India’s identity is woven not just through its myriad languages and breathtaking landscapes, but through the vibrant tapestry of its flavours. Every region brings its own sensory signature—tastes that spark memories, transport us back home, and gently remind us who we are.

It’s a legacy that doesn’t merely nourish; it narrates. A handful of spices from Kerala’s lush coast or a melt-in-the-mouth biscuit from a Hyderabadi bakery can stir more emotion than a stack of photo albums ever could.

Now imagine capturing these soulful regional stories in something as universal as chocolate. That’s exactly what MISHTHAAN, a beautifully curated collection of regional-inspired chocolates, sets out to do. Born from a passion to celebrate India’s rich culinary soul, MISHTHAAN transforms the country’s most iconic local flavours into luxurious chocolate experiences.

Each bar isn’t just a sweet treat—it’s a taste memory reinvented. A heartfelt indulgence where heritage meets innovation, turning chocolate into a canvas for India’s most beloved stories.

Here’s how this delicious journey across Bharat unfolds, one irresistible bite at a time:

MISHTHAAN Mahabaleshwar Berries & Rose Dark Chocolate

From the strawberry fields of Maharashtra
This bar is a quiet homage to Mahabaleshwar, the famed land of berries. It brings together handpicked strawberries and cranberries from the misty hills, layered with delicate rose petals that add a fragrant, almost poetic softness. Wrapped in velvety dark chocolate, it tastes like early morning walks, market stalls overflowing with fruit, and rose gardens still wet with dew.

MISHTHAAN Kolkata Meetha Paan Milk Chocolate

A sweet stroll through the bylanes of Bengal
Kolkata doesn’t just serve paan—it offers a whole ritual, rich in charm and tradition. This milk chocolate bar captures that experience with surprising grace. Delicate notes of betel leaf, cardamom, and traditional paan ingredients blend seamlessly into creamy chocolate, transforming a beloved street-side delight into something smooth, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying. It’s paan without the chew, only the enchantment.

MISHTHAAN Maharashtra's Alphonso Mango & Cardamom Milk Chocolate

A slice of Ratnagiri summers
Few things announce an Indian summer quite like the golden glow of Alphonso mangoes. This chocolate celebrates that lush sweetness, pairing it with the gentle warmth of cardamom—a spice often hidden in grandmother’s mithai boxes. The result? Sunshine in a bar—rich, juicy, aromatic, and comforting. A celebration of mango season you can relish all year round.

MISHTHAAN Kerala’s Malabar Black Pepper & Pineapple Milk Chocolate

Where spice meets sweetness on Kerala’s coast
At first bite, the pineapple shines through—tangy, tropical, playful. Then comes a gentle whisper of Malabar black pepper that adds depth and a subtle thrill. It’s a bar that tells two stories—the fruit vendor and the spice trader—blending them into one delicious narrative. Kerala, in its layered, generous, slightly mischievous glory.

MISHTHAAN Hyderabad Osmania Biscuits Milk Chocolate

Tea-time nostalgia, reimagined
Osmania biscuits are a Hyderabadi classic—soft, buttery, just a touch salty. This bar folds that comforting flavour into a creamy milk chocolate base, creating a treat that feels like a warm cup of chai and conversations that linger into twilight. It’s subtle, familiar, and nearly impossible to stop at just one piece.

With each thoughtfully crafted bar, MISHTHAAN doesn’t just satisfy sweet cravings. It reconnects us with places we miss, people we cherish, and traditions we carry in our hearts.

This isn’t just chocolate.
This is India—made beautifully, delectably edible.

This World Chocolate Day (July 7th), dessert lovers have a new reason to rejoice as BLR Brewing Co. rolls out an indulgent special — the Chocolate Brownie, a divine treat that brings together deep cocoa richness and creamy vanilla coolness in one comforting dish.

Crafted with intense dark chocolate, real butter, and a dash of love, this brownie features a warm, gooey center that melts in your mouth. Served fresh with a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup and a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream, this dessert is everything a sweet tooth dreams of.

