Secret Ingredient Launches Three Unique Culinary Concepts Across India

Secret Ingredient Launches Three Unique Culinary Concepts Across India

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on October 8, 2024

Secret Ingredient, a prominent food consulting firm for the restaurant and hospitality industry, has announced the launch of three new culinary destinations in India. The newly unveiled venues include Niko, a modern Asian restaurant in Gurgaon, La Croute, an artisanal pie shop and café in Delhi’s Sunder Nagar, and Bonita, a globally inspired European bistro located in Arossim, South Goa.

Secret Ingredient played a pivotal role in creating these distinct concepts by offering a wide range of consulting services. These included everything from research and feasibility studies to the development of a detailed concept, interior and graphic design collaboration, kitchen and bar planning, as well as food and beverage identity creation. The firm also assisted in hiring and training core team members, ensuring that each establishment delivers a well-rounded guest experience.

Kula Naidu, Director at Secret Ingredient, explained the firm’s approach: “At Secret Ingredient, we go beyond just food—we create a complete experience. Niko offers an upbeat yet calming atmosphere; La Croute provides a warm and welcoming vibe, while Bonita is all about relaxation and indulgence. Each venue has a distinct character, from the ambience to the décor, music, and overall f&b offering. We meticulously ensure that every aspect, from the kitchen’s efficiency to staff training, operates seamlessly.”

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Each of these new venues provides a unique culinary experience. Niko in Gurgaon brings modern Asian cuisine to the forefront, with an ambiance that blends lively and calming elements, making it a versatile choice for casual dining and special occasions. La Croute in Delhi focuses on artisanal pies, providing a cozy, neighborhood café vibe that invites people to sit back and enjoy freshly baked goods. Meanwhile, Bonita in Goa offers a mix of European-inspired dishes in a relaxed beachside setting, perfect for guests seeking an indulgent escape.

Sid Mathur, also a Director at Secret Ingredient, emphasized the research-driven approach that goes into every project. “Our team conducts thorough research to ensure dining experiences that are both unique, inventive and feasible. We oversee every aspect from the outset, focusing on guest experience to culinary offerings. Our goal with these projects was to create a menu that celebrates rich flavors and resonates with today’s diners, who seek new and exciting experiences. The feedback we’ve received is a testament to the hard work and creativity that went into these projects.”

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Secret Ingredient has a history of providing advisory services for a diverse range of clients, including restaurants, hotels, malls, and schools. They use their extensive hands-on experience from operating and advising multiple F&B outlets across India to create tailored solutions for new and existing projects. Their experience has allowed them to work with iconic brands and build a substantial portfolio across 28 cities in India.

Some of Secret Ingredient’s notable past projects include collaborations with The Khyber in Gulmarg, Kaansa at Crowne Plaza Gurgaon, Lyrah at Trident Gurgaon, and Koyo Koyo at Hyatt Centric Chandigarh. They have also partnered with popular venues such as Select City Walk Mall in Delhi, British School in Delhi, as well as with brands like Olive Group, Swiggy, and Anardana.


Banaraswala Opens Two New QSR Outlets in Rohini, Bringing Authentic Banarasi Flavours to Delhi

Banaraswala Opens Two New QSR Outlets in Rohini, Bringing Authentic Banarasi Flavours to Delhi

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak has expanded its presence into New Delhi with the opening of two new QSR outlets in Rohini, bringing the authentic flavours and culinary traditions of Banaras to the capital.

The bootstrapped food brand, which began its journey with its first outlet in Varanasi, has expanded beyond its home city with the aim of making traditional Banarasi food more accessible to urban diners.

The two new outlets are located at Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, and Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini. The outlets combine the convenience of a quick-service restaurant with recipes and flavours inspired by the food culture of Varanasi.

The menu features several popular Banarasi specialities, including Tamatar Chaat, Bedmi Puri Sabzi, Dahi Bhalla, Launglatta and Banarasiya Lassi. The offering also includes other traditional North Indian preparations, giving diners an opportunity to explore regional flavours in a contemporary QSR format.

Banaraswala's concept is built around preserving the character of traditional Banarasi cuisine rather than significantly altering classic recipes. The brand draws inspiration from the food found across the ghats and streets of Banaras, translating familiar regional dishes into a format suited to modern urban lifestyles.

The expansion comes amid growing interest in regional Indian cuisines, with consumers increasingly seeking food experiences rooted in local traditions and culinary heritage. Banaraswala aims to address this demand by combining authentic recipes with the accessibility and convenience of a QSR format.

The brand's journey has been entirely bootstrapped, growing from a single outlet in Varanasi into a multi-city food business. According to the company, customer response and loyalty in its home market played a key role in giving it the confidence to enter Delhi.

