Fresh Flavors, Italian Soul – A Tasting Experience at Carnaby, The Residency Towers Chennai

Fresh Flavors, Italian Soul – A Tasting Experience at Carnaby, The Residency Towers Chennai

By Shreenidhi Jagannathan

Published on July 2, 2025

Hospitalitynews had the delightful opportunity to be hosted at Carnaby, the vibrant all-day dining restaurant at The Residency Towers Chennai, for an exclusive tasting of their soon-to-be-launched Italian menu, curated in collaboration with Chennai-based Italian culinary expert Fiammetta Pereira.

From the moment we stepped in, the ambience set the tone for an afternoon filled with soulful Italian flavours and heartfelt hospitality. The warmth extended by Chef Ajeeth Janardhanan, Culinary Director at The Residency Group of Hotels, and Fiammetta Pereira truly made the experience memorable.

Speaking about the new menu, Ajeeth, Culinary Director shared,
"With this new Italian menu, we’re celebrating the heart of Italy—simple, honest ingredients prepared with passion. Each dish tells a story of tradition, but with a fresh twist that reflects our kitchen’s creativity.”

Fiammetta Pereira, with her infectious passion for Sicilian cuisine, walked us through the inspiration behind each dish. She said, “Working with the team at The Residency Towers has been a pleasure. Dishes like Pasta alla Norma, seasonal vegetable risotto, and specialities from Liguria and Sicily will soon be part of the Carnaby experience.”

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The menu beautifully captured the essence of Italy. Some of our personal favourites from the afternoon included:

  • Beetroot Carpaccio – Light, fresh, and full of colour, with a perfect balance of textures from goat cheese, walnuts, and balsamic zest.
  • Melanzane Parmigiana – Comforting layers of eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese that felt like a warm hug on a plate.
  • Gnocchi al Pesto di Basilico – Pillow-soft gnocchi coated in fragrant basil pesto, transporting us straight to Liguria.
  • Pollo alla Cacciatora – Chicken slow-braised in wine and herbs, paired beautifully with creamy polenta—truly soul-satisfying.

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Throughout the event, the generosity and warmth of the Carnaby team stood out as much as the flavors on our plates. The conversations, the plating, and the passion behind every dish reflected the team’s dedication to delivering a truly authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Chennai.

Fiammetta Pereira also shared her pride in founding Bottega Pereira (@bottegapereira on Instagram), a beautifully curated home‑and‑lifestyle boutique based here in Chennai. The name “Bottega” — Italian for “workshop” — is fitting: it’s a creative space where Fiammetta, along with her daughter Tanitha, brings warmth and elegance into everyday living. The boutique features thoughtfully designed linens, table accessories, cushions, décor, gift sets and more — each piece selected to “bring warmth and happiness to your home". Website: www.bottegapereira.com 

For anyone looking to experience authentic Italian cuisine right here in Chennai, paired with genuine hospitality, Carnaby at The Residency Towers is a must-visit. And for those wanting to take a little slice of Italy home—whether through flavors or fabrics—Bottega Pereira is worth exploring too.

The Italian Food Festival runs through this week, with the new dishes soon becoming a permanent part of the menu.

Timings: 7 AM – 11 PM

About Residency Group:

Presenting world-class boutique hotels in South India, our hotels exude the cultural ethos of the land. Living up to its moniker, The Residency hotels in India offers unparallel and phenomenal spaces for a homely living experience. From elegant cities like Chennai and Coimbatore to charming towns like Karur, Puducherry and Rameswaram, The Residency promises beautifully curated experiences for its discerning guests.

Website: theresidency.com

 


6 Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Across India Redefining Conscious Dining

6 Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Across India Redefining Conscious Dining

By Hariharan U

Published on November 3, 2025

World Vegan Day isn’t just a date, it’s a movement celebrating mindful indulgence and sustainable luxury. Across India, vegan dining has evolved from being a niche choice to a full-blown culinary celebration. From rooftop calmness in Mumbai to experimental plates in Delhi and elegant artistry in Bengaluru, these restaurants prove that plant-based dining is not about limits but about creativity, comfort, and care.

