This monsoon, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach and Novotel Vijayawada Varun are spicing things up with a vibrant Indonesian food festival, helmed by celebrated guest chef Faisal Martadinata. Flying in from Indonesia, Chef Faisal is set to serve up bold and authentic Southeast Asian flavours that promise a sensory culinary journey.

Hosted at Red Bowl, the signature Pan-Asian restaurant at both Novotel properties, the festival runs from 18th to 27th July in Visakhapatnam, and from 28th July to 4th August in Vijayawada. Diners can enjoy lunch and dinner from an à la carte menu specially curated by the chef.

Chef Faisal Martadinata, who brings a deep passion for traditional Indonesian cuisine, has honed his craft in top kitchens across Bali and Jakarta. Known for modern takes on heritage recipes, his menu features crowd-favourites like Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Goreng, and the much-loved dessert Dadar Gulung—each dish offering a taste of Indonesia’s soulful culinary identity.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, says,

“At Novotel, our restaurants are cultural spaces where flavours from across the world come alive. With Chef Faisal’s exclusive residency, we offer our guests a rare opportunity to experience authentic Indonesian cuisine, freshly prepared by a master chef who brings the true essence of his homeland to the plate.”

Manish Pathak, Hotel Manager at Novotel Vijayawada Varun, echoes this sentiment, adding,

“This festival is about more than food—it’s a cultural experience. Chef Faisal’s specially crafted menu mirrors our vision of thoughtful, experience-led dining and promises an exciting journey through Indonesia’s most loved dishes.”

With a global approach to hospitality and a deep love for culinary storytelling, Novotel continues to delight food lovers by bringing the world to the table—one dish at a time.

There’s something magical about ice cream, whether it’s a shared sundae on a hot day or a quick cone at your favourite neighbourhood parlour. This World Ice Cream Day, Mumbai’s cafes and dessert bars are going all out to serve up frozen treats that are anything but ordinary. Here’s a curated list of sweet spots where every scoop is worth the indulgence.

The BlueBop Cafe – Gelato Menu

The BlueBop Cafe sets the tone with a gelato menu that’s smooth, flavourful, and perfect for the season. Their French Vanilla Gelato is a timeless scoop made with premium vanilla beans, while Hazelnut Praline combines creamy richness with bursts of nutty crunch. Chocolate lovers will find bliss in the Belgian Chocolate Gelato, and those looking for a healthier option can dig into the Sugar-Free Vegan Chocolate Gelato, made with soya milk, raw cocoa, and dark chocolate. But the real game-changer? Nutella Sea Salt Gelato, a bold blend of creamy Nutella and a touch of sea salt. With each bite, The BlueBop Cafe promises a celebration of flavours for this special day.

Red Box – Ice Cream Lineup

Red Box brings its signature flair to World Ice Cream Day with a lineup that’s bold, playful, and full of surprises. Their Tahitian Vanilla is all about smooth, classic comfort, while the Premium Range adds fruity fun with Wimbledon Strawberry and the tropical goodness of Real Guava. The Luxe Range turns up the indulgence with Alphonso Mango, Sea Salt Caramel Fudge, and Crispy Coffee. Chocolate fans can rejoice with Madagascar Chocolate and Chocolate To Die For, while the Sugar-Free Belgian Chocolate proves that guilt-free can still be luxurious. Don’t miss pairing your scoop with their Waffle Brownie—warm, fudgy, and the perfect companion to every cold bite.

Whether you're team chocolate, fruit-forward, or vegan-friendly, Mumbai is scooping up joy in every flavour this World Ice Cream Day.

Ranveer Singh is back, this time not on screen, The superstar has taken the internet by storm with his latest creation: the SuperYou Protein Chips Bhel. A bold remix of the classic Indian bhel, this new-age snack is anything but ordinary.

Using SuperYou’s high-protein multigrain chips, tangy desi chutneys, and his trademark energy, Ranveer’s version of bhel has transformed from a guilty pleasure into a smart, high-protein treat. The fusion is crunchy, chatpata, and totally guilt-free, making it a hit among fitness lovers and foodies alike.

Social media is buzzing as fans are trying out their own remixes, turning the humble bhel into a viral trend. From gym-goers to street food lovers, everyone’s raving about how snacking just got a major glow-up.

As Ranveer proves yet again, anything can be iconic with the right twist.