Epicurean Elegance: Exploring G-20 Star Host Taj Mahal Hotel's Machan

Epicurean Elegance: Exploring G-20 Star Host Taj Mahal Hotel's Machan

By Author

Published on October 7, 2023

In the heart of Delhi stands an iconic culinary and architectural masterpiece, the Taj Mahal Hotel. It’s not just a hotel but a symbol of tradition, legacy, and modern innovation. One of its most cherished gems is the Machan restaurant, a name that resonates with both nostalgia and novelty.

Machan isn't just another restaurant in the city; it’s a story that began in 1978. Envision cane and wood furniture, a collection of traditional lanterns, paintings, and the presence of a royal Indian touch. This is a place where yesteryears meet today, where signature dishes from decades past are served with the same affection and innovation as the new ones.

In its latest incarnation, Machan 3.0, you'll be welcomed by an aesthetic brilliance that honors both flora and fauna. It's an environment inspired by the forests of India and beyond. Imagine dining under the stunning cane tree canopies, amidst the artistry of terracotta animal masks crafted by local talents, with the magnificence of the Indian Tiger gracing the walls. This isn’t just dining; it’s an experience, a journey through nature, and a dance of flavors.

Every dish tells a story, every bite is a melody of the forests and their rich, varied legacy. The Tehucan Salad, Mushrooms on the Forest Floor, The Ocean Turns Purple - these are more than just menu items; they are a gateway to a world where food is art and dining is an experience. Machan’s focus on sustainability is evident; the restaurant prides itself on a significant reduction in carbon footprint and the complete abandonment of single-use plastics. A dining experience here isn’t just pleasing to the palate but is also a nod to our collective responsibility towards Mother Earth.

The revival of Machan is a harmony of the old and new. It brings back the classic favorites from the 1978 menu at their original prices – a journey back in time, combined with new, global flavors. Pug Marks, Mushroom On The Forest Floor, Carnero Barbacoa, the signature The Number One cocktail - each dish and drink is a masterpiece, a harmonious blend of the legacy and the contemporary. Amidst the city's hustle and bustle, the ambiance of natural light pouring in through huge windows offers an oasis of calm and luxury.

When Executive Chef Arun Sundararaj stepped into the reimagined space of Machan in 2015, he knew the legacy he was inheriting. The emotional attachment of the patrons, the nostalgic reminiscences of first dates and cherished meetings - these were the soul of Machan. The refurbishment wasn’t just physical; it was emotional, thoughtful. The menu, meticulously crafted, offers thematic sections, inspired by various forests of India, invoking an experience that is as rich in flavors as it is in culture and tradition.

Machan bids adieu to buffets, embracing an à la carte experience, aimed at engaging guests from the moment they settle in. A meticulous process where chefs have access to a database format recipe module, enhancing precision and elevating the culinary experience. Sundararaj’s innovation doesn’t just lie in the flavors but also in the unique guest experiences, like inviting patrons to witness the culinary artistry unfold in the kitchen - an immersive experience that bridges the gap between the chefs and diners.

Seven years into his journey at the Taj Mahal, every moment is as vibrant and dynamic as the city the hotel resides in. Every guest, from heads of state to local patrons, is a testament to the timeless allure of this establishment. At Machan, dining isn’t just about the food; it’s about the stories that unfold at every table, the memories crafted in every corner, and the legacy that is served on every plate.


Arabian Delites Opens Its 6th Outlet in Delhi with a New Cloud Kitchen in Vasant Kunj

Arabian Delites Opens Its 6th Outlet in Delhi with a New Cloud Kitchen in Vasant Kunj

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Arabian Delites has wrapped up 2025 with a major milestone as the brand opens its newest cloud kitchen in Vasant Kunj, marking its 6th outlet and 3rd cloud kitchen in Delhi. The launch strengthens the brand’s delivery network and brings its well-loved Middle Eastern flavours to yet another neighbourhood in the capital.

Founded in 1994 by K.D. Singh, Arabian Delites has spent over three decades building a strong reputation for flavour-forward, wholesome, and authentic Lebanese food. From shawarmas and doners to hummus bowls and falafels, the brand has remained consistent in offering meals that balance taste with a clean, health-first approach, a key reason behind its loyal customer base across Delhi-NCR.

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The year 2025 proved transformational for the brand. Arabian Delites doubled its team size, upgraded tech systems for smoother operations, and expanded its store count, laying a strong foundation for efficient national growth. The menu also expanded with new offerings, including traditional Middle Eastern desserts like Baklavas, giving customers more reasons to indulge.

The new Vasant Kunj kitchen continues this momentum. Designed to serve high delivery demand without compromising quality, the outlet will offer the full menu across major food delivery platforms. Customers can enjoy signature dishes such as doners, shawarmas, rice bowls, hummus, falafels, and desserts prepared fresh in a modern cloud-kitchen format.

