Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. has launched Smoke House Café at Sky City Mall, marking a new phase in the 15-year journey of Smoke House Deli. The new café format builds on the brand’s familiar European comfort-led identity while presenting a calmer, more contemporary neighbourhood expression designed for everyday dining.

Guided by the philosophy From The World, To You, the café draws inspiration from global flavours, ingredients and techniques, translating them into approachable dishes suited for repeat visits and relaxed gatherings. The Borivali outlet is positioned as a space for long lunches, mid-week bites, family dinners and easy catch-ups, reflecting the strong sense of community that defines the neighbourhood.

The interiors subtly reference the lush landscape of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, blending earthy textures, muted tones and organic elements to create a setting that feels grounded yet modern. The result is a café that feels connected to its surroundings while maintaining a refined, urban character.

Riyaaz Amlani, Founder and Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., said, “With Smoke House Café, we are introducing a format that feels current, intentional and deeply rooted in hospitality. It is about giving our guests something new without losing the emotional connection they have always had with the brand. This is the future of Smoke House, more contemporary, more neighbourhood driven, and built for everyday belonging.”

Commenting on the launch, Tanu Prasad, CEO – Malls, Oberoi Realty, said the addition strengthens Sky City Mall’s positioning as a social and experiential hub for the western suburbs.

The menu reflects a structured, comfort-forward approach with an expanded focus on vegetarian options. Guests can expect dishes such as Signature Guacamole, Crispy Chilli Cheese, Raw Papaya, Tender Coconut and Grilled Tofu Salad, SHC Avocado Toast, Creamed Spinach, Feta, Tomato and Olive Pizza, Ricotta and Greens Double Stuffed Ravioli, and Tofu and Baby Corn Curry with Jasmine Rice. A curated range of zero-proof beverages, including Cranberry Cold Brew, P.K Lemonade, Thai Spiced Chai and Lychee and Hibiscus Brew, complements the all-day café format.

A thoughtfully designed kids’ menu further reinforces the café’s family-friendly positioning, particularly relevant in Borivali’s community-driven dining landscape.

Vinod Shetty, Operations Head, Smoke House Café, said, “With Smoke House Café, we wanted to build something that feels natural to the neighbourhood. Borivali has a strong family culture, but it is also evolving and aspirational. The menu reflects that balance. We have strengthened our vegetarian offerings, clarified the structure, and introduced a dedicated kids’ section so that the experience feels complete. It is about creating a café that people can keep coming back to, across occasions and across life stages.”

Located on the ground floor of Sky City Mall, Borivali East, the café operates daily from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM. The opening signals the next chapter for the Smoke House legacy, evolving with changing dining habits while retaining the warmth and familiarity that built its following.

Red Rhino has announced the launch of its bottled craft beer range in Bengaluru, marking its official retail debut. Founded in 2016 by Kishore Pallamreddy and Rachana Pallamreddy, the brewery has built a strong presence across 100+ on-tap locations and now brings its signature brews to store shelves, expanding accessibility while maintaining its craft ethos.

The bottled portfolio features three variants available exclusively in 330 ml bottles: Golden Harvest Lager, Soul Surfer Hefeweizen and Bangalore Daze IPA. Brewed at the brand’s commercial facility in Malur on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the operation includes a five-vessel brewhouse, dedicated kegging lines, fermentation tanks and automated quality systems to ensure scale without compromising consistency. The Golden Harvest Lager (ABV 4.8% | IBU 17) is brewed with premium basmati rice for a smooth, crisp finish. Soul Surfer Hefeweizen (ABV 4.9% | IBU 15) delivers classic banana and clove notes with a creamy mouthfeel, while Bangalore Daze IPA (ABV 6.8% | IBU 68) offers bold West Coast character with ripe mangosteen and bitter orange notes.

