Central Park Unveils Sakura Town: An Exclusive Japanese Club in Gurugram

Central Park Unveils Sakura Town: An Exclusive Japanese Club in Gurugram

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 5, 2024

Central Park, a prominent real estate developer in Gurugram and part of The Bakshi Group of Enterprises, has introduced Sakura Town, a new and exclusive Japanese club designed to elevate luxury living in the region. Managed by Central Park’s hospitality division, St. Jerome, Sakura Town is located in Sector-48, Sohna Road, within the upscale, fully-serviced living space known as The Room at Central Park Resorts.

Sakura Town is crafted to provide a unique "home-away-from-home" experience for the Japanese expatriate community in Delhi NCR. The club’s design and amenities are inspired by the serene elegance of Japanese culture, seamlessly blending it with seven-star hospitality. The aim is to offer a distinctive residential experience that caters to the specific needs of its Japanese members.

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Amarjit Bakshi, Chairman and Managing Director of Central Park, highlighted the company’s vision behind the launch: “At Central Park, we have always aspired to create an unmatched living experience that goes beyond mere residency, embodying a true sense of community and luxury. The launch of Sakura Town reflects our dedication to exceeding expectations. By integrating authentic Japanese cultural elements, we aim to offer our residents, especially our Japanese expatriates, an enriching environment that blends cultural diversity with world-class hospitality.”

Rajit Sardana, President of Hospitality at Central Park, added, “Sakura Town is more than just a club; it’s a thoughtfully designed space tailored to the preferences of the Japanese community. With amenities such as the Ofuro, the Ginza restaurant, the Ariake-do Spa, and a state-of-the-art golf simulator, we are bringing the essence of Japan to Central Park. Sakura Town exemplifies our commitment to providing an exceptional lifestyle to our discerning Japanese residents. We are excited to welcome members to this unique club, where every detail is crafted to offer an authentic and luxurious experience.”

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Sakura Town embodies the Japanese philosophy of Omotenashi, which emphasizes exceptional hospitality. The club features a variety of traditional amenities, including the Ofuro hot baths known for their relaxing and therapeutic benefits, Ginza—a restaurant serving exquisite Japanese cuisine curated by Japanese chefs, and the Ariake-do Spa, offering authentic Japanese spa treatments. The club also includes Bochi Bochi Salon, which provides hair and makeup services by professional stylists, as well as additional amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, Mahjong rooms, and a golf simulator. The Sakura Events Deck is another highlight, ideal for hosting memorable social gatherings.

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Central Park’s commitment to luxury extends beyond amenities, as the brand focuses on creating a lasting sense of belonging for its residents. Sakura Town aims to transform everyday living into an extraordinary experience, where thoughtful design meets unparalleled service, making it more than just a place to live—it’s a community that feels like home.


SAADI Opens Permanent Home at Former Sunda Site in Melbourne

SAADI Opens Permanent Home at Former Sunda Site in Melbourne

By Hariharan U

Published on September 16, 2025

Melbourne food lovers can now enjoy SAADI as a permanent dining destination at the former Sunda site. After twelve pop-ups and three years since relocating to Melbourne, the restaurant officially opened its doors on 4th September 2025.

SAADI’s menu draws inspiration from family recipes and seasonal ingredients. Starters include idli topped with Dutch spring carrots and crackers with pickled celeriac based on Saavni’s grandmother’s recipe. Mid-course dishes feature Kadhi Pakora, a yogurt-based sauce with vegetable fritters, and lamb kebab using Loddon Valley lamb brisket paired with bitter greens and fermented citrus dressing.

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For mains, the restaurant serves BBQ fish with Pulikachal (simmered tamarind sauce) and a spiced curry leaf condiment, alongside thoughtfully paired sides. Desserts showcase SAADI’s take on traditional barfi, combining almond barfi with apple curd and buttermilk sorbet. An exclusive bar snack menu, changing regularly, complements the dining experience.

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SAADI will serve dinner Wednesday to Saturday (5:30 pm – 10:00 pm) and lunch Friday and Saturday (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm). Wednesday and Thursday feature an set menu alongside an a la carte option. Friday and Saturday offer the set menu, while lunch is a set menu. The bar remains open for walk-ins throughout the week. 

