Swaad by Ishaara: Rediscovering India’s Culinary Heritage

Swaad by Ishaara: Rediscovering India’s Culinary Heritage

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 15, 2024

Ishaara, a contemporary Indian dining establishment, is set to unveil Swaad by Ishaara, an exclusive pop-up experience meticulously curated by celebrated food expert Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal. This unique event, titled Swaad: A Journey Through Taste, takes diners on an extraordinary exploration of India’s culinary heritage, reviving regional flavors and age-old ingredients in a modern setting. It’s an invitation for guests to experience Indian cuisine in a fresh light while connecting with its deep cultural roots.

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The Swaad experience is a carefully crafted 7-course meal, each course representing a distinct taste profile, from bitter to sweet. Through this progressive menu, diners embark on a sensory journey that merges ancient Indian culinary practices with contemporary expression. Each course is a tribute to traditional ingredients, honoring regional farmers, communities, and the ecosystems they support.

The meal opens with Katu (Bitter/Astringent), highlighting the rhizome family through an Osaman soup infused with turmeric, ginger, and mango ginger—a nod to the healing spices of Gujarat. Namak (Salt) follows, paying homage to salt’s integral role in Indian cuisine with Patra Shaka, Australian Salt Bush, and the prized Pisyoon Loon from Uttarakhand. This course celebrates salt as a transformative ingredient that defines flavor across various regions.

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Khatai (Sour) brings a refreshing tang to the table, combining Gondhoraj lime with exotic Australian lemon myrtle and finger lime dukkah. For the spice lovers, the Mirch (Spice) course transports diners through India’s vast history of spice trade, featuring Pipali, Naga chili, and Australian Mountain Pepperberry—each bringing a unique heat and depth to the experience.

The meal continues with Tadka, an ode to the art of tempering spices in Indian cooking. This course uses traditional pahadi wild tubers, filling the air with aromas that evoke the mountain regions of northern India. The sixth course, Svada, draws inspiration from ancient Indian texts, featuring dishes like Black Moong Dal, Mansodan biryani, and Takra, a seasoned buttermilk—all of which showcase heritage recipes cherished across generations.

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The experience concludes on a sweet note with Sugandha, a final course that blends toasted puffed rice, fragrant paan leaves, and vanilla-infused cream with Bengali gur patasha, a delicate sweet made from jaggery. This dessert provides a memorable end to a journey that celebrates India’s culinary diversity and timeless flavors.

Each plate in the Swaad experience is designed to capture the cultural significance of its ingredients, bringing the stories of India’s diverse landscapes, people, and traditions to the table. By showcasing regional ingredients in an innovative format, Ishaara hopes to foster a deeper appreciation for India’s rich food heritage and honor the contributions of local farmers and artisans.

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The Swaad by Ishaara pop-up will be hosted at Ishaara Palladium, High Street Phoenix in Mumbai, on the evenings of November 20th through 23rd, 2024, from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The exclusive experience is priced at ₹2950, inclusive of all charges, providing a culinary experience that promises to leave diners with a newfound appreciation for India’s remarkable flavors.


Nandan Coffee Launches Monsoon Specials Menu Across Mumbai and Bengaluru Cafés

Nandan Coffee Launches Monsoon Specials Menu Across Mumbai and Bengaluru Cafés

By Hariharan U

Published on August 4, 2026

Nandan Coffee has unveiled its Monsoon Specials menu across its cafés in Mumbai and Bengaluru, bringing a seasonal selection of comforting beverages and hearty dishes inspired by the rituals of the Indian monsoon.

Available at the brand's flagship cafés in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, and Bellary Road, Bengaluru, the limited-time menu has been curated to complement rainy-day dining with warming coffees and comfort food. The seasonal offerings will be available until the end of November, alongside Nandan Coffee's regular menu.

The beverage menu features creations such as the Orange Ginger Latte, Spiced Mocha, Date Cardamom Latte, Almond Croissant Latte, and the non-coffee Rain Check, each designed to reflect the flavours and warmth associated with the monsoon season.

Complementing the drinks is a range of seasonal dishes, including Kale & Onion Pakodas, Lasun Chutney Grilled Cheese served with Pumpkin Soup, Nandan Ramen, and Almond Croissant Fritters. Guests can also enjoy signature comfort dishes such as Mushroom Pepper Fry and Rasam Minestrone Soup, available throughout the season.

Founded on its single-estate Nandanvan Estate in Kodaikanal, Nandan Coffee continues to champion sustainable, farm-to-cup coffee production. Certified organic since 2001, the estate has been recognised for its specialty coffees and remains committed to environmentally responsible farming, wildlife conservation, and community development.

Since opening its first flagship café in Mumbai's Kala Ghoda in 2024 and expanding to Bengaluru in 2026, Nandan Coffee has continued to strengthen its presence in India's specialty coffee segment while showcasing its estate-grown coffees through immersive café experiences.


Éntisi Chocolatier Launches Official Harry Potter-Inspired Chocolate Collection in India

Éntisi Chocolatier Launches Official Harry Potter-Inspired Chocolate Collection in India

By Hariharan U

Published on August 3, 2026

Éntisi Chocolatier has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to introduce an officially licensed Harry Potter-inspired premium chocolate collection in India, marking the brand's entry into the licensed chocolate category.

