Isthara Multi-Brand Diner Opens New Outlet in Gujarat

Isthara Multi-Brand Diner Opens New Outlet in Gujarat

By Author

Published on March 1, 2024

Isthara, a leading multi-brand diner in India, has announced the grand opening of its latest establishment in Bharuch, Gujarat. This marks a significant milestone as it represents the 50th diner under Isthara's management across the country. Founded in 2017 by Gilbert James and Krishna Kumar Vijayan, Isthara has rapidly established itself as a prominent player in the hospitality sector.

The inauguration of the Bharuch outlet reflects Isthara's commitment to expansive growth and excellence in service delivery. Vijayan Krishna Kumar, CEO and Co-founder of Isthara, expressed immense pride in this achievement, emphasizing the brand's dedication to providing patrons with a seamless dining experience characterized by quality, convenience, and operational efficiency.

Functioning as a technology hub and collaborator for various brands, Isthara has enabled its partnered restaurants to secure optimal locations in key areas, thereby accessing a wide customer demographic. With its presence in over 13 states, Isthara aims to further expand its footprint by launching 75 food courts by the first quarter of 2024.

Multi-brand diners like Isthara play a vital role in India's diverse culinary landscape, offering a wide range of cuisines that celebrate the country's rich culinary heritage. Moreover, Isthara prioritizes technology integration to enhance logistical and safety operations, ensuring a seamless experience for both customers and vendors.

In addition to culinary delights, Isthara's outlets adhere to the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to guarantee excellence at every touchpoint. The launch of the 50th multi-brand diner solidifies Isthara's position as an industry trailblazer, setting new benchmarks for quality and innovation.

As Isthara ventures into Gujarat as part of its nationwide expansion, it continues to embody its core values of excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction, promising an unparalleled dining experience for patrons across the country.


Celebrate the Festival of Lights, the KHOYA Way!

Celebrate the Festival of Lights, the KHOYA Way!

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 8, 2025

This Diwali, celebrate the Festival of Lights the KHOYA way!, with handpicked hampers crafted to delight the senses and elevate every celebration. Each collection combines timeless recipes with contemporary flair, offering indulgence that feels both rooted in heritage and refreshing in flavour.

From melt-in-the-mouth Kaju Katli to delicate sugar-free mithai, KHOYA’s festive hampers bring together the joy of sharing, the warmth of tradition, and the art of fine craftsmanship.

Handpicked by KHOYA

A thoughtfully curated selection of festive treasures, this hamper celebrates the joy of sharing flavours steeped in Indian tradition. It features the newly launched White Chocolate Aam Papad Barfi, South Indian Mixture, Amla & Supari Mukhwas, and Assorted Nuts, a blend of sweet, savoury, and tangy notes. Perfect for gifting loved ones, it captures the true essence of festive indulgence.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

All Things Cashew by KHOYA

For the discerning cashew connoisseur, this selection showcases Rose & Chocolate Kaju Katli alongside Tangy, Spiced, and Mint Cashew Jars. Each piece combines melt-in-the-mouth textures with bold, distinctive flavours, ideal for gifting or curating a memorable festive spread.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

The Ornate Orb

A luxurious keepsake that merges tradition with elegance, The Ornate Orb features a collection of premium handpicked nuts presented in a beautifully crafted brass orb. It is a visual and sensory delight, a perfect choice for those who appreciate modern heirlooms and refined festive gestures.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

Sugar-Free Mithai Box

A mindful indulgence for the health-conscious, this box features traditional favourites like Pink Coconut Ladoo, Bikaneri Barfi, Roasted Besan Ladoo, Kesar Barfi, Walnut Peda, and Classic Khoya, all crafted without added sugar. With its range of textures and flavours, this collection makes a thoughtful gift for family, friends, or colleagues.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

Rose & Chocolate Kaju Katli

A contemporary take on a classic favourite, the
Rose & Chocolate Kaju Katli combines delicate floral notes with rich chocolate for an unforgettable treat. Each piece is slow-made, elegantly crafted, and true to KHOYA’s artisanal ethos, a perfect gift that captures timeless sophistication.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website


SOCIAL Launches The Big Drop – Peena Edition, Celebrating 11 Years of Community and Cocktails

SOCIAL Launches The Big Drop – Peena Edition, Celebrating 11 Years of Community and Cocktails

By Hariharan U

Published on October 7, 2025

SOCIAL, India’s favourite neighbourhood café-bar, is raising a toast with the launch of The Big DropPeena Edition, a bold new drinks menu celebrating 11 years of community, creativity, and cocktails. Designed to match every table, mood, and adda, the Peena Edition reimagines India’s evolving drinking culture with a mix of nostalgia, playfulness, and accessibility.

From timeless classics that ease into afternoon conversations to innovative formats and shareable pitchers that fuel evening catch-ups, the new menu ensures something for every kind of guest. Inspired by India’s everyday social spaces, from quarter bars and kattas to thekas and toddy shops, the menu blends old-school familiarity with SOCIAL’s unmistakable modern twist.

