Vaarta Opens in Goa, Bringing Interactive Indian Street Food to a 160-Year-Old

Vaarta Opens in Goa, Bringing Interactive Indian Street Food to a 160-Year-Old

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 28, 2026

In a quiet corner of Sangolda, Vaarta has opened its doors inside a beautifully restored 160-year-old Goan home. The restaurant brings a fresh way of experiencing Indian street food, where flavours, memories, and conversations come together in an intimate setting.

Vaarta is not designed like a typical street food spot or a nostalgia-themed café. Instead, it slows things down and gives street food the space and respect it deserves. Set within a heritage home that already carries decades of stories, the restaurant allows food to unfold as an experience rather than a quick bite.

One of the most distinctive elements at Vaarta is its interactive dining style. Guests are welcomed by a live Puchka counter, where each puchka is prepared fresh. Diners can choose fillings such as Aloo Masala, Aloo Dum, Dahi Aloo, and Churmur, paired with house-made waters ranging from Sharp Jaljira and Tangy Tetul to sweet Saunth and cooling Pudina. The experience recreates the excitement of a street-side ritual, now placed within a calm and personal environment.

Adding to this sense of play is the ‘Make Your Own Barf Ka Gola’ cart, brought straight to the table. Guests can customise flavours, textures, and spice levels, turning a childhood favourite into a shared moment that naturally sparks conversation.

The setting plays a major role in shaping the experience. The 160-year-old home has been carefully restored, keeping its original arches, aged flooring, and vintage windows intact. Interconnected lighting flows through the space, while vintage round bakelite power switches have been retained to preserve an old-world charm. Rather than reshaping the house to fit a concept, Vaarta allows the home to guide the atmosphere, creating a space that feels warm, unhurried, and deeply connected to Goa.

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“Vaarta was born from a simple longing, the kind of food that carries memory and invites conversation. I didn’t want to recreate street food; I wanted to give it the space and respect it deserves,” says Neha Mehta, Founder of Vaarta.

The menu draws from Indian street food traditions across regions, prepared with care and restraint while staying true to their roots. It moves from chaat favourites like Palak Patta Chaat, Jhal Muri, and Tokri Chaat to comforting dishes such as Chelo Kebab, Suz Ke Seekh, and Aloo Ki Taheri. Bar bites include Spinach Chop, Tujj Tikka, and Chicken Roast Kulcha, while main courses highlight regional flavours with Dalcha Gosht, Gavran Chicken, Bharwaan Karela, Moti Pulao, and Cholar Dal. Desserts such as Bhapa Doi, Patishapta, Payasam, Shahi Tukda, and Basundi bring the meal to a nostalgic close.

The bar follows the same philosophy, reworking familiar Indian flavours into creative drinks. Cocktails like Pani Puri Popper, Kala Khatta Kamikaze, Masala Chai Martini, Nimbu Mirch Margarita, and Aam Panna Sour sit alongside refreshing options such as Shikanji Sparkler and Rose & Cardamom Lassi, keeping the experience playful yet comforting.

Vaarta appeals to a wide audience. For locals, it brings back flavours tied to everyday moments and memories. For long-term settlers, it offers a comforting reminder of home. For travellers, it becomes a quiet discovery, where Indian street food feels thoughtful and personal.

In a region known for beach shacks and global cuisines, Vaarta offers something different: a return to Indian flavours that shaped childhoods and cities. Here, street food slows down, conversations stay longer, and every dish carries a story.


Sip Into Summer with Tata Coffee Gold’s Café-Style Indulgent Coffee Range

Sip Into Summer with Tata Coffee Gold’s Café-Style Indulgent Coffee Range

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 20, 2026

As summer temperatures rise and days grow longer, coffee lovers are turning to cooler, more refreshing ways to enjoy their daily brew. Tata Coffee Gold is tapping into this shift with its premium freeze-dried coffee range, designed to bring café-style indulgence right into the comfort of home.

The range is crafted for both hot and cold coffee preparations, making it easy to enjoy everything from iced lattes on warm afternoons to rich, comforting evening brews. With five distinct flavours, each cup is designed to elevate everyday coffee moments into something more indulgent and refreshing.

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The Original variant offers a classic café experience with a rich, full-bodied taste and strong aroma, made possible through freeze-dried technology that locks in freshness and flavour.

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For those who prefer a softer profile, the Vanilla variant adds a smooth, mellow sweetness, making it ideal for creamy lattes or chilled iced coffees. It brings a comforting touch to everyday coffee routines.

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The Hazelnut flavour is designed for coffee drinkers who enjoy a nutty, gourmet twist. It delivers a rich aroma that works perfectly for café-style mochas and mid-day coffee breaks.

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For indulgence seekers, the Brownie variant transforms coffee into a dessert-like experience, offering deep, chocolatey notes that pair well with evening cravings or sweet treats.

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Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, the Tiramisu variant blends coffee with creamy and cocoa-like undertones, creating a layered and luxurious drinking experience with every sip.

With this range, Tata Coffee Gold aims to turn everyday kitchens into personal cafés, offering consumers a simple way to enjoy café-style coffee experiences at home, one flavour at a time.


TWH Hospitality Launches Second Nazeer Foods Restaurant in Zirakpur

TWH Hospitality Launches Second Nazeer Foods Restaurant in Zirakpur

By Hariharan U

Published on May 20, 2026

TWH Hospitality has launched its second Nazeer Foods restaurant at Pooja Plazzio in Zirakpur, marking another milestone in the company’s expanding hospitality portfolio across North India. The newly opened outlet is being positioned as Chandigarh–Tricity’s first authentic Old Delhi-themed Mughlai fine-dining restaurant, combining heritage-inspired interiors with premium hospitality and traditional flavours.

