Firenze Gelateria & Caffè has arrived in Defence Colony, bringing what it calls India’s first true Italian gelateria experience. Inspired by Chef Parth Gupta’s culinary journeys across Italy, the café aims to recreate the romance and ritual of Florence right in the heart of Delhi.

Firenze focuses on traditional, small-batch gelato made fresh every single day. The team follows age-old Italian techniques, avoiding premade bases, artificial flavours, or stabiliser-heavy shortcuts. Each flavour is churned with care and stored in classic pozzetti wells, the signature of old Italian gelaterias known for preserving texture, temperature, and purity.

A unique highlight at Firenze is the live gelato extraction, where guests can watch the team create each batch in real time, turning the gelato-making process into a visual experience. The café also extends the Italian journey with a full menu that complements its gelato philosophy. Visitors can enjoy rich Affogatos, bold espresso, velvety Italian hot chocolate, Tuscan-style Schiacciata sandwiches, fresh bakes, and comforting pasta bowls influenced by regional Italian flavours. Everything here celebrates honest, simple, and ingredient-focused cooking.

The café’s design resembles a warm Florentine corner, complete with rustic wooden accents, mosaic flooring, vintage décor touches, and soft Italian jazz playing in the background. From sunny afternoon spots to cosy evening corners, Firenze creates a space that invites people to relax, whether it’s for a quick treat, a post-dinner dessert, or a slow weekend coffee.

Firenze Gelateria & Caffè is positioned as more than just a new opening. It hopes to be a neighbourhood space that brings together authenticity, artistry, and the spirit of la dolce vita in every scoop and sip.

The Hari Hong Kong is embracing the festive season with a range of celebrations across the hotel, from new seasonal menus and a Christmas market to a special staycation package. This year’s festivities also carry extra meaning as the hotel completes five years.

The hotel has introduced its themed ‘Festive Elegance at The Hari’ staycation package, designed as a warm and memorable holiday experience. The celebration also marks the hotel’s fifth anniversary, adding a personal touch to this year’s offerings. Guests can enjoy a one-night stay in one of the hotel’s stylish rooms or suites, HKD500 dining credit usable across all dining venues, daily breakfast for two, and limited-edition fifth anniversary gifts designed by local artist Carmen Ng. A chocolate muffin Christmas tree will be placed in the room, and guests staying on New Year’s Eve get access to the countdown party at The Terrace with two glasses of Perrier-Jouet Gran Brut NV Champagne. Guests also enjoy 15% off festive menus at Lucciola Restaurant and Zoku Restaurant.

Speaking about the celebrations, Mr. Edward E. Snoeks, General Manager, said, "As we mark our fifth anniversary, 'Festive Elegance' is more than just a celebration, it's a heartfelt thank you to our guests and community. From our charity partnership with Hong Chi Association to the exquisite menus crafted by our culinary team, we've designed every detail to create truly memorable moments of connection and joy this holiday season."

The hotel entrance will turn into a Christmas market on December 4 from 4-6pm, shining a spotlight on community support. Members of Hong Chi Association will host cocktail tastings, a snowflake knot workshop, and sell handmade and upcycled products. All proceeds will go to the organisation, which supports more than 7,000 individuals. At 5:15pm, a tree lighting ceremony will take place, accompanied by a carol performance by young choristers from Kellet School.

Lucciola will offer Italian Christmas dishes from December 24-26. Guests can enjoy festive breakfast specials like Panettone, stollen bread, homemade porchetta ham, and Christmas cookies. Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch will feature a semi-buffet spread, with mains such as ‘Crudo di Mare’, ‘Orzotto Ai Gamberi Rossi Siciliana’, and ‘Guancia di Manzo Brasata al Barbaresco’. Desserts will be served from an indulgent dessert trolley with options including pistachio cannelloni and tiramisu. Prices begin at HKD988++ per adult and HKD588++ for children aged 5-11. Free-flow festive drinks like mulled wine and eggnog are also available. Christmas dinner and Boxing Day dinner will follow a set menu format with dishes including ‘Il Filetto di Ippoglosso all’Acqua Pazza’ and ‘Tartare Di Salmone Atlantico Con Spuma Di Acqua Di Pomodoro, Caviale Di Aringa Affumicato’.

Zoku will serve a festive set dinner from December 24-26 with dishes like ‘Ankimo’, Miso Carbonara Udon, and a Matcha Layer Cake. The four-course menu starts at HKD598, with optional free-flow drink packages. On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will offer additions such as Amaebi Scallop Taco, Blue Fin Tuna Roll, and Tiger Prawn Kushiyaki.

The alfresco bar The Terrace will host a New Year’s Eve Countdown Party from 9:30pm to 12:30am with live music, unique cocktails, and festive food.

To match the gifting season, The Hari Hong Kong has introduced digital gift cards. Guests purchasing cards worth HK$1,000 or more before the end of December will receive a 10% bonus. The cards can be used for rooms or dining. The hotel’s signature 1.5kg tiramisu is also available online for takeaway.

Three O' Clock Café has officially opened its flagship outlet at AIPL Joy Central, Sector 65, Gurugram, marking the arrival of Vietnam’s much-loved 3 PM coffee ritual in India. This launch introduces the city to a menu inspired by Vietnam’s deep-rooted coffee traditions, with another outlet soon opening at AIPL Business Club.

Designed with a cosy yet modern feel, the café aims to offer an experience that appeals to coffee lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking to explore new flavours. The highlight here is the authentic Vietnamese coffee selection, ranging from traditional brewed coffee to creamy egg coffee, coconut-based blends, and cold brews. All the coffees are made using premium beans sourced directly from Vietnam’s top estates, bringing the slow-brewed charm of Vietnamese culture to the Indian palate.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Ishaan Singh, Director, AIPL, said, "At AIPL, we believe every retail space should tell a story, one that connects people, cultures, and experiences. With Three O'Clock Café joining AIPL Joy Central, we're bringing a piece of Vietnam's soulful coffee culture to Gurugram's vibrant café scene. It's not just about great coffee; it's about the pause, the conversation, and the sense of community that defines memorable places. For us, this collaboration embodies our vision of creating destinations that feel global in inspiration yet deeply local in spirit, where authenticity and artistry come together seamlessly."

The event also saw the presence of Mr. Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counsellor, Embassy of Vietnam in India, who shared, "The growing cultural and economic exchange between India and Vietnam continues to strengthen the friendship between our two nations. Food and coffee are among the most heartfelt ways to bring people together, and we are delighted to see Vietnam's beloved coffee culture finding a home in India through the launch of Three O' Clock Café."

Phi Van Nguyen, Chairwoman at Vietnam Franchising & Licensing Network & Co-Founder, Three O' Clock Café, added, "We are excited to bring an authentic slice of Vietnam's coffee heritage to Gurugram. Three O'Clock Café is more than just a place to grab coffee, it's an invitation to pause, connect, and savour the moment, the way people do every day at 3 PM in Vietnam."

With this launch, Franchise India partners with Three O’Clock Café to introduce an experience that blends culture, flavours, and stories, offering Gurugram a fresh destination for meaningful conversations and delightful coffee moments.