Delhi

Avartana, ITC Maurya

At Avartana, vegan food transforms into a multisensory experience. Every dish feels like poetry in motion, flavourful, theatrical, and deeply rooted in South Indian heritage. Think Asparagus & Coconut Stew, crisp Jackseed Fritter with Orange Ginger Sorbet, and inventive combinations like Bottle Gourd, Corn & Cherry Tom. Even the simplest local ingredients bottle gourd, corn, and finger millet turn into statements of finesse.
Must-try: Bottle Gourd, Corn & Cherry Tom, Orange Ginger Sorbet, Asparagus with Bottle Gourd & Raisins, Fried Aubergine, Veg Fritter Rice, Finger Millet
Reservations: 011 2611 2233 / 98180 56607
Address: Rooftop, ITC Maurya, New Delhi
Timings: Dinner (7:00–11:00 pm, daily) | Sunday Lunch (12:30–2:45 pm)

Raiya, Hauz Khas

Raiya meaning “treasure” in Sanskrit perfectly blends India’s ancient culinary roots with modern finesse. The ambience mirrors this philosophy, pairing temple-like textures with soft European tones. For World Vegan Day, the spotlight is on their new Mock Meat Meal Bowls and crowd favourites like Jackfruit Katsu Bowl, Edamame, and Bharwa Mirch. Each plate is a delightful mix of creativity and comfort, showing that vegan dining can be both rich and refreshing.
Reservations: 9971017399
Address: G-9, Second Floor, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016
Timings: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am

Organic Bistro, Khan Market

A rising favourite among Delhi’s health-conscious crowd, Organic Bistro brings Chef Nishant Choubey’s ingredient-first philosophy to life. The menu celebrates clean eating without compromising flavour — from the Moonglet with Mint Pesto to the Earth Bowl Salad with Cranberries and Quinoa. Even the humble Poori Bhaji gets a creative twist in their inventive Poori Bhaji Pops. Every bite reflects sustainability wrapped in indulgence.
Reservations: 96677 99446
Address: 38, Khan Market, Rabindra Nagar, New Delhi 110003
Timings: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Mumbai

Fenix, The Oberoi Mumbai

Fenix, often called “The Living Room” of The Oberoi, blends global influences with conscious luxury. The Vegan Special Menu stands out for its delicate balance of flavour and sustainability. The Asparagus Carpaccio bursts with freshness, while the Tom Yum Soup with sago pearls offers a soothing, plant-based take on a classic. Each dish feels refined, comforting, and quietly celebratory, just like the space itself.
Reservations: +91 22 66326205
Address: The Oberoi, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021

Cafe Calma, The Shalimar Hotel
Perched high above Kemps Corner, Cafe Calma is Mumbai’s serene rooftop escape where wellness meets warmth. Recently redesigned, the café exudes understated luxury while staying true to its focus on fresh, thoughtful cuisine. Their vegan menu is vibrant and flavour-packed — featuring Avocado Tartine, Mediterranean Bowl, Tomato Risotto, Sumac Fries, and Soba Noodles. Each dish invites diners to slow down, savour, and reconnect.
Reservations: +91 9930141178
Address: The Shalimar Hotel, Kemps Corner, Mumbai 400036
Timings: 4:30 pm – 12:30 am

Bengaluru

Yàn Yǎn, The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore
At Yàn Yǎn, traditional Chinese flavours meet refined vegan innovation. The menu features delicate dishes like Radish Cake, Blue Pea Chung Fan Veg Dim Sum, Shroom Bao, and Te Wei Tofu Bao. Highlights such as Zhejiang Asparagus & Chestnut and Mala Haricot Beans showcase the kitchen’s artful approach, rooted in authenticity yet refreshingly modern. Each creation feels balanced, intentional, and beautifully mindful.
Reservations: +91 8893456104
Address: The Ritz-Carlton, 99 Residency Road, Bengaluru 560025
Timings: 12:30–3:00 pm | 6:30–11:30 pm


Indian Durbar at Conrad Bengaluru Reopens, Celebrating Punjab’s Culinary Spirit

Indian Durbar at Conrad Bengaluru Reopens, Celebrating Punjab’s Culinary Spirit

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 3, 2025

The iconic Indian Durbar at Conrad Bengaluru makes its much-awaited comeback, reigniting the soul of Punjab through food, story, and sensory design. Richer in flavour, warmer in welcome, and grander in spirit, the restaurant reopens as a heartfelt homage to Punjab’s three vibrant heartlands, Majha, Malwa, and Doaba.

This revival doesn’t just tell stories through its cuisine, it pours them too. In collaboration with Mixology Studio, Indian Durbar introduces a bespoke cocktail experience that blends craftsmanship, nostalgia, and cultural imagination into every glass.