Commenting on the launch, COO Ashwin Nawani said, "When moving from draft to bottle, our goal was not to change the soul of the beer, but to make it more stable without compromising flavour. We fine-tuned our recipes to account for shelf life, optimised fermentation and packaging to reduce oxygen pickup, and avoided shortcuts such as heavy filtration or preservatives. The beer in the bottle reflects the same craft intent as what you'd experience on tap."

Founder Kishore Pallamreddy added, "This bottled range is a milestone in our evolution. We've always believed that great craft beer should be accessible, and now, we're bringing our most-loved recipes directly to the doorsteps of Bengaluru's beer lovers. It's the same Red Rhino spirit, just in a new, convenient avatar."

Currently available at select premium outlets such as Balcony Bar, Drops, Beer Box, Wild Bar, Dewars, Top Shelf and Liquids, the brand aims to expand to over 50 retail locations by March 2026, reflecting the continued premiumisation of India’s beer market.

India’s deep-rooted halwai traditions meet contemporary dessert craft with the launch of Amara, a new-age dessert brand that brings regional Indian flavours to the forefront in a modern format. The brand makes its debut with a flagship store in Indiranagar, along with 10 satellite stores across Bengaluru, marking a first-of-its-kind approach to premium frozen desserts in India.

Amara introduces a concept built around collaboration with generational halwais, reworking recipes that have been passed down over decades into refined, contemporary dessert formats. The idea is not to fuse traditions, but to respectfully reinterpret them, creating flavours that feel elevated and fresh while remaining deeply familiar and nostalgic.

For years, some of India’s most loved cold desserts have stayed tied to specific regions and memories. Meetha paan was closely associated with Banaras, Gudbud belonged to Udupi, and chikki was inseparable from Lonavala. While these flavours lived on through tradition, the premium dessert space largely moved in a different direction, leaning towards Western styles or mass-produced sweets with little cultural connection.

Amara steps in to bridge this gap by bringing together regional desserts from across the country on a single menu. The brand works directly with traditional halwais whose families have preserved these recipes for generations. Every dessert is made using 100% real milk and natural ingredients, with zero preservatives, and prepared using time-honoured techniques that remain true to their origins.

Sharing the vision behind the brand, Edwin Daniel, Co-founder of Amara, said, “We realised there was a clear gap in the premium dessert space. India has extraordinary regional dessert traditions, but they were either hyper-local or not presented in a contemporary format. We wanted to bring these flavours together on one platform - not as fusion, but as respectful reinterpretations that make them accessible year-round, without losing their authenticity.”

The debut menu reflects a journey through India’s dessert memories. Highlights include the Meetha Paan Sundae inspired by Banaras, Gadibadi, a modern take on the Mangalore classic Gudbud, and the Lonavala Salted Caramel Chikki Sundae. The menu also features a dessert inspired by the nostalgic flavour of masala chai-soaked Parle-G biscuits, along with offerings such as Filter Kaapi ice cream, Gulkhand Rose Sundae, and Desi Tres Leches.

Speaking about the brand’s expansion approach, Jeff Jose, Co-founder of Amara, said, "With the launch of a flagship store and 10 satellite stores, our focus is on reach and accessibility from day one. We wanted Amara to feel premium but approachable - a brand that can scale while staying rooted in authenticity. Bengaluru is the right city to begin this journey; it embraces craft and innovation. This is just the start of building a nationally relevant dessert brand."

The flagship store in Indiranagar is designed to echo traditional Indian homes, featuring red oxide flooring and rattan furniture. The space reflects warmth, familiarity, and pride in Indian dessert-making, creating an atmosphere that feels nostalgic yet current, much like the brand’s offerings.

Amara enters the market at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly moving away from mass-produced sweets and towards artisanal, heritage-driven indulgences made in small batches with clean ingredients. With its focus on regional authenticity, craftsmanship, and modern presentation, the brand fills a clear gap in the premium dessert segment.

The flagship store is located at 472, HAL 3rd Stage, 80 Feet Road, Thippasandra, Bangalore. The Indiranagar outlet is open from 12 noon to 1 AM, with Amara also available on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ownly across Bengaluru.