Lapsi: A Sweet Memory from the Hills of Uttarakhand

Lapsi: A Sweet Memory from the Hills of Uttarakhand

By Author

Published on July 16, 2025

In the world of haute cuisine, where foam, fermentation, and flamboyance often steal the show, it’s rare to find a dish that whispers instead of shouts. Yet sometimes, it is in the whisper that we find our deepest truths. For Chef Himanshu Pandey, that whisper comes in the form of Lapsi—a humble, heartwarming dessert born in the hills of Uttarakhand.

Currently the Executive Chef at RAA NYC, Chef Himanshu has earned global recognition for redefining Indian cuisine with a modern lens while keeping its soul intact. His pre-plated Indian creations and commitment to storytelling through food have placed him among the most respected voices in the culinary industry today. But even as he crafts menus in one of the world’s most sophisticated dining capitals, his creative compass often points back to a quiet pahadi kitchen where it all began.

The Taste of Home, The Soul of the Mountains

“Lapsi is more than just a sweet dish—it’s a bowl of heritage and heart,” says Chef Himanshu.

In the crisp winter air of his childhood village, Lapsi was a dish that warmed both body and soul. Traditionally made with broken wheat (daliya), roasted in ghee, and sweetened with jaggery, it was a dish of celebration, comfort, and community. Spiced gently with cardamom and sometimes flecked with fennel seeds and dry fruits, Lapsi was often served during pujas, festivals, or as a special winter evening treat.

But for Chef Himanshu, it was more than just its flavor. It was a memory—a ritual—etched in scent and sound.

“I remember the firewood crackling, the scent of roasted wheat filling the room, and my mother’s calm, steady hands guiding the process. There were no recipe books, no measurements—just instinct, care, and ancestral wisdom.”

Cooking with Sabr (Patience) and Sanskar (Values)

“Beta, sabr se pakao, khana bhi tabhi ashirwad banega,” his mother would say—"Cook with patience, only then does food become a blessing."

It’s this philosophy that defines Chef Himanshu’s culinary style today. Whether he’s developing fine-dining menus in the U.S. or revisiting forgotten Indian recipes, his food is rooted in feeling, culture, and emotion. His version of Lapsi may now be plated with artistic flair, served in New York’s contemporary dining spaces, but the spirit remains untouched—an ode to his roots.

Even the act of preparing Lapsi has become, for him, a sacred moment of reconnection—with self, with home, and with the women who shaped his life. It’s a dessert that transcends time and geography, carrying with it stories of resilience, love, and inherited grace.

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Uttarakhandi Lapsi: The Recipe, The Ritual

Category: Dessert / Sweet Dish
Cuisine: Uttarakhandi Vegetarian
Portion Size: 150g
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup Whole Wheat Flour (Gehu ka Atta) – the base of the dish
  • 2 tbsp Ghee – for roasting
  • 2 cups Water – to dissolve jaggery
  • ¼ cup Jaggery (grated/powdered) – adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp Crushed Fennel Seeds – optional, for a traditional note
  • ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder – for aroma and warmth
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Dry Fruits (almonds, cashews) – optional garnish

Preparation:

  1. Roast the Flour:
    Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add flour and roast slowly on a low flame until it turns golden and fragrant.
  2. Make Jaggery Water:
    In a separate pot, dissolve jaggery in water. Bring to a gentle boil and strain if needed.
  3. Combine:
    Slowly add the jaggery water to the roasted flour, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
  4. Simmer:
    Cook on low heat until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. Add fennel and cardamom.
  5. Garnish:
    Stir in the dry fruits and a little extra ghee for richness.
  6. Serve:
    Warm in small steel katoris—the way tradition intended.

A Culinary Memoir in the Making

Chef Himanshu’s journey—from village kitchens in Uttarakhand to award-winning culinary innovation in New York—is one of dedication, humility, and rooted reinvention. He’s currently working on his debut culinary memoir and recipe book, where stories like Lapsi will find a permanent home. Set to blend childhood tales, modern techniques, and heirloom recipes, the book promises to be a soul-stirring journey through flavors, memories, and milestones.

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A Message to the Culinary World

In Chef Himanshu’s world, food is not just plated—it is passed down, preserved, and presented with purpose. Dishes like Lapsi remind us that the most powerful flavors are the ones that carry stories within them. 

“Bridging borders with bold flavors-One heritage plate at a time”


Banaraswala Opens Two New QSR Outlets in Rohini, Bringing Authentic Banarasi Flavours to Delhi

Banaraswala Opens Two New QSR Outlets in Rohini, Bringing Authentic Banarasi Flavours to Delhi

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak has expanded its presence into New Delhi with the opening of two new QSR outlets in Rohini, bringing the authentic flavours and culinary traditions of Banaras to the capital.

The bootstrapped food brand, which began its journey with its first outlet in Varanasi, has expanded beyond its home city with the aim of making traditional Banarasi food more accessible to urban diners.

The two new outlets are located at Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, and Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini. The outlets combine the convenience of a quick-service restaurant with recipes and flavours inspired by the food culture of Varanasi.

The menu features several popular Banarasi specialities, including Tamatar Chaat, Bedmi Puri Sabzi, Dahi Bhalla, Launglatta and Banarasiya Lassi. The offering also includes other traditional North Indian preparations, giving diners an opportunity to explore regional flavours in a contemporary QSR format.

