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The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Comorin lands in Mumbai with a tasting tour of the country
For years, the shorthand for dining out in Indian metros meant calling in a Thai curry, picking pasta over paratha, or playing it safe with butter chicken and naan. It was not that we did not love our local food, it is just that certain flavours, usually North Indian or vaguely 'Mughlai,' dominated menus and imaginations alike. But that is changing. Slowly, then suddenly, regional Indian cuisine has slipped into the spotlight. What was once siloed to homes, festivals, or specific communities is now making its way to small plates and chef's tasting menus. This culinary curiosity has opened new doors, especially for a generation of diners. After earning a devoted following in Gurugram for its elevated take on regional Indian comfort food, Comorin has finally made its Mumbai debut at Nilaya Anthology, the new concept store by Asian Paints that spotlights design and home decor in Lower Parel. It marks the arrival of a philosophy that honours India's street-side staples and regional gems, all through a distinctly contemporary lens. Operated by EHV International (part of Old World Hospitality), Comorin has carved a reputation for doing something quite rare: making diners nostalgic and intrigued at the same time. Brand Chef Dhiraj Dargan draws from the country's diverse culinary map to create a menu that feels both city-specific and universally comforting. And it is not just the food that invites exploration. Varun Sharma, EHV International's head of bars, brings his award-winning cocktail craftsmanship to Mumbai too. The bar programme continues Comorin's tradition of innovation with sous-vide infusions, cocktails on tap, and an array of house-made sodas and beverages. The space Building on the original Gurugram outpost, the Mumbai edition is not a replica but a re-interpretation — rooted in brand identity, yet sensitively tailored for its new home. London-based Russell Sage Studio, in collaboration with creative director Rishiv Khattar of EHV, carries forward the design language with a renewed eye. The palette deepens, quite literally — blushes and deep reds that formed accents in Gurugram now take centrestage here, enveloping the space in warmth and tactility. Materials are the quiet protagonists: Indian wood, richly grained; tactile fabrics; metal finishes with a burnished sheen; tiles that subtly segment the space into zones. From the experimental, almost disjointed bar at the entrance, communal tables extend inward, guiding guests through a mix of seating arrangements until they reach a tucked-away room at the back — part retreat, part reveal. The food There is something delightfully rogue about a menu that gives you bheja fry with khasta roti, then turns around and hands you a chocolate dessert with a Monaco biscuit crumble. Comorin's Mumbai chapter is indulgent, but with restraint. Take the Smoked Kathal Galawat. It is smoky, yes, but not heavy. The jackfruit does not try to impersonate meat — it holds its own, bolstered by the sweetness of mango chilli chutney that arrives like a sharp little side note. Then comes the Kalari Cheese Bun, a gooey nod to Jammu, offset with sweet chilli onions that flirt rather than overwhelm. Andhra Gongura Chicken served with crisp shards of murukku is another standout — punchy, tart, crunchy, and deeply South Indian without needing to over-explain itself. Three Pepper Chicken Tikka with peanuts and green onions leans more toward bar snack, the kind you keep nibbling between conversations. The Tawa Chicken Liver lands bold and iron-rich, but softened cleverly with a messy, spicy tomato toast that is like a chaser in solid form. There is also a deep-seated love for offal here: the Bheja Fry is silkier than expected, wrapped in nostalgia and a crisp roti. Meanwhile, the Green Chilli Prawns with Mizoram black rice feel like a chef's palate-cleanser — subtle heat, textural play, and a slight whisper of smoke. On the heavier side of the spectrum: Champaran Mutton, all slow-cooked drama and sattu-stuffed parantha on the side, and a Murgh Yakhni Pulao that is not too rich. Then there is the Banana Leaf Bhetki in a chilli coconut masala that demands finger-eating reverence. Dessert does not let up. The Cheeni Malai Toast is both cheeky and comforting — old-school bakery meets honeycomb and a well-placed crunch. But it is the Comorin Cassata, with jamun, mulberry, and salted chocolate, that tastes like a memory you cannot quite place. There are subtle nods to Maharashtra too — think a reimagined dahi batata puri, and a comforting pao bhaji with caramelised onion pao. Rohit Khattar, founder-chairman