Koishii at St. Regis Mumbai Strengthens Culinary Team with Top Global Chefs

Koishii at St. Regis Mumbai Strengthens Culinary Team with Top Global Chefs

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 3, 2025

St. Regis Mumbai has announced key appointments to its culinary team at Koishii, its renowned Nikkei dining destination. Joining the restaurant are Peruvian master chef Willman Lan Thorne as Chef de Cuisine and Chef Jesús Caballero as Sous Chef, bringing with them a combined legacy of over 30 years in global gastronomy.

A Fusion of Cultures & Culinary Expertise

With a remarkable 19-year career, Chef Willman Lan Thorne has mastered the art of blending Japanese, Nikkei, Peruvian, and Latin cuisines. His culinary journey has taken him across Lima, Dubai, Cairo, and Panama, refining his craft at prestigious establishments like Osaka, Blue Marlin Ibiza, Mezcal, and Noa Nikkei. Now, at Koishii, Chef Lan is set to create dishes that tell stories, evoke emotions, and redefine Nikkei cuisine in Mumbai.

Bringing over 16 years of experience, Chef Jesús Caballero has honed his skills at Osaka in Chile, Onze in Dubai and Lebanon, and Ka Lounge in Chile. His expertise spans menu innovation, sushi bar management, and staff training, with an ability to seamlessly blend technique and creativity. His culinary repertoire includes notable stints at Ko Asian Kitchen, Madame Tusan, and Sushi Express in Peru, making him a valuable addition to Koishii’s kitchen.

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A New Chapter for Koishii

The arrival of Chefs Lan and Caballero marks an exciting culinary evolution for Koishii. While staying true to its Nikkei identity, the restaurant will now offer broader Latin American flavors, seamlessly integrated with Japanese ingredients and techniques.

“Koishii has always been a space where flavors meet artistry. With Chefs Lan and Caballero at the helm, we look forward to elevating our dining experience, offering guests a refined yet adventurous gastronomic journey,” stated a hotel release.

With culinary innovation at its core, Koishii at St. Regis Mumbai is set to captivate discerning palates with a bold new menu, redefining luxury dining in the city.


Mizuki 2.0: A Bold New Chapter in Elevated Asian Dining

Mizuki 2.0: A Bold New Chapter in Elevated Asian Dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 1, 2026

Ushering in a fresh and confident phase, Mizuki at Le Méridien Navi Mumbai unveils Mizuki 2.0, a refined evolution that raises the bar for Pan-Asian dining. Set against expansive skyline views, this new chapter brings sharper techniques, deeper flavours, and a more indulgent approach, crafted for guests who appreciate thoughtful, elevated cuisine.

Mizuki 2.0 presents a carefully curated menu that blends comfort with bold expression. Signature highlights include the smoky Aburi Salmon, the fiery Volcano Spicy Prawn Roll, and the richly layered Sichuan Dan Dan Ramen. Popular dim sum selections like the XO Prawn Dumpling continue to impress, while the Indonesian Style Chilli Lobster emerges as a standout, delivering intense flavour and indulgence in every bite. Each dish is designed with balance and precision, creating a dining journey that feels both refined and satisfying.

Desserts complete the experience on a high note, offering indulgent finales such as the Burnt Basque Matcha Cheesecake and the Organic Jaggery & Coconut Cream Brûlée. These thoughtfully crafted desserts add depth and warmth, rounding off the meal with finesse.

With Mizuki 2.0, the restaurant steps into a new era of Pan-Asian opulence, where flavour meets artistry and every detail is designed to leave a lasting impression. It is an experience where the pleasure of the palate meets the beauty of the horizon, creating a dining moment that is both memorable and refined.

Event Details:

  • What: Launch of Mizuki 2.0: New Pan-Asian Menu
  • Where: Mizuki, Le Méridien Navi Mumbai
  • When: Now Available


Rare & Remarkable: Indian Single Malts to Elevate Your Holi Celebration

Rare & Remarkable: Indian Single Malts to Elevate Your Holi Celebration

By Hariharan U

Published on February 28, 2026

Holi today blends vibrant daytime celebrations with relaxed, thoughtfully curated evenings. Once the colours fade, gatherings often move indoors to intimate dinners, music and premium pours. For hosts seeking something beyond predictable festive drinks, rare Indian single malts bring character, craftsmanship and conversation to the table.

Crazy Cock “Madhuca: The Heritage Editions” stands out for its pioneering finish in Mahura (Mahua) casks, a first for global single malts. Distilled at South Seas Distilleries, it layers floral sweetness, soft spice, vanilla and dried fruit over a smooth ex-bourbon and ex-sherry base. For hosts, it offers both heritage storytelling and refined taste.