Founded over four decades ago, Nazeer Foods has built a strong reputation for authentic Mughlai cuisine, traditional recipes, and a loyal customer base across Delhi-NCR. The Zirakpur expansion reflects the brand’s continued efforts to take its Old Delhi culinary legacy beyond the capital region while preserving its signature dining experience.

The restaurant has been developed as a premium dine-in destination featuring Mughlai-inspired aesthetics, elegant seating, warm hospitality, and a refined ambience designed for families, professionals, and food enthusiasts across the Tricity region.

The launch follows TWH Hospitality’s earlier strategic partnership announcement with Nazeer Foods aimed at hospitality and culinary expansion. The company had previously integrated Nazeer Foods’ kitchen operations into its Goa hospitality venture to strengthen premium Mughlai dining and online delivery offerings in the region.

Speaking on the expansion, the management stated that demand for premium Indian dining concepts continues to rise in emerging lifestyle destinations such as Zirakpur and Chandigarh–Tricity. The company further shared that it is actively exploring additional opportunities across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi-NCR through fine-dine and high-street hospitality formats.

Backed by ICCPL Group, TWH Hospitality has steadily expanded its presence across cafés, resorts, and premium food ventures. The group has gained visibility through hospitality ventures including Boho By The Beach Resort and The Boho Box Café while continuing collaborations with established hospitality and food brands.

The Zirakpur outlet is expected to emerge as a key dining destination for residents across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and nearby regions seeking an authentic Mughlai fine-dining experience inspired by Old Delhi’s rich culinary heritage.


Gourmet Food Brand Coração Do Vale Enters the Indian Market with Chef Davinder Kumar

Gourmet Food Brand Coração Do Vale Enters the Indian Market with Chef Davinder Kumar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 20, 2026

Portugal’s gourmet extra virgin olive oil brand Coração Do Vale has officially entered the Indian market with a special culinary showcase held on a Friday afternoon at Le Meridien. The event, titled The Portuguese Pour – Chef DK’s Tasting Series, brought together the heritage of Portugal’s olive-growing tradition and over five decades of culinary expertise by Chef Davinder Kumar.

The exclusive, invitation-only experience introduced Indian food enthusiasts to Coração Do Vale, an ultra-premium EVOO sourced from the sun-drenched olive groves of Baixo Alentejo, Portugal. The brand has been brought to India by Leads Brand Connect, aiming to showcase the richness of Portuguese olive oil culture to Indian kitchens.

The tasting menu, curated by Chef DK, highlighted the versatility of Coração Do Vale and how it can connect European fine dining techniques with familiar Indian flavours. The menu featured creative live demonstrations of four signature dishes designed specially for the occasion: Tomato & Raw Mango Carpaccio with Kalamata Dust, EVOO & Shaved Parmesan, Charred Sweet Potato Chaat, Bajra Crisp, Imli Jaggery & EVOO Reduction, Pan Seared Sole with Mint, Caper & EVOO Tapenade, and Rustic Carrot & Cinnamon Cake.

Guests were also welcomed with crostini, olive focaccia with EVOO, and roasted makhana. The meal began with Broccoli Almond Soup paired with EVOO Pesto Crostini, followed by a multi-course spread that included Pan Seared Fish with Mint Caper & EVOO Tapenade, Murg Tikka Lazeez, Paneer Khaas, Pasta Aglio e Olio, and Dum Subz Biryani. The experience ended on a sweet note with Tiramisu, Mango Flan, Phirni, and Ice Cream, along with a signature mocktail infused with olive oil, an innovative touch that stood out for many guests.

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Speaking at the event, Richa Khandewal, Managing Director of Leads Brand Connect, said, “Today we celebrated the best in Indian culinary masterpiece and excellence of Portugal’s finest EVOO. What sets Coração Do Vale apart is not merely its provenance, but its personality. It was a perfect balance for Chef Davinder Kumar’s culinary excellence. We couldn’t have expected a better debut for Coração Do Vale in India than the kitchen of a legend like Chef DK. This tasting series is the beginning of a long and flavourful chapter in India's premium culinary story.”

Chef Davinder Kumar also shared his thoughts on the brand, saying, “What sets Coração Do Vale is not merely its provenance, but its personality. This comes from the seven native Portuguese olive varieties with each contributing a distinct note to the final pour. The results in a fine balance of fruity and grassy, creamy mid-palate and a clean, peppery finish, something refined enough to transform every dish it touches. Coração Do Vale never competes with the food, it completes it.”

Coração Do Vale is crafted using a blend of seven olive varieties: Arbequina, Arbosana, Cobrançosa, Picual, Cordovil, Verdeal, and Galega. This combination creates a balanced flavour profile with fruity and grassy notes, a creamy mid-palate, and a peppery finish. As an early-harvest, cold-extracted olive oil, it is rich in natural antioxidants and polyphenols, with low acidity, making it a premium gourmet choice.

Positioned as a luxury culinary essential, Coração Do Vale goes beyond being just an ingredient. It enhances everything from salads, pastas, soups, grilled meats, to artisanal breads. It can also be paired with herbs, citrus, garlic, and chili to create refined flavour combinations, making it versatile for both everyday cooking and fine dining.

With its elegant packaging and artisanal story, the brand is also being positioned as a premium gifting option, especially for festive and wedding occasions. It is available exclusively through its direct-to-consumer platform, Amazon India, and select premium gourmet stores across Delhi and NCR.

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