of EHV International, notes that the Mumbai menu features around 10–15 additional dishes tailored to the city. But it does raise the question — was it all necessary? The menu could have been leaner, perhaps with a handful of city-specific staples and a well-curated tasting menu to tie it all together. That said, the flexibility here is guests can request tasting portions of large plates, allowing for a more exploratory, less overwhelming experience. The drinks Comorin's cocktail list walks the tightrope between botanical nerdiness and pure, unfussy pleasure. The Fennel Paloma lingers in memory long after the glass is empty. Fennel-infused tequila meets a grapefruit-dill-fennel oleo shrub, rounded out with fresh grapefruit juice and bubbles. It is refreshing, vegetal, and citrus-bright. The Mango and Fig Highball is familiar yet fresh. Choose your base — gin or vodka — but the real story is in the cordial: mango's tropical lushness grounded by fig, topped with carbonated water and a light dusting of gunpowder mix that adds an earthy, almost smoky note. The Nashik Spritz leans softer but does not skimp on flavour. A crisp gin base mingles with green apple and Comorin's house-made limoncello, then gets lengthened with Nashik white wine and a hit of ginger. It's India's answer to the Venetian spritz —zesty, lightly spiced, and unmistakably local. The cocktails are companions to a menu that is already pushing the boundaries of comfort and curiosity. A meal (including alcohol) for two costs ₹4,000 plus taxes. Address: Peninsula Corporate Park, Peninsula Point, At Nilaya Anthology, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel West, Mumbai 400013
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
With ‘High Josh', a sea of youngsters turn up for Civil Defence Volunteer program in Chandigarh
A sea of youngsters turned up for the Civil Defence Volunteer program of the Union Territory administration held at the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Saturday. While the timing to reach the venue was 12.15 pm, thousands of boys and girls arrived at the spot well before 8 am. The turnout was so huge that thousands of candidates were asked to move to the Tiranga Ground at Sector 17, Chandigarh, for the training. The training included basic-level cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of first aid, transporting an injured person to a safe place, and ways of dousing a fire. The participants were told that they would be called if required for assistance by the UT Administration. The Tiranga Ground reverberated with slogans like 'Vande Mataram', and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', and when the organisers asked 'How's the Josh?', the participants replied with a thundering 'High, Sir'. 'Our Josh is high, Sir,' said Varun Sharma, 20, a Chandigarh resident, who came to the Tagore Theatre along with his friends. 'We came here thinking that we would be given training and further assigned duties by the Administration, but we have only been imparted basic training in CPR, first aid, etc. We are ready to be deployed anywhere,' said Varun Sharma. Another participant, Ranjana from Mohali, said she was a member of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and already has basic training to tackle a few emergency situations. 'I and my friend Priya from Sector 49 came here early in the morning. We are already certified NCC cadets. We thought that we would be assigned duties. But anyhow, we have given our phone numbers on the form, and shall come when required by the Administration,' she said. Sanket Khichy, 19, who also reached the Tiranga ground with his friends, said, 'We are here to serve our nation, our city, and would do anything required of us by the Administration. We are ready to be deployed on duties by the Administration.' Meanwhile, due to the heavy rush of participants, several youngsters could not submit their forms. Karan Pratap Singh and his friends, Mayank Singh, Atulit Dadhwal, and Ragvender Rana, said they could not submit the form offline and would submit it online. 'We are ready for any duties assigned to us,' Karan Pratap Singh said. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who was present at the Tiranga Ground, said he was delighted to see that so many youngsters were ready to serve the nation as civil defence volunteers. 'I have been told by the deputy commissioner of Chandigarh that 3,000 youngsters have registered today. I salute your high spirits,' he said while addressing the participants.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Patiala turns fortress to deter Punjab farmers from reaching Shambhu police station
