Ciclo Café Arrives in Pondicherry, Blending Food, Heritage, and Culture

Ciclo Café Arrives in Pondicherry, Blending Food, Heritage, and Culture

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 15, 2025

Pondicherry’s iconic White Town has welcomed a new gem - Ciclo Café, a vibrant space that seamlessly blends food, heritage, and active living. This marks the brand’s expansion to its fifth outlet, bringing its signature experience to the heart of this culturally rich city.

Housed in ‘The House of Upasana,’ a historic French colonial residence famously featured as Pi’s childhood home in the movie Life of Pi, the café exudes old-world charm with a contemporary twist. Spread across 7,000 square feet, the new outlet offers a spacious yet cozy setting with 80 covers, perfect for everything from casual coffee meet-ups to elegant fine dining. With its stunning ambience and commitment to mindful living, it is poised to become a must-visit destination for both residents and travelers.

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Ciclo Café has already carved a niche in the culinary world with its delectable food offerings and its unique concept of merging active living with delicious, wholesome meals. The Pondicherry outlet takes this experience a step further by introducing the brand’s first-ever bed-and-breakfast within a restored 100-year-old heritage home. This fusion of an elegant dining space and a boutique stay reflects the city’s European influence while promoting a lifestyle centered on food, culture, and wellness.

Beyond just a place to dine, Ciclo Café aims to create an inclusive space that caters to every mood—whether it’s a quiet coffee break, a lively group gathering, or a fine-dining affair. The café’s 80-seater space is designed to embrace the essence of White Town, with its blend of colonial architecture, modern aesthetics, and a charming outdoor view that invites relaxation.

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“Since our first outlet in Chennai, Ciclo Café has always been about uniting an active lifestyle with great food. With our new Pondicherry venture, we’re taking this passion a step further by creating a space where people can enjoy not just exceptional cuisine, but also a thoughtfully designed bed-and-breakfast experience in a historic 100-year-old French colonial home,” shared the team behind Ciclo Café.

With its latest addition in Pondicherry, Ciclo Café continues to grow, catering to food lovers, cyclists, and travelers alike. Whether one seeks a cozy corner for a solo retreat, an intimate setting for coffee, or a communal space for friends and family, this café aims to offer the perfect blend of comfort, culture, and culinary excellence.


Soy Soi Brings ‘Embers of Grills’ to Chennai with Asian Charcoal-Grilled Specialties

Soy Soi Brings ‘Embers of Grills’ to Chennai with Asian Charcoal-Grilled Specialties

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 20, 2026

Soy Soi, one of Chennai's leading destinations for Pan Asian cuisine, is celebrating the rich traditions of Asian charcoal grilling with its limited-time food promotion, 'Embers of Grills', available at its Kotturpuram outlet until July 19, 2026.

Inspired by the bustling satay stalls of Kuala Lumpur, Japan's robata grills, and the charcoal street food culture of Bangkok, Hanoi and Chengdu, the promotion brings together authentic open-fire cooking techniques from across Southeast and East Asia.

The specially curated menu highlights Soy Soi's signature grilled dishes alongside regional favourites, offering guests an opportunity to experience the bold, smoky flavours that have become synonymous with Asian charcoal grilling.

Among the featured dishes are Moo Ping with Spicy Peanut Sauce, featuring Thai-style marinated pork skewers; Ga Nuong – Grilled Chicken Leg, prepared with fragrant lemongrass and charcoal-grilled to perfection; Spiced Tofu Kin, made with Burmese spices and chilli paste; and Xinjiang Lamb Skewers, seasoned with cumin and served alongside a numbing Sichuan chilli sauce.

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant street food culture of Asia, Embers of Grills recreates the experience of live charcoal cooking in a restaurant setting through bold marinades, authentic flavours and a menu designed to cater to a variety of preferences.

With this special promotion, Soy Soi invites guests to savour the distinctive taste of charcoal-grilled cuisine and explore the diverse grilling traditions that continue to define some of Asia's most loved culinary destinations.

Event Details:

  • Venue: Soy Soi, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chitra Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai – 600085

  • Dates: Till July 19, 2026

  • Timings: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM


Maize & Malt Introduces Rose Jalebi Tres Leches in Bengaluru

Maize & Malt Introduces Rose Jalebi Tres Leches in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 20, 2026

Riding the wave of one of the internet's most popular dessert trends, Maize & Malt has introduced its latest creation, Rose Jalebi Tres Leches, offering a fresh take on the classic milk-soaked cake with flavours inspired by Indian sweets.

Tres Leches has become a favourite among dessert lovers worldwide, with creative variations appearing across cafés and restaurants. Adding its own signature touch, Maize & Malt has combined the richness of the classic dessert with the familiar flavours of crispy jalebi and fragrant rose.

The dessert features a soft and airy sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk, topped with crunchy jalebi and finished with delicate rose notes. The combination brings together traditional Indian flavours and the creamy texture of Tres Leches, creating a dessert that is both nostalgic and contemporary.

Designed for those who enjoy discovering new food trends as well as lovers of Indian-inspired desserts, the Rose Jalebi Tres Leches adds a distinctive option to Bengaluru's growing dessert scene.

The dessert is now available at Maize & Malt, located at 3, 4th Cross Road, near Whitefield, Vigneshwar Nagar, Kaveri Nagar, Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560048.


Haldiram’s Opens New Outlet in Prayagraj, Expands Uttar Pradesh Presence

Haldiram’s Opens New Outlet in Prayagraj, Expands Uttar Pradesh Presence

By Hariharan U

Published on July 19, 2026

Haldiram’s, one of India’s most recognised brands in sweets, snacks, and dining, has strengthened its presence in Uttar Pradesh with the opening of its latest outlet in Prayagraj.

Located at WP Arena, Hot Stuff Chauraha, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, the new restaurant was inaugurated by Er. Harshvardhan Bajpayee, MLA, Prayagraj North, in the presence of customers, local dignitaries, and community members.

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The launch marks another step in Haldiram’s expansion strategy of entering emerging markets beyond major metropolitan cities while bringing its legacy of traditional Indian flavours closer to consumers across the country. The opening is also aligned with the brand’s “Acche Din Aa Rahe Hai!” campaign, highlighting its continued growth journey.

Known as one of India’s most culturally significant cities, Prayagraj holds a special place in the country’s spiritual and intellectual heritage. Home to the iconic Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet, the city attracts millions of visitors during the Kumbh Mela and continues to be a major destination for travellers, pilgrims, and scholars.

Beyond its cultural importance, Prayagraj has emerged as an important educational, administrative, and commercial hub in Uttar Pradesh. With increasing infrastructure development and rising tourism, the city has witnessed growing demand for quality dining experiences.

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Recognising this evolving consumer landscape, Haldiram’s has introduced its new outlet to offer residents and visitors a trusted destination for traditional Indian cuisine combined with modern dining comfort.

Designed to cater to families, groups, and travellers, the outlet offers Haldiram’s extensive portfolio of Indian sweets, namkeens, regional favourites, chaats, complete meals, and contemporary beverages.

The expansion into Prayagraj reflects Haldiram’s broader vision of reaching new markets while preserving the traditions, flavours, and hospitality that have shaped the brand over decades.

With its growing footprint across India, Haldiram’s continues to focus on delivering authentic Indian culinary experiences while adapting to the changing preferences of today’s consumers.

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