Inspired by iconic confectionery treats and memorable elements from the Harry Potter films, the collection includes Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Chocolates, Chocolate Frogs, Hogwarts House Chocolates, and the Platform 9¾ Hogwarts Express Bar. Each product has been designed with custom-developed moulds and packaging inspired by the Wizarding World, accompanied by collectible keepsake cards that encourage fans to build their own collection.

Priced from ₹129, the collection will be available through Éntisi's boutiques in Mumbai and Pune, dark stores across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and Bengaluru, the brand's official website, and exclusively on quick commerce platform Blinkit.

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The launch began on 28 July, with celebrations building towards Harry Potter's birthday on 31 July, targeting fans, collectors, teenagers, and gifting audiences.

Commenting on the launch, Nikki Thakker, Founder & CEO, Éntisi Chocolatier, said, "This collaboration is incredibly personal for me. Like millions of people, I grew up on Harry Potter, the books and the films both. The opportunity to reimagine some of its most iconic elements from scratch and bring them to India is something I never imagined would become reality."

She added, "Beyond the nostalgia, this collaboration represents a defining milestone for Éntisi. Collaborating with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products in India is a tremendous validation of the craftsmanship, quality, and ambition we've spent years building. Every mould in this collection has been custom developed exclusively for Harry Potter because we wanted every detail to feel authentic."

The launch also marks Éntisi's strategic expansion into the licensed chocolate segment, which the company views as a key long-term growth opportunity. Over the coming year, the brand plans to strengthen its presence in Delhi and Bengaluru, while its five-year roadmap includes pan-India retail expansion, a stronger presence at international airports, wider quick-commerce accessibility, and future Harry Potter-inspired seasonal collections.

Founded in 2017, Éntisi Chocolatier has built its reputation through handcrafted luxury chocolates, offering signature bonbons, dragees, and seasonal collections crafted using premium ingredients sourced globally.


Loya at Taj Palace New Delhi Unveils New Menu Celebrating North India's Culinary Heritage

Loya at Taj Palace New Delhi Unveils New Menu Celebrating North India's Culinary Heritage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 3, 2026

Loya at Taj Palace, New Delhi has unveiled a thoughtfully curated new menu that continues its journey of exploring the culinary traditions of North India. Built on extensive research, regional travel and interactions with local communities, the latest menu showcases authentic recipes, time-honoured cooking techniques and immersive dining experiences that celebrate the rich food heritage of the region.

Inspired by Loya's philosophy of discovering lesser-known culinary stories, the menu has been developed through extensive journeys across North India's villages, mountains and hinterlands. The culinary team documented recipes from home kitchens, regional cooks and traditional practitioners, preserving not only the ingredients and techniques but also the cultural narratives behind each dish.

The new menu reflects the diversity of North India's culinary landscape, with dishes inspired by Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and the Dogra region. Each creation captures the traditions, seasonal ingredients and local practices that have been passed down through generations.

Traditional cooking methods remain at the heart of the dining experience. Techniques such as dhungar (smoke infusion), slow cooking and hand-pounding of spices have been carefully incorporated to preserve the authenticity and depth of flavour while presenting the dishes with contemporary refinement.

Among the highlights is Fazilka Launji Chaat, inspired by Punjab's border districts, alongside Bhey Kebab, a lotus stem delicacy from the Dogra region. Guests can also savour Doaba Mutton Curry, showcasing the rich flavours of Punjab's fertile plains, while Karari Phillauri Macchi presents freshwater fish with contrasting textures.

The menu further explores the Himalayan region through dishes such as Sirmouri Murg, prepared using fermented yoghurt and regional raw turmeric, and Yaji Wangun, a traditional Kashmiri preparation pairing walnut dumplings with baby brinjal in an aromatic gravy.

Complementing the main dishes are regional accompaniments including Tehar, a culturally significant Kashmiri rice preparation, and Bedwa Kulcha, a Himachali-style stuffed kulcha filled with spiced kulth dal that reflects the earthy flavours of the Pahadi region.

Adding an interactive element to the dining experience, Loya has introduced Kulfa, inspired by the streets of Amritsar. Presented tableside, the dessert combines phirni, frozen reduced milk, rabri and rose into a theatrical finale that blends nostalgia with culinary craftsmanship.

Commenting on the launch, Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice President & Brand Custodian, IHCL, said, "Since its inception, Loya has remained obsessed with uncovering the untold food stories of the North. Through years of immersive research, our journeys have taken us deep into villages, the hinterlands, and the foothills and mountains of the Himalayas, documenting the food of the foot soldiers, farming communities and local households whose culinary traditions have endured through generations. This new menu is a continuation of that enduring pursuit, celebrating the richness of the North with authenticity, integrity and profound respect for its origins."

Sharing his thoughts on the culinary journey behind the menu, Rajesh Wadhwa, Grand Master Chef, Loya, said, "This menu is shaped by our journeys into the interiors of the North, by listening, observing and learning from those who continue to cook these dishes in their most authentic form. Our approach has always been to bring these stories to the table with care, while preserving their essence."

With its latest menu, Loya continues to strengthen its position as a destination for regional culinary exploration, offering guests an experience that goes beyond dining by bringing together heritage, craftsmanship and authentic storytelling through every dish.

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