SOCIAL’s iconic creations such as the Longest Long Island Iced Tea (LLIIT) and Banarasi Patiala have long been crowd favourites. The Peena Edition carries that legacy forward with new-age icons like the Longest Long Island Iced Coffee (LLIIC) and the quirky SOCIAL Lubes range, including SOCIAL Emotions, Lifaafa, and Candy Crush drinks that are as photogenic as they are flavourful.

Innovation extends beyond the ingredients to the experience itself. Cocktails wrapped like candy, test-tube shots, and towering coffee jars make every serve interactive and shareable. Starting at just ₹395, the Peena Edition stays true to SOCIAL’s belief that great cocktails should be both creative and approachable.

Menu Highlights:

  • OG: Longest Long Island Iced Coffee (LLIIC) – 750ml of coffee-spiked indulgence.

  • SOCIAL Lubes: Playful formats that bottle moods – SOCIAL Emotions (Zen AF, Weird Flex, Delulu, Aura), Lifaafa (served in a post-office pouch), and Candy Crush (a candy-wrapped cocktail).

  • Sangria Pitchers: Shareable and bold – variants like Cosmo Berry, Tropical Twist, House Spice, Java, Rita.

  • Squad Shots & Liqueurs: High-energy serves such as SOCIAL Kami Krazy test-tube shots and the explosive SOCIAL Bomb.

  • The Classics: SOCIAL’s twist on favourites including Espresso Martini, Negroni, Daiquiri, Paloma, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned.

Speaking about the launch, Riyaaz Amlani, Founder & Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., said, "The Peena Edition of the Big Drop menu is special because it speaks the language of the people. India’s drinking culture has always been about community — from quarter bars and kattas to thekas and toddy shops — and we’ve brought that spirit into a menu built for today. Innovation was needed because people don’t just come to us for what’s in the glass, but for how it makes them feel. The Big Drop captures that spirit in full.”

The Peena Edition complements SOCIAL’s Big Drop Khaana menu, together offering a seamless food-and-drink experience that celebrates how India eats, drinks, and connects today.

About Social

SOCIAL is a groundbreaking urban hangout that merges café culture with community and collaboration. By day, it’s a space for great food, coffee, and co-working; by night, it transforms into a vibrant bar and social hub. Each outlet reflects its neighbourhood, blending work, play, and creativity under one roof.

Founded in 2001 with its maiden venture Mocha – Coffees and Conversations, Impresario today operates over 60 restaurants across 20+ Indian cities. Its portfolio includes SOCIAL, antiSOCIAL, Smoke House Deli, Mocha, and boutique spaces like Bandra Born, Slink & Bardot, and BANNG. The group’s success lies in its ability to understand the evolving lifestyle of young India and craft experiences that resonate deeply with its patrons.


McDonald’s India (North & East) Spreads Festive Cheer with Special Meal Offers

By Manu VArdhan Kannan

Published on October 5, 2025

McDonald’s India – North and East has announced the launch of its Festive-Meals, available at a special price with up to 51% off, adding more flavour and joy to the celebrations this festive season. The limited-time offer aims to make moments of Durga Puja and Diwali even more special by bringing families and friends together over affordable and delicious McDonald’s favourites.

As part of the campaign, McDonald’s has also released a festive anthem film celebrating togetherness, joy, and inclusivity. The film showcases how Festive-Meals bring communities closer, allowing people to share laughter, music, and happy moments over their much-loved burgers and fries.

Speaking about the initiative, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East, said, “For more than 25 years, McDonald’s has been woven into the fabric of India’s festive spirit. Each festival gives us the chance to connect with our customers through cherished moments of celebration. This year, the Festive Meal offers continue that tradition by making every festive gathering more delightful, with the familiar taste and everyday value that bring families and friends together at McDonald’s.”

To ensure inclusivity, McDonald’s is also offering No Onion, No Garlic (NONG) versions of favourites like the McAloo Tikki Burger and Happy Meals®, catering to festive food preferences. The brand continues to uphold one of the strictest vegetarian and non-vegetarian segregation practices in the industry, maintaining separate kitchens, storage, and equipment to ensure 100% purity for vegetarian food.

Notably, McDonald’s India stands out as the only market globally with fully vegetarian restaurants, located in Jammu (New Track-Tarakote Marg and Ardhkuwari) and Amritsar (near the Golden Temple). These outlets reflect the brand’s respect for local traditions while offering the familiar McDonald’s experience.

The Festive Meal brings exceptional value , the McAloo Tikki Value Meal (Burger + Fries + Beverage) is priced at just ₹99 instead of ₹203, while a wholesome 4-course meal available at a special price. Exciting offers are also available across McDonald’s premium burger range, making the season even more delightful.

Customers can enjoy these Festive-Meals via dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, or through delivery on the McDonald’s app, Swiggy, and Zomato.

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