About SAADI

SAADI was founded during the COVID lockdown as a way to cook and document cherished recipes. After relocating to Melbourne in 2022, the team hosted their first pop-up at Etta, gaining valuable insights and building brand awareness.

Now permanent, SAADI celebrates Indian heritage through traditional methods like fermentation, pickling, and open-fire cooking, combined with nearly 12 years of professional culinary expertise in Australia. The menu emphasizes seasonal produce, respecting the time and craft it takes to grow vegetables. Menus will evolve quarterly with the seasons.

Founders Saavni & Aditya emphasize work-life balance as a key principle, shaping a healthy and supportive team culture while bringing the rich flavours of their childhood to Melbourne diners.

For reservations and more details, visit: www.saadimelbourne.com


The Third Place Launches in Pune with Coffee, Pizza & Community Spirit

The Third Place Launches in Pune with Coffee, Pizza & Community Spirit

By Hariharan U

Published on September 15, 2025

Pune has welcomed a new hotspot with the launch of The Third Place, a space that goes beyond being just a wine bar or café. Positioned as Pune’s first dedicated wine bar, it introduces a community-focused approach to unwinding, where soulful food, craft wines, and coffee come together with fashion, décor, and art.

What sets The Third Place apart is its pioneering status as India’s first full-fledged concept store, a destination where everything from food and wine to design and lifestyle finds a home under one roof. The idea draws inspiration from the Western model of “community spaces,” now reimagined for Indian audiences.

The brainchild of Kunal Mhaske, Managing Director of Grandeur Hotels Pvt. Ltd. and founder of The Third Place, the venue is designed to be more than just another café or bar. With over 14 years of experience in hospitality, Mhaske envisions the property as a platform to bring people together, share experiences, and build meaningful connections.

Our aim with The Third Place is not just to serve great food and wine, but to create a space where people can meet, exchange ideas, and form a community,” Mhaske shared.

With pizza, coffee, wine, art, and lifestyle all in one, The Third Place is set to redefine how Pune experiences dining and leisure — offering both locals and visitors a refreshing new way to connect


OZEN LIFE MAADHOO Unveils Barefoot Bistro with Global Mud Crab Feast

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO Unveils Barefoot Bistro with Global Mud Crab Feast

By Hariharan U

Published on September 14, 2025

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has raised the bar for luxury dining in the Maldives with the launch of its new barefoot bistro at Hudhu Bay. The open-air concept blends fine dining with a relaxed, toes-in-the-sand setting, inviting guests on a global culinary journey inspired by Sri Lankan mud crab.

Anupam Banjeree, Vice President of Food & Beverage, explained, “Located in a prime beach setting, we wanted everything about HUDHU BAY to reflect sustainability, from the design to the dishes. The idea was to bring fine dining to the beach, where guests could enjoy exquisite meals barefoot, surrounded by nature.”image

The dining experience begins with tropical cocktails crafted by in-house mixologists and crab-inspired amuse-bouche, before guests are seated to explore an extensive mud crab menu. Dishes spotlight flavours from around the world, from À la Provençale Crab with its herb-infused French flair, to Hong Kong Butter Garlic Crab showcasing wok-hei Cantonese cooking.

Other highlights include the iconic Singaporean Chilli Crab, balancing sweet, spicy, and savoury notes, and the fiery Jaffna Spiced Crab, a tribute to Sri Lanka’s Tamil culinary traditions. Guests can also savour Sri Lankan Scampi, rooted in time-honoured coastal recipes.

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After dinner, the barefoot journey continues under the stars, with coffee and liqueurs served on the beach in a relaxed après-feast ritual.

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has placed sustainability at the heart of the concept. From sourcing traceable seafood to eco-friendly décor choices, every detail reflects a commitment to marine conservation and responsible gastronomy.

This philosophy aligns with THE OZEN COLLECTION’s broader approach to redefining luxury dining across its properties from underwater fine dining at M6m to Maldivian heritage cuisine at LONU and authentic Asian flavours at TRADITION PEKING.

Guests can enhance their experience with the resort’s signature INDULGENCE™ Plan, which includes unlimited access to premium beverages, curated wines, and crafted cocktails. With its innovative concept, international flavours, and focus on sustainability, the barefoot bistro at Hudhu Bay is set to become one of the Maldives’ most memorable dining experiences — adding yet another jewel to OZEN LIFE MAADHOO’s world-class culinary portfolio.

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