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.


Al Habtoor City Unveils Refined Ramadan Dining Experiences for 2026

Al Habtoor City Unveils Refined Ramadan Dining Experiences for 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on February 7, 2026

As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, Al Habtoor City is set to offer a season of mindful gatherings and indulgent dining through a series of curated Iftar and Suhoor experiences across its landmark hotels. Located between Sheikh Zayed Road and the Dubai Water Canal, the destination brings together serene settings, thoughtful hospitality and diverse culinary offerings that reflect the spirit of togetherness and reflection central to Ramadan.

At Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, the Ramadan Garden at the Winter Garden returns as an elegant open-air venue designed to host up to 800 guests. Enhanced with Islamic-inspired décor, soft lighting and comfortable seating, the space creates a welcoming ambience for breaking the fast. The Iftar buffet features a wide spread of Arabic and international favourites, including hot and cold mezze, lamb ouzi, live cooking stations and traditional Ramadan beverages such as Jallab, Tamer Hindi and Kamer El Dine. Desserts like baklava, knafeh and Um Ali complete the experience. As the evening transitions into Suhoor, guests can enjoy lighter fare, interactive food stations, gentle oud music and classic board games, creating a relaxed late-night setting. Guests staying across the Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection can also enjoy a special Stay & Dine offer with savings at the Ramadan Garden.

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For those seeking a vibrant family-friendly setting, The Market at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City presents an expansive Iftar buffet from mid-February to mid-March. Featuring live kitchens and a rotating menu, the spread includes Middle Eastern Ramadan staples such as Madfoon, Harees, Machboos and Luqaimat alongside international selections, making it suitable for both small and large gatherings. Special group pricing further enhances its appeal for corporate and social bookings.

Complementing the dining experiences, Silk Spa at Al Habtoor City offers restorative spa rituals designed to rejuvenate the body and mind during the fasting period. Together, these experiences position Al Habtoor City as a refined destination for meaningful Ramadan moments in 2026.


ZYLO by Kakapo Unveils a New Global-Inspired Menu in Mehrauli

ZYLO by Kakapo Unveils a New Global-Inspired Menu in Mehrauli

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 7, 2026

ZYLO by Kakapo, the rooftop dining destination located atop Ambawatta One in Mehrauli, has unveiled its newly curated menu, further strengthening its position as one of Delhi’s most immersive dining experiences. With sweeping views of the city and the Qutub Minar forming a striking backdrop, ZYLO continues to redefine rooftop dining through a blend of mystical design, elevated cuisine, and a lively yet refined atmosphere.

The refreshed menu represents a natural evolution of ZYLO’s culinary approach, bringing together global inspirations, modern cooking techniques, and chef-led creativity. Curated to appeal to both adventurous diners and seasoned food lovers, the menu offers a vibrant mix of flavours and textures drawn from international cuisines.

Signature highlights include Vietnamese Tacos with a playful twist, the bold and indulgent Spicy Crunchy Sushi, succulent New Zealand Lamb Chops, and the comforting yet flavour-forward Kra Pao. These dishes sit alongside a wider selection of thoughtfully crafted plates that showcase global flavours with a contemporary edge.

Desserts continue the same attention to detail, with standout offerings such as Kakapo’s Nest designed to provide a rich and memorable end to the meal, balancing indulgence with visual appeal.

Beyond the menu, ZYLO’s experience is defined by its ability to shift seamlessly from day to night. As the sun sets and the city lights begin to glow, the mood transitions from relaxed and reflective to energetic and vibrant. Curated music, dynamic lighting, and the open-air rooftop setting come together to create an atmosphere that complements both dining and social experiences.

With the launch of its new menu, ZYLO by Kakapo invites guests to rediscover its evolving culinary story, where food, music, energy, and panoramic views come together under the stars, offering a complete sensorial experience above the city.


Chinese Wok Redefines Valentine’s Week for Gen Z with ‘Crush Hour’

Chinese Wok Redefines Valentine’s Week for Gen Z with ‘Crush Hour’

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 7, 2026

Chinese Wok, India’s leading Desi Chinese QSR brand from Lenexis Foodworks, is reshaping Valentine’s Week with the launch of ‘Crush Hour’, a youth-first campaign that moves away from romance-led celebrations and taps into craving-led moments. Designed around Gen Z’s evolving relationship with food, love, and social culture, the campaign positions Valentine’s as a shared experience not just for couples, but also for crushes, best friends, situationships, solo diners, and late-night food cravings.

At the core of ‘Crush Hour’ is a relatable insight: cravings behave much like crushes, sudden, emotional, personal, and worth sharing. With this idea, Chinese Wok turns food into a modern love language, transforming its outlets into casual hangout spaces where young consumers can come with their crush or simply satisfy their cravings. The campaign consciously avoids candlelight clichés, choosing instead to reflect a more fluid, expressive, and food-driven youth culture.

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Commenting on the brand’s broader vision, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder and Director, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “At Chinese Wok, we have always believed that QSR brands need to reflect how young India actually lives, eats, and socialises today. Occasions like Valentine’s are evolving, and so are consumer expectations from brands. ‘Crush Hour’ is an extension of our larger philosophy of building a culture-forward brand that stays relevant by celebrating real moments, everyday indulgence, and shared experiences, not just traditional calendar marketing.”

As part of the Valentine’s Week rollout, Chinese Wok has introduced limited-edition Valentine-themed packaging across its stores and delivery platforms. The in-store experience is supported through DMB screens, standees, tent cards, and tray liners. Adding an entertainment layer, the brand has also launched Crush Hour at Wok, the latest album on its owned music platform Wok FM. The album is available across in-store channels as well as YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other leading streaming platforms, reinforcing the brand’s focus on building long-term cultural IPs rather than one-off campaigns.

Explaining the creative thinking behind the campaign, Vikas Iyer, Marketing Head, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “Crush Hour was built on the insight that Valentine’s today is less about grand romantic gestures and more about who you choose to hang out with and what you choose to eat. By tapping into crush culture instead of clichés, we wanted to create a campaign that feels playful, inclusive, and instinctively relatable to Gen Z. Food becomes the anchor, but the communication is driven by emotion, humour, and high recall.”

The campaign is being amplified through a high-energy digital rollout across social platforms, featuring reels, static content, and influencer collaborations with micro, nano, and select macro creators. The communication maintains a youthful, flirty, and slightly mischievous tone, deliberately steering clear of overt romance in favour of craving-led storytelling.

From an offer standpoint, Chinese Wok is presenting indulgence as a treat rather than a discount, with a Buy One Get One (BOGO) offer on starters available from 8th to 15th February across its 260+ stores. With ‘Crush Hour’, Chinese Wok continues to strengthen its position as a youth-first, culture-driven QSR brand, turning seasonal moments into relevant, high-engagement experiences that reflect how young India eats today.

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