You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
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.
Air India Express Expands Domestic Network with Six New Dest...
Air India Express has announced a major expansion of its dom...
Roseate Hotels & Resorts Expands Partnership with M3M for Ja...
Roseate Hotels & Resorts has expanded its partnership with M...
Emirates and South African Airways Expand Codeshare Partners...
Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their...
Spanish Frozen Yogurt Brand smöoy Enters India with First Fl...
Spanish frozen yogurt brand smöoy has officially ent...
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on August 13, 2026
India's Pan-Asian restaurant brand Mamagoto has opened its newest outlet in Raipur, bringing its signature Asian flavours, vibrant setting and experience-led dining to Avinash One.
The new restaurant marks another step in Mamagoto's expansion across India's emerging lifestyle markets. The brand began its journey in 2010, when hospitality entrepreneurs Rahul Khanna and Kabir Suri opened its first restaurant at Delhi's iconic Khan Market.
Over the past fifteen years, Mamagoto has grown to 22 restaurants across 18 cities, serving millions of guests and receiving over 50 industry awards and accolades.
The Raipur outlet introduces Mamagoto 2.0, the brand's evolved dining experience. The concept features refreshed interiors, an elevated cocktail programme and a menu inspired by the culinary traditions of Japan, China, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Guests can enjoy some of Mamagoto's popular dishes, including Pan-Fried Bao, Kill Bill Sichuan Pepper Smoked Chicken Dimsums, Charcoal Prawn Dimsums, Mama's OG Rock Shrimp Tempura, Salmon Aburi Nigiri, Pad Kra Pao Kai, Chiang Mai Train Station Noodles, and Mamagoto Caramel Sponge Cake. The menu is complemented by handcrafted cocktails and beverages.
The restaurant's arrival also comes as Raipur's dining and lifestyle scene continues to grow, with Mamagoto bringing its contemporary take on Pan-Asian dining to the city.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Priyank Singhania, Franchise Partner, Mamagoto Raipur & Director, said:
"Raipur has witnessed tremendous growth over the past few years and is rapidly emerging as a vibrant lifestyle destination. We felt the city was ready for a nationally celebrated brand that offers not just great food, but an experience. Mamagoto has always stood for bold flavours, great energy, and memorable hospitality, and we are excited to introduce that experience to Raipur."
Mr. Vineet Kochar, Chief Operating Officer, Azure Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., added:
"Raipur represents an exciting chapter in Mamagoto's growth story. As we continue expanding into high-potential markets across India, our focus remains on creating restaurants that combine exceptional food, thoughtful design, and memorable guest experiences. We are delighted to bring Mamagoto 2.0 to Raipur and look forward to becoming a part of the city's evolving culinary landscape."
The Raipur opening is part of Azure Hospitality's wider plan to take its brands into high-growth markets while continuing to develop its food, design, beverage and guest experiences.
With the new outlet, Mamagoto adds Raipur to its growing presence across India and brings its Pan-Asian dining experience to a new generation of diners in Central India.
By Hariharan U
Baardos has expanded its presence in Delhi with the opening of Baardos Qutub, its second venue in the capital and its most ambitious concept to date. Located in Qutub, one of Delhi's prominent dining and nightlife destinations, the new venue brings together food, cocktails, music and immersive entertainment.
Following the success of Baardos La Citta, Baardos Qutub is designed as an all-evening destination where dining transitions into a late-night experience. The concept combines a diverse culinary offering with an extensive cocktail programme and curated music experiences.
The menu brings together Pan Asian, Italian, Modern Indian, European and Continental influences, with an emphasis on bold flavours, generous portions and dishes designed for sharing. The cocktail programme complements the food-led experience, encouraging guests to settle in and spend the evening at the venue.
Nightlife programming forms a key part of the Baardos Qutub experience. Mystics of Qutub presents Sufi evenings every Wednesday, while DOS Fridays focuses on electronic music and a curated artist line-up. Saturdays feature Again Again!, while BOOM ROOM offers techno-led nights for electronic music enthusiasts.
Speaking about the launch, Aman Garg, Founder, Baardos, said Baardos Qutub was created as more than another venue, with the aim of building a destination that reflects the evolving nightlife culture of Delhi.
Sagar Garg, Founder, Baardos, added that the venue has been designed around the idea of creating memorable evenings through music, conversations, food and shared experiences.
The opening marks the next phase of Baardos' expansion strategy. The brand plans to launch new venues in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Noida by the end of 2026, extending its presence beyond Delhi.
While each new location will follow the core Baardos philosophy, the brand plans to adapt its venues to the culture, character and energy of their respective cities.
With Baardos Qutub, the brand aims to strengthen its position in India's evolving restaurant and nightlife landscape by creating destinations that combine dining, entertainment and social experiences under one roof.
Outletcity Metzingen, Europe's largest outlet, is expanding its visitor experience with new culinary concepts, lifestyle offerings and seasonal events designed to complement its premium shopping environment.
The latest additions aim to encourage visitors to spend more time at the destination by bringing together shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences.
A key addition will be 60 Seconds to Napoli, which is scheduled to open at Outletcity Metzingen in October. The fast-casual restaurant will combine traditional Neapolitan pizza-making with modern technology.
The concept uses a 485°C (905°F) oven to bake pizzas in just 60 seconds. The pizzas are prepared with dough rested for up to 72 hours and ingredients including San Marzano DOP tomatoes and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
Janina Wittmann, Destination Marketing & Partnership Manager, Outletcity Metzingen, said the destination is focused on continuously evolving its visitor experience by complementing shopping with dining and seasonal offerings. She also highlighted India as one of Outletcity Metzingen's important international source markets.
The culinary additions also include CINNAMOOD, an exclusive pop-up concept that has been available at Outletcity Metzingen since June. Founded in Cologne in 2022, the lifestyle brand offers 17 varieties of cinnamon rolls along with signature coffees, matcha specialities and fresh fruit smoothies.
The destination's seasonal calendar will continue with the Motel a Miio Sample Sale from August 20 to 22 at The Gallery on Kanalstraße 6. Visitors will be able to explore the Portuguese ceramics brand's colourful handcrafted collection with discounts of up to 80%.
In September, Outletcity Metzingen will also host exclusive Michael Kors and MCM Sample Sales, providing visitors with additional limited-time shopping opportunities.
The new dining and seasonal experiences are part of Outletcity Metzingen's broader strategy to develop the destination beyond shopping, creating a more complete experience for international and domestic visitors.
With Germany attracting travellers from across the world, the destination is also looking to strengthen its appeal among Indian visitors by combining premium shopping with food, lifestyle and seasonal experiences.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.