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.


Sanjay Dutt Unveils Alta Stella, A Sky-High Restro-Bar in Andheri

Sanjay Dutt Unveils Alta Stella, A Sky-High Restro-Bar in Andheri

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 5, 2026

Sanjay Dutt has introduced Alta Stella, a new rooftop restro-bar in Andheri West that brings a fresh perspective to Mumbai’s nightlife scene. Located 30 floors above the city, the space offers a setting where the pace slows down, allowing guests to ease into the evening rather than rush through it.

Meaning “closest to the star,” Alta Stella is built around an idea that goes beyond just being a rooftop destination. The experience here changes with time. Afternoons are calm and relaxed, perfect for long conversations, while evenings gradually build in energy with warmer lighting and music that evolves naturally with the mood.

Spread across 12,000 sq. ft. and designed to host up to 250 guests, the space balances openness with a sense of comfort. The design features layered textures, sculpted lighting, and subtle celestial elements that tie the theme together. One of its most striking features is the mirrored rooftop, which reflects the night sky and creates a unique visual effect where the stars seem to surround you.

Sharing his thoughts, Sanjay Dutt said, "Being a celebrity comes with a lot of noise and chaos around you, so I've learned to appreciate spaces that feel calm and real. Alta Stella has that feeling. You're up close to the sky, you see the stars above, and somehow everything slows down - aur phir bas dil karta hai thoda aur ruk jaayein. There's a quiet strength here, and that's what makes the place special for me."

The concept is led by founder Abhimanyu Jakhar, who envisioned the space as more than just a nightlife spot. "Alta Stella was born from a very personal belief that when you place yourself under the stars, you naturally begin to look inward. The idea of being 'closest to the star' isn't about height or grandeur for us; it's about creating a space where people feel aligned with themselves. We wanted to design an experience guided by the universe, through constellations, light, and atmosphere, where the sky becomes part of the journey. The space is meant to move with you, slowly and intuitively, allowing moments of reflection before the energy builds. Every night feels different, because every mood and every person brings something new. Alta Stella isn't about spectacle; it's about presence, and the quiet connection you feel when you look up and feel exactly where you're meant to be."

In the kitchen, Chef Manoranjan presents a menu that blends global influences with Indian flavours. The dishes are familiar yet creatively reworked, offering a balance between comfort and newness. Highlights include Beetroot & Whipped Feta Croquettes, Tangra Chicken Pops, and Podi Butter Prawns, along with options like Chicken Thecha Kulcha and Chicken Parmesan Milanese. Desserts such as the Chenna Pod Cheesecake round off the experience with a unique twist.

Behind the bar, Mixologist Sidharth has curated a cocktail menu inspired by zodiac signs and celestial themes. Each drink is crafted to reflect a mood or personality, with options like Enki (Aquarius), Jasper (Aries), Chimera (Leo), Themis (Libra), and Ebisu (Pisces), making the bar experience both personal and expressive.

Blending thoughtful design, curated food and drinks, and a setting that evolves through the evening, Alta Stella positions itself as a distinctive addition to Mumbai’s hospitality landscape. It’s a space that encourages guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy moments that unfold naturally.

Alta Stella is located at 30th Floor, Parinee I, Shah Industrial Estate, Veera Desai Area, Andheri West, Mumbai 400053, and is open from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM.


Loya Introduces Summer Cocktail Menu Inspired by North India

Loya Introduces Summer Cocktail Menu Inspired by North India

By Hariharan U

Published on April 5, 2026

Celebrating the essence of summer through flavour and craftsmanship, Loya has introduced a seasonal cocktail menu inspired by the ingredients and culinary traditions of North India.

Known for its immersive approach to storytelling through food and beverage, Loya continues to extend its philosophy to the bar, blending regional influences with contemporary mixology. The result is a curated selection of cocktails that feel both nostalgic and refined, designed to complement the restaurant’s rich culinary identity.

At the heart of the summer menu are drinks crafted with Indian botanicals, spices, and house-made infusions. Each cocktail reflects a balance of familiarity and innovation, offering guests a refreshing yet layered drinking experience suited to the warmer months.

Among the highlights is the Indus Gin & Tonic, a contemporary Indian interpretation of the classic, featuring Bombay Sapphire gin combined with orange blossom, house-made tonic syrup, and citrus, finished with soda and garnished with paan leaf and dehydrated citrus. Light and aromatic, the drink is designed for easy summer sipping while subtly showcasing regional flavour notes.

In contrast, the Loya Manhattan presents a deeper, more complex profile. A reinterpretation of the classic Manhattan, it blends Indian single malt and rye whisky with house-made amaro infused with 21 spices, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Served in a chilled coupe and finished with a spiced cherry garnish, the cocktail reflects Loya’s signature spice-forward approach.

The cocktails are available at the Loya bar and are crafted to pair seamlessly with the restaurant’s North Indian menu, enhancing the overall dining experience.

With its continued focus on regional ingredients, thoughtful craftsmanship, and flavour-led storytelling, Loya’s summer cocktail menu offers a refined take on seasonal drinking, reinforcing its position at the intersection of tradition and innovation in India’s evolving bar landscape.


Nasi and Mee Introduces “Simply Sedap” Menu Across Bengaluru

Nasi and Mee Introduces “Simply Sedap” Menu Across Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on April 4, 2026

Bringing a bold and indulgent take on Southeast Asian flavours, Nasi and Mee has launched its limited-time “Simply Sedap” menu across all its outlets in Bengaluru.

Designed as a celebration of comfort and decadence, the menu brings together some of the region’s most beloved dishes, elevated with richer textures and layered flavours. With a focus on indulgence and familiarity, Simply Sedap invites diners to experience Southeast Asian cuisine through a more expressive and satisfying lens.

Among the highlights is the Truffle Xiao Long Bao, where delicate dumplings release a fragrant broth infused with earthy truffle notes. The Singapore Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway) delivers a crisp, smoky bite, elevated with XO chilli for a deep umami profile. The Wonton Mee offers a comforting combination of springy noodles, juicy dumplings, and tender char siu chicken, balancing nostalgia with indulgence.

For those seeking bolder flavours, the Ayam Penyet presents perfectly crisp smashed chicken paired with sambal and jasmine rice, while the Massaman Curry unfolds with slow-cooked richness, combining coconut, peanuts, and warm spices into a velvety dish. Ending on a lighter note, the Kaya Bao introduces a soft, cloud-like texture with a gentle sweetness from house-made kaya and coconut.

Conceptualised for lingering meals and shared moments, the menu leans into both comfort and boldness, encouraging diners to savour each dish a little longer.

Available from 12 PM to 11 PM, with prices starting at, the Simply Sedap menu is being offered across all Nasi and Mee outlets in Bengaluru, positioning itself as a must-try for those looking to explore indulgent Southeast Asian flavours in the city.

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