Delhi High Court Fines Restaurant Associations INR 2 Lakh Over Service Charge Disclosure

Delhi High Court Fines Restaurant Associations INR 2 Lakh Over Service Charge Disclosure

By Author

Published on July 29, 2023

Delhi High Court has imposed a fine of INR 2 lakh on two restaurant associations for their failure to disclose the complete list of members who levy service charges as a mandatory condition and those who do it voluntarily. One of the associations, FHRAI, has already deposited INR 1 lakh with the Department of consumer affairs. The court had directed the associations, FHRAI and NRAI, to disclose the relevant information in support of the petitions challenging the guidelines prohibiting the automatic levying of service charges on food bills.

In April, the court ordered the associations to disclose the member list and state the percentage of members imposing service charges mandatorily or voluntarily. The court also inquired if they had any objection to replacing the term 'service charge' with alternatives like 'staff welfare fund' to avoid consumer confusion. However, the associations failed to comply with the directions properly, and the court granted them a last chance to file the affidavits correctly.

Union consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh confirmed that the fine was paid by the association, and the money was deposited into the Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF). The court's guidelines on service charges came in July 2022, and since then, the National Consumer Helpline received over 4,000 complaints, including instances of forcing customers to pay service charges despite dissatisfaction with the service and using various disguised names for service charge collection.


SOCIAL Oktobeerfest 2025: Bigger Buckets, Bolder Bites, and Brew Bingo Fun!

SOCIAL Oktobeerfest 2025: Bigger Buckets, Bolder Bites, and Brew Bingo Fun!

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 1, 2025

SOCIAL, India’s favorite neighborhood café-bar, is back with its much-awaited Oktobeerfest 2025, running from 6th to 19th October. This year’s edition promises bigger buckets, bolder bites, and playful new experiences designed to bring people together over food, beer, and festive cheer.

Buckets, Platters & Pairings

Beer takes the spotlight with bucket deals offering up to 20% savings on 3, 6, and 9 pints, perfect for sharing with friends. Making a comeback is SOCIAL’s popular Sausage Platter, the perfect companion to chilled brews. Guests can also indulge in exclusive bucket-and-platter pairings crafted to spark camaraderie and turn group hangouts into memorable beer-filled feasts.

SOCIAL’s Brew Bingo

Adding a quirky SOCIAL twist, each table will feature Brew Bingo, a beer-inspired challenge card with fun prompts like “chugged a pint in one go,” “spilled beer on yourself and kept drinking,” or “paired beer with dessert.” Guests can tick off their challenges as they go, creating laughter-filled moments to remember.

Festive Vibes All Around

All SOCIAL outlets nationwide will transform with buntings, quirky décor, and festive energy. True to SOCIAL’s spirit of being a second home for communities, the festival combines good beer, hearty food, and togetherness.

Divya Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, shared, “Oktobeerfest at SOCIAL has become a custom our communities look forward to every year. It’s our way of raising a toast to togetherness with buckets to share, a hearty platter to dig into, and playful experiences that bring people closer. Every year, we add a new SOCIAL twist to the global Oktobeerfest tradition, making it uniquely ours and something our guests can truly call their own.”

With bigger buckets, flavorful pairings, and engaging activities, Oktobeerfest 2025 is set to turn October into a month-long celebration of flavor, fun, and friendship, reaffirming SOCIAL’s place as the go-to neighborhood destination for unforgettable gatherings.


Santé Spa Cuisine Opens Third Pune Outlet at Law College Road

Santé Spa Cuisine Opens Third Pune Outlet at Law College Road

By Hariharan U

Published on October 1, 2025

Santé Spa Cuisine, the award-winning health and wellness dining brand, has strengthened its presence in Pune with the opening of its third outlet at Law College Road. Known for its commitment to fresh, preservative-free, and plant-based cooking, the brand continues to champion mindful dining with dishes that balance taste, nutrition, and sustainability.

The new outlet, set in the backyard of a century-old home surrounded by greenery, features both indoor and outdoor seating for up to 120 guests. With cane, bamboo, copper, and recycled accents, the space reflects Santé’s eco-conscious philosophy while encouraging guests to relax and connect with nature.

Santé’s menu remains true to its wellness-driven ethos. Guests can choose from vegetarian, vegan, Jain, and gluten-free options including millet bowls packed with superfoods, Levantine-inspired protein-rich dishes, gluten-free multigrain pizzas, high-fibre casseroles, and indulgent yet healthy desserts made with jaggery, date sugar, and erythritol. Cold-pressed juices, detox beverages, and carefully paired wines and sangrias complement the food experience.

Founder Sonal Barmecha shared her vision at the launch, “Our aim is to provide a space where people can sit peacefully and nourish both body and mind. With the Law College Road outlet, we are creating more than a dining space, we are building a community that values health, sustainability, and mindful living.”

She added, “The vibrant greenery and open spaces beautifully complement our ethos of simplicity and nourishment. We hope this space inspires people to adopt healthier lifestyles and to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, while also caring for the planet.”

With outlets already at Koregaon Park and Baner in Pune, along with three locations in Mumbai, Santé Spa Cuisine is rapidly expanding its reach in the health food space. Soon to be available on Swiggy and Zomato, the brand is making nutritious and sustainable dining more accessible to urban diners.

Santé’s seasonal menus, like the current Monsoon Menu featuring Himalayan Thukpa soup with momos, keep the experience fresh, relevant, and comforting.

About Santé Spa Cuisine

Founded by Sonal Barmecha and led by Chef Shailendra Kekade, Santé Spa Cuisine has been redefining India’s health dining landscape for over a decade. With a philosophy of ‘less-is-more,’ the brand focuses on plant-based, preservative-free meals rooted in sustainability. Its outlets across Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Ahmedabad reflect a vision of mindful eating that nurtures both the body and the environment.


The Den Bengaluru Launches Kebabs & Biryanis Fridays

The Den Bengaluru Launches Kebabs & Biryanis Fridays

By Hariharan U

Published on October 1, 2025

 The Den, Bengaluru, a 5-star luxury property known for its innovative dining experiences, has launched “Kebabs & Biryanis Fridays”, a weekend culinary festival celebrating the best of India’s flavours.

Every Friday evening from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, The Den transforms into a gourmet destination where succulent kebabs inspired by cities across India meet five distinct variations of biryanis, prepared with traditional methods and authentic spices. Guests can also opt for an unlimited beverage package to complement the lavish buffet.

This experience goes beyond dining—designed to bring people together, it encourages families and friends to enjoy food, flavours, and celebrations under one roof. The restaurant’s elegant setting and warm ambience enhance the festive vibe, making it a perfect start to the weekend.

Details:

  • What: Kebabs & Biryanis

  • When: Every Friday

  • Where: The Creek at The Den, Bengaluru

  • Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

With “Kebabs & Biryanis Fridays,” The Den Bengaluru promises a feast that blends tradition, indulgence, and togetherness, a true celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage.

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