Commenting on the expansion, Vibhanshu Mishra, Founder & CEO, Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak, said, "Banaras is unique in terms of its cuisine in the entire country. Each dish is associated with history, culture, and emotions that people have grown up with."

He added that the brand was created to take authentic Banarasi dishes beyond the ghats and introduce them to diners who may not have experienced the cuisine in its original setting.

With its Delhi expansion, Banaraswala aims to build an emotional connection with diners through the flavours of Banaras while developing a scalable regional food brand rooted in authenticity and culinary heritage.

Outlet Details:

Outlet 1: Shop No. 29, Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, New Delhi
Outlet 2: Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini, Delhi – 110085
Cuisine: Banarasi & North Indian
Format: QSR


Eatinn' Love Trattoria Opens in Jayanagar with Pala Romana Pizza

Eatinn' Love Trattoria Opens in Jayanagar with Pala Romana Pizza

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

Eating Love has entered a new chapter with the launch of Eatinn' Love Trattoria in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, bringing its sourdough-led approach to a broader Italian dining experience inspired by the warmth and simplicity of traditional Roman trattorias.

The newly renovated restaurant moves beyond the brand's identity as a pizza destination, creating a more complete neighbourhood dining experience built around fresh ingredients, scratch-made preparations and an emphasis on thoughtful cooking.

Designed to evoke the character of a lived-in corner of Rome, Eatinn' Love Trattoria features a warm and understated setting intended to feel welcoming and familiar. The concept reflects the brand's philosophy of slowing down the dining experience and placing greater emphasis on craftsmanship, quality and authenticity.

A key highlight of the new restaurant is the introduction of Pala Romana pizza, a Roman-style pizza known for its light, airy texture and distinctive rectangular format. The category remains relatively underrepresented in India, and Eatinn' Love Trattoria aims to introduce it to Bengaluru diners through a focused approach rooted in traditional Italian techniques.

The Pala Romana offering has been developed to provide a different experience from conventional pizza, with an emphasis on balance, texture and flavour. The restaurant has adapted the style carefully while retaining its connection to authentic Italian culinary techniques.

The launch also introduces a more focused menu designed around depth rather than variety, allowing individual dishes to receive greater attention in terms of ingredients, preparation and presentation. Sourdough continues to remain central to the brand's culinary philosophy.

Reflecting its commitment to inclusive dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pizzas, providing options for a wider range of diners.

The restaurant's identity is expressed through an understated logo featuring two angled hearts, representing the care and intention behind the food and hospitality experience.

With its focus on patient cooking, fresh preparations and Roman-inspired dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria positions itself as a neighbourhood destination for diners looking for a more relaxed and authentic Italian experience in Jayanagar.

Restaurant Details:

Venue: Eatinn' Love Trattoria, Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Timings: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Contact: 8660700642
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary Options: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizzas


Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Unveils Mizuwari Series Inspired by Samurai Virtues

Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Unveils Mizuwari Series Inspired by Samurai Virtues

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel has unveiled the Mizuwari Series, a new collection of seven signature cocktails inspired by the Japanese tradition of Mizuwari, meaning “cut with water,” and the seven virtues of the Samurai.

Rooted in the principles of balance, restraint and refinement, the new beverage concept combines bold flavours, subtle dilution and considered craftsmanship. Each cocktail is designed around a distinct virtue, translating elements of Japanese philosophy into a contemporary drinking experience.

The collection features Makoto, Chu, Ikigai, Rei, Jin, Yu and Meiyo, with each creation offering its own flavour profile and personality.

The journey begins with Makoto – Honesty & Sincerity, combining vodka, Aperol, yuzu lime and fizz. Chu – Duty & Loyalty brings together bourbon whisky, lime, sesame and Angostura bitters in a characterful highball.

Ikigai – The Secret to a Long & Happy Life combines gin, cherry cordial, hibiscus and sparkling elements, while Rei – Beauty in Imperfection takes a more unexpected approach with vodka, pickled ginger, kaffir lime, cucumber and watermelon.

The collection continues with Jin – Compassion, a blush-pink highball featuring gin, passion, strawberry sweet vermouth, citrus and fizz. Yu – Heroic Courage combines gin, cherry wine, Campari, lime and fizz, while Meiyo – Honour brings together white rum, pineapple, Campari and lime for a more layered profile.

Together, the seven cocktails create a beverage experience that goes beyond individual flavour combinations, inviting guests to explore the stories and virtues represented by each creation.

Through the Mizuwari Series, Zega continues to explore contemporary Japanese-inspired beverage experiences, bringing together traditional philosophy, modern mixology and thoughtful presentation. From refreshing and delicate profiles to richer and more complex combinations, the collection encourages guests to pause, discover and savour each cocktail.

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