Even Steven has opened its doors in Bandra, Mumbai, bringing a new all-day diner concept centred around flavour-driven food, house-made breads, inventive beverages and an easy-going neighbourhood atmosphere.

Founded by Geeta Amin and Timanshu Mokal, Even Steven is designed as an unpretentious neighbourhood diner where guests can drop in throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, coffee or dinner.

The 25-seater space features an open kitchen that allows diners to watch their food being prepared, while its signature green aesthetic and warm interiors create a relaxed setting designed for lingering over meals and conversations.

Chef Christopher Fernandes worked closely with the founders to develop the culinary and beverage programmes while also helping shape the overall character and energy of the diner.

The menu represents one of Chef Fernandes' most extensive explorations of vegetarian cooking, with vegetarian dishes given equal prominence alongside meat-based offerings.

The Egg Section moves beyond conventional breakfast dishes with options such as Jumbo Lump Crab or Chicken Krapow French Toast and the Arnold Bennett Omelette, adding a more contemporary approach to familiar egg-based preparations.

At the centre of the offering is the diner's sandwich programme, with every sandwich built using bread baked in-house.

The non-vegetarian selection includes the Fried Chicken Donut, combining hot honey, smoked cream cheese and crispy fried chicken, along with the Pain Suisse Smash, featuring a double beef patty, charred onion, cheddar, pickles and black garlic aioli.

Vegetarian options receive similar attention. The Grilled Halloumi sandwich combines grilled halloumi with pesto, charred tomato, balsamic and smoky romesco in fresh ciabatta, while the Caprese Sando brings together stracciatella, tomatoes, pesto and balsamic on house-made focaccia.

Beyond sandwiches, the menu features familiar comfort food with contemporary touches. The vegetarian Rigatoni combines roasted red pepper emulsion, creamy cheese curds and fresh herbs, while the Steak & Frites pairs tenderloin fillet with green peppercorn jus and truffle fries.

The beverage programme is led by an experienced master barista and spans traditional coffee preparations as well as more experimental creations. The menu includes Chemex pour-overs and Hot Matcha Lattes, alongside signatures such as Coca-Cola Espresso, Tiramisu Iced Coffee and Island Pineapple Coffee.

Coolers, frappes and teas further expand the beverage offering, creating options suited to different times of the day.

Desserts include Banana Foster Toast and Dark Chocolate Ganache, providing a sweet finish to the diner experience.

Located in Bandra West, Even Steven aims to establish itself as a neighbourhood destination where guests can enjoy everything from a quick coffee to a leisurely meal, with the philosophy "Eat Easy, Live Easy!" guiding the overall experience.

Restaurant Details:

• Venue: Even Steven
• Address: Shop 8 & 9, Dunhill Apartments, Co-op. Society, 5, Waroda Road, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
• Opened: 19 August 2026
• Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM

Star Air, the aviation arm of Sanjay Ghodawat Group, is expanding its network in Odisha with 24 new weekly flights from 4 September 2026, strengthening air connectivity between Telangana and the eastern state.

The expansion will include a new direct Hyderabad-Bhubaneswar service and the reinstatement of the Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda route. Both services will operate six days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The new Hyderabad-Bhubaneswar connection will link two important business and economic centres. Hyderabad's strong presence across IT, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education and business makes it an important travel market, while Bhubaneswar provides access to Odisha's cultural, religious and tourism destinations. The direct service is expected to support travel for business professionals, students, families and leisure travellers. From Bhubaneswar, visitors can also access popular destinations such as Puri and the Jagannath Temple, along with the Sun Temple at Konark.

Star Air will also bring back its Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda service, improving east-west connectivity within Odisha. The route will connect the state capital with Jharsuguda and the wider Sambalpur region, supporting access to industrial centres as well as destinations such as Samaleswari Temple, Huma and Hirakud Dam. With Jharsuguda Airport serving as an important aviation gateway for Sambalpur and neighbouring districts, the reinstated service is expected to support business travel, tourism, trade and regional economic activity.

