Indri Dru Crowned 'Best Indian Single Malt' at World Whiskies Awards 2024

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 1, 2024

In a landmark moment for the Indian whisky industry, Piccadily Distilleries' Indri Dru has been awarded the prestigious title of 'Best Indian Single Malt' at the World Whiskies Awards 2024. This accolade comes on the heels of the success of Indri-Trini, India's first triple cask single malt, which also received international recognition. Indri Dru's triumph is a testament to India's burgeoning reputation in the global whisky scene, less than a year after its market introduction in 2023.

The name 'Dru' is derived from Sanskrit, meaning wood, and pays homage to the ancient Indian mythological drink “soma”. Matured in the subtropical climate of northern India, Indri Dru is a meticulously crafted whisky, blending the richness of Ex-Bourbon barrels to achieve a unique flavour profile, characterised by its impressive 57.2% alcohol by volume.

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Indri Dru delights the senses from the first whiff, offering a rich aroma of mixed fruits, underpinned by vanilla, spice, chocolate, and honey notes. The palate is treated to a symphony of sweet fruits, soft spice, and vanilla, with undertones of chocolate and wood lactones, enriched by citrus notes that lend the whisky its depth and complexity. The finish is both full-bodied and intricate, leaving a lingering fruitiness that is both tantalising and satisfying.

"This award for 'Best Indian Single Malt' is a recognition of India's exceptional skill in whisky making and underscores our commitment to excellence," remarked Siddhartha Sharma, Founder of Piccadily Distilleries. "Indri Dru not only brings honour to our distillery but also marks India's rising stature in the global whisky industry."

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The World Whiskies Awards, known for its rigorous judging process, involves three rounds of scrutiny by an esteemed panel, including international journalists, industry experts, and specialist drink retailers. The competition celebrates the finest in whisky making from around the globe, with participants from the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Australia, and beyond.

Indri Dru's recognition at the World Whiskies Awards 2024 adds to its growing list of accolades, including high praise from the International Wine and Spirits Competition of 2023. Lauded for its balance and richness in flavour, Indri Dru is celebrated as a standout addition to the whisky world, promising a memorable experience for connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike.


Woodside Inn Opens Second Outpost in Bengaluru, Bringing Mumbai’s Beloved Gastropub Culture

Woodside Inn Opens Second Outpost in Bengaluru, Bringing Mumbai’s Beloved Gastropub Culture

By Hariharan U

Published on January 7, 2026

Woodside Inn, Mumbai’s pioneering gastropub, has opened its second home in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, bringing its celebrated pub culture, hearty menu, and relaxed spirit to one of the city’s most dynamic dining districts.

Spanning 2,800 sq. ft. across two floors with a balcony extension, the Bengaluru outpost balances nostalgic charm with local vibrancy. Interiors feature light wood tones, hand-laid interlocking floors, communal tables, and bespoke frames celebrating Bengaluru’s legendary pubs. Large arched bay windows overlook a rain tree, while a carefully curated playlist ties the ambience together.

At the heart of the experience is beer. Fourteen taps feature selections from Bengaluru breweries like Toit, Geist, Red Rhino, and Mannheim, alongside classics like Kingfisher and Heineken. Signature freezer-door cocktails, served at minus five degrees Celsius, ensure each drink is chilled perfectly without dilution, offering crisp, balanced flavours.

Food at Woodside Inn Bengaluru celebrates comfort with refinement. A charcoal-fired live grill brings rustic flavours to dishes like Grilled Harissa Chicken Skewers and Citrus Paprika Chicken. The menu spans bar nibbles, small plates, signature burgers, pizzas, pastas, and mains such as Trio Mushroom Risotto, Steak Frites, and Grilled Rawas with Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc. Desserts include the Flourless Belgian Chocolate Torte.

The iconic Beer & Burger Festival, India’s long-running F&B celebration, also makes its Bengaluru debut, promising new flavours and fresh pairings for enthusiasts.

Speaking about the launch, Co-Founder Pankil Shah said, “Bengaluru is the OG pub capital of India. We’re not here to lead the community, just to be part of it. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where good beer, good food, and good company come together.”

