Neuma Hosts Levantine Pop-Up with Chef Mohib Farooqui

Neuma Hosts Levantine Pop-Up with Chef Mohib Farooqui

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 22, 2024

Neuma, a modern European restaurant in Mumbai, is hosting a special two-day pop-up event, titled “What’s Poppin with Chef Mohib Farooqui.” Scheduled for September 20th and 21st, this event promises to present an exciting twist on Levantine cuisine, with a creative flair that moves beyond the traditional hummus and kebabs.

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Guests will experience bold flavors that blend Levantine culinary traditions from regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan with global cooking techniques. 

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Chef Mohib Farooqui, who will helm the pop-up, brings over 12 years of international experience. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Sydney, Chef Mohib has worked alongside Michelin-starred chefs and led kitchens in countries such as Australia, Denmark, and India. His previous work includes stints at prominent restaurants like Urbane and Restaurant Relae, as well as crafting a Michelin-starred menu for Inddee in Bangkok. With this pop-up, Chef Mohib aims to introduce Mumbai’s diners to a fresh interpretation of Levantine dishes, merging history and innovation on every plate.

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The event, organized in collaboration with the Zomato Dining Experience, will take guests on a culinary journey across the Levant while incorporating unexpected elements. The menu reflects Chef Mohib’s ability to play with classic flavors in unique ways. Guests can expect dishes such as cucumber paired with liquid vegetables, pumpkin infused with habanero, and Australian lamb enhanced with traditional Levantine baharat spices.

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Vegetarians are also in for a treat, with options like soybeans served with sesame and pomegranate, and a vibrant bell pepper and feta salad. To round off the meal, a dessert of Medjool dates and key lime is set to provide a sweet finish.

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“This pop-up is my way of sharing the soul of Levantine cuisine with Mumbai’s vibrant food scene,” says Chef Mohib Farooqui. “Each dish tells a story—of history, culture, and flavor—and I can’t wait for guests to experience our innovation through every bite.”

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Neuma, located in a beautifully restored colonial-era bungalow in Colaba, is co-founded by filmmaker Karan Johar, Bunty Sajdeh, and True Palate Café Pvt. Ltd. The restaurant has become a landmark in South Mumbai, offering a blend of stylish yet relaxed fine dining. With Chef Mohib’s Levantine pop-up, Neuma continues to push boundaries in the city’s culinary scene.

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Chinese Wok Opens First Outlet in Calicut, Expands South India Network to 90 Stores

Chinese Wok Opens First Outlet in Calicut, Expands South India Network to 90 Stores

By Hariharan U

Published on July 13, 2026

Chinese Wok, the flagship Desi Chinese quick service restaurant (QSR) brand from Lenexis Foodworks, has expanded its presence in Kerala with the launch of its first outlet in Calicut. Located at Lulu Mall, the new restaurant marks the brand's entry into one of Kerala's fastest-growing food markets while taking its Kerala footprint to 10 outlets and its South India network to 90 stores.

The expansion forms part of Chinese Wok's strategy to strengthen its presence across high-potential Tier-II cities. Calicut's growing base of local consumers, students, working professionals, and GCC travellers, coupled with rising disposable incomes and an increasing appetite for organised dining, makes the city a strategic market for the brand.

Situated within Lulu Mall, one of Calicut's leading retail destinations, the outlet has been designed to serve shoppers, families, students, and young professionals through a convenient dine-in and takeaway format. Customers can enjoy the brand's signature menu featuring Hakka Noodles, Schezwan Noodles, Momos, Fries, and value-driven combo meals.

Commenting on the launch, Arvind R P, Chief Executive Officer, Lenexis Foodworks, said Calicut represents an important milestone in the company's South India growth strategy. He noted that the city's vibrant food culture and demand for quality, affordable meals make it an ideal market for Chinese Wok, adding that the brand remains committed to democratising Desi Chinese cuisine through a disciplined and scalable expansion approach.

The new outlet will offer dine-in, takeaway, and home delivery services, extending Chinese Wok's signature combination of flavour, affordability, and convenience to consumers in Calicut.

Founded in 2015, Chinese Wok has grown into India's largest Desi Chinese QSR brand with a network of more than 270 outlets across over 50 cities. Operated by Lenexis Foodworks, the company also manages The Momo Co. and Big Bowl as part of its expanding portfolio of quick-service restaurant brands


Farzi Café Cyberhub Celebrates World Rum Day with 'Dear Delhi' Cocktail

Farzi Café Cyberhub Celebrates World Rum Day with 'Dear Delhi' Cocktail

By Hariharan U

Published on July 13, 2026

Ahead of World Rum Day on 11 July, Farzi Café Cyberhub is celebrating the occasion with the launch of 'Dear Delhi', a signature cocktail that pays tribute to the capital through locally inspired flavours and contemporary mixology.

Part of the restaurant's Heritage Greens cocktail collection, Dear Delhi draws inspiration from the lush landscapes of Delhi's historic Sunder Nursery, reimagining the city's green spaces through an innovative rum-based creation.

Moving beyond conventional tropical rum cocktails, the drink features a distinctive cream cheese-infused rum base layered with sweet strawberry, almond, fresh basil and a touch of citrus. The cocktail is then clarified using a coconut milk wash, resulting in a crystal-clear, silky-smooth punch that balances richness with freshness.

Designed to reflect both nostalgia and innovation, Dear Delhi showcases Farzi Café's approach to modern Indian mixology by combining unconventional techniques with flavours rooted in local identity.

Priced at ₹650, the cocktail is available exclusively at Farzi Café, Cyberhub, offering guests a unique way to celebrate World Rum Day through a drink inspired by one of Delhi's most iconic landmarks


The Leela Gandhinagar Celebrates the Monsoon with Seasonal Delights at Citrus Junction

The Leela Gandhinagar Celebrates the Monsoon with Seasonal Delights at Citrus Junction

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 13, 2026

The Leela Gandhinagar is celebrating the arrival of the rainy season with Monsoon Delights, a specially curated weekend dining experience at Citrus Junction, beginning July 10, 2026 and available across all weekends in July.

Inspired by the comforting flavours that define the monsoon, the seasonal menu brings together popular regional favourites from across India. Guests can savour steaming bowls of thukpa, Bombay toasties, stuffed chillas, vada pav, and a variety of seasonal delicacies that are often enjoyed during the rains.

Adding to the experience are interactive live culinary stations where dishes are prepared fresh, along with aromatic cups of tea and indulgent desserts that perfectly complement the monsoon mood.

Set within the elegant interiors of Citrus Junction, inspired by the timeless charm of luxury rail travel, the experience offers more than just a meal. It creates a cosy setting where guests can slow down, enjoy comforting food, and spend quality time with family and friends while watching the monsoon unfold.

Speaking about the seasonal offering, Vikas Sood, General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar, said:

"Every season brings with it flavours and traditions that evoke a sense of place and belonging, and the monsoon is perhaps the most nostalgic of them all. With 'Monsoon Delights', we wanted to celebrate those familiar moments that many of us associate with the rains sharing comforting food, enjoying time with loved ones, and creating memories around the table. It is our way of bringing the warmth of the season to our guests through an experience that is comforting."

Blending regional culinary traditions with The Leela's signature hospitality, Monsoon Delights promises a warm and memorable dining experience, celebrating the simple pleasures of the rainy season through comforting food and shared moments.

Event Details

  • Event: Monsoon Delights.

  • Venue: Citrus Junction, The Leela Gandhinagar.

  • Dates: Every weekend in July from July 10, 2026.

  • Experience: Seasonal monsoon menu with live culinary stations.

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