Here’s a peek into what goes into this tempting treat:

Ingredients

For the Brownie:

• Dark chocolate – 40g (chopped or chips)
  

• Butter – 25g
  

• Sugar – 2 tbsp
  

• All-purpose flour – 2 tbsp
  

• Cocoa powder – 1 tbsp
  

• Milk – 2 tbsp
  

• Baking powder – a pinch
  

• Salt – a small pinch
  

• Vanilla essence – 1/4 tsp
  

For Serving:

• Chocolate syrup – 1 tbsp
  

• Vanilla ice cream – 1 scoop
  

The brownie is made by melting chocolate and butter together until smooth, then mixing in sugar, milk, and vanilla essence. After gently folding in sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, the batter is baked until the top sets while the center stays fudgy and rich.

For quick cravings, it can even be microwaved for just over a minute, offering a more cake-like texture for those on the go.

This special is available on July 7th across all BLR Brewing Co. outlets, making it a must-try dessert for World Chocolate Day.

Whether you're out for a family dinner, a date night, or simply looking to treat yourself, this warm brownie and ice cream duo is a celebration of chocolate in every bite.

Hospitalitynews had the delightful opportunity to be hosted at Carnaby, the vibrant all-day dining restaurant at The Residency Towers Chennai, for an exclusive tasting of their soon-to-be-launched Italian menu, curated in collaboration with Chennai-based Italian culinary expert Fiammetta Pereira.

From the moment we stepped in, the ambience set the tone for an afternoon filled with soulful Italian flavours and heartfelt hospitality. The warmth extended by Chef Ajeeth Janardhanan, Culinary Director at The Residency Group of Hotels, and Fiammetta Pereira truly made the experience memorable.

Speaking about the new menu, Ajeeth, Culinary Director shared,
"With this new Italian menu, we’re celebrating the heart of Italy—simple, honest ingredients prepared with passion. Each dish tells a story of tradition, but with a fresh twist that reflects our kitchen’s creativity.”

Fiammetta Pereira, with her infectious passion for Sicilian cuisine, walked us through the inspiration behind each dish. She said, “Working with the team at The Residency Towers has been a pleasure. Dishes like Pasta alla Norma, seasonal vegetable risotto, and specialities from Liguria and Sicily will soon be part of the Carnaby experience.”

The menu beautifully captured the essence of Italy. Some of our personal favourites from the afternoon included:

• Beetroot Carpaccio – Light, fresh, and full of colour, with a perfect balance of textures from goat cheese, walnuts, and balsamic zest.
• Melanzane Parmigiana – Comforting layers of eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese that felt like a warm hug on a plate.
• Gnocchi al Pesto di Basilico – Pillow-soft gnocchi coated in fragrant basil pesto, transporting us straight to Liguria.
• Pollo alla Cacciatora – Chicken slow-braised in wine and herbs, paired beautifully with creamy polenta—truly soul-satisfying.

Throughout the event, the generosity and warmth of the Carnaby team stood out as much as the flavors on our plates. The conversations, the plating, and the passion behind every dish reflected the team’s dedication to delivering a truly authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Chennai.

Fiammetta Pereira also shared her pride in founding Bottega Pereira (@bottegapereira on Instagram), a beautifully curated home‑and‑lifestyle boutique based here in Chennai. The name “Bottega” — Italian for “workshop” — is fitting: it’s a creative space where Fiammetta, along with her daughter Tanitha, brings warmth and elegance into everyday living. The boutique features thoughtfully designed linens, table accessories, cushions, décor, gift sets and more — each piece selected to “bring warmth and happiness to your home". Website: www.bottegapereira.com 

For anyone looking to experience authentic Italian cuisine right here in Chennai, paired with genuine hospitality, Carnaby at The Residency Towers is a must-visit. And for those wanting to take a little slice of Italy home—whether through flavors or fabrics—Bottega Pereira is worth exploring too.

The Italian Food Festival runs through this week, with the new dishes soon becoming a permanent part of the menu.

Timings: 7 AM – 11 PM

About Residency Group:

Presenting world-class boutique hotels in South India, our hotels exude the cultural ethos of the land. Living up to its moniker, The Residency hotels in India offers unparallel and phenomenal spaces for a homely living experience. From elegant cities like Chennai and Coimbatore to charming towns like Karur, Puducherry and Rameswaram, The Residency promises beautifully curated experiences for its discerning guests.

Website: theresidency.com