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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.
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.
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.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on January 28, 2026
Barbeque Nation is hosting an Odia food festival titled ‘Odia Trails’, celebrating the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Odisha. The festival features a specially curated menu by renowned chef and Masterchef India – Season 6 winner, Abinas Nayak, bringing regional flavours to diners through a thoughtfully crafted buffet experience.
Odia Trails offers a gastronomic journey through authentic Odisha cuisine, blending timeless street-style favourites with traditional regional specialities. The festival showcases a wide variety of dishes including the much-loved Dahi Pakhala, Chhena Poda, Mutton Aloo Aloo, Dalma, and several other classic preparations that reflect the soul of Odia cooking.
Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Chef Abinas Nayak (Masterchef India Season 6 winner) commented, “ I’m privileged to be a part of Barbeque Nation’s Odia food festival – Odia Trails, where I would be crafting iconic dishes from the Odisha cuisine. The widespread buffet is an amalgamation of diverse and flavourful cuisine, combining aromatic spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques.”
The Odia Trails festival highlights the vibrant flavours inspired by Odisha’s seasons and street food culture, presented through Barbeque Nation’s all-you-can-eat buffet format. Designed for food enthusiasts keen to explore regional delicacies, the spread combines fusion-based cooking with heritage Odia recipes curated by Chef Abinas Nayak.
The festival is being hosted at Barbeque Nation’s Marathahalli outlet, offering guests an opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Odia cuisine in a familiar and interactive dining setting.
By Hariharan U
Mumbai’s dining landscape welcomes Dakshin Legacy, a fine-dining restaurant devoted entirely to the coastal cuisines of South India. Positioned as the city’s only restaurant focused solely on this culinary geography, Dakshin Legacy celebrates traditional food from Mangalore, Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu, prepared exactly as it has been for generations.
Rooted in authenticity, the kitchen follows age-old techniques such as stone-ground masalas, clay-pot slow cooking, hand-pressed coconut milk and banana-leaf steaming. Regional spices are sourced directly from India’s southern coastline, ensuring flavours remain bold, honest and deeply rooted. There is no fusion or modern reinterpretation, only food that respects tradition.
The culinary programme is led by Chef Nagesh, whose approach is shaped by patience, memory and a deep respect for coastal cooking. Signature dishes include Crab Chettinad, Pomfret Gassi, Prawns Ghee Roast, Surmai Masala Fry, and Clams Sukka, each showcasing the diversity and depth of South India’s coastal kitchens.
Complementing the food is a coastal-inspired bar programme curated by Saroj, translating familiar regional flavours into contemporary cocktails. Ingredients such as kokum, curry leaves, fresh fruits and gentle spices take centre stage. Highlights include Reddy on the Rocks, Chiranjeevi Kidu, Bahubali Burst, Lungi Dance, and Rajni Kudampuli, adding a playful yet rooted layer to the experience.
The 4,800 sq. ft. space, designed by founder Harshita Shetty, seats 150 guests and reflects the warmth of South India’s coastal homes. Teakwood, cane accents, antique Mangalorean window frames, brass details and banana-leaf motifs come together in a soothing palette of ivory, green and gold.
“With Dakshin Legacy, I wanted to create a space that feels like a homecoming, where coastal traditions are preserved with heart and intention,” says Harshita Shetty.
Open for both lunches and dinners, Dakshin Legacy is envisioned as a destination for family gatherings, business meals and celebratory occasions. With its focus on uncompromising authenticity and soulful storytelling, the restaurant adds a timeless new chapter to Mumbai’s evolving food scene.
Address: Ground Floor, Pinnacle Corporate Park, Near Trade Centre BKC, Kalina, Bandra East, MumbaiTimings: 11:00 am to 12:30 am
Anardana has unveiled a new signature cocktail collection that draws inspiration from iconic street cuisines across India and select global destinations. Designed with a global outlook and an Indian soul, the collection reimagines familiar street flavours through classic cocktail techniques, bold ingredients and layered profiles, creating drinks that feel both nostalgic and contemporary.
Each cocktail has been crafted to pair seamlessly with Anardana’s dining experience, offering guests a journey through flavours that are expressive, comforting and inventive. Among the highlights is Banarasi Paan, an aromatic blend of gin and rosso vermouth with gulkand and betel leaves, capturing the sweetness, spice and ceremonial charm of Banaras in a refined, modern form.
Kaapi Time brings together whiskey, South Indian filter coffee, coconut and brown sugar, delivering warmth and depth with a soulful finish. The Phirni Tini offers an indulgent reinterpretation of the beloved dessert, presented as a clarified, creamy and delicately balanced cocktail. Adding a bold, umami-forward edge is Samurai’s Sip, which combines whiskey with gari, passion fruit and ponzu for a playful yet complex profile.
Completing the signature selection is Tuscan Sunset, a fresh and herbaceous cocktail featuring gin, basil, olive, tomato and coconut, evoking relaxed Mediterranean afternoons in every sip.
Balancing innovation with familiarity, the menu also features timeless classics. The crisp Dark ’n Stormy pairs dark rum with ginger beer for a spicy, refreshing finish, while the elegant Cosmopolitan blends vodka, orange liqueur, lime and cranberry for effortless sophistication. The ever-popular LIIT (500 ml) brings together vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec with lime and cola, making it bold, festive and ideal for sharing.
Carefully composed and expressive, Anardana’s cocktail collection invites guests to slow down, savour and explore, reinforcing the brand’s focus on flavour-led storytelling through food and drink.
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