Sampan Partners with Honk for a Unique Culinary Collaboration

Sampan Partners with Honk for a Unique Culinary Collaboration

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 10, 2024

Mumbai’s dining scene is about to experience a unique culinary collaboration. Sampan, the popular Chinese restaurant at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, is joining forces with Honk, a celebrated pan-Asian restaurant from Pullman New Delhi Aerocity. This special partnership will take place from August 9 to August 25, 2024, during which Honk’s culinary team, led by Director of Culinary Sandeep Kalra, will take over Sampan’s kitchen to offer an exclusive dining experience.

Sampan is well-known in Mumbai for its signature dishes such as Jin Chicken, Cha Chu Prawns, and Three-Colour Lobster. During this collaboration, the menu will be expanded to include a selection of Honk’s distinctive dishes. New offerings will include Chong Qing Chicken, Pao Jiao Tiger Prawns, and Silken Tofu with Bamboo Shoot and Shimeji Mushroom, among others, promising to bring a fresh twist to Sampan’s established favorites.

Vishal Gupta, General Manager of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This collaboration between Sampan and HONK will help us cater better to Mumbai's diverse and ever-evolving palate, with much loved pan-Asian delicacies. Our intent is to craft experiences that resonate with the city's sophisticated diners, who crave both tradition and innovation on their plates.”

Neelabh Sahay, Director of Operations at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, added, “As Sampan invites HONK to take charge of its kitchen, we are excited to see how our diners respond to the new flavours and cuisine. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to gastronomic excellence and our belief that great food, like great art, knows no boundaries.”

Sandeep Kalra of Honk also shared his excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to bring Honk's unique flavours and culinary artistry to Sampan at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to share our signature pan-Asian dishes, spread across eight Asian cuisines, with the vibrant food community in Mumbai. We look forward to delighting guests with an unforgettable dining experience that merges the best of both our culinary worlds.”

About Novotel

Novotel Hotels are known for offering guests a place to relax and enjoy life’s important moments. With over 530 locations in more than 60 countries, Novotel provides a range of services for both business and leisure travelers, including spacious rooms with natural design, 24/7 catering options, and various amenities like fitness centers and family zones. Novotel is part of Accor, a leading global hospitality group with over 5,400 properties worldwide, and participates in the ALL - Accor Live Limitless lifestyle loyalty program.

About Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, located near IGI Airport and close to major business hubs, offers a blend of modern luxury and convenience. The hotel features 670 suites and rooms, extensive meeting and event spaces, and a variety of dining options. Guests can also enjoy leisure facilities such as a spa, health club, and outdoor swimming pool, making it a top choice for both business and leisure travelers.


Commune Brings a Vibrant Mexican Fiesta to Mumbai This May

Commune Brings a Vibrant Mexican Fiesta to Mumbai This May

By Hariharan U

Published on May 1, 2026

This May, Commune is set to bring the heat, colour, and convivial spirit of Mexico to the city with its exclusive Mexican Festival, timed around Cinco de Mayo. Known for crafting globally inspired menus, Commune once again turns dining into an experience that goes beyond the plate.

The festival is not just a themed offering but a thoughtfully curated culinary journey that reflects the brand’s philosophy that food should tell a story and bring people together. With its signature creative approach, Commune reimagines traditional Mexican flavours through a contemporary lens, creating a menu that is both familiar and refreshingly inventive.

Guests can explore a vibrant spread of dishes that capture the bold and smoky essence of Mexican cuisine. Standout highlights include Mango Jalapeño Paneer Tostadas, Chicken Chipotle Tacos with Birria Sauce, and the Charred Veg Fajita Bowl with Smoky Roja each dish balancing authentic techniques with modern flair.

The experience continues with indulgent desserts designed to end the meal on a celebratory note. The Jalapeño Chocolate Mousse delivers a rich, slow-building heat, while the classic Caramel Flan offers a smooth and comforting finish.

Set in the lively neighbourhood of Lower Parel, the festival invites diners to immerse themselves in a festive atmosphere that blends flavour, creativity, and shared moments.

Event Details:

  • What: Cinco de Mayo Special Mexican Menu
  • Where: Commune, Lower Parel
  • Date: 5th – 7th May, 2026

With its bold menu and experiential approach, Commune’s Mexican Festival promises to be a lively celebration of culture, cuisine, and connection, offering Mumbai diners a taste of Mexico with a distinctive twist.


