The Alter Ego Opens in Bandra West with Two Distinct Dining Identities

The Alter Ego Opens in Bandra West with Two Distinct Dining Identities

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 1, 2026

Mumbai’s Bandra West welcomes The Alter Ego, a new duplex dining concept opening on 24 September 2026 that brings together familiar flavours and unexpected ideas across two distinct spaces, Blanco and Noir.

The concept explores the space between comfort and curiosity, bringing global dishes, techniques and ingredients through an Indian lens. While both spaces are part of the same restaurant, they offer different dining experiences. Blanco, on the ground floor, is built around Classics, Comfort and Community, while Noir, on the first floor, focuses on Elevate, Express and Explore.

Downstairs, Blanco is designed as an easy-going neighbourhood space where guests can drop in for a casual meal, coffee or a longer gathering. A community table creates an open setting for guests, while a library wall adds to the relaxed atmosphere. The bar sits to one side of the space, offering cocktails throughout the day.

The menu at Blanco follows the same familiar-yet-unexpected approach. The Truffle Edamame Upma gives a Mumbai staple a contemporary twist, while the Borough Breakfast combines a crispy potato waffle with eggs. The Bombay Poach brings confit garlic achar into a different setting, while the Grilled Cheese draws on an Indo-Ethiopian spice blend. The Sea Bass and Broadway Bowl continue the menu’s combination of comfort and global influences.

Upstairs, Noir takes a more expressive approach. A central island bar anchors the space, with seating arranged around it and ceiling-to-floor windows offering views of the city. Here, global techniques and flavours meet Indian references to create dishes that move across different culinary influences.

The Sol Kadhi Ceviche reimagines Mumbai’s kokum-based classic as a ceviche, while the Tuk Tuk combines French technique with flavours inspired by Sindhi kadhi. The Bombay Wellington places a Bombay-style curry inside the format of classic English pastry. Keema Under Cover offers another interpretation of a familiar Indian flavour, while the vegetarian Scallion Pancake Taco follows the same experimental approach. A Sticky Toffee Pudding completes the dessert offering.

The concept also includes Eclipse, a ten-seat private room that brings the two identities together. Guests can order from both the Blanco and Noir menus, creating a dining experience that combines the restaurant’s two distinct personalities at one table.

The idea was created by founder Krish Shah, whose own career journey reflects the concept’s dual identity. Originally expected to join his family’s agro-chemical business, Shah trained at Le Cordon Bleu while also working at PwC and gaining experience at The Bombay Canteen.

Speaking about the concept, Krish Shah, Founder, The Alter Ego, said, "I've always believed people don't have just one way of dining. Sometimes you're looking for something familiar and comforting, and other times you're in the mood to discover something unexpected. The Alter Ego was born from that idea. I never saw comfort and creativity as opposites - they're simply different ways of creating memorable experiences. So instead of asking guests to choose between them, we built a place where both can co-exist side by side, each with its own identity but united by the same intention: to make every meal feel worth coming back for."

  • Address: The Alter Ego, Unit No. 1, The Presidential, Plot No. 286, Swami Vivekanand Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050, next to the Toyota Showroom.

The Kitchen by Chef Deepa Offers Homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth in Chennai

The Kitchen by Chef Deepa Offers Homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth in Chennai

By Hariharan U

Published on October 21, 2026

The Kitchen by Chef Deepa is bringing a traditional festive favourite to Chennai with its special selection of homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth, prepared with pure ghee and available exclusively on a made-to-order basis.

Matthi holds a special place in Karwa Chauth traditions, particularly during the ritual of breaking the fast after the moon is sighted. Traditionally, a husband offers his wife the first morsel of food and water, with Matthi often forming part of this moment. The festive delicacy represents care, affection and togetherness, making it a meaningful addition to the celebration.

Through its festive offering, The Kitchen by Chef Deepa aims to bring this familiar tradition closer to families in Chennai, offering home-style preparations that can be included in their Karwa Chauth rituals.

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The selection features two varieties. The Sweet Saffron, Almond and Pista Matthi, priced at ₹1,350 per kg, combines aromatic saffron with the richness of almonds and pistachios. For those who prefer a simpler, traditional option, Classic Plain Matthi is available at ₹1,100 per kg.

Prepared with pure ghee and an emphasis on traditional flavours, the Matthi is available on a made-to-order basis. Customers can place orders directly with The Kitchen by Chef Deepa ahead of their celebrations.

The festive offering reflects the kitchen's focus on traditional Punjabi home-style cooking and special preparations for occasions celebrated with family. By bringing a familiar part of the Karwa Chauth ritual to Chennai, the kitchen offers customers a convenient way to include this traditional delicacy in their festivities.

