Experience a Culinary Extravaganza: Novotel Vizag's Bao Food Festival Takes Center Stage

By Author

Published on February 3, 2024

Date: February 1st to 10th, 2024

Venue: Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen

Get ready for a delectable adventure as Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach presents the city's first-ever Bao Food Festival at Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen, from February 1st to 10th, 2024. This culinary fiesta, masterfully curated by Chef Vikram, pays homage to the globally celebrated Chinese steamed bun, promising a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

Embark on a gastronomic journey featuring an array of mouthwatering bao tacos, each carefully crafted to surpass the last in deliciousness. The festival menu boasts a diverse selection of flavors, including exotic mushrooms, tofu, vegetable tempura, Schezwan cottage cheese, ginger scallion pokchoy, bell pepper, Cantonese vegetables, Sriracha mayo prawns, ginger chicken, char siew pork, Hosi Chilli duck, Schwejwan chicken, and five-spice prawn bao and tacos.

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Chef Vikram, renowned for his mastery of Asian cuisine, dedicated months to perfecting the Bao Food Festival recipes. The freshest and highest-quality ingredients were sourced to ensure each bao bursts with flavor. His passion for Asian cuisine is palpable in every dish, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to culinary excellence.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager of Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, expressed excitement about hosting this groundbreaking festival at Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen. She stated, “Chef Vikram has created a truly exceptional menu, and we are confident that our guests will love every bite. This is an opportunity for food lovers to indulge in a unique culinary experience that they won't find anywhere else in Vizag.”

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For those seeking a distinctive culinary adventure, make your way to Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen. Immerse yourself in the enticing flavors of the Bao Food Festival, where each bite tells a story of culinary expertise and passion. Mark your calendars from February 1st to 10th, 2024, and elevate your dining experience with the city's first Bao Food Festival.


The Filter Coffee Expands Its South Indian Story with a Fresh Lunch and Dinner Menu

The Filter Coffee Expands Its South Indian Story with a Fresh Lunch and Dinner Menu

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 22, 2025

Bengaluru’s much-loved South Indian eatery, The Filter Coffee, is stepping into a new culinary chapter with the launch of its refreshed lunch and dinner menu, titled ‘Beyond the Leaf.’ The rollout begins today across four of its popular outlets: Kalyan Nagar, Indiranagar, Brookefield, and Koramangala, available for dine-in, takeaway, and on Swiggy and Zomato.

Known for serving soulful South Indian breakfasts and nostalgic snacks, the brand now broadens its focus to offer a richer, everyday dining experience. The new menu is a thoughtful evolution, keeping tradition intact while catering to today’s tastes and mealtime habits.

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“We’ve always been about comfort and familiarity, the kind of dishes people grew up with and came back to. But now, with changing preferences and a growing customer base, it felt like the right time to offer more. This menu reflects that next step, blending tradition with how people eat today, whether it’s dinner with family or a late-night delivery,” shared Avinit Bagri, Co-founder of The Filter Coffee.

Expect a vibrant spread  from flavour-packed soup rasams and small plates to indulgent mains, sides, and desserts. Signature picks include Ennai Kathirikkai with bun parottas or ghee rice, Chettinad Mushroom Gravy from Tamil Nadu, Malabar Paneer from Kerala, and Mangalore Aloo Curry from Karnataka. The Malabar Paneer Gravy with Bun Parotta is already a team favourite.

Desserts, too, bring a wave of nostalgia like Kavuni Rice Pudding and Broken Wheat Jaggery Payasam, comforting, balanced, and rooted in tradition.

“What makes this menu truly special is the depth behind each dish. We revisited the origins, how ingredients and cooking styles varied by climate, region, and availability, long before modern kitchens existed. That respect for legacy continues in our kitchens today. Every element is chosen with intention, from spices to gravies and pairings,” added Sankrit Iyer, Co-founder of The Filter Coffee.

Adding more excitement to this relaunch is the brand-new Dosa Buffet, with 28+ varieties ranging from Podi Onion Dosai and Paper Ghee Roast to Classic Uthappams, all served on traditional banana leaves with the brand’s signature chutneys and sambar. It’s a true celebration of South India’s timeless tiffin culture.

