Turkey’s Beloved Bulgur Salad and How to Make It

Turkey’s Beloved Bulgur Salad and How to Make It

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 6, 2024

Kısır is a cherished dish from Turkey, woven deeply into the social and culinary fabric of the country. This zesty and vibrant salad, made primarily of fine bulgur wheat, is celebrated not only for its delightful taste but also for its simplicity and versatility. 

Kısır’s roots are firmly planted in the southeastern regions of Turkey, particularly in cities like Gaziantep and Adana. With a history influenced by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, it shares similarities with the Levantine tabbouleh but stands out due to its unique blend of ingredients and regional variations.

Traditionally, kısır is more than just food; it's a symbol of community. It often appears at social gatherings, from afternoon tea parties to family dinners, where it's served as part of a broader array of meze (appetizers). Its vibrant color and refreshing taste make it an especially popular choice during the spring and summer months when lighter, more refreshing dishes are preferred.

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The base of kısır is fine bulgur, a type of cracked wheat that is both nutritious and filling. Unlike its coarser cousin used in pilafs, the fine bulgur is simply soaked rather than cooked, preserving its slightly chewy texture.

How to Make Traditional Kısır?

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper paste (optional for more spice)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (or more, to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 green onions, finely sliced
  • Salt and red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place the bulgur in a large bowl and cover it with warm water. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until it softens. Drain any excess water and fluff with a fork.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the tomato paste, red pepper paste, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil. Stir until smooth.
  3. Pour the paste mixture over the softened bulgur and mix thoroughly to ensure the bulgur is evenly coated.
  4. Mix in the chopped parsley and green onions. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste. (Some regional versions include diced cucumbers or fresh mint for an extra layer of freshness.)
  5. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra parsley or a few pomegranate seeds if desired.

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Psst! Additional Tips 

If you prefer a more citrusy taste, add extra lemon juice. For a richer, slightly sweet flavor, increase the amount of pomegranate molasses. And, letting kısır rest in the refrigerator for an hour or so allows the flavors to meld together.

With its combination of hearty bulgur, bold seasonings, and fresh vegetables, it’s both satisfying and health-conscious. Moreover, kısır is vegan-friendly, making it suitable for diverse dietary preferences.


Rumour Introduces Luna de Agave, a New Wednesday Cocktail Ritual in Delhi

Rumour Introduces Luna de Agave, a New Wednesday Cocktail Ritual in Delhi

By Hariharan U

Published on August 15, 2026

Rumour in New Delhi has introduced Luna de Agave, a new Wednesday nightlife experience built around tequila cocktails, live music, social dining and a signature 8 PM collective toast.

Running every Wednesday from 7 PM, Luna de Agave is designed as a multi-stage evening that gradually moves from cocktails and social dining into a full nightlife experience.

The experience begins at 7 PM with Golden Hour, featuring a tequila cocktail menu created exclusively for the weekly ritual. The selection includes reinterpretations of the Picante, Margaritas and Rumour's own take on the Paloma.

At 7:30 PM, the evening moves into the Cocktail Tree, a shared presentation featuring 12 mini cocktails served together. Designed as both a social and visual experience, the serve encourages groups to share a round while adding a theatrical element to the evening.

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The centrepiece arrives at 8 PM with The Ritual, when guests across the venue are served a surprise mini tequila cocktail. As the lighting changes, live percussion begins and the room comes together for a collective toast.

From 8:30 PM onwards, After Dark takes over, with DJs and percussionists increasing the energy and transitioning the evening from cocktail-led dining into a longer night out.

The food menu complements the social character of the experience, with dishes designed for sharing. Highlights include Korean Chicken Tacos with gochujang and wasabi aioli, Black Bean Tacos with avocado mousse and feta, Salsa Macha Prawns with furikake slaw, and Glazed Tofu with peanut, sesame mayo and hot tahini.

Music is also integrated into the format, with live percussion marking key transitions during the evening. The entertainment lineup will change from week to week, featuring guest performers and surprise acts, while the structure of Luna de Agave remains centred around the 8 PM toast.

