SŌZŌ Blends Tradition and Innovation in Mumbai’s First Self-Ordering Izakaya

SŌZŌ Blends Tradition and Innovation in Mumbai’s First Self-Ordering Izakaya

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 24, 2024

SŌZŌ, a trailblazer in Japanese culinary innovation, has introduced Mumbai’s first self-ordering izakaya dining experience with the opening of its flagship restaurant in Versova. This new concept blends the traditional flavors of Japanese izakaya cuisine with the convenience of modern self-service, offering a unique dining experience for patrons.

The restaurant is led by Head Chef Parvez Khan, who brings his expertise from working at renowned establishments like Wasabi by Morimoto, and Sameer Tirani, a visionary investor in the hospitality sector. Together, they have crafted a diverse menu that highlights "express-comfort izakaya" dishes. The offerings include a variety of Japanese comfort foods, such as the juicy SOZO BAO-GER, flavorful DONBURI bowls, warm RAMEN, and classic GYOZA, all made with high-quality ingredients sourced directly from Japan. These dishes are served quickly through an easy-to-use, self-ordering system.

SŌZŌ’s interior is designed to reflect the cozy, inviting atmosphere of a traditional Japanese home, fused with modern elements. The 1200 sq. ft space features traditional Japanese Noren banners, natural wood moldings, and a shoji-inspired ceiling, creating an intimate dining setting. A striking glossy red wall with a large glass window offers diners a view of the culinary team at work, while a serene Zen garden provides a peaceful retreat within the restaurant.

Beyond the food, SŌZŌ offers a carefully curated selection of beverages, including in-house drinks, frappes with boba, and Kombucha, all designed to complement the rich flavors of the menu.

Chef Parvez Khan expressed the vision behind SŌZŌ, stating, "We aim to revolutionize Japanese dining by merging the convenience of self-ordering with the immersive experience of a traditional izakaya." Partner Sameer Tirani added, "Our goal is to create a seamless, authentic, and value-driven dining experience that stands out by integrating traditional Japanese culinary art with modern service efficiencies."

SŌZŌ is open daily from 12 pm to 11 pm, offering both quick lunches and indulgent dinners in a setting that celebrates Japanese culture and culinary excellence.


Burger King & Coca-Cola Roll Out ‘Feast on Wheels

Burger King & Coca-Cola Roll Out ‘Feast on Wheels

By Hariharan U

Published on April 23, 2026

In a move aimed at capturing India’s youth-driven consumption moments, Coca-Cola India and Burger King India have announced a strategic, long-term partnership with the launch of ‘Feast on Wheels.’

The initiative introduces a first-of-its-kind mobile food truck format, designed to bring curated Burger King meals paired with Coca-Cola directly to college campuses. Built around affordability, accessibility, and immersive experiences, the platform aims to meet Gen Z consumers in their natural social environments.

The concept was unveiled on April 15, 2026, at Lovely Professional University during its inter-college festival. The activation transformed the campus into a lively brand hub, featuring a fully branded food truck serving Whopper meal combos paired with Coca-Cola at student-friendly pricing.

Beyond food, the experience leaned into youth culture with live music, DJ sets, gaming zones like tic-tac-toe and ping pong, interactive brand installations, and dedicated content creation spaces to encourage organic sharing among students.

Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development at Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, highlighted the strategy behind the move, stating that youth consumption today is spontaneous and social. He noted that the partnership brings a proven meal pairing into environments where such moments naturally occur, making the experience more accessible and engaging.

Kapil Grover, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King India, emphasized the importance of cultural relevance, sharing that college campuses are where trends and energy thrive. He added that the initiative goes beyond food, helping the brand build deeper and more meaningful connections with young consumers.

By combining Coca-Cola’s global food pairing strategy with Burger King’s youth-first engagement approach, ‘Feast on Wheels’ is positioned as a scalable platform aimed at driving high-frequency consumption and long-term brand recall across India’s Gen Z landscape.


Rosetta Sakleshpur Celebrates Summer with Mango-Themed Experience

Rosetta Sakleshpur Celebrates Summer with Mango-Themed Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 23, 2026

Rosetta Sakleshpur is welcoming the summer season with a specially curated mango-themed experience, inviting guests to enjoy the fruit in a refreshing and flavourful way. Set across a 100-acre coffee plantation, the property offers a calm and scenic setting where guests can slow down and make the most of the season.

At the centre of this experience is Teatro - The Estate Kitchen, where a thoughtfully designed buffet brings together regional and seasonal flavours. Raw mangoes add a tangy touch to dishes like paneer tikka and dal, while local favourites such as mango gojju and mavinakayi chitranna highlight traditional recipes. A range of summer drinks including aam panna, mango lassi, a mango mojito twist, and a mango basil slush complete the spread, keeping the focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients.

The experience also features a selection of desserts where mango takes on a more refined form. Guests can enjoy options like Alphonso mango white chocolate mousse, mango misu, and mango cream cheesecake, each offering a modern take on classic flavours. In addition, a variety of seasonal mango-based dishes are available à la carte.

With greenery all around and the peaceful pace of plantation life, Rosetta Sakleshpur creates an atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy their meals at ease. The mango-themed offering brings together food, setting, and season, making it a simple yet memorable summer experience. The experience will be available from end-April onwards.


Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hosts IPL 2026 Viewing Experience at Hydeout Bar & Lounge

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hosts IPL 2026 Viewing Experience at Hydeout Bar & Lounge

By Hariharan U

Published on April 22, 2026

As the excitement of the Indian Premier League 2026 builds across the city, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway has introduced a dedicated match-viewing experience at Hydeout Bar & Lounge.

Designed as a lively, open-air setting, the venue offers a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere where guests can catch live matches with comfortable lounge seating, ambient lighting, and a social, fan-driven vibe. The experience will run until May 31, 2026, aligning with the ongoing cricket season.

To enhance the match-day experience, the venue has introduced themed beverage offers inspired by cricket moments. Highlights include the Powerplay Bucket, featuring four beers available until the sixth over, and the Hat-Trick Bucket, where guests receive a complimentary beer if a hat-trick occurs during the match.

Additional offerings include the Free Hit Bucket, paired with snacks such as French fries or masala peanuts, and the Fan Jersey Bucket, which rewards guests wearing an India jersey with a 20% discount. These curated combinations aim to bring together sport, socialising, and casual dining in a single setting.

With its focus on shared experiences, themed offers, and a vibrant viewing environment, Hydeout Bar & Lounge positions itself as a go-to destination for cricket enthusiasts looking to enjoy the IPL season in a more engaging, community-driven atmosphere.

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