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.


Yazu Launches “Thursday Rituals” to Redefine Midweek Dining in Bengaluru

Yazu Launches “Thursday Rituals” to Redefine Midweek Dining in Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on May 26, 2026

Bengaluru’s dining scene gets a midweek boost with the launch of Thursday Rituals at Yazu, a new weekly dining IP designed to turn Thursdays into a high-energy Pan Asian culinary and cocktail experience.

Positioned as more than just a dining offer, Thursday Rituals brings together Yazu’s signature flavour-led approach with a curated set menu and handcrafted cocktails, aimed at guests looking to unwind before the weekend rush.

The food experience spans across Yazu’s Pan Asian favourites including sushi, dim sums, small plates, large plates, rice, noodles, and desserts. The menu features dishes such as Truffle Edamame Dumpling, Cream Cheese and Truffle Dumpling, Yazu Signature Chicken, Fish in Dark Sichuan Sauce, Butter Garlic Sichuan Prawns, Burnt Garlic Fried Rice, Spicy Korean Ramyun Noodles, Prawn Tempura Roll, and Classic Prawn Hargao.

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The experience concludes with desserts like Salted Caramel Tart and Blueberry Cheesecake, designed to balance indulgence with familiarity.

Complementing the food is Yazu’s cocktail programme inspired by Asian flavour profiles. With its blend of curated dining, cocktails, and social energy, Thursday Rituals is positioned as a midweek escape for after-work gatherings, casual celebrations, and spontaneous dining plans.

The concept reflects Yazu’s continued focus on evolving experiential dining formats that extend beyond weekends and position midweek as a lifestyle moment in itself.


Torii Introduces Chef’s Tasting Menu for a Premium Pan-Asian Dining Experience

Torii Introduces Chef’s Tasting Menu for a Premium Pan-Asian Dining Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on May 26, 2026

Torii has introduced a newly curated Chef’s Tasting Menu, designed to offer guests a premium, multi-course exploration of contemporary Asian cuisine in Mumbai’s evolving dining landscape.

Known for its immersive interiors and bold Pan-Asian flavours, the restaurant continues to focus on experiential dining, and this new offering reflects a more structured and elevated way to experience its culinary identity.

The tasting menu takes diners through a progressive journey of sushi, dim sums, small plates, mains, and desserts, carefully curated to balance flavour, texture, and presentation. The concept is designed for guests who prefer a deeper exploration of the menu rather than individual ordering, offering a more holistic dining experience.

Key highlights include the Truffle Edamame Mushi-Gyoza with cream cheese and the Katsu Chicken Roll featuring confit garlic, egg salad, and tobiko. The experience concludes with a Honey Almond Crunch Sundae, rounding off the meal with a sweet and textured finish.

Positioned as an intimate yet energetic dining experience, the Chef’s Tasting Menu is ideal for long dinners, date nights, and relaxed midweek gatherings. It reflects Torii’s continued effort to evolve its guest experience while maintaining its signature bold and flavour-forward culinary style.

The tasting menu will be available every Tuesday and Wednesday, exclusively for dinner service at the Mumbai restaurant.


Kiran’s Houston Introduces ‘Punjabi By Nature’ Cocktail Experience Inspired by India

Kiran’s Houston Introduces ‘Punjabi By Nature’ Cocktail Experience Inspired by India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 25, 2026

Kiran’s Houston has introduced its latest beverage programme, Punjabi By Nature, a new cocktail experience that brings together Indian nostalgia and contemporary mixology. Conceptualised and designed by Prrateek Chaudhary, Director of Beverages, the menu reflects a thoughtful mix of cultural storytelling, regional flavours and modern drink-making techniques.

Designed around the idea of turning familiar Indian flavours into refined cocktail experiences, the programme takes inspiration from memories, traditions and ingredients deeply rooted in Indian culture. Each drink aims to create an experience that goes beyond taste by bringing together emotion, creativity and a strong sense of place.

The menu features a wide range of signature cocktails including Jahangir Lassi, Chai Old Fashioned, Kashmiri Margarita, Summer In Shimla, TNT Sour, Nolet’s 75, East India Negroni, Malabar Martini, Rosé Martini, Lychee Martini, CB G&T, Old Wives’ Tale, Mezcal Is My Pal, Delhi Glitterati, Smoky Isle and Mumbai Miracle.

The creations combine premium spirits with ingredients and flavours inspired by India, including chai blends, mango lassi, pistachio, Kashmiri mirch, tamarind, saffron bitters, cardamom, rose, masala pin and nimbu pani.

Adding a luxury touch to the offering is a dedicated segment titled Kaun Banega Crorepati featuring the Millionaire Martini, crafted using Nolet’s Reserve Gin.

Speaking about the concept behind the menu, Prrateek Chaudhary said: "With Punjabi By Nature, our intention was to take familiar Indian flavors and reimagine them through a global cocktail lens. Each drink is designed to evoke emotion, memory, and a sense of place, while maintaining elegance, balance, and innovation. It’s not just a cocktail menu, it’s a storytelling experience in a glass."

With a modern visual identity and a strong narrative approach, the menu aims to create a seamless connection between Indian heritage and contemporary beverage culture.

Through this latest launch, Kiran’s Houston continues to strengthen its positioning as a destination where Indian culinary experiences and modern beverage craftsmanship come together with global standards of creativity and sophistication.

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