Founded in 2007 in Colaba, Mumbai, Woodside Inn has grown to outposts in Bandra, Colaba, and Andheri. Known for its live music sessions, signature beers, and the Beer & Burger Festival, the brand brings 18 years of Mumbai pub culture to Bengaluru while tuning into the city’s love for craft beer and neighbourhood hospitality.

Address: 35, 80 Feet Rd, HAL 3rd Stage, New Tippasandra, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560075
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodsideblr/


The Gulmohar Bar & Curry House Opens Its New Koregaon Park Address in Pune

The Gulmohar Bar & Curry House Opens Its New Koregaon Park Address in Pune

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 7, 2026

After a successful run in Baner, The Gulmohar Bar & Curry House has unveiled its new address in Koregaon Park, Lane 7, bringing its signature blend of contemporary Indian food and nostalgia-driven cocktails to one of Pune’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. The new space reflects the brand’s philosophy of everyday comfort, regional diversity and familiar flavours, designed for both relaxed downtime and lively celebrations.

Owned by Harsh Agarwal and Umang Bhimrajka, the 3,000 sq. ft. outlet seats up to 120 guests and is envisioned as a warm, easygoing escape in the heart of the city. Speaking about the opening, Harsh Agarwal, Co-Founder, said, “The name Gulmohar is drawn from what the tree itself represents - simplicity with quiet grandeur, an icon deeply rooted in memory. Much like its season of bloom, The Gulmohar stands for nostalgia, good times and moments meant to be shared and returned to."

Umang Bhimrajka, Co-Founder, added, “The Gulmohar is a comfortable, proudly Indian space you can return to often, whether for downtime or celebration. The space is designed to fit into the rhythm of your week, not just your weekend.”

Designed by Natasha and Parzan Daruwala of Studio 1658, Bandra, the Koregaon Park outlet draws inspiration from Pune’s laid-back, unpretentious character while staying rooted in The Gulmohar’s Indian ethos. The interiors feature an earthy palette of greens, terracotta accents, natural stone, teak, bamboo and exposed brick, creating a space that feels warm, familiar and lived-in.

The design also reflects the influence of late architect Geoffrey Bawa, seen in the seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, relaxed spatial planning and custom furniture and artworks inspired by his tropical modern sensibility.

The menu, curated by award-winning Chef Shailendra Kekade, celebrates the depth and diversity of Indian regional cuisine through a contemporary lens. Moving beyond conventional North-South boundaries, the menu brings together familiar flavours, regional techniques and thoughtful reinterpretations crafted for everyday dining.

The Chaat section sets the tone with playful yet rooted dishes such as kale and spicy peach chaat, inspired by palak patta chaat, and Wai Thai Noodles, a bhel-style preparation using Wai Wai noodles layered with street-style Asian flavours. The Salad section balances indulgence and restraint, with Burrata and Bhang standing out for its combination of fresh burrata, mixed lettuce and hemp seed chutney.

Small chakhna-style tapas draw from street food and home kitchens across India. Highlights include Kaju Usali with Goli Baje, a coastal preparation flavoured with coconut, curry leaves and mustard seeds served alongside crisp Mangalorean fritters, and Kharda Mutton, a rustic Maharashtrian dish presented in a refined small-plate format.

The Nosh section focuses on appetisers from the tandoor and grill, featuring kathal seekh kebab, galoutis inspired by Lucknow’s streets, pathar ka murgh and a homestead-style Bombay Duck. Anchoring the menu is the Curry House Extravaganza, where Indian classics sit alongside South East Asian curries adapted to suit Indian palates. Standout dishes include Nihari, Gongura Mamsam, roasted pineapple Sri Lankan curry and Bengali Sorshe Maach.

A progressive approach to health runs through the menu, with most breads and biryanis prepared using millets, adding depth of flavour while keeping wellness in focus. Speaking about the food philosophy, Chef Shailendra Kekade said, “The Gulmohar is meant to feel like a small break in the middle of the city. The food celebrates regional Indian flavours in a way that feels familiar, light and easy to enjoy every day.”

