Crazy Pizza to Enter India in Partnership with CK Israni Group

Crazy Pizza to Enter India in Partnership with CK Israni Group

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 10, 2024

The CK Israni Group is set to bring the globally renowned Italian brand, Crazy Pizza, to India. This partnership marks a significant step in introducing an unparalleled Italian dining experience to Indian food enthusiasts. Co-Founder and Managing Director Chandni Nath Israni has secured an exclusive agreement to launch the first Crazy Pizza outlet in 2024.

Crazy Pizza, founded in 1998 by Formula 1 icon Flavio Briatore in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, has captivated taste buds worldwide with its blend of traditional Italian flavors and contemporary culinary flair. With successful locations in Monaco, Italy, the UK, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, the brand is now poised to make its mark in India.

Chandni Nath Israni expressed her excitement about the venture: “We are thrilled to bring Crazy Pizza to India, offering a unique blend of traditional Italian flavors and contemporary culinary artistry to our vibrant food scene. This partnership represents our commitment to introducing exceptional global dining experiences to Indian food enthusiasts. We look forward to delighting our customers with Crazy Pizza’s exquisite offerings and setting a new benchmark in the Indian dining experience.”

Crazy Pizza plans to expand across major Indian metro cities, aiming to spread the joy of authentic Italian flavors far and wide. Known for its modern twist on traditional Italian pizza, Crazy Pizza promises a vibrant dining atmosphere. The menu is crafted from the freshest ingredients, ensuring a high-quality culinary experience. Patrons can expect an energetic ambiance with vintage tunes and pizza-spinning chefs, adding excitement to their dining experience.

image

Flavio Briatore, the founder of Crazy Pizza, shared his enthusiasm for the Indian expansion: “I am delighted to announce that in the near future, we will open our first restaurant in India, in New Delhi, soon followed by a second one. Crazy Pizza is highly appreciated by our numerous and important Indian clients in all our venues, especially at our flagship in London. For this reason, this announcement has been long awaited. 2024 is definitely the year of Crazy Pizza. Following the inauguration in Bahrain and the announcement of our New York venue, along with many openings across Europe, we are ready to write a new chapter of success. And it doesn’t end here; very soon we will be ready with new surprises.”

Crazy Pizza’s entry into India follows its successful expansion in the Middle East and Europe and planned growth in the United States. The Italian luxury pizza chain is committed to redefining luxury dining and aims to open multiple locations worldwide by the end of the year.

For 2024, Crazy Pizza aims to surpass €45 million in revenue, supported by a solid growth and innovation strategy. With over €15 million in investments and creating more than 200 new jobs, Crazy Pizza is poised for remarkable growth and to celebrate Italian excellence on the global stage.

With plans for expansion across major cities, Crazy Pizza is poised to become a beloved name among Indian food aficionados.


Yuki Expands to Whitefield with Authentic Pan-Asian Dining and Cocktails

Yuki Expands to Whitefield with Authentic Pan-Asian Dining and Cocktails

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 29, 2025

Yuki Cocktail Bar & Kitchen has opened its latest outlet in Whitefield, marking another milestone in its expansion across Bangalore. The new restaurant brings Yuki’s signature Pan-Asian cuisine and artisanal cocktails to East Bangalore, offering residents and visitors an elevated dining experience. Spread across 4000 square feet, the venue features seating for 130 guests, designed to accommodate everything from cozy dinners to vibrant gatherings.

The Whitefield outlet continues Yuki’s tradition of curating authentic flavors from across Asia. The menu spans Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, and Thai cuisines, with highlights such as cream cheese dumplings, truffle edamame dumplings, and the much-loved fried sushi (Yasai Futomaki Age). Regional specialties including Larb Gai from North-Eastern Thailand, Burmese Chickpea Tofu, and Kampung Rice from Malaysia add to the diverse offerings, catering to vegetarian and vegan preferences as well.

image

Enhancing the dining experience is Yuki’s celebrated cocktail program, featuring unique creations like Geisha’s Garden, Pandan Teq-Tea, and Fig & Cheese Old Fashioned. Each drink reflects the brand’s focus on innovation and craftsmanship.

"We are excited to bring Yuki's unique dining experience to Whitefield," said Sai Shivani, Co-founder of Yuki. "This expansion allows us to reach more food enthusiasts who appreciate authentic Pan-Asian flavors. Yuki is not just a restaurant; it's an invitation to embark on a gastronomic adventure where tradition meets modernity."

The restaurant also stands out for its thoughtfully designed interiors. Guests are welcomed through a tranquil courtyard centered around a bonsai tree, with cherry blossom-inspired pink tones creating a serene ambiance. Inside, a brass and fabric chandelier, along with a natural stone bar facade, blends Japanese aesthetics with contemporary design.

image

"The Whitefield outlet represents our continued commitment to creating memorable spaces," added Priyesh Busetty, Co-founder of Yuki. "We've designed an environment where guests can enjoy exceptional food in a setting that celebrates both Japanese aesthetics and modern sophistication."

