Shankar Distillers Opens High-Tech Distillery in Troy, Michigan

Shankar Distillers Opens High-Tech Distillery in Troy, Michigan

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 28, 2024

Shankar Distillers, the latest venture by tech entrepreneur Varchasvi Shankar, has officially opened in Troy, Michigan. This advanced distillery features a state-of-the-art 45-foot continuous distillation column, so large that the distillery's roof had to be modified to accommodate it. Located in an industrial park, the distillery's glass ceiling is a distinctive landmark visible from I-75, just north of the 14 Mile exit near Oakland Mall.

Varchasvi Shankar, the first Indian immigrant to open an American whiskey distillery, celebrated the grand opening of Shankar Distillers on Friday, July 12. Shankar has also expanded into international markets, making the Varchas Whiskey line the first American craft bourbon exported to India. The distillery team includes master distiller Kylash Sivakumar and senior advisor Dennis Archer Jr., who have together crafted several award-winning spirits. Among their accolades is the Varchas Reserve 102 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which won gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its smooth, earthy flavor profile featuring notes of wood, leather, tobacco, and caramel.

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Shankar expressed his enthusiasm for sharing these whiskeys directly with the public. “This is a dream come true for me. I never imagined that I would open a distillery in the USA. I came here for a technology career, but whiskey has always been my passion, and I'm thrilled to bring this unique cultural experience to the people of this country,” he said. “I'm excited to see visitors experience in person the fusion of Eastern and Western traditions in our spirits.”

Shankar Distillers offers a range of spirits, including Varchas Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Varchas Straight Rye Whiskey, Dasara Gin, and Varchas Vodka. Visitors can purchase these products along with branded merchandise like whiskey glasses, flasks, and T-shirts. The tasting room features plush lounge seating and a premium atmosphere, with a diverse cocktail menu that includes classics like Manhattans and barrel-aged sazeracs, as well as a unique gin and tonic made with Indian tonic. House specialties also include the “Gimme Some More,” made with Varchas Vodka, cucumber, and elderflower liqueur.

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Shankar Distillers stands out not just for its story of transitioning from tech to distilling but also for the beauty of its bottles. The 750 ml glass bottles feature a two-headed eagle on the label, a symbol of Shankar’s home state of Mysore in southern India, and a 3D eagle on the cork, highlighting Shankar’s accomplishments in the United States. The distillery is proud of its Michigan roots, using locally sourced water and corn in its products.

For those interested in visiting, Shankar Distillers at 1030 Chicago Road in Troy is open from 3-10 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday, 3 p.m.-midnight on Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Tours are available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. 

For more information, visit shankardistillers.com.


Burger Singh Celebrates Bangalore Entry with ‘The Big Singh Feast’ Delivering 3,300+ Free Meals

Burger Singh Celebrates Bangalore Entry with ‘The Big Singh Feast’ Delivering 3,300+ Free Meals

By Hariharan U

Published on November 26, 2025

Burger Singh, India’s largest homegrown burger chain, made a blockbuster entry into Bangalore with ‘The Big Singh Feast’, a mega citywide giveaway that delivered over 3,300 free meals in a single day. Powered by 15,000+ sign-ups, the campaign marked one of the most successful brand activations the Indian QSR space has seen in recent years.

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Held across Sarjapur, HSR Layout and BTM Layout on 24 November, the event triggered massive queues from noon to late evening, with customers arriving well before opening hours. Families, students and neighbourhood communities turned the giveaway into a vibrant city moment—highlighting the growing appeal of homegrown Indian brands in competitive metro markets.

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Digital + Offline Strategy That created Citywide Buzz, The extraordinary response was fuelled by a sharply executed digital-plus-offline campaign under The Big Singh Feast. The digital play included:

  • Hyperlocal targeted communication

  • Countdown posts

  • WhatsApp amplification

  • A series of humorous, AI-generated reels that went viral

Offline initiatives such as neighbourhood branding, standees, in-store visibility and strong on-ground teams further amplified the buzz. Together, the campaign created a funnel that delivered exceptional reach, recall and registration numbers.

Guests received two of Burger Singh’s top-selling meals, the Big Crispy Chicken Meal and the Udta Punjab 2.0 Meal, served with Dilli 6 Fries and the signature Gulabo drink. First-time consumers highlighted the bold desi flavours, richly seasoned fries and refreshing masala-infused beverage, noting how distinct the experience was from typical international burger chains.

Ayush Kumar, Senior Vice President – Operations & Supply Chain, Burger Singh, said, “Bangalore gave us a historic moment. We often see queues like this for big movie premieres or major tech launches, but witnessing thousands line up for our desi burgers was truly special. The love, trust and enthusiasm Bangalore has shown inspires us to keep building in this market.”

Since entering Bangalore, Burger Singh has seen strong traction driven by high footfall, repeat visits and strong organic word of mouth. The success of The Big Singh Feast has further accelerated this momentum, positioning the city as a key growth market for the brand.

