Latest news with #SouthAsian-inspired
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
My Unforgettable Escape to InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
As I stepped off the seaplane onto the floating dock at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, the turquoise expanse of the Indian Ocean stretched endlessly before me. The warm Maldivian breeze and the gentle lapping of waves instantly melted away the stresses of life. Nestled in the pristine Raa Atoll, this private island paradise delivered an experience that was both luxurious and soul-recharging, making it a perfect getaway for Gulf residents. Image Credits: InterContinental Maldives Travelling to Maamunagau from Bahrain and other GCC countries is seamless, thanks to frequent flights to Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé. From Bahrain, I took a direct flight with Gulf Air, a quick 4.5-hour journey. Depending on the season, several airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Flydubai also connect Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh to Malé, with flight times and prices ranging from $400-$600. Booking early or during off-peak months often secures better deals. Upon landing in Malé, the resort arranges a 35-minute seaplane transfer to Raa Atoll, costing approximately $290-$700 round-trip per person, included in some packages if you stay four nights or more. The seaplane ride itself is a highlight, offering breathtaking aerial views of scattered atolls and sapphire waters. Image Credits: InterContinental Maldives Alternatively, a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport followed by a 35-minute speedboat ride is available for late arrivals, though I preferred the seaplane's scenic charm. The resort's staff greeted me at Malé with a warm smile and escorted me to a private lounge, ensuring a smooth transition. Arriving at Maamunagau, I was struck by the resort's serene beauty. Soft white sands, palm-fringed terraces, and a vibrant house reef teeming with marine life set the stage for an unforgettable stay. The resort, the first all-club InterContinental property, offers 81 villas, each with Maldivian-inspired interiors and private pools. I stayed in a One-Bedroom Pool Villa, priced at around $1,200 per night. The villa's infinity pool seemed to blend into the ocean, and I spent mornings sipping coffee on my balcony. All guests enjoy Club InterContinental benefits, including a lavish à la carte breakfast, multi-tiered afternoon tea, evening aperitifs, and all-day refreshments at The Retreat and Pool Bar. These perks made every moment feel indulgent without the worry of extra costs piling up. Dining at Maamunagau is a culinary journey. At The Fish Market, I savoured sea-to-table South Asian-inspired dishes, like tuna carpaccio. The Lighthouse, a stunning overwater dome, offered fine dining with delicious lobster ravioli. Café Umi's sushi and The Sunset Bar's cocktails added variety, with six dining venues ensuring every meal was a delight. The resort's proximity to a manta ray sanctuary was a highlight. I joined a snorkelling excursion, swimming alongside mantas. Non-motorized watersports, like kayaking, were complimentary, while jet skiing and e-foiling added thrills for a fee. The AVI Spa, perched over the lagoon, blended Ayurvedic treatments with Maldivian botanicals, and my ocean-facing massage was pure bliss. For families, the Planet Trekkers Kids Club kept younger guests entertained with marine-themed activities. What sets Maamunagau apart is its commitment to sustainability. The resort's Green Engage initiatives, like solar production and coral nursery planting, align with its eco-conscious ethos. Biking around the island, I appreciated the lush greenery and beauty of the island. The tranquil setting, far from the crowded resorts, and the healthy house reef teeming with reef sharks and eagle rays made every snorkel a vibrant adventure. My stay at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau was a masterclass in relaxation. Prices, while premium, reflect the all-inclusive perks and personalized service, from pre-arrival questionnaires to attentive staff like my curator, who tailored my itinerary. For Gulf travellers, the short flight and visa-on-arrival make it an accessible escape. Whether you're a honeymooner, family, or solo adventurer, this resort delivers lifelong memories. For more information visit
Indianapolis Star
02-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Fountain Square loses popular brunch spot, Latin-inspired brunch comes to HamCo in May
