Indonesian Flavours Come to Andhra Pradesh

Indonesian Culinary Magic Lands in Andhra Pradesh with Novotel’s Southeast Asian Food Festival

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 19, 2025

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.

Harajuku Tokyo Cafe secures $2 million to fuel pan-India expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on August 28, 2025

Harajuku Tokyo Cafe has raised $2 million (₹19 crores) in its first institutional funding round, setting the stage for a bigger national expansion. The round was led by Indian Angel Network (IAN), with participation from Samved VC, LetsVenture, and venture debt fund Capitar Ventures.

The brand is attracting strong investor interest, with additional funding expected to follow. This milestone comes soon after its grand Mumbai entry at Jio World Drive, BKC, where both Harajuku Tokyo Cafe and Harajuku Bakehouse drew an overwhelming response from customers.

Founded in 2021 by Gaurav Kanwar, Harajuku Tokyo Cafe has carved a niche by bringing authentic Japanese cuisine to India in a casual dining and quick-service format. In just a few years, the brand has scaled to 7 outlets across Delhi NCR and Mumbai, crossing ₹30 crores in annual recurring revenue.

Looking ahead, the company aims to grow aggressively with a target of 90 outlets across 20 cities by 2027 and revenue projections of over ₹200 crores. To kickstart this expansion, Letters of Intent have already been signed for 15 upcoming locations in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh.

“This funding milestone strengthens our vision of democratising Japanese cuisine in India. What began as a passion project to make Japanese food accessible has evolved into a scalable business model that resonates with India's evolving palate. With our Mumbai launch exceeding all expectations and this funding secured, we're positioned to become India's leading Japanese dining destination”, said Gaurav Kanwar, founder and CEO of Harajuku Tokyo Cafe

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Experience a Chocolate Wonderland at Péché Mignon, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 28, 2025

Mumbai’s sweet tooth has found its ultimate playground as Péché Mignon, the French Patisserie at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, unveils Chocolate Indulgence, a dessert festival designed exclusively for chocolate lovers.

Far from an ordinary buffet, this celebration is a full-circle cocoa experience where taste meets art. Guests can dive into handcrafted pralines, decadent pastries, flowing chocolate fountains, indulgent mocktails and cocktails, and a hot chocolate bar that brings Belgian richness straight to the cup. For those who love an interactive twist, highlights include “Make Your Own Truffle” counters and live plated chocolate creations by the chefs.

The menu covers it all, milk, dark, and white chocolate desserts crafted with playful creativity and elegant flair, ensuring something delightful for every palate. Beyond indulgence, it’s an experience that blends texture, storytelling, and artistry in every bite.

Adding to the magic is Péché Mignon’s Parisian charm, cozy interiors, fresh bakes, aromatic coffee, and an ambience that evokes the romantic aura of the Eiffel Tower. Together, it creates not just a sweet treat but a multisensory escape into the world of cocoa.

Festival Details:

Time: 10 am – 10 pm
Location: Balraj Sahni Rd, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049

With its immersive charm and irresistible menu, Chocolate Indulgence is set to be a must-visit stop for every dessert enthusiast in the city.