Blue Tokai Opens Second Flagship Store in Hyderabad with Origins Experience

Blue Tokai Opens Second Flagship Store in Hyderabad with Origins Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 1, 2026

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has opened its second flagship store in Hyderabad with the launch of Blue Tokai Origins at Banjara Hills. This new space brings the brand’s most immersive coffee experience to another part of the city, further strengthening its presence in a market known for its growing coffee culture.

“Hyderabad is the only city where we've opened two flagships in under six months. People here don't just want a great cup, they want to understand what goes into making one. That curiosity is what makes us want to build here, for the long run," said Shivam Shahi, Co-Founder, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.

At Blue Tokai Origins, guests can explore some of India’s rarest micro-lots along with chef-curated meals. The space highlights Indian coffee estates, regional characteristics, and multiple brewing methods, staying true to the brand’s farmer-first approach.

One of the key features is the Play Bar, where experimental coffee lots are preserved at peak flavour in a temperature-controlled setting. This rotating selection, curated by Blue Tokai’s roasting team, changes regularly and brings new experiences to visitors. Offerings have included micro-lots fermented with farm-grown cultures, coffee aged in wine barrels, and beans sourced from emerging regions like Meghalaya. Guests can also try seven different brewing methods such as Chemex, Syphon, and Slow Drip.

The store also features a Nitro Cold Brew tap, serving chilled, nitrogen-infused single-origin coffee made using patented technology that enhances flavour extraction.

The food menu at Origins has been curated in collaboration with Auroni Mookerjee, known for his work with chef Ritu Dalmia’s Diva Group in Delhi, as well as Sienna Store & Cafe and The Salt House in Kolkata. The menu focuses on comfort food with a creative touch, including handmade pastas like Chilli Crunch Carbonara, gourmet sandwiches and open toasts made with sourdough from Suchali's Artisan Bakehouse, and desserts like tiramisu and Coconut Berry Lamington. Some of these dishes are also available across select Blue Tokai cafés in the city.

Beyond coffee and food, Origins is designed as a community space where people can come together and learn more about coffee. Events such as cuppings, workshops, and cultural sessions aim to bring coffee lovers closer to the craft.

“Origins is for anyone who wants to slow down and know coffee better. Whether through conversations with baristas, curated tastings, or a meet-and-greet with producers, it is a space that connects growers, brewers, and drinkers. Questions are very welcome here," said Shivam Shahi.

Since November, Blue Tokai has opened nine stores in Hyderabad, each catering to different experiences across locations like Sattva Knowledge Park, Gandipet, Jubilee Hills, and Banjara Hills.

"Hyderabad has felt like home since our first cafe here. We love being a part of the city’s different rhythms, and in the coming six months, the plan is to launch 10 more spaces", added Shivam Shahi.

With its continued expansion and focus on experience-led spaces, Blue Tokai is further deepening its connect with Hyderabad’s coffee community.


Pangeo Bengaluru Brings Rooftop Cricket Experience with Rooftop Innings

Pangeo Bengaluru Brings Rooftop Cricket Experience with Rooftop Innings

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 1, 2026

Pangeo in Bengaluru has introduced Rooftop Innings, a lively cricket screening experience that turns match days into social evenings in the heart of the city. Set on a vibrant rooftop, the concept brings together live cricket, music, and nightlife, creating an atmosphere that keeps the energy high from the first ball to the final over.

Designed for corporate outings, team gatherings, and casual catch-ups, Rooftop Innings blends sport with celebration in a seamless way. The setting offers a relaxed yet energetic space where guests can enjoy the game while spending quality time with friends and colleagues.

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The experience is supported by a well-curated menu that focuses on bold flavours and shareable options. Guests can choose from handcrafted dumpling baskets, sushi platters with balanced flavours, and a range of veg and non veg platters including paneer tikka assortments and tandoori seafood selections. Popular picks like peri peri tandoori drums, smoky ghost wings, and sriracha wings add to the overall experience. Special platter combinations paired with beverages make it ideal for long match nights and group dining.

More than just a screening, Rooftop Innings at Pangeo creates a space where cricket feels larger than life, and every match becomes a reason to come together.

Located at Pangeo, 4th floor, 171 - 172, Forum Rex Walk, Brigade Rd, Bengaluru, the experience is available starting from April, with timings from 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM.

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