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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Wagamama is here. What other new Mumbai restaurants should you try this weekend
Mumbai's dining scene never sits still. Just when you think you have found your favourite pasta joint or sushi bar, along comes a fresh opening, promising slow-fermented breads, house-cured meats, or cocktails made with foraged botanicals. From sleek chef-driven menus to playful pop-ups turned permanent, here is a guide to Mumbai's buzziest new restaurants. Wagamama The arrival of Wagamama in Mumbai's Churchgate is, at the very least, a confident flex. Housed inside the restored Cambata Building — neighbours with Eros Cinema and Churchgate station — the global ramen chain has made its India debut with a splash of polished minimalism and fast-casual fun. The interiors play to type: neutral tones, soft industrial textures, communal benches, and open kitchens designed for flow. It is slick, unfussy, and designed to look great on your feed without being overtly curated. You can see the London blueprint in every inch and that is both its strength and limitation. The menu is a calibrated 'greatest hits' — katsu curry, bang bang cauliflower, kare burosu, gyozas and donburi bowls all present and accounted for. The ramen is warm and filling, though the broths do not quite achieve the layered complexity of other pan-Asian spots in the city. The chicken tantanmen hits the right spice notes, but the noodles can feel just a touch overcooked if you wait too long. That said, it is comforting in the way airport ramen rarely is. The star, surprisingly, might be the banana katsu — a golden-fried dessert that balances sweetness and crunch with more finesse than expected. Drinks include refreshing cold-pressed juices and zingy mocktails, although cocktails lean a bit too saccharine for their own good. Over 50% of the menu is vegetarian or vegan, which is admirable, but expect a very pan-global interpretation of Asia, not necessarily regionally accurate, nor pretending to be. A meal for two will cost ₹2000 plus taxes; 1st floor, Cambata Building, 42, Maharshi Karve Rd, opposite Oval Maidan, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020 Gourmet Village at Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel Set across two levels in the West Zone of Phoenix Palladium, the newly launched Gourmet Village is less a food court and more a curated lifestyle destination for the city's discerning diners. Reimagining the traditional mall dining experience, this upscale zone brings together over 50 restaurants and cafés under one roof. Designed to feel like an eclectic village, the space is laced with greenery, warm lighting, and airy al fresco sections that invite you to linger a little longer than you had planned. There is much to explore: Burma Burma brings its vegetarian Asian fare. Their new dessert menu, called The Sweet Life, fuse timeless classics with Burmese flavours and modern textures. Created in collaboration with award-winning pastry chef Vinesh Johny, the seven-part menu is a punctuation mark to the meal, whether it's jaggery-and-coconut-laced reinterpretations or delicate international patisserie with a twist. Kuuraku offers an authentic izakaya experience (skewers, sake and all), and Delhi's cult favourite Andrea's makes its Mumbai debut with a menu of polished global comfort food. The presence of local staples like Kitchen Garden by Suzette, Foo, Le Pain Quotidien, and Cream Centre adds familiarity, while spots like Fountain Sizzlers and The Silver Train dial up the nostalgia. Sweet finishes come courtesy Harley's Fine Baking and Gold by Ice Cream Works, while the plush Game Palacio lounge throws in some leisure. Gourmet Village, 3rd & 4th Floor, West Zone, Phoenix Palladium. 8/462, Palladium, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400013 Fireback Fireback is what happens when high-concept Thai cuisine meets good execution. With Chef David Thompson, the revered interpreter of Thai culinary history, at the helm as culinary director, the Fireback outpost in Mumbai gets a number of things right. The space inside Nilaya Anthology is predictably striking, but never sterile. Earthy tones, a glowing Josper grill at centre-stage, and atmospheric lighting all give it a refined warmth. It feels upscale, but not intimidating. Food-wise, it is not all pad thai and green curry Expect jungle curries that bite, salads that crunch with toasted rice and lime, and flame-grilled proteins rubbed with pastes made from scratch. Highlights include the smoky lamb chop gorlae with crispy shallots, a well balanced scallop salad brightened with coconut and lemongrass, and the soft-shell crab red curry, which manages to be indulgent without overwhelming. The crab fried rice is unfussy but elevated. The vegetarian options are more than just filler, especially the grilled pumpkin and sweet potato in gorlae sauce, but meat and seafood still lead the narrative. The cocktail menu, created by Varun Sharma, who also leads Comorin downstairs, is layered playful. The Tom Yum Highball has its flaws but it does have bite, while the Galangal — with whisky and pickled galangal brine — is all depth and intrigue. Not every drink hits the mark (some teeter toward over-invention), but the overall bar experience feels well-matched to the food. Prices lean high, and it is not for the unadventurous. But if you are looking for one of the city's most assured openings this