With this opening, Yuki reinforces its position as one of Bangalore’s premier Pan-Asian dining destinations. Known for signature dishes like fried sushi, cream cheese dumplings, and Japanese cheesecake, the brand continues to set new benchmarks in the city’s culinary landscape.

The Whitefield outlet is now open, inviting food lovers to experience Yuki’s unique blend of authentic flavors and contemporary dining.


Gaylord unveils new menu blending classic favourites with modern twists

Gaylord unveils new menu blending classic favourites with modern twists

By Hariharan U

Published on August 29, 2025

For almost seven decades, Gaylord has been a landmark in Mumbai’s culinary scene- cherished by celebrities and locals alike. Today, the iconic restaurant steps into a new chapter with a menu that honours its classic roots while embracing modern flavours.

Now led by third-generation custodians Dhruv and Divij Lamba, Gaylord’s refreshed menu brings back legendary favourites like Lobster Thermidor, Chicken A La Kiev, Chicken Steak Virginia, Murgh Makhani, Kwality Chana, and Pomfret Meuniere. Alongside these timeless dishes are bold new additions designed for today’s adventurous palate.

The appetisers showcase creativity, with Tomato Chilli Arancini Balls blending Italian and Indian flavours, and Mutton Chapli Kebab offering a crisp Peshawari-style indulgence. For quick bites, the chaat counter serves up innovations like Tandoori Shakarkandi, a smoky take on Mumbai’s beloved sweet potato snack. Dips and soups also get a playful twist with pairings like Dal with Blue Cheese Naan and Spanish-style Patata Bravas with Queso.

Vegetarian dishes shine with options like Bharwan Gucchi and Katal Burrah, while seafood takes centre stage with Grilled King Prawns, Manglorean Prawn Curry, and Amritsari Fish Fry. Pasta and risotto selections—featuring Red Pepper Chilli Risotto, Pesto Arugula Risotto, and Sweet Potato Gnocchi—add an international touch, perfectly paired with hearty Indian breads such as Masala Kulcha, Mutton Kheema Kulcha, and Churchur Paratha.

Desserts have been reimagined to tempt every sweet tooth. Guests can enjoy Mini Carrot Cake Pastries, Coffee Walnut Cigars, Cinnamon Mascarpone, and rich Swiss Chocolate Truffle Pastries. The tart selection offers indulgences like Mini Blueberry, Hazelnut, and Chocolate Tarts, while cakes range from Belgian Chocolate Truffle to German Chocolate and Chocolate Nogat Cake.

As third-generation custodians, we've grown up surrounded by Gaylord's nearly 70-year legacy”, said Dhruv and Divij Lamba, owners of Gaylord. “Our mission is to carry that spirit forward, and the new menu is a reflection of that. We've brought back the bold, nostalgic flavours of our childhood favourites while introducing global fusion creations designed to excite today’s Mumbai diners”.

Complementing the revamped menu is Gaylord’s refreshed interior, which blends the charm of vintage Bombay with a vibrant new look. Together, they invite Mumbaikars to relive the city’s glittering past while savouring flavours that are distinctly modern.

About Gaylord:

 Established in 1956 by Ghai & Lamba, Gaylord has been one of Mumbai’s most iconic dining destinations. Located in the art-deco precinct of Churchgate and Fort, it is famed for its Al Fresco Coffee shop and its mix of Indian and Continental cuisine. A cultural hotspot for music, art, and film lovers, Gaylord continues to celebrate Mumbai’s legacy while reinventing itself for a new generation under the stewardship of Dhruv and Divij Lamba.


Harajuku Tokyo Cafe secures $2 million to fuel pan-India expansion

Harajuku Tokyo Cafe secures $2 million to fuel pan-India expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on August 28, 2025

Harajuku Tokyo Cafe has raised $2 million (₹19 crores) in its first institutional funding round, setting the stage for a bigger national expansion. The round was led by Indian Angel Network (IAN), with participation from Samved VC, LetsVenture, and venture debt fund Capitar Ventures.

The brand is attracting strong investor interest, with additional funding expected to follow. This milestone comes soon after its grand Mumbai entry at Jio World Drive, BKC, where both Harajuku Tokyo Cafe and Harajuku Bakehouse drew an overwhelming response from customers.

Founded in 2021 by Gaurav Kanwar, Harajuku Tokyo Cafe has carved a niche by bringing authentic Japanese cuisine to India in a casual dining and quick-service format. In just a few years, the brand has scaled to 7 outlets across Delhi NCR and Mumbai, crossing ₹30 crores in annual recurring revenue.

Looking ahead, the company aims to grow aggressively with a target of 90 outlets across 20 cities by 2027 and revenue projections of over ₹200 crores. To kickstart this expansion, Letters of Intent have already been signed for 15 upcoming locations in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh.

“This funding milestone strengthens our vision of democratising Japanese cuisine in India. What began as a passion project to make Japanese food accessible has evolved into a scalable business model that resonates with India's evolving palate. With our Mumbai launch exceeding all expectations and this funding secured, we're positioned to become India's leading Japanese dining destination”, said Gaurav Kanwar, founder and CEO of Harajuku Tokyo Cafe

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.