Speaking about the expansion, Mandeep Singh, Director, Arabian Delites, said, “We are excited to continue expanding our reach across Delhi-NCR with this launch. With a solid foundation built in 2025, we are now well-prepared to scale responsibly across India as sustainable growth is more important to us than overnight expansion.”

Looking ahead, Arabian Delites has ambitious plans. The brand aims to reach 100 outlets by 2028 and is set to double its store count in 2026, moving steadily towards a pan-India presence


Daysie MG Road Unveils a Classic British Christmas Menu for the Festive Season

Daysie MG Road Unveils a Classic British Christmas Menu for the Festive Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Bengaluru is set for a cosy and classic Christmas this year as Daysie MG Road rolls out its British-inspired festive menu. With warm flavours, indulgent plates, and handcrafted holiday cocktails, the menu brings together comfort, nostalgia, and a little festive sparkle — just right for December gatherings in the city.

The menu opens with the Truffle Parsnip Velouté, a silky, earthy soup finished with chive oil and hazelnut crumble, a simple, elegant start to the meal.

Small plates bring comforting favourites with a gourmet twist. The Spinach & Ricotta Croquettes come crisp and creamy, paired with a light touch of honey and cranberry. The Duck Carpaccio adds a fresh, bright note with pickled pear and orange gel, while the Moroccan Lamb Cigars deliver bold, spiced warmth with a smoky harissa mayo.

For mains, the kitchen keeps the mood festive and hearty. The Spinach, Mushroom & Citrus Ricotta Cannelloni packs soft, clean, herb-forward flavours. Meat lovers can choose the Five-Spice Roast Duck, glazed with rosemary-plum and served with mushroom ragout and sautéed spinach. The Pork Chop with Mustard–Maple Glaze brings a sweet-savory balance with red cabbage and roasted Brussels sprouts.

Desserts stay true to the season. The Roasted Fig & Honey-Thyme Tart blends warm figs, mascarpone, and pistachio, while the Christmas Spiced Pavlova comes chai-kissed with bourbon-vanilla cream and winter fruits.

Alongside the food, Daysie presents a festive cocktail lineup. Classics like Eggnog and Mulled Wine bring familiar holiday warmth, while signatures such as Santa’s Little Secret, North Pole Adas, and the spiced Christmas Fashioned add playful indulgence to the celebrations.

With cosy flavours, festive drinks, and a warm Christmas mood, Daysie MG Road sets the perfect table for the season.


CYK Hospitalities Launches LANY, a Fresh and Modern Dessert QSR in Gurugram

CYK Hospitalities Launches LANY, a Fresh and Modern Dessert QSR in Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 4, 2025

CYK Hospitalities, one of India’s well-known F&B consultancies, has launched its newest dessert QSR creation, LANY, at Ambience Mall in Gurugram. The brand brings a fresh, youthful, global-inspired take to India’s dessert scene and highlights CYK Hospitalities’ ability to build innovative models within this category.

LANY takes its name and personality from the cultural energy shared between Los Angeles and New York. The founders, Sanchita Sarin and Harsh Sarin, drew from their travels and mutual love for desserts to shape the brand’s identity, visuals and overall vibe. Their idea was to blend global inspiration with flavours and formats that feel instantly lovable in India.

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The menu brings together soft-serve desserts, stick waffles and its standout offering Taiyaki Cones. By positioning Taiyaki as its hero product, LANY steps into a niche space that connects familiar international formats with a modern appeal for Indian consumers.

Throughout the brand-building journey, CYK Hospitalities worked closely with the founders, offering support in conceptualization, menu planning, hiring, training, location selection and complete design direction. The aim was to create a seamless brand story that carries LANY’s multicultural inspiration effortlessly.

Sanchita Sarin shares, “LANY is built on a feeling that desserts should lift you instantly. We wanted to create something that has a global soul but is deeply lovable in India, simple, joyful, and instantly repeatable. CYK Hospitalities helped us convert this emotion into a brand that truly speaks to what we dreamt. CYK Hospitalities has been with us in forming this from the inner core to the outer covering, every minute detail, layer, and decision. We together have an entity that is globally connected yet India-specific.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Pulkit Arora, Director and Culinary Expert, CYK Hospitalities says, “The desserts category requires very clear, quick, and pleasant communication. With LANY, we aimed at making it large, sharp, and emotionally sticky. The whole conception was to form a dessert personality that consumers will very easily recall and very naturally come back to.”

Simran Jeet Singh, Director, CYK Hospitalities adds, "The choice of location is the point where the brand story starts. Ambience Mall is enabling LANY to reach out directly to the people who already like experiential global formats, thus making this concept very favourable for high conversions and repeat takes. This is the kind of placement that starts to lend brand equity right from day one, and at the same time, prepares the ground for the whole country to expand."

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