Complementing the dining experience is Guls Café, offering a compact café menu with India-inspired sandos and a focused filter coffee programme, served daily till the evening.

The cocktail programme is a defining element of The Gulmohar experience, built around ingredients sourced from across Indian states and united by nostalgia. Global cocktail formats are reinterpreted through Indian flavours to create drinks that connect emotionally before impressing technically.

Misti Doi, inspired by a martini, uses fat-washed Misti Doi gin for a gently tangy, comforting finish. Malgudi Days draws from toddy shops and slower times, crafted with house-fermented coconut wine. Magai, a paan-infused gin cocktail, is an ode to late-night drives and familiar roadside paan stops. Coastal Trip blends tequila with kokum and amla, recalling school-day memories of kokum sharbat and salt-and-pepper amla from local carts across Maharashtra and the coastal belt.

With its new Koregaon Park address, The Gulmohar Bar & Curry House continues to build on its vision of offering contemporary Indian dining that feels rooted, relaxed and deeply personal.


Andrea’s Launches New Menu Inspired by Global Flavours and Personal Stories

Andrea’s Launches New Menu Inspired by Global Flavours and Personal Stories

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 7, 2026

Andrea’s has launched its new menu, bringing together global flavours, personal memories, and soul-warming comfort food that reflects the changing season. Inspired by nostalgia, travel, and lived experiences across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the menu stays true to Andrea’s philosophy of honest flavours, soulful cooking, and authentic global cuisine.

Designed to go beyond just warmth in temperature, the new offerings focus on deeper broths, slow-cooked preparations, and familiar flavours that linger. Each dish reflects a personal story, turning childhood meals and travel discoveries into comforting plates that invite guests to slow down and savour the experience.

The new menu has been introduced at Andrea’s outlets in Khan Market, Vasant Kunj, and Saket, allowing guests early access before a wider rollout. This phased launch ensures the consistency and quality the brand is known for.

Highlights from the menu include Lamb Tortellini in Brodo, a traditional soup that Founder Andrea Pauro grew up eating, featuring delicate lamb-filled pasta in a rich, comforting broth. Colonial-style Lamb Cutlets pay tribute to Indian–British culinary heritage, while Nasi Goreng reflects Andrea Pauro’s childhood memories from Bali. Southeast Asian influences shine through dishes such as Thai Garlic Pepper Chicken and Tom Yum Kung finished with coconut milk. Rice Paper Rolls, inspired by flavours experienced at Le Dalat in Bangkok, return as a light and refreshing starter.

A standout addition is the Sea Bass Aqua Pazza, prepared using fresh, locally sourced sea bass. This classic Italian coastal dish is lightly seasoned, pan-seared, and gently simmered in a fragrant broth of garlic, organic tomatoes, crushed chilli, white wine, and warm stock. Finished with fresh parsley and olive oil, it delivers a bright, seasonal flavour that balances simplicity and depth.

Seasonal produce, warming spices, slow-cooked proteins, and fresh herbs form the foundation of the menu. Guests can choose from lighter dishes, vegetarian options, and well-portioned meals, with flexibility for individual preferences and dietary requirements, without compromising on flavour.

The menu has been developed under the direct guidance of Founder Andrea Pauro and Andrea’s culinary leadership team. The creative approach focused on translating recollections, travel stories, and emotional food experiences into dishes that feel both comforting and exciting, while remaining true to their original inspiration.

Complementing the food is a curated selection of cocktails and wines. Signature cocktails include Mexican Staple, Love Potion, Tamarind Sour, and Clear Tomato Gimlet. The wine list features Le Grand Pinot Noir, Alta Vista Chardonnay, Warwick The First Lady Pinotage, Espania Red, and Château de Terrefort-Quancard Bordeaux Supérieur, offering thoughtful pairings for seafood, slow-cooked meats, and hearty dishes.

With this new menu, Andrea’s brings together stories, personal journeys, and globally inspired comfort food. Each plate reflects moments that have shaped the kitchen over the years, inviting guests to explore flavours, reconnect with familiar comforts, and experience the warmth that defines Andrea’s.

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