Order Details

  • Brand: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa

  • Location: Perungudi, Chennai

  • Sweet Saffron, Almond and Pista Matthi: ₹1,350 per kg

  • Availability: Made to order

  • Phone: +91 93635 44123

  • Instagram: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa


GTGO Opens First bibigo bapsang Outlet in Bengaluru

GTGO Opens First bibigo bapsang Outlet in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 21, 2026

GTGO, the Korean F&B platform behind GOPIZZA, Gochujang and Dalkomi, has introduced bibigo bapsang to India through an exclusive strategic partnership with CJ Foods, the global company behind the Korean food brand bibigo. The launch marks the arrival of the brand's authentic Korean quick-service restaurant (QSR) format in India, with its first outlet opening at Orion Mall, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru.

The new outlet marks another step in GTGO's expansion as a multi-brand platform focused on bringing Korean cuisine to Indian consumers while adapting to local tastes. Additional bibigo bapsang outlets are planned across Bengaluru by the end of the year.

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Designed to make Korean food a part of everyday dining, bibigo bapsang combines the convenience of a QSR with a menu rooted in Korean flavours. Its signature offering is BYOB (Build Your Own Bapsang), a customisable bowl inspired by the Korean table, bringing together rice, protein and vegetables in one meal.

The menu also features bibimbap, Korean chicken, Korean fries, corndogs and desserts, with options available at affordable prices. The concept aims to welcome first-time diners exploring Korean cuisine while giving regular fans access to familiar favourites.

Mahesh Reddy, co-founder and CEO of GTGO, said, "Bengaluru has always been a special market with a vibrant crowd that is ready to try new things. These stores are more than new locations; they are another step towards making high-quality, approachable Korean food a regular part of everyday life for more people across India."

A spokesperson from CJ Foods said, "In Bengaluru, we aim to offer a fun, approachable Korean dining experience through customisable meal sets and bibimbap. By combining CJ Foods' leading brand and product expertise with GTGO's deep local-market understanding and agile execution, we will bring the value of Korean food to more consumers across India."

Alongside bibigo bapsang, GTGO's portfolio includes GOPIZZA, Gochujang, which focuses on Korean street food, and Dalkomi, which offers Korean desserts. The company is looking to build on the growing interest in Korean culture and cuisine by bringing more Korean food concepts to Indian consumers.

With the launch of bibigo bapsang, GTGO aims to expand its presence in Bengaluru and make Korean dining more accessible through a mix of familiar formats, customisable meals and authentic flavours.


epigamia Brings Farah Khan and Chef Dilip Together to Showcase Greek Yogurt

epigamia Brings Farah Khan and Chef Dilip Together to Showcase Greek Yogurt

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 21, 2026

epigamia, a premium dairy products brand, has teamed up with filmmaker Farah Khan and chef Dilip to show how Greek yogurt can be used to prepare easy and delicious desserts at home. The collaboration features the duo recreating a viral Greek recipe using epigamia, the OG Greek Yogurt. The video is available on the Instagram handles of epigamia and Farah Khan.

In the video, Farah and Dilip prepare a creamy Greek dessert using just three ingredients. Their familiar banter, along with Dilip's practical kitchen tips, shows how a recipe with Greek roots can be recreated at home with everyday ingredients and minimal effort. The dish combines the indulgence of a dessert with the nutritional benefits of protein-rich Greek yogurt.

The film is the first in a series of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts planned over the next two months. The upcoming content will introduce audiences to the recipe and its variations, encouraging them to explore different ways of using Greek yogurt in their daily cooking.

Speaking about the collaboration, Ritesh Gauba, CEO at epigamia, said, “Consumers today are becoming more conscious about what goes into their food, but their love for great taste hasn't changed. The real opportunity lies in making better food choices feel effortless, not like a compromise. Greek yogurt fits naturally into this shift, bringing together creamy indulgence, protein and the goodness of dairy, without unnecessary additives. With growing interest in protein-rich foods, Greek yogurt is set to become an everyday habit, whether for breakfast, a midday snack or even dessert.”

The campaign comes at a time when Indian consumers are exploring food options that balance taste and nutrition. According to IMARC Group, India's yogurt market is projected to grow by around 19% annually between 2026 and 2034. Market Decipher estimates that India's high-protein yogurt segment will grow by around 14.6% annually through 2036.

As interest in protein-rich foods grows, Greek yogurt is finding its place beyond breakfast, with consumers exploring its use in snacks, desserts and everyday cooking. Through this collaboration, epigamia aims to position Greek yogurt as a versatile ingredient that can be used in home recipes rather than consumed only on its own.

Looking ahead, epigamia plans to strengthen its presence in the yogurt and ready-to-consume protein category through a range of consumer-focused, tasty and innovative product launches.

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