The nonstop news whirlwind that is May in Indianapolis is behind us, leaving the city's dining scene looking a little different. Last month brought several new eateries to the Indianapolis area, including upscale Mediterranean fare in Fishers, tropical desserts in Castleton and South Asian-inspired coffee in Southport. Meanwhile, Fountain Square lost a reliable brunch hangout. Here are some of the Indy-area restaurants that opened and closed in May, plus one from April that slipped through the cracks. Reem Mediterranean Grill 8922 E. 96th St., Fishers, (317) 570-5930, opened April 25 Fishers' already impressive Greek and Middle Eastern options expanded with Reem Mediterranean Grill, which offers dishes such as shawarma ($10 to $13), kebabs ($10 to $15), kibbeh (fried balls of meat and bulgur wheat, $3), soups and salads ($8), plus a handful of American options like burgers and cheesesteaks ($16). Bocado Brunch and Te'Kila 188 Westfield Road, Noblesville, (317) 764-2922, opened May 1 This upscale brunch spot in Noblesville offers Mexican-inspired dishes alongside distinctly American dishes. Guests can order chilaquiles ($16) or a classic breakfast platter ($15) with eggs, potatoes, meat and toast, or choose from Bocado's mashups that include a pork adobo Reuben sandwich ($17) and birria hash ($19). Bocado also has a margarita-heavy bar menu (around $15) with several non-alcoholic options. Artesenal Pastelería, Panadería y Más 1325 Shelby St., (317) 426-2585, opened May 3 The second location of Artesenal (the first is on the northwest side) brings the bakery's array of cakes, donuts, ice cream and assorted sweet and savory pastries to Fountain Square. Watch: See inside Artesanal Pastelería y Panadería, new bakery in Fountain Square Hi Mango Dessert 6351 E. 82nd St., (317) 829-667, Tropical fruit appears in nearly every form imaginable at this Castleton dessert shop. Guests can choose from juices and slushies (around $6), hot fruit teas ($7.75), sundaes and sorbet ($5.95 to $10.25) and ice cream-topped crepes ($9.75 to $10.25). Hi Mango also offers a slew of desserts that pull from Chinese cuisine, like the Hong Kong-inspired sago (cold cream-like confection thickened with fruit starch, around $10) or sticky, chewy rice balls flavored with fruits and nuts (around $7.50). Coconut, banana, strawberry and, fittingly, mango all appear frequently on the menu. Kickstarrt Coffee and More 14560 River Road, Carmel, (317) 300-4835, opened mid-May Coffee ($2 to $6.50) and protein smoothies ($6) meet smash burgers ($13) along with other pub comfort food ($5 to $12) at this eclectic new eatery on Carmel's northeast side. Claypot Coffee House 1551 E. Stop 12 Road, (317) 300-1346, opened May 17 This southside coffee spot leans into Asian flavors, with offerings like lattes flavored with pandan (a grassy, vanilla-like plant), matcha and ube ($5.25 to $6), plus organic fruit juices ($5 to $6) and hot teas ($5 to $6). Claypot's limited food menu ($4 to $7) includes roti (South Asian flatbread) and popiah (a spring roll common in southern and eastern China), as well as waffles with Nutella and or berries for those seeking a more American experience. Stone Creek Dining Company Greenwood (moved) 1464 W. Stones Road Crossing, Greenwood, (317) 889-1200, relocated May 20 The Greenwood location of Cunningham Restaurant Group's Stone Creek Dining Company left its post at 911 N. State Road 135 on May 11 and just nine days later reopened four miles to the south. Stone Creek, which has four Central Indiana locations and another in the suburbs of Cincinnati, offers familiar American Bistro fare ranging from approachable to high-end, with dishes like Philly cheesesteak ($20) at lunch and filet medallions with lobster risotto ($38) for dinner. Easy Rider Diner 1043 Virginia Ave., closed May 24 After two and a half years inside Fountain Square's Murphy Arts Center, this Southwest-inspired Easy Rider Diner closed to transition exclusively to bar service for concert patrons at the neighboring HI-FI Indy. Easy Rider's shuttering came in anticipation of the construction of a 1,200-square-foot music venue next-door, set to open in early 2026, which will permanently house the HI-FI Indy Annex. More: Easy Rider Diner in Fountain Square closes, pivots to bar service Mashaweena Mediterranean Grill 3119 W. 30th St., closed May 30 This vendor of shawarma, kebabs and other Middle Eastern fare announced it is looking for prospective restaurateurs to purchase its kitchen equipment and take over its restaurant space in Eagledale.