Banaraswala's concept is built around preserving the character of traditional Banarasi cuisine rather than significantly altering classic recipes. The brand draws inspiration from the food found across the ghats and streets of Banaras, translating familiar regional dishes into a format suited to modern urban lifestyles.

The expansion comes amid growing interest in regional Indian cuisines, with consumers increasingly seeking food experiences rooted in local traditions and culinary heritage. Banaraswala aims to address this demand by combining authentic recipes with the accessibility and convenience of a QSR format.

The brand's journey has been entirely bootstrapped, growing from a single outlet in Varanasi into a multi-city food business. According to the company, customer response and loyalty in its home market played a key role in giving it the confidence to enter Delhi.

Commenting on the expansion, Vibhanshu Mishra, Founder & CEO, Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak, said, "Banaras is unique in terms of its cuisine in the entire country. Each dish is associated with history, culture, and emotions that people have grown up with."

He added that the brand was created to take authentic Banarasi dishes beyond the ghats and introduce them to diners who may not have experienced the cuisine in its original setting.

With its Delhi expansion, Banaraswala aims to build an emotional connection with diners through the flavours of Banaras while developing a scalable regional food brand rooted in authenticity and culinary heritage.

Outlet Details:

Outlet 1: Shop No. 29, Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, New Delhi
Outlet 2: Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini, Delhi – 110085
Cuisine: Banarasi & North Indian
Format: QSR


Eatinn' Love Trattoria Opens in Jayanagar with Pala Romana Pizza

Eatinn' Love Trattoria Opens in Jayanagar with Pala Romana Pizza

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

Eating Love has entered a new chapter with the launch of Eatinn' Love Trattoria in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, bringing its sourdough-led approach to a broader Italian dining experience inspired by the warmth and simplicity of traditional Roman trattorias.

The newly renovated restaurant moves beyond the brand's identity as a pizza destination, creating a more complete neighbourhood dining experience built around fresh ingredients, scratch-made preparations and an emphasis on thoughtful cooking.

Designed to evoke the character of a lived-in corner of Rome, Eatinn' Love Trattoria features a warm and understated setting intended to feel welcoming and familiar. The concept reflects the brand's philosophy of slowing down the dining experience and placing greater emphasis on craftsmanship, quality and authenticity.

A key highlight of the new restaurant is the introduction of Pala Romana pizza, a Roman-style pizza known for its light, airy texture and distinctive rectangular format. The category remains relatively underrepresented in India, and Eatinn' Love Trattoria aims to introduce it to Bengaluru diners through a focused approach rooted in traditional Italian techniques.

The Pala Romana offering has been developed to provide a different experience from conventional pizza, with an emphasis on balance, texture and flavour. The restaurant has adapted the style carefully while retaining its connection to authentic Italian culinary techniques.

The launch also introduces a more focused menu designed around depth rather than variety, allowing individual dishes to receive greater attention in terms of ingredients, preparation and presentation. Sourdough continues to remain central to the brand's culinary philosophy.

Reflecting its commitment to inclusive dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pizzas, providing options for a wider range of diners.

The restaurant's identity is expressed through an understated logo featuring two angled hearts, representing the care and intention behind the food and hospitality experience.

With its focus on patient cooking, fresh preparations and Roman-inspired dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria positions itself as a neighbourhood destination for diners looking for a more relaxed and authentic Italian experience in Jayanagar.

Restaurant Details:

Venue: Eatinn' Love Trattoria, Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Timings: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Contact: 8660700642
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary Options: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizzas


Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Unveils Mizuwari Series Inspired by Samurai Virtues

Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Unveils Mizuwari Series Inspired by Samurai Virtues

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel has unveiled the Mizuwari Series, a new collection of seven signature cocktails inspired by the Japanese tradition of Mizuwari, meaning “cut with water,” and the seven virtues of the Samurai.

Rooted in the principles of balance, restraint and refinement, the new beverage concept combines bold flavours, subtle dilution and considered craftsmanship. Each cocktail is designed around a distinct virtue, translating elements of Japanese philosophy into a contemporary drinking experience.

The collection features Makoto, Chu, Ikigai, Rei, Jin, Yu and Meiyo, with each creation offering its own flavour profile and personality.

The journey begins with Makoto – Honesty & Sincerity, combining vodka, Aperol, yuzu lime and fizz. Chu – Duty & Loyalty brings together bourbon whisky, lime, sesame and Angostura bitters in a characterful highball.

Ikigai – The Secret to a Long & Happy Life combines gin, cherry cordial, hibiscus and sparkling elements, while Rei – Beauty in Imperfection takes a more unexpected approach with vodka, pickled ginger, kaffir lime, cucumber and watermelon.

The collection continues with Jin – Compassion, a blush-pink highball featuring gin, passion, strawberry sweet vermouth, citrus and fizz. Yu – Heroic Courage combines gin, cherry wine, Campari, lime and fizz, while Meiyo – Honour brings together white rum, pineapple, Campari and lime for a more layered profile.

Together, the seven cocktails create a beverage experience that goes beyond individual flavour combinations, inviting guests to explore the stories and virtues represented by each creation.

Through the Mizuwari Series, Zega continues to explore contemporary Japanese-inspired beverage experiences, bringing together traditional philosophy, modern mixology and thoughtful presentation. From refreshing and delicate profiles to richer and more complex combinations, the collection encourages guests to pause, discover and savour each cocktail.

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