About Burger Singh

Burger Singh is India’s only major Made-in-India burger chain competing successfully with global QSR giants. Since opening its first outlet in Gurugram in 2014, the brand has expanded rapidly with 180+ outlets across 80+ cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Shillong, Jaipur, Dehradun, Jammu, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Amritsar.

It is also the first Indian burger chain to go international, with three outlets and one food truck in London. The brand has strong presence across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities and recently raised a pre-Series B round, valuing the company at INR 430 crore.


Si Nonna’s Brings Authentic Neapolitan Pizza to Hyderabad

Si Nonna’s Brings Authentic Neapolitan Pizza to Hyderabad

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 26, 2025

Si Nonna’s, known for its original sourdough pizza crafted from a 500-year-old Naples recipe, has opened two outlets in Hyderabad, located in Film Nagar and Khajaguda. As the world’s largest AVPN (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana) certified pizzeria network, Si Nonna’s brings globally recognised Neapolitan pizza-making standards to the city.

This launch marks the arrival of a true sourdough pizza movement rooted in Italian heritage. Si Nonna’s brings authentic, slow-crafted Neapolitan pizzas built on 24-hour fermented sourdough, premium ingredients, and deep respect for craft. It introduces Hyderabad to a soulful style of pizza that stays closest to the flavours of Naples.

The menu features some of Si Nonna’s classic favourites, including Pizza No. 3 with garlic, olives, capers, fresh basil, and Fior di Latte, and Pizza No. 6, made with a rich pelati base, creamy mozzarella, slow-cooked herb-garlic chicken, Mt. Vesuvius sun-dried tomatoes, spicy chilli oil, basil pesto, and extra-virgin olive oil. The offerings also include artisanal pizzas like Pizza No. 2, 3, 6 and 8, Panuozzo sandwiches, Eggplant Parmigiana, Kombuchas, Coolers, fresh gelatos, and Nonna’s signature Tiramisu. The menu caters to vegetarian, vegan, and Jain food preferences as well.

Both outlets are designed as warm, open kitchen spaces where guests can watch chefs handcraft each pizza the traditional Italian way. The interactive kitchen allows families, kids, and food lovers to choose ingredients, wear a chef’s hat and apron, and create their own sourdough pizza under expert guidance, turning each visit into a memorable experience.

Italian chef Massimo Verzini, the Executive Chef of Si Nonna’s, shared that sourdough has deep roots in Naples. He said, “Families in Naples take great pride in their family sourdough recipes and the well-nurtured sourdough starter, it’s a craft passed down through generations. We’re excited to bring this same tradition of patience and artisanal care to a city that truly understands the beauty of slow-fermented, flavour-rich food.”

Sharing his thoughts on the Hyderabad launch, Ayush Jatia, the visionary behind Si Nonna’s, said, “Bringing Si Nonna’s to Hyderabad feels special. The city is energetic, curious, and deeply passionate about food. Both locations give us the perfect home to introduce a wider range of Neapolitan flavours, from our loved classics to new indulgent dishes crafted just for Hyderabad. Everything we do stays rooted in Italian tradition, yet speaks to today’s evolving tastes.”

With this launch, Si Nonna’s brings a new chapter of soulful, artisanal dining to Hyderabad, blending the warmth of an Italian grandmother’s kitchen with the lively spirit of the city.

Address:

  • Film Nagar, Ground Floor, Sri Vishnu Mitra Mansion, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033
  • Khajaguda, Ground Floor, KRS Arcade, Prashanthi Hills, Gachibowli, Hyderabad - 500032

Operational Hours:

  • 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM


Lotus Deck Rooftop Reopens at Hyatt Regency Pune With a Fresh Open-Air Experience

Lotus Deck Rooftop Reopens at Hyatt Regency Pune With a Fresh Open-Air Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 26, 2025

Hyatt Regency Pune has reopened its much-loved rooftop restaurant, Lotus Deck, bringing back an open-air dining spot that blends calmness, charm, and a refreshed sense of style. The space has been redesigned to feel like an easy escape within the city, with soft lights, green surroundings, and an open-sky view setting the tone for relaxed evenings.

The rooftop now carries a breezy elegance, inviting guests to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere, whether it is for after-work plans, quiet dinners, or simple celebrations. Lotus Deck continues to hold on to the warm character that made it a favourite among Pune’s rooftop destinations, while adding new touches to enhance comfort.

Its culinary offerings make the experience even more appealing. Guests can enjoy global grills, handcrafted small plates, and signature cocktails that complement the outdoor mood. True to its reputation, Lotus Deck also brings back its well-loved Awadhi dishes, including charcoal-grilled kebabs and a wide spread of flavourful biryanis.

To create a memorable evening experience, Lotus Deck will host live music and qawwali nights on alternate weekends, offering a mix of soulful performances and good food in an open-air setting.

With its renewed design, peaceful ambience, and thoughtful food selection, Lotus Deck reclaims its place as one of Pune’s favourite rooftop dining spots, inviting guests to enjoy meaningful moments under the night sky.

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