The Independent
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Where to buy Apprentice finalist Anisa Khan's Bombay Pizza ahead of tonight's finale
After another gruelling 12 weeks of mad-dash BBC Apprentice action,tonight Lord Sugar will crown his next business partner, investing a life-changing £250,000 to supercharge their business. Hoping to go all the way in tonight's finale is Sutton-based Anisa Khan, who has to be one of this series' biggest losers, having only been on the winning team twice this series. But having reached the final, she's hoping to tempt Lord Sugar with her South Asian-inspired pizzas. Tonight, Anisa's pizzas will go up against Dean Franklin's London and Essex-based air conditioning business in the final task of the series. Both candidates, who have existing businesses already, will re-launch and brand their business with a digital billboard and TV ad, and will be grilled by industry professionals. But will the entrepreneur's fusion pizza get Lord Sugar smacking his lips? Here's everything you need to know about Anisa's Bombay Pizza business and how you can try a slice for yourself. Anisa has been operating Bombay Pizza out of a dark kitchen in Wallington, Sutton since 2020, creating a selection of hand-crafted pizzas with a South Asian twist. Serving up a huge range of fusion pizzas – all 12in in size – Bombay Pizza's selection includes everything from the fiery 'chilli paneer', made with sautéed chilli paneer, red onions, peppers, mozzarella and fresh chillies on a spicy masala base, to the rich and indulgent 'CTM', which combines tender tandoor-grilled chicken tikka with creamy masala sauce, red onions, mozzarella and fresh coriander. Meat lovers can opt for Khan's 'keema special', topped with lamb keema, peas and masala spices, or go all-in with the 'Bombay meat feast', which throws halal pepperoni, sausage and spiced keema into the mix. For something plant-based, the 'vegan Bombay brinjal' features roasted aubergine, mushrooms and spinach sautéed in aromatic spices on a marinara base. It looks like a mash-up of traditional Italian technique and bold desi flavours. Bombay Pizza also serves a range of sides – from jumbo tandoori wings and cheesy masala fries to chilli cheese bites and onion bhajis – as well as fresh salads, high-protein options and desserts like Nutella-filled samosas and kulfi lollies. Right now, due to high demand, Bombay Pizza is only taking in-person orders – so if you want a slice, you'll need to head down to Sutton yourself. And if that's a bit too far, you'll be pleased to hear that last month Anisa launched Bombay Pizza by Post, a nationwide delivery service. All postal orders have already sold out, but you can sign up to the mailing list to be the first to know when they're back in stock. In a cute twist, Anisa has also launched a special run of Apprentice -inspired pizzas on the Bombay Pizza by Post site, each one named after one of the final five contestants. 'The Jordan' features a BBQ base with Bombay aloo, red onions and mozzarella; 'The Dean' has a spicy masala base topped with chicken madras, mozzarella and chillies; 'The Chisora' pairs butter chicken with BBQ sauce, sweetcorn, peppers and mozzarella; 'The Amber-Rose' combines an Italian marinara base with chicken tikka, peppers, sweetcorn, olives and cheese; and finally, The Anisa brings the heat with Bengali chicken naga, peppers, red onions and mozzarella on a spicy masala base.
The Independent
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Where to buy Apprentice finalist Anisa Khan's Bombay Pizza
After another gruelling 12 weeks of mad-dash BBC Apprentice action, Lord Sugar will soon crown his next business partner, investing a life-changing £250,000 to supercharge their business. Hoping to go all the way is Sutton-based Anisa Khan, who has to be one of this series' biggest losers, having only been on the winning team twice this series. But having reached the final, she's hoping to tempt Lord Sugar with her South Asian-inspired pizzas. On Thursday, Anisa's pizzas will go up against Dean Franklin's London and Essex-based air conditioning business in the final task of the series. Both candidates, who have existing businesses already, will re-launch and brand their business with a digital billboard and TV ad, and will be grilled by industry professionals. But will the entrepreneur's fusion pizza get Lord Sugar smacking his lips? Here's everything you need to know about Anisa's Bombay Pizza business and how you can try a slice for yourself. Anisa has been operating Bombay Pizza out of a dark kitchen in Wallington, Sutton since 2020, creating a selection of hand-crafted pizzas with a South Asian twist. Serving up a huge range of fusion pizzas – all 12in in size – Bombay Pizza's selection includes everything from the fiery 'chilli paneer', made with sautéed chilli paneer, red onions, peppers, mozzarella and fresh chillies on a spicy masala base, to the rich and indulgent 'CTM', which combines tender tandoor-grilled chicken tikka with creamy masala sauce, red onions, mozzarella and fresh coriander. Meat lovers can opt for Khan's 'keema special', topped with lamb keema, peas and masala spices, or go all-in with the 'Bombay meat feast', which throws halal pepperoni, sausage and spiced keema into the mix. For something plant-based, the 'vegan Bombay brinjal' features roasted aubergine, mushrooms and spinach sautéed in aromatic spices on a marinara base. It looks like a mash-up of traditional Italian technique and bold desi flavours. Bombay Pizza also serves a range of sides – from jumbo tandoori wings and cheesy masala fries to chilli cheese bites and onion bhajis – as well as fresh salads, high-protein options and desserts like Nutella-filled samosas and kulfi lollies. Right now, due to high demand, Bombay Pizza is only taking in-person orders – so if you want a slice, you'll need to head down to Sutton yourself. And if that's a bit too far, you'll be pleased to hear that last month Anisa launched Bombay Pizza by Post, a nationwide delivery service. All postal orders have already sold out, but you can sign up to the mailing list to be the first to know when they're back in stock. In a cute twist, Anisa has also launched a special run of Apprentice -inspired pizzas on the Bombay Pizza by Post site, each one named after one of the final five contestants. 'The Jordan' features a BBQ base with Bombay aloo, red onions and mozzarella; 'The Dean' has a spicy masala base topped with chicken madras, mozzarella and chillies; 'The Chisora' pairs butter chicken with BBQ sauce, sweetcorn, peppers and mozzarella; 'The Amber-Rose' combines an Italian marinara base with chicken tikka, peppers, sweetcorn, olives and cheese; and finally, The Anisa brings the heat with Bengali chicken naga, peppers, red onions and mozzarella on a spicy masala base.
