarts, and a founder with the hustle to go big.”

With a vision that blends indulgence and inclusivity, FES is well on its way to becoming India’s Central Perk of desserts—personal, powerful, and primed for scale.

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