BORN Restaurants has expanded its growing portfolio with the launch of FU FU, a bold new Pan-Asian restaurant in Alwarpet, Chennai. Marking the group’s seventh launch in the past year, FU FU positions itself as a fearless response to the way Asian cuisine has often been softened for mainstream palates.

Born out of the idea that Asian food is loud, layered, emotional, and unapologetic, FU FU embraces intensity rather than toning it down. Garlic doesn’t apologise, chillies don’t whisper, and broths are given time. From sushi and a cured-and-cut raw bar to okonomiyaki, robata grill, dim sum, bao, cheng fun, sizzling stone bowls, and stir-fries, the menu is expansive yet sharply curated.

The name itself carries cultural resonance. “Fu” (福) in Chinese symbolises happiness, good fortune, and prosperity, often displayed upside down during Lunar New Year to signify that fortune has arrived. FU FU embodies that irreverent joy while staying deeply rooted in Asian culinary traditions.

Manoj Padmanaban, Co-Founder of BORN Restaurants, explains the philosophy behind the beverage programme: “Across Asia, palate cleansers and small rituals have always been part of dining. At FU FU, we play with that idea boldly. ‘Mouthwash’ was created from a joke everyone knows, that you can’t kiss after an Asian meal. It’s a tall, sweet blue drink served over ice that resets the palate between flavour-packed dishes heavy on onion, ginger, and garlic. They say you can’t kiss after an Asian meal. Now, you can.”

Japtej Ahluwalia, Co-Founder of BORN Restaurants and Double Roti, adds, “FU FU draws strongly from the spirit of the tiger — intensity, confidence, and presence, balanced with joy. It’s powerful yet welcoming, designed for families and large gatherings to truly experience that vibrant energy together.”

The 94-seater space, including a 12-seater private dining room, unfolds dramatically. Guests enter through a deliberately minimal lift lobby before stepping into a moody open-plan dining room layered with mirrors, rust tones, and subtle red accents. A striking cat-inspired light installation above the bar shifts colour through the evening, transforming the energy of the space. The aesthetic blends the polish of a downtown Singapore cocktail bar with the high-energy chaos of a late night on Bangkok’s Soi 11.

Leading the kitchen is Chef Gopalsami Mani, whose culinary journey spans Tamil Nadu, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. His cooking balances global finesse with homegrown depth, delivering flavours that are bold, joyful, and unapologetically Asian.

FU FU joins BORN Restaurants’ award-winning portfolio that includes concepts such as Jolly Indian, Sortd, Double Dashi, and Cherry Pond. While each brand carries a distinct identity, FU FU stands out as the group’s flagship — a riot of flavour, design, and cultural attitude unlike anything Chennai has seen before.

Restaurant Details

• Address: 3rd Floor, Born Restaurants LLP, CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018

• Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Lunch) | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Dinner)

• Reservations: +91 96000 37124

Madam Chocolate is strengthening its position in India’s premium dessert segment with 13 operational outlets across Bengaluru, tapping into rising demand for high-quality, chocolate-led indulgence. With over 40% of dessert consumption in India being chocolate-based, the brand aims to fill a longstanding gap by creating a dedicated chocolate-first concept built for scale.

Founded by sisters Sushma Reddy and Shravya Reddy, Madam Chocolate was envisioned as India’s most loved chocolate dessert destination. Unlike conventional dessert brands that treat chocolate as a sub-category, the brand places chocolate at the centre of every product and consumer interaction.

The founders bring operational experience from large-scale hospitality ventures including Mantra - The Luxury Wedding Destination and Nusa Tropical Brewvilla, a Bali-inspired F&B destination in Bengaluru. This background has shaped Madam Chocolate’s focus on consistency, operational discipline, immersive store design, and experience-led consumption—allowing rapid yet structured expansion.

The brand’s portfolio features signature offerings such as Choco Melt Cake, Teddy Bear Chocolate Mousse, Panda Blackforest, Chocolate Tres Leches, Brownie Bites, Baby Croissants, and globally inspired Kunafa Chocolate Bars, which have emerged as a high-growth category. Select collections are introduced as limited-edition drops inspired by global chocolate trends.

Currently operating through a mix of dine-in stores and cloud kitchens, the brand follows a strong omni-channel strategy. A significant share of revenue is driven by online platforms including Swiggy, Zomato, Instamart, and Blinkit, alongside its pan-India D2C website.

Looking ahead, Madam Chocolate plans to open five mall locations and two additional standalone outlets in Bengaluru over the next six months, followed by phased expansion into other major metro cities. In the long term, the brand aims to evolve into a national chocolate dessert, celebration, and gifting powerhouse, spanning desserts, chocolate bars, ice creams, and celebration cakes.

About Madam Chocolate

Madam Chocolate is a Bengaluru-based premium chocolate dessert brand built around a chocolate-first, experience-led philosophy. Founded by sisters Sushma Reddy and Shravya Reddy, the brand combines artisanal patisserie techniques with scalable retail formats. With a growing network of dine-in outlets, cloud kitchens, and leading delivery platforms, Madam Chocolate continues to focus on omni-channel expansion, innovation-led launches, and building India’s most loved chocolate dessert and gifting destination.

Daryaganj has expanded its culinary legacy with the launch of Rolls & Kebab by Daryaganj, designed for quick delivery and easy enjoyment at home. After six successful outlets worldwide, the brand now brings its signature North Indian flavours to customers’ doorsteps, combining traditional recipes and techniques with a fast, convenient format.

The menu features soft, flavourful rolls and kebabs, perfect for anytime indulgence. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options include Paneer Tikka, Soya Malai Chaap, Aloo Tikka, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Malai Tikka, Chicken Seekh, Bhatti Chicken, Mutton Seekh, and Sole Fish Tikka. Each roll is wrapped in soft rumali roti and paired with mint chutney, onions, and chaat masala for that authentic taste.

Amit Bagga, Co-founder & CEO of Daryaganj, said, "Rolls & Kebab by Daryaganj was created for people who love our food but want it in a quicker, more convenient format. It carries the same recipes, techniques and flavours we have followed for decades, just wrapped in a way that fits into today's fast-moving lifestyles."

Whether it’s a quick lunch, a late-night snack, or a comforting bite during a busy day, Rolls & Kebab by Daryaganj offers the warmth, familiarity, and flavour of classic North Indian cuisine in a format made for modern life.