Commenting on the expansion, Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Star Air, said, “With the introduction of direct Hyderabad - Bhubaneswar flights and the reinstatement of our Bhubaneswar–Jharsuguda services, we are strengthening connectivity across Telangana and Odisha, making it easier than ever to access the region’s key destinations. These services are designed to support the needs of business travellers, students, families, and leisure seekers alike. At Star Air, our commitment remains unwavering to empower regional economies, connect communities, and bring more of India within easier reach.”

The expanded schedule will give travellers more flexibility for business trips, family visits and leisure journeys while improving connections between key destinations across Odisha and Telangana.

The move comes as India's aviation sector continues to expand its regional network. Star Air's latest addition also aligns with the government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) initiative, which aims to improve air connectivity to underserved and unserved airports. Tickets for both the new and reinstated routes are available through Star Air and leading travel platforms.

Tamara Leisure Experiences (TLE) has introduced Yazhi – The Grand Koodal in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, marking the hospitality group's first-ever Kalyana Mandapam and expanding its presence into India's growing wedding and celebrations market.

Designed as a premium destination for weddings, receptions, engagement ceremonies and social celebrations, Yazhi brings together large-format event spaces, dining facilities, accommodation and operational infrastructure under one roof.

The launch comes as India's wedding industry continues to expand and become increasingly organised, with families exploring a wider range of celebration formats ranging from intimate gatherings and heritage venues to luxury hotels, destination weddings and purpose-built wedding spaces.

Tamil Nadu remains an important wedding market, where the traditional Kalyana Mandapam continues to play a central role in celebrations. For TLE, the state provides an opportunity to bring its approach to design, service and guest experience into a category deeply rooted in local traditions.

Commenting on the launch, Samir MC, CEO, Tamara Leisure Experiences, said, "Shaped by plurality of taste and diversity in preferences, India's wedding economy is among the country's most resilient consumption stories. As the category becomes increasingly organised and families seek more seamless, professionally managed celebration experiences, we see a meaningful opportunity to bring our understanding of design, service and guest experience to this space."

He added that Tamil Nadu's traditions around temple weddings and Kalyana Mandapams made it a natural market for the concept, while Madurai's connection with celebration and devotion provided the setting for Yazhi.

The choice of Madurai also draws from the city's historical and cultural identity. Known in antiquity as Koodal, Madurai is home to the Meenakshi Amman Temple and its annual Chithirai festival, which features the traditional celebration of the divine wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.

The city's longstanding association with weddings, festivals and religious traditions provides a strong cultural context for a dedicated wedding destination.

Spread across 1.44 acres, Yazhi – The Grand Koodal has been designed to allow weddings and celebrations to take place within an integrated setting.

The centrepiece is a 10,500 sq. ft. main function hall, capable of seating more than 850 guests and accommodating upwards of 1,500 guests in a floating arrangement. The space is designed to accommodate large Tamil weddings and associated ceremonies.

A dedicated 6,300 sq. ft. dining facility can seat approximately 350 guests at a time, supported by a fully equipped commercial kitchen designed to manage large-scale food preparation and service during celebrations.

The venue also features five guest rooms, providing families with accommodation and preparation space during wedding events. Ample parking and an accessible location further support the practical requirements of large gatherings.

Together, these facilities position Yazhi as more than a conventional function venue, offering families an integrated setting where ceremonies, dining, accommodation and celebrations can take place with fewer logistical requirements.

The launch also represents another step in TLE's broader expansion strategy as the group explores new hospitality formats and markets while maintaining its philosophy of responsible and memorable hospitality.

About Tamara Leisure Experiences:

Founded by entrepreneur Shruti Shibulal, Tamara Leisure Experiences (TLE) operates with a philosophy centred on responsible and memorable hospitality, balancing people, planet and business objectives.

The group's portfolio includes Tamara Resorts, O by Tamara, Lilac Hotels, Raé by Tamara and Amal Tamara, spanning luxury nature retreats, business and leisure hotels, urban stays, faith-intelligent hospitality and Ayurvedic wellness.

TLE has grown to a portfolio exceeding 1,000 keys and is among the hospitality groups in India holding Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. The group continues to expand across Indian and international markets while focusing on responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, community engagement and cultural storytelling.