According to Nishchay Jain, Founder, Rumour, the concept developed from an existing customer trend, with Wednesdays becoming one of the venue's busier nights and tequila cocktails emerging as a popular choice among guests.

"Luna de Agave came from wanting to give that behaviour an identity and turn it into a ritual, taking a night people already loved coming to Rumour for and giving them little moments to look forward to," Jain said.

Located in Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, Rumour positions Luna de Agave as a weekly social experience rather than a conventional drinks promotion, creating a structured Wednesday night that moves through cocktails, food, music and shared moments.

Reservations are recommended, particularly for groups looking to experience the Cocktail Tree, while walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.

Event Details

Event: Luna de Agave
Venue: Rumour
Address: 12 Basant Lok, 1st Floor, Priya Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Day: Every Wednesday
Timings: From 7 PM
Format: Tequila cocktails, shared serves, live percussion, DJ and social dining


The Filter Coffee Opens 10th Outlet in Bengaluru with New Arekere Restaurant

The Filter Coffee Opens 10th Outlet in Bengaluru with New Arekere Restaurant

By Hariharan U

Published on August 15, 2026

The Filter Coffee has opened its 10th outlet in Bengaluru, expanding its presence in South Bengaluru with a new 70-seater restaurant in Arekere near BTM 6th Stage and Hulimavu.

Opened on August 1, 2026, the new outlet is located on Sir M. Visvesvaraya Road and brings The Filter Coffee's signature South Indian cuisine and filter coffee to the neighbourhood through a full-service dine-in format.

The launch marks a significant milestone for the Bengaluru-based casual dining brand, particularly as Arekere has been part of its customer journey since its early days.

The new restaurant serves a familiar selection of South Indian favourites, including dosas, idlis, traditional banana leaf meals and filter coffee, alongside a broader dine-in offering designed for everyday dining.

Open from 7 AM to 10:30 PM, the outlet caters to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its breakfast menu is available throughout the day, while a dedicated selection of snacks is offered from 4 PM for afternoon diners.

To mark the opening, The Filter Coffee has introduced a three-visit offer for customers. The first visit includes complimentary filter coffee for two, the second offers a buy-one-get-one deal on banana leaf lunch meals, and the third visit provides a flat 25% discount on the total bill.

Commenting on the launch, Sankrit Iyer, Co-founder, The Filter Coffee, said, "Every new outlet has a story, and Arekere's story is especially meaningful to us. This is where we built one of our earliest customer communities, and returning here feels like coming home."

He added that the brand's relationship with customers in the neighbourhood encouraged the company to establish a permanent retail presence, allowing guests to experience its food, coffee and hospitality through a dedicated dine-in space.

Strengthening South Bengaluru Presence

The Arekere opening forms part of The Filter Coffee's measured expansion strategy across Bengaluru.

According to Avinit Bagri, Co-founder, The Filter Coffee, the company prioritises locations where it has already established strong customer relationships rather than expanding solely based on market potential.

"Our expansion strategy has always been thoughtful rather than aggressive. We don't choose locations simply based on market potential; we look for places where we've built genuine customer relationships and where we believe we can create long-term value," said Bagri.

The brand's presence across South Bengaluru includes established neighbourhoods such as Jayanagar, with the Arekere outlet adding another location within a region known for its strong affinity towards traditional South Indian dining.

The new restaurant is positioned within a well-established residential belt near Hulimavu, making it accessible to local residents seeking familiar South Indian meals for everyday dining.

From First Store to 10 Outlets

The Filter Coffee is the flagship brand of WishVish Foods Private Limited. Founded in 2014 with its first store in Kalyan Nagar, the brand has grown to operate 10 full-service restaurants across Bengaluru.

Its offering spans dine-in, takeaway and online delivery, with the brand focusing on traditional South Indian food served with consistency and a contemporary casual-dining approach.

The Arekere outlet represents another step in this expansion, strengthening the brand's network across Bengaluru while returning to a neighbourhood that has been part of its journey since its early years.

