Halloween gets a darker and sweeter twist at Kura, the specialty coffee and all-day dining space on Double Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru. The café has introduced 'Halloween After Dark', a limited-edition dessert and bakes menu that brings the season's playful and mysterious side to the table.

Built around the tagline Not Everything Sweet Is Innocent, the menu has been created by Kura's culinary team, combining bold colours, interesting flavours and creative presentation. The collection features three special creations that give familiar treats a Halloween-inspired makeover.

The first offering, The Black Magic Apple, brings a dark twist to the classic fruit, with a presentation designed to tempt dessert lovers. Bloody Velvet puts a Halloween spin on red velvet with its rich flavour and creamy texture, while Devil's Double Croissants adds a playful touch to the menu with its striking red-and-black theme. Each creation reflects the fun and slightly wicked spirit of Halloween while staying true to Kura's style.

The limited-edition menu will be available at Kura until 31st October, giving guests a chance to try the seasonal creations before they disappear. The Halloween specials will be served alongside the café's regular menu, which will continue as usual.

With its mix of creative desserts, distinctive presentation and seasonal flavours, Halloween After Dark offers Bengaluru's dessert lovers another way to enjoy the Halloween season.

Quick Facts

• Address: Craig Park Layout, 26, Stage 3, Double Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru
  
• Timings: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm (Monday–Sunday)
  
• Menu Availability: Until 31st October.

Barista Coffee, the largest homegrown coffee chain, has opened its 555th café in Salt Lake, Kolkata, marking its seventh outlet in the city. The new café introduces a hybrid format that brings together food, beverages and flexible spaces for work, meetings and socialising.

The outlet offers more than the usual café experience, with a setting where customers can enjoy their favourite coffee, have a meal, work remotely or catch up with friends. The concept reflects the changing role of cafés, which are increasingly becoming spaces for both social interactions and professional activities.

The beverage menu includes Barista's signature drinks, protein coffee, matcha and bubble tea. On the food front, customers can choose from gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, rolls and English breakfast options. The varied menu caters to different preferences, whether customers are stopping by for a quick coffee, planning a casual meal or spending time at the café.

The new outlet also provides an alternative workspace for work-from-home professionals, along with a setting for groups to meet for collaborative sessions or casual conversations. By combining food, work and community in one place, Barista Coffee aims to cater to customers looking for more flexibility in how they spend their time at cafés.

Commenting on the milestone, Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista Coffee, said, “Reaching the milestone of 555 cafés is a proud moment for Barista Coffee and a testament to the trust our customers have placed in us, the dedication of our teams, and the commitment of our partners. Every café represents our promise to deliver memorable coffee experiences, meaningful connections, and warm hospitality.

As we continue to expand our presence, our focus remains on strengthening our brand, innovating our offerings, and making Barista a preferred destination for coffee lovers across India and beyond. This milestone is not just a celebration of how far we have come, but also a reflection of our ambition to reach new markets, create more opportunities, and bring people together over great coffee.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, franchise partners, and stakeholders who have been an integral part of this journey. At Barista, every cup tells a story, and with 555 cafés, we look forward to brewing many more stories together.”

The opening marks another step in Barista Coffee's expansion, as the brand continues to grow its presence while exploring café formats that bring together coffee, food and everyday customer needs.

Lemon Tree Hotel Whitefield, Bengaluru, has introduced a signature Indian thali menu exclusively for lunch at Citrus Café, offering vegetable, chicken, mutton and seafood selections under the culinary leadership of Executive Chef Thirumal Mohan.

The new offering celebrates the diversity of Indian cuisine through the traditional thali format, bringing together familiar flavours and varied meal options for the hotel's midday dining service.

The lunch-only menu features four thali selections designed to cater to vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences. The format offers diners a complete meal experience while retaining the familiarity and appeal of traditional Indian dining.

Traditional Indian Flavours at Citrus Café

Under the guidance of Executive Chef Thirumal Mohan, the new menu highlights the continued relevance of Indian thalis in contemporary hospitality. The format brings together variety and convenience, allowing guests to explore different food preferences within a single meal.

Citrus Café, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, provides the setting for the dedicated lunch offering. The menu caters to hotel guests, working professionals, families and other diners seeking a traditional Indian meal in a contemporary dining environment.

With vegetable, chicken, mutton and seafood options, the selection accommodates a range of tastes while celebrating the diversity of Indian culinary traditions.

The introduction of the thali menu adds another Indian dining option to Lemon Tree Hotel Whitefield's food and beverage offering. It also reflects how traditional meal formats continue to find a place in modern hotel restaurants, connecting familiar culinary experiences with the expectations of today's diners.