year, Fireback is your place. A meal for two, including drinks, will cost ₹4000; Entrance through Comorin at Nilaya Anthology, Peninsula Corporate Park, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai - 400013 Sahib Room & Kipling Bar at The St. Regis Mumbai Not new, but newly reimagined, Sahib Room & Kipling Bar at The St. Regis Mumbai returns after a renovation, and it will charm those with a taste for the slow and subtly theatrical. The relaunch brings a revitalised elegance to this jungle-retreat-meets-regal-dining-room, without abandoning its old-world soul. Think tented ceilings, dark wood flooring, antique mirrors, and carved wooden accents. The updated space pays homage to Rudyard Kipling and the princely shikar camps of yore, with richer textures, sleeker lighting, and a new Spectacle Kitchen that lets guests witness the finesse behind the flames. The kitchen continues to serve its unapologetically traditional Indian menu, dialled up with refinement. The murgh rezala is well balanced, while the panch phoron ki sabzi and dahi ke gullar highlight how vegetarian dishes can be treated with as much reverence. The Rampur ki gosht dum biryani and sahib ki yakhni remain rich and comforting. The new drinks programme is an ambitious trail through Kipling's India. From The Bay (Mumbai) to A Sip from the Mahal (Bundi), each cocktail carries layers of local memory, finished with aromatic flourishes and sleek storytelling. The beverage list, featuring Indian spirits, heritage liqueurs, and reinvented classics, is quietly sophisticated and contextual. A meal for two, including drinks, will cost ₹4000 plus taxes; 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400013 Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse What began as a cheeky, sugar-dusted pop-culture café in Delhi has now evolved into a full-blown Japanese restaurant in Mumbai. At its newest address in Jio World Drive, Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse opens its most ambitious outpost yet with a multi-sensory restaurant-bar and a bright, pastel-soaked bakehouse. Split across two zones, the 72-seater restaurant comes with a sushi conveyor belt by day and sake bombs and karaoke by night. Expect sushi boats, robot DJs, manga murals, and retro signage, all orchestrated around a menu co-curated with Japanese chefs Asami Indo and Higuchi Nariaki. The food is comfort-led but layered: from the spicy, buttery seafood shio ramen and coal-fired miso salmon off the robata to zany street-style plates like corn dogs, bubbling UFO chicken platters and the umami bomb Naruto's Rush cocktail (yes, vodka, gochujang, and ramen broth in a drink). The sushi section is no afterthought either — the rainbow roll and spicy avocado cream cheese roll are fast favourites. The cocktail menu, curated by Fay Antoine Barretto, comes with Japan-meets-nightlife references, where every drink tells a manga-worthy story. Think Call Me Kimchi, spiked with tequila and house-fermented heat, or the delicate Whisper of the Peach, a Kyoto-inspired blend of Japanese whisky and chamomile. Next door, the 12-seater Harajuku Bakehouse is all soft pinks and Japanese patisserie glow. With soufflé pancakes, cottony cheesecakes, and a new pet-friendly dessert menu. A meal for two will cost ₹2,500 for the cafe and ₹1,200 for the bakehouse; second floor, Jio World Drive, Unit No. S-03, CTS No. 629, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai - 400051 Nando's After years of whispers, Nando's has finally fired up its grills in Mumbai with a flagship casa now open in Kamala Mills, Lower Parel. Known for its cult-favourite flame-grilled peri peri chicken, the brand's arrival is less of a soft launch and more of a full-blown entry for fans of their spicy, saucy poultry. The space itself is bright and expansive, blending Nando's signature Afro-Portuguese design cues with India-specific warmth. Think rustic textures, woven pendant lights, and enough red to match the sauce. The chicken is dependably good. The skin is crisp, the insides juicy, and the basting options range from the gentle lemon and herb to the masochistically fiery extra hot. It is the kind of food that does not pretend to be complex; it is about craveability, not craft. That said, if you're expecting gourmet, slow-cooked nuance, this is not your spot. It is loud, quick, and a bit brash but that is also its charm. Sides like peri-peri fries and spicy rice still hit the spot, but the vegetarian options feel like an afterthought compared to the protein-rich offerings. Service is fast but not fussy, and there is enough room to host a group without elbowing for space. A meal for two will cost ₹1000 inclusive of taxes; Unit 2, Ground Floor, Trade Garden Building, Kamala Mill's Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
India's Nom Nom Express targets 500 outlets in expansion
Aspect Hospitality has announced plans to expand its pan-Asian quick service restaurant (QSR) chain, Nom Nom Express, to 500 outlets by July 2026. Nom Nom Express is a delivery-only kitchen under the umbrella of Aspect Hospitality and Aspect Global. The brand's planned expansion strategy includes more than 50 outlets in the city of Mumbai, offering authentic Pan-Asian flavours directly to consumers' homes. Its menu includes dumplings, wok-tossed stir-fries, sushi rolls and ramen bowls, all made using quality ingredients and adhering to traditional recipes. Aspect Hospitality managing director Hitesh Keswani told Press Trust of India (PTI): "Opