Ishtaa Brings Authentic Telugu Vegetarian Food to Bengaluru

Ishtaa Brings Authentic Telugu Vegetarian Food to Bengaluru

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 12, 2024

Ishtaa, the renowned premium vegetarian dining brand from Hyderabad, has launched its first outlet in Bengaluru. Located in Jayanagar, this new restaurant continues Ishtaa's tradition of serving authentic Telugu recipes that have been passed down through generations.

The Hyderabad-based culinary experience, part of Teja Chekuri's portfolio, is rooted in tradition and aims to redefine vegetarian food for its patrons. Situated on Temple Road, Jayanagar, the restaurant is tucked away in a quiet, green corner, providing a serene atmosphere for diners.

Ishtaa offers a diverse menu featuring traditional dishes typically found in Telugu households. The menu changes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and includes an array of delectable traditional sweets. With four successful outlets in Hyderabad, Ishtaa's Bengaluru location spans 10,000 square feet in a charming bungalow, offering an intimate and rustic ambiance that evokes the nostalgia of dining in a quintessential Indian home.

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Teja Chekuri, the seasoned entrepreneur behind Ishtaa, expressed his vision for the brand: "At Ishtaa, we aim to revive, redefine, and bring back the delicate and nuanced flavors of our traditional recipes that have been passed on through generations. We are dedicated to creating an immersive dining experience for our patrons, grounded in the timeless principles of Indian hospitality that are integral to our culture and traditions."

Each Ishtaa location is spacious and tastefully decorated with minimalist traditional elements, bringing the essence of the concept to life. The Bengaluru outlet embraces Vastu Shastra and features distinct dining pockets, merging tall ceilings with fine brick perforations and glazing to bring the outdoors indoors.

Teja Chekuri, a global entrepreneur in the Food & Beverages space, has successfully established several brand concepts across various cuisines. His ventures include United Telugu Kitchens (UTK), Godavari, Ironhill India, Prost, Madras Dosa Co, Khiladi, 1947 Truly Indian, Vaanga, Passage to India, Boston, Don't Tell Aunty, and Rosebud in the US and Canada. UTK and Ishtaa are his main Indian ventures in the food industry.

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Chekuri's past endeavors in Bengaluru, including United Telugu Cuisine and Ironhill Bengaluru, have significantly influenced the city's culinary culture. With Ishtaa's success in Hyderabad, he aims to add another vegetarian gem to Bengaluru.

Must-Try Dishes:

  • Ice cream dosa

  • Panasapottu biryani

  • Munakayya karivepaku soup

  • Potlam Parotta

  • Idli fries

  • Palak millet kichidi

  • Rayalaseema yerra karam dosa

  • 5 ft dosa

  • Idly 65

  • Chitti muthyalu mushroom biryani

Location: Ishtaa, No 60-157-30, 6th C Main Road, 30th Cross, Sri Viniyaka Devalaya, Jayanagar 4th Block, Bengaluru, Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka, 560011


Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on its asset-light strategy with a major move—selling Playa Hotels’ real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. This follows Hyatt’s acquisition of Playa in February for $2.6 billion, including debt. Playa operates 24 luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

The sale covers 15 of Playa’s resort assets, effectively reducing Hyatt’s net purchase price for the remaining Playa business to around $555 million. The deal, still pending regulatory nods in Mexico, is expected to close before the end of 2025.

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As part of the arrangement, Hyatt and Tortuga will enter into 50-year agreements for these properties, allowing Hyatt to continue managing the resorts. Thirteen of the resorts will operate under Hyatt’s standard management fee structures, with two under separate agreements.

Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian called the move transformational, noting it turns the Playa acquisition into a fully asset-light transaction. "It also ramps up our fee-based earnings," he added. Hyatt now anticipates its asset-light earnings mix could hit at least 90% by 2027.

Analysts view the swift real estate divestment positively, seeing it as a smart way for Hyatt to stay nimble while bolstering returns. Proceeds from this deal will primarily go toward repaying loans taken to finance the Playa buyout.


Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a flagship Accor property, has proudly announced that it has been awarded the Green Key Certification, a globally recognised eco-label that underscores excellence in sustainable tourism and hospitality.

Granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—one of the world’s leading environmental education organisations and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)—the certification marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising guest comfort or luxury.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, we believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a way of life. Being Green Key certified reinforces our commitment to offering eco-conscious experiences that align with global environmental standards.”

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The hotel has rolled out various impactful initiatives, from using clean, renewable energy and implementing robust waste management practices to driving water conservation, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainably sourcing products. These measures are designed to benefit not only the environment but also the local community.

As travel trends increasingly lean towards conscious luxury and responsible tourism, this certification positions Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach as a leader in sustainable hospitality in India.


IHCL to Open New Vivanta in Anjuna, Strengthening Goa Portfolio

IHCL to Open New Vivanta in Anjuna, Strengthening Goa Portfolio

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality player, has announced the signing of a new Vivanta property in Anjuna, Goa. This greenfield project marks another step in IHCL’s strategy to grow its presence across key leisure destinations in India.

Strategically located in Anjuna, celebrated for its vibrant culture and beaches, the upcoming Vivanta Anjuna, Goa will feature 110 well-appointed rooms. Guests can look forward to an array of facilities including an all-day diner, a bar, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and modern conference spaces, catering to both leisure and business travellers.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, shared, “IHCL has been at the forefront of pioneering destinations and has played a defining role in putting Goa on the global tourism map for over five decades. This signing is in line with our strategy to expand IHCL’s presence across segments in key leisure markets. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Fiesta Hotels with this new project.”

The hotel is being developed by Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., led by directors Ravinder Kumar, Manju Vardhan, Raj Vardhan, Harsh Vardhan, Gagan Garg, and Gaurav Garg, who have deep investments in real estate and hospitality. Ravinder Kumar, Director, Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to collaborate with IHCL through the addition of our second hotel in Goa. It stands as a testament to our shared vision to deliver exceptional experiences in one of India’s most cherished destinations.”

Goa continues to attract travellers with its sun-soaked beaches, Portuguese-era architecture, thriving culinary and music scene, and vibrant local communities. With this signing, IHCL’s Goa portfolio grows to 18 hotels, including five under development, underscoring its long-standing commitment to shaping Goa’s tourism landscape.

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