Outlet Details

Venue: The Filter Coffee, Arekere
Address: Site No. 501, Vijay Bank Layout, BTM 6th Stage, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Road, Muthuraya Swamy Layout, Hanuman Nagar, Hulimavu, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
Opening Date: August 1, 2026
Seating Capacity: 70
Timings: 7 AM – 10:30 PM
Contact: Prem – +91 81058 55391


Anardana Opens Its Biggest Outlet Yet in Noida Sector 50

Anardana Opens Its Biggest Outlet Yet in Noida Sector 50

By Author

Published on August 14, 2026

Anardana has opened its 14th and largest outlet yet in Noida's Sector 50, introducing an upgraded menu and a contemporary Indian dining environment designed to reflect the brand's next phase of growth.

The new flagship builds on Anardana's presence in Noida, following the response to its Sector 129 outlet. The brand has established a growing following across North India with its modern Indian cuisine, bold flavours and vibrant dining environments.

With the Sector 50 opening, Anardana brings together familiar favourites and new culinary creations in a significantly larger space designed to function as a destination for dining and celebratio ns.

Commenting on the launch, Shruti Malik, Founder, Anardana, said, "The launch of our Noida Sector 50 restaurant is a defining milestone for Anardana as we open our 14th outlet and our largest flagship destination yet. Noida has always been an important market for us, and the love we've received at our Sector 129 outlet gave us the confidence to deepen our presence in the city."

She added that the new flagship was designed to offer more than a restaurant, combining elevated design, warm service and a culinary experience that remains rooted in Indian traditions while embracing contemporary influences.

Contemporary Indian Design

The Sector 50 outlet adopts a contemporary Indian design language built around fluid geometry, layered materials and sculptural elements.

A double-height central volume forms the heart of the restaurant, with sculptural domes, suspended installations and cascading greenery creating a strong vertical visual identity. Integrated lighting adds depth to the space, while the interplay of solid and open areas creates a balance between intimate dining zones and larger social spaces.

The material palette incorporates terracotta flooring, timber battens, natural stone, textured finishes and handcrafted lattice screens, bringing warmth and tactile character to the interiors.

A dramatic double-height bar acts as the central visual anchor, while curvilinear seating, raised platforms and carefully framed sightlines create distinct dining zones within the larger space.

The design aims to celebrate Indian craftsmanship through a contemporary interpretation rather than relying heavily on traditional ornamentation.

Upgraded Culinary Offering

The new outlet also introduces an upgraded menu featuring modern interpretations of Indian flavours alongside familiar Anardana favourites.

Vegetarian highlights include In Pulled Jackfruit Cannelloni, featuring ghee-roasted pulled jackfruit rolled into cannelloni and baked in saffron cream sauce.

Among the non-vegetarian offerings are Butter Chicken Gujiya, featuring crispy gujiyas filled with smoky tandoori chicken and served with Parmesan and makhani sauce, and Malai Chicken Roulade, paired with mashed potatoes and smoked red bell pepper sauce.

Other new dishes include Achari Chicken Breast, mushroom-stuffed chicken finished with a pickle brush and mushroom pepper sauce; Lamb Ragout Sambusa; and Mutton Goli Kebab, served with gilafi kulcha and walnut, radish and eggplant chutneys.

For dessert, the Rasgulla Tiramisu combines rasgulla soaked in coffee and rum with mascarpone and cacao, offering an Indo-Italian interpretation of the classic dessert.

The brand said the expanded menu is intended to build on Anardana's approach to contemporary Indian cuisine while introducing guests to new combinations and presentations.

The Sector 50 outlet represents an important milestone for Anardana as the brand continues to expand its presence across North India. Founded in 2018, Anardana has grown its restaurant portfolio with a focus on modern Indian cuisine, hospitality and experiential dining.

With its largest outlet yet, the brand aims to strengthen its position in Noida's competitive dining landscape while creating a larger destination for everyday meals, celebrations and social occasions.

Outlet Details

Venue: Anardana, Sector 50, Noida
Address: Unit No. TF 04, Aditya Ancora, Plot No. 05, F Block, Sector 50, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
Phone: 9667502046

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