As guests step into the restaurant, they’re greeted with a custom-made story dice, each side revealing a tale inspired by Punjab’s traditions and paired with a non-alcoholic welcome drink. It marks the first taste of an immersive world that transforms mixology into storytelling.

Inside, the experience deepens with a tarot-style ritual, where guests draw from a deck of beautifully illustrated cards, each linked to a signature cocktail and one of Punjab’s many moods: celebration, romance, mischief, or nostalgia.

Every drink is narrated through Peg Singh, Indian Durbar’s fictional raconteur, a lovable, larger-than-life storyteller whose humor and warmth guide guests through every sip.

The beverage menu celebrates Punjab’s regional diversity and emotional richness through inventive storytelling and craft techniques. From the Talli Gajar Da Halwa, vodka infused with slow-cooked gajar halwa and topped with saffron Baileys foam, to the Patiala Sour, a bourbon cocktail infused with rajma and kinnow marmalade celebrating sustainability and flavour, every creation unfolds a story.

Other highlights include the Kidda Kinnow, sparkling with mahua and citrusy brightness, and the Negroni Di Gaddi, clarified with ghee and smoked with cardamom flakes, a nod to old Punjab’s regal decadence. Each sip is a delicate balance of culture and creativity, a spirited tribute to the land of five rivers.

“Indian Durbar has long been a part of the hotel’s identity, and we are delighted to see it return with such authenticity and emotion. Our guests can now rediscover Punjab’s culinary heart served with the same warmth and generosity that defines its hospitality,” said Digvijay Singh, General Manager, Conrad Bengaluru.

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“We wanted to make mixology feel human, like sitting down with Punjab itself. Each drink has a story, each ritual a reason. Through Peg Singh, we brought emotion, humour, and heart to every glass,” added Kishore Thadikamalla, Founder, Mixology Studio.

With its return, Indian Durbar invites guests to experience Punjab in all its colour and character, where every corner hums with heritage, and every cocktail carries a tale. From the hearty kitchens of Majha to the soulful fields of Malwa and the diasporic dreams of Doaba, Indian Durbar is not just a restaurant, it’s a journey home.


Avartana at ITC Maurya Turns One: A Year of Redefining Modern South Indian Cuisine

Avartana at ITC Maurya Turns One: A Year of Redefining Modern South Indian Cuisine

By Hariharan U

Published on November 2, 2025

One year since its grand debut, Avartana at ITC Maurya continues to redefine the essence of modern South Indian cuisine, bringing together innovation, precision, and emotion on every plate.

At Avartana, the story goes far beyond the ingredients, it’s about how flavours converse, textures harmonize, and traditions evolve. The restaurant’s philosophy revolves around reinterpretation of Southern flavours, designed to engage the senses and evoke nostalgia while presenting food as art.

To mark its first anniversary, Avartana introduces a new Sunday lunch experience, a refined nine-course tasting menu that blends modern technique with timeless regional authenticity. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the ITC Maurya rooftop, this experience offers guests an indulgent afternoon steeped in flavour, sophistication, and surprise.

The curated tasting menu features standout dishes such as French Pressed Tomato Rasam, Stir-Fried Chicken, Cauliflower Crunch, and Uthukuli Chicken. Each course is designed to push culinary boundaries from the delicate tempering of bottle gourd paired with plum chutney to shrimp dumplings with coriander and subtle spice. The finale, a fennel panna cotta topped with angel hair caramel, captures the perfect balance between innovation and comfort.

Complementing the food is Avishka, Avartana’s signature cocktail menu inspired by South India’s vibrant culture and history. Each drink is infused with indigenous spices and regional ingredients, blending traditional inspiration with contemporary craft.

The 54-seater restaurant, featuring an exclusive private dining room for ten, offers an intimate fine-dining setting where interactive kitchens and immersive plating bring culinary artistry to life. The design — featuring rustic earthenware, ornate steel cutlery, and modern glassware, enhances the sensory narrative of the meal.

Avartana is not merely a dining destination, it is a symphony of flavours, textures, and emotions,” says the team at ITC Maurya. “It celebrates South India’s culinary rhythm, mysticism, and grace while presenting it through a lens of innovation and sophistication.”

Avartana’s Sunday Lunch menu is available from 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm, priced at ₹3750 plus taxes per person, with dinner service continuing through the week from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Venue: Avartana, Rooftop, ITC Maurya, New Delhi

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