Punjab Police continued its statewide crackdown on farmer leaders and stepped up vigil in Patiala district on Tuesday to prevent protesters under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) from heading to Shambhu police station on the border with Haryana for a day-long dharna. Police personnel stepped up vigil in Patiala district to prevent farm protesters from reaching Shambhu police station on the Punjab-Haryana border for a dharna on Tuesday. (HT Photo) Police set up a naka (check-point) on National Highway 44 near Shambhu barrier to stop the farmers from reaching the police station, leading to traffic jams. Police personnel were checking every vehicle and allowing passage only to those headed toward Delhi or Haryana. All roads leading to Shambhu police station were heavily barricaded. Senior police officers, including Patiala SSP Varun Sharma, were on the field, ensuring no protester reaches the police station. The protest, spearheaded by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, is in response to the police crackdown on March 19, when farmer leaders were detained after a meeting with Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh and cleared off the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites that they had been occupying since February 13, 2024, when their Delhi Chalo march was stopped en route to the national capital. Farmers are demanding compensation for the items that had allegedly gone missing during the March 19 police crackdown at Shambhu, which they claimed were later traced with individuals linked to Aam Aadmi Party leaders and police personnel. Patiala Police said that farmers wouldn't be allowed to hold protests outside the police station at any cost. Patiala SSP Varun Sharma, who was at Shambhu, said, 'No one will be allowed to hold protests and harass the people. We will not allow farmers to disrupt law and order at any cost.' Key farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained in various districts on Monday ahead of the protest. KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, 'Punjab seems to have turned into a police state. Peaceful protests against the state government are not allowed.' Chief minister Bhagwant Mann had warned protesters on Monday that legal action would be taken against those who disrupt public life and hinder the state's progress.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nanak Singh posted as Patiala DIG, Varun named SSP
Punjab government on Saturday issued transfer orders for nine IPS and one PPS officer. Varun Sharma has been posted as the new Patiala senior superintendent of police, in place of Nanak Singh, who is due for promotion. Nanak has been posted as deputy inspector general of police (DIG), Patiala. Varun also heads the new special investigation team (SIT) tasked with probing drug charges against former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia. Varun was posted as AIG (Provisioning), Punjab, Chandigarh, and, in addition, SSP, Sadak Surakhya Force. According to the orders issued by the home department, Special DGP Varinder Kumar, who was awaiting posting after his removal as chief director, Punjab Vigilance Bureau almost two and half months ago, has now been posted as Special DGP (Human Rights). The government has also posted RK Jaiswal as ADGP (NRI wing), taking additional charge from Praveen Kumar Sinha. Jaiswal was also awaiting posting after his removal as intelligence chief. Sinha will continue to hold the charges of the intelligence chief as well as chief director, vigilance bureau. Kuldeep Singh Chahal, who was also awaiting posting after his removal as commissioner of police, Ludhiana, has now been posted as DIG (Provisioning). Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh has been posted as AIG (NRI wing) and Commandant ISTC, Kapurthala. Khakh was also awaiting posting after his removal as SSP Jalandhar Rural. Tushar Gupta, who was also awaiting posting after his removal as SSP, Muktsar, has now been posted as AIG (provisioning) and SSP Sadak Surakya Force. Bathinda DIG Harjeet Singh has also been given the additional charge of DIG (Training) whereas SSP (Amritsar Rural) Maninder Singh has now been given the additional charge of AIG (Welfare).
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
VARUN SHARMA SPOTTED AT EXCEL OFFICE
/ Apr 28, 2025, 11:34PM IST Varun Sharma was recently seen at the Excel Entertainment office in Bandra, Mumbai, during a star cast gathering for the upcoming film Fukrey 3. Dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans, he kept his look effortlessly casual and stylish. Varun was spotted engaging in cheerful interactions with his co-stars Pulkit Samrat, Richa Chadha, and Manjot Singh. The much-anticipated comedy sequel, Fukrey 3, is all set to hit theatres on May 1, 2025.
