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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Destination dupes for the long Independence Day weekend
The much-awaited long weekend in the middle of the year is almost here, and folks have already blocked off their calendars to spend some quality time with their family and loved ones. Destination dupes for the long Independence Day weekend(Photos: Shutterstock) According to multiple booking agencies, Goa, Udaipur, Alibaug, Karjat, Igatpuri, Lonavala, Jaipur, Mahabaleshwar, Varanasi, Coorg, Ooty, Leh Ladakh, and Spiti are some of the top picks for a quick, fun escape from their busy lives. However, are you one of those who couldn't book a break before? Fret not, we spoke to some travel bloggers who suggested alternative places to check out for last-minute plans that are not too heavy on the pocket. Gokarna, Karnataka This spot offers the same seaside charm minus the party crowds of Goa. 'It's perfect for slow mornings, exploring secluded beaches, and enjoying seafood,' says Komal Singh. You can also check out monsoon treks and waterfalls at Mirjan Fort or Vibhooti Falls. Budget: Flights to Bengaluru from tier 1 cities for ₹5,000. Then take a train or bus to Gokarna priced between ₹1,200 and ₹2,000. Stay costs around ₹1,200 to ₹3,500 per night. Varkala, Kerala 'Further north from Kovalam, this cliffside beach town offers a rare mix of golden sands enveloped by cliffs, and beautiful views of the Arabian Sea,' shares Vaishnavi Patel. Budget: Take a flight to Thiruvananthapuram from major cities for ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 and then a cab ride to Varkala. Homestays cost around ₹2,000 per night. Kamshet, Maharashtra Just a couple of hours from Mumbai and Pune, this is a hidden paradise and a quieter spot than the crowded areas of Igatpuri or Lonavala. 'You can try activities like paragliding and trekking, visit Bedse Caves, explore Pawna Lake, and enjoy the rural setting,' say Priya and Sid. Budget: Take a flight to Mumbai or Pune from any major city for around ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, and then a bus, train, or shared cab costing between ₹500 and ₹ 1,500. Farmstays or eco-resorts can cost up to ₹1,800 to 4,500 per night. Jawai, Rajasthan Instead of the bustling towns of Jaipur or Udaipur, explore this wildlife gem in Rajasthan. Vaishnavi Patel says, 'The landscape is surreal with rocky hills, riverbeds, and you can also spot leopards!' A highlight is the rustic feast under the stars, including Ker Sangri and Laal Maas. Budget: Flights from major cities to Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Jaipur cost ₹4,000 to ₹5,000. Then take a bus or a cab to Jawai, costing ₹3,000 to ₹5,000. Safari lodges range from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 per night. Solan, Himachal Pradesh Instead of tourist hillside hotspots, Shimla or Chail, Deepanshu Soni suggests Solan, which also boasts of architectural beauties: 'You can visit Jatoli temple, Bhrshingh Mahadev temple, Menri monastery, or Dharon ki Dhar fort.' Budget: Take a bus or train from Delhi to Kalka, which costs between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000, then take a cab to Solan. Stays are priced around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per night for cosy hillside hotels.