From Jammu’s Himalayan foothills, GianChand Adambaraa and Manshaa present two distinct styles. Adambaraa delivers honeyed fruit and gentle spice for easy sipping, while Manshaa (Laggerbach) introduces peat smoke and citrus brightness, ideal for a slower, late-evening dram.

Limited to just 500 casks, DŌAAB 01 “Six Blind Men and the Elephant” pairs balanced sweetness with artistic packaging inspired by Rajasthan’s Mandana art, making it as display-worthy as it is enjoyable.

Distilled in Haryana, Indri Triple Wood Limited Editions combine ex-bourbon, wine and PX sherry casks, delivering layers of dried fruit, honey and oak that pair beautifully with festive fare.

Finally, Amrut Special and Cask-Strength Releases offer bold spice and dark chocolate notes shaped by tropical maturation, perfect for seasoned enthusiasts.

As Holi evolves into a celebration of tradition and contemporary luxury, these rare Indian single malts ensure the evening ends with depth, distinction and a memorable final pour.


Vaarta Opens in Goa, Bringing Interactive Indian Street Food to a 160-Year-Old

Vaarta Opens in Goa, Bringing Interactive Indian Street Food to a 160-Year-Old

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 28, 2026

In a quiet corner of Sangolda, Vaarta has opened its doors inside a beautifully restored 160-year-old Goan home. The restaurant brings a fresh way of experiencing Indian street food, where flavours, memories, and conversations come together in an intimate setting.

Vaarta is not designed like a typical street food spot or a nostalgia-themed café. Instead, it slows things down and gives street food the space and respect it deserves. Set within a heritage home that already carries decades of stories, the restaurant allows food to unfold as an experience rather than a quick bite.

One of the most distinctive elements at Vaarta is its interactive dining style. Guests are welcomed by a live Puchka counter, where each puchka is prepared fresh. Diners can choose fillings such as Aloo Masala, Aloo Dum, Dahi Aloo, and Churmur, paired with house-made waters ranging from Sharp Jaljira and Tangy Tetul to sweet Saunth and cooling Pudina. The experience recreates the excitement of a street-side ritual, now placed within a calm and personal environment.

Adding to this sense of play is the ‘Make Your Own Barf Ka Gola’ cart, brought straight to the table. Guests can customise flavours, textures, and spice levels, turning a childhood favourite into a shared moment that naturally sparks conversation.

The setting plays a major role in shaping the experience. The 160-year-old home has been carefully restored, keeping its original arches, aged flooring, and vintage windows intact. Interconnected lighting flows through the space, while vintage round bakelite power switches have been retained to preserve an old-world charm. Rather than reshaping the house to fit a concept, Vaarta allows the home to guide the atmosphere, creating a space that feels warm, unhurried, and deeply connected to Goa.

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“Vaarta was born from a simple longing, the kind of food that carries memory and invites conversation. I didn’t want to recreate street food; I wanted to give it the space and respect it deserves,” says Neha Mehta, Founder of Vaarta.

The menu draws from Indian street food traditions across regions, prepared with care and restraint while staying true to their roots. It moves from chaat favourites like Palak Patta Chaat, Jhal Muri, and Tokri Chaat to comforting dishes such as Chelo Kebab, Suz Ke Seekh, and Aloo Ki Taheri. Bar bites include Spinach Chop, Tujj Tikka, and Chicken Roast Kulcha, while main courses highlight regional flavours with Dalcha Gosht, Gavran Chicken, Bharwaan Karela, Moti Pulao, and Cholar Dal. Desserts such as Bhapa Doi, Patishapta, Payasam, Shahi Tukda, and Basundi bring the meal to a nostalgic close.

The bar follows the same philosophy, reworking familiar Indian flavours into creative drinks. Cocktails like Pani Puri Popper, Kala Khatta Kamikaze, Masala Chai Martini, Nimbu Mirch Margarita, and Aam Panna Sour sit alongside refreshing options such as Shikanji Sparkler and Rose & Cardamom Lassi, keeping the experience playful yet comforting.

Vaarta appeals to a wide audience. For locals, it brings back flavours tied to everyday moments and memories. For long-term settlers, it offers a comforting reminder of home. For travellers, it becomes a quiet discovery, where Indian street food feels thoughtful and personal.

In a region known for beach shacks and global cuisines, Vaarta offers something different: a return to Indian flavours that shaped childhoods and cities. Here, street food slows down, conversations stay longer, and every dish carries a story.

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