The new menu also introduces half-sized portions of many beloved dishes, making it easier for customers to explore more flavours in one sitting. This update reflects The Filter Coffee’s continued passion for authenticity, regional diversity, and the joy of everyday South Indian meals, made with care, served with pride, and always rooted in legacy.


Burger King® India and Nestlé® KitKat® Unveil the Irresistible BK® Fusion Range

Burger King® India and Nestlé® KitKat® Unveil the Irresistible BK® Fusion Range

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 22, 2025

Burger King® India, one of the country’s most loved QSR brands, has just dropped a delicious surprise for dessert lovers! In an exciting collaboration with Nestlé® KitKat®, the brand has launched its new BK® Fusion range featuring two lip-smacking options: the BK® Fusion KitKat® Shake and the BK® Fusion KitKat® Sundae.

These two new indulgences promise a perfect blend of creamy delight and the signature crunch of KitKat® that fans across generations have grown to love.

  • BK® Fusion Shake: A thick, creamy shake blended with real KitKat® for the ultimate chocolate fix.

  • BK® Fusion Sundae: A decadent dessert layered with crispy KitKat® chunks and rich chocolate sauce for that perfect bite of crunch and creaminess.

Speaking about the launch, Kapil Grover, CMO, Burger King India, said, “With this launch, we're adding an exciting BK Fusion range by introducing a co-branded offering with KitKat® — a brand that's much loved by our Gen Z and millennial guests. The creamy-chocolaty combo is a flavour we believe will instantly connect with our audience and keep them coming back for more.”

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Nestlé India echoed the enthusiasm. Saurabh Makhija, Director, Nestlé Professional India, said, “We are excited to enter into a collaboration with BURGER KING India, a brand that shares our commitment to innovation and quality. The all-new BK Fusion KITKAT® Shake and Sundae will give our consumers two new and innovative ways to enjoy their favourite KITKAT®.”

The campaign is backed by a high-energy social media rollout, featuring a user-generated content (UGC) contest and influencer-led promotions aimed at creating buzz and connecting with dessert enthusiasts across the country.

Now available for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery via the BK App and leading platforms, the BK Fusion KitKat® range is ready to become your next go-to treat.


Chai, Chill & Rooftop Thrills: 16th Affair’s Monsoon Menu Hits All the Right Notes

Chai, Chill & Rooftop Thrills: 16th Affair’s Monsoon Menu Hits All the Right Notes

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 22, 2025

There’s something about rainy days that calls for chai, pakoras, and cozy conversations. 16th Affair, the rooftop club and kitchen by Wynnd Hotels, has launched a limited-time Monsoon Menu that taps right into that emotion. Served daily from 4 PM to 6 PM until August 14, this specially curated offering brings together Indian comfort food and panoramic rooftop views.

Set on the 16th floor of Galaxy Diamond Plaza in Greater Noida West, 16th Affair has already earned its stripes as one of NCR’s go-to rooftop venues. Now, with the monsoon draping the city in romantic grey, the venue is offering an experience steeped in nostalgia. Guests can indulge in classic treats like assorted pakoras, cocktail samosas with spicy veggie fillings, and gooey cheese chilli toast — all served with unlimited pours of freshly brewed masala tea.

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“This collaboration is about more than food, it's about emotion and nostalgia,” shared Himanshu Sapra, Co-founder of The Dark Room, while speaking about the menu concept. “Monsoons have an emotional flavour for all of us — it’s home, warmth, and comfort food with friends and family. The Monsoon Menu at 16th Affair is an ode to those sensory memories. It's not just a menu — it's a mood, it’s an experience.”

The Victorian-meets-contemporary setting enhances the entire vibe — breezy, slightly misty, and perfect for those who want to take a break from the rush. Whether you're a city dweller looking for a quiet moment or a monsoon romantic hoping to turn rain into poetry, this two-hour experience offers the perfect excuse to slow down and sip on something warm.

And while it’s designed to be casual and soul-soothing, the team recommends booking a table in advance — especially on weekends — to make the most of this rainy-day escape.

So if your soul is craving chai, crisp snacks, and cloud-kissed views, 16th Affair is where you need to be. Come for the menu. Stay for the mood.

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