News18
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Celebrate Independence Day 2025 With Festive And Patriotic Menus Across India
Last Updated: From tricolour-themed brunches in Delhi to royal feasts in Kolkata and lakeside spreads in Udaipur, India's top hotels are serving up culinary celebrations this Independence Day. This 15th August, luxury hotels and restaurants across India are serving up specially curated Independence Day experiences from tricolour-themed brunches to royal feasts, patriotic décor, and heritage-inspired menus. Whether you're in Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, or Kolkata, there's a table set for you to savour the spirit of freedom. Taj Mahal, New Delhi – Tiranga Tales Brunch at Machan Celebrate India's 79th year of independence with Tiranga Tales, a specially curated brunch at the iconic Machan. The spread journeys through India's diverse culinary heritage with inventive bites like Pindi Chole Hummus, Beetroot Rava Dosa Wafers, and a vibrant Desi Chaat Gully, alongside mains like Laal Maas and Murgh Rizala. End on a sweet note with Jalebi Cheesecake and Filter Coffee Mousse. Date & Time: 15 August 2025, 12:30–3:30 PM | Price: ₹3,500 + taxes per person Taj Mahal, New Delhi – 1947 Chef's Menu Across Varq, House of Ming, and Machan, this limited-edition menu is a tribute to the year India won its freedom. Expect artfully plated courses that weave regional flavours with contemporary flair, creating dishes that are as visually striking as they are memorable. Priced at ₹1,947++ per person, it's available only on 15 August 2025. The Imperial New Delhi – Azadi Diwas Lunch At 1911 Restaurant, savour a grand buffet that celebrates the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine. From chaat and momos to Laal Maas, Kolkata Biryani, and Litti Chokha, every dish pays homage to the country's culinary legacy in the restaurant's historic colonial setting. The experience is both indulgent and steeped in heritage. Date & Time: 15 August 2025, 12:30–3:30 PM | Price: ₹2,800 AI per person The LaLiT New Delhi – Independence Day Brunch 24/7 presents a tricolour-themed buffet featuring Mughlai favourites, regional classics, and patriotic desserts. Designed to evoke pride and unity, the brunch invites guests to celebrate in the heart of the capital with a spread that tastes like India. Date & Time: 15 August 2025, 12:30–3:30 PM | Price: ₹2,950 + taxes Taj Surajkund, NCR – Regional Flavours Brunch at Oasis This buffet celebrates India's culinary soul with everything from street-style chaats to royal kitchen classics. Guests can indulge in regional specialities like Chicken Chettinad, Ghewar, and Jalebis in an atmosphere designed for togetherness. Date: 15 August 2025 | Price: ₹2,025 + taxes The LaLiT Mumbai – Independence Day Brunch Celebrate freedom with a vibrant buffet at 24/7, featuring regional Indian delicacies, coastal specialties, and tricolour-inspired sweets. Live cooking stations and creative plating add to the festive atmosphere, making it ideal for both families and solo diners. Date: 15 August 2025 | Price: ₹3,000++ The LaLiT Chandigarh – Independence Weekend Brunch Mark the long weekend with a three-day celebration at 24/7, offering a lavish buffet, live entertainment, and engaging food counters. Special touches like a kids' corner and a chef-led masterclass make it an experience for all ages. Dates: 15–17 August 2025 | Price: From ₹2,199++ to ₹3,299++ The LaLiT Jaipur – Independence Day Brunch Enjoy a regal afternoon at 24/7 with a buffet that blends Rajasthani staples, street food favourites, and patriotic desserts. Guests are welcomed with a Tricolour Drink, setting the tone for a majestic celebration in the Pink City. Date: 15 August 2025 | Price: ₹1,799 + taxes Little Caesars Gurugram – Independence Day Wings Offer From 1–15 August, enjoy a buy-one-get-one-half-off offer on their signature chicken wings in three bold flavours. Perfect to pair with their India-exclusive Paneer Tikka and Chicken Tikka pizzas, it's a festive treat for late-night foodies. Price: ₹179 for 4 pcs | Location: Central Plaza Mall, Gurugram Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka – Rakhi & Independence Brunch at Creo An ode to timeless bonds, this brunch blends Indian delicacies with global favourites and live music. Guests are treated to thoughtful touches like a complimentary Rakhi and themed photobooth keepsakes. Date & Time: 9 August 2025, 12:30–3:30 PM Jaypee Greens Greater Noida – Flavours of Freedom At Ano-Tai and La Brezza, enjoy Asian and Italian dishes reimagined with modern flair. Perfect for families or intimate gatherings, the menus celebrate togetherness from August through October. Dates: 1 August – 31 October 2025 The LaLiT Udaipur – Independence Day Brunch Overlooking Udaipur's serene lakes, Padmini presents a patriotic buffet inspired by India's culinary heritage. It's an elegant way to celebrate freedom in Rajasthan's most romantic city. Date: 15 August 2025 | Price: ₹2,000 + taxes The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore – Independence Day Brunch At 24/7, enjoy a festive spread featuring South Indian specialities, North Indian favourites, and fusion creations. The experience includes tricolour mocktails, live stations, and a warm, celebratory vibe. Date & Time: 15 August 2025, 12:30–3:30 PM | Price: ₹2,999 + taxes The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata – Rajbarir Khawa Brunch This regal feast at Alfresco honours Bengal's aristocratic culinary traditions. Expect royal delicacies, tricolour welcome drinks, and an ambience steeped in cultural nostalgia. Date & Time: 15 August 2025, 12:30–3:30 PM | Price: ₹2,000 + taxes Aahana Resort, Jim Corbett – Freedom in Nature Celebrate amidst 13.5 acres of greenery with flag-hoisting, nature trails, folk music, and organic meals. The long weekend promises a perfect blend of luxury, wellness, and the wild. Dates: 15–17 August 2025 | Price: From ₹15,000 + taxes per night Taj City Centre Gurugram – A Culinary Ode to the Nation at Culina 44 This tricolour-inspired buffet journeys across India's regions with iconic dishes and contemporary favourites. Elegant yet nostalgic, it's designed to celebrate freedom through food. Date & Time: 15 August 2025, 1:00–4:00 PM | Price: From ₹2,750 + taxes view comments First Published: August 10, 2025, 09:49 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Modern Indian flavours: Laal maas to tandoori
India's culinary tradition, a diverse and deeply rooted mosaic of regional flavors, is undergoing a transformation. As chefs reinterpret classics and diners grow more adventurous, a new language of Indian cuisine is emerging—one that bridges heritage with innovation, memory with technique, and spice with subtlety. From fiery Laal Maas to experimental tandoori creations with avocado mousse or truffle oil, Indian food is no longer confined to the rigid borders of tradition. The evolution of tradition Laal Maas, a quintessential Rajasthani dish, symbolizes the fiery and bold essence of Indian regional cooking. Made with mutton, red chillies, and ghee, it's a dish steeped in history—believed to have originated in royal kitchens to cater to the meat-loving Rajputs. Its aggressive heat and rustic depth once defined it as unapproachable for the untrained palate. But in today's upscale restaurants, Laal Maas is being reinvented: it may arrive slow-cooked for 12 hours, served with saffron-infused millet khichdi or pearl onions caramelized in jaggery. What's changing is not just the presentation or pairing, but the philosophy. Today's Indian chefs are less interested in merely preserving recipes. They are keen on translating tradition into a contemporary experience. The result is not fusion, but evolution. Global techniques, local ingredients This new wave of culinary innovation is built on the backbone of traditional knowledge, but it draws techniques from around the world. Sous-vide goat curry, deconstructed samosas, or tandoori broccoli with parmesan shavings are examples of how Indian cuisine is integrating modern gastronomy. Tandoor: From heat to art The tandoor, once a backyard or dhaba staple, has been reborn in restaurant kitchens as a tool of creative expression. Traditionally used for meats and breads, the tandoor is now applied to fruits, cheeses, and even desserts. Take, for example, tandoori pineapple carpaccio served with smoked yogurt and black salt caramel—a dish that plays with the charred sweetness of the fruit and the creaminess of dairy in unexpected ways. Or tandoori brie stuffed kulchas paired with tomato-thyme chutney. This shift repositions tandoor from a rustic cooking method to a fine-tuned instrument of flavor design. Even vegetarian dishes—long overshadowed in discussions of Indian meat curries—are finding bold new identities through tandoori techniques. Tandoori beetroot, lotus stem, and okra are not just substitutions but stars in their own right, proving that innovation is not about imitation, but reinterpretation. The Diners Have Changed Too This renaissance in Indian cuisine is also consumer-driven. Today's diners, especially the urban, millennial, and Gen Z crowd, are curious and informed. They want food with stories, experiences that resonate, and meals that reflect identity—both individual and cultural. Menus now often come with annotations, listing the origins of ingredients or explaining the historical significance of a dish. This educative approach has fostered a deeper appreciation for regional cuisines that were once underrepresented—such as Naga pork, Goan cafreal, or Himachali dham. Instagram has also played its part—plating is more artistic, colors more vivid, and flavors more layered to appeal to a visual and sensory audience. A Language Beyond Borders As Indian cuisine is redefined, it's also finding new expressions globally. London, New York, Dubai, and Melbourne have seen a rise in restaurants that offer 'New Indian' menus. These are not diasporic comfort-food joints but avant-garde spaces that present Indian food as an evolving artform. Indian chefs are no longer cultural ambassadors—they are innovators shaping global culinary conversations. In essence, Indian cuisine today is not losing its soul. It's speaking a new dialect—rooted in memory, expressed with modernity. From Laal Maas to modern tandoori marvels, from village kitchens to Michelin-starred plates, the journey is not about dilution, but discovery. This new language of Indian food doesn't rewrite the past—it builds upon it, one plate at a time. (Vikas Deep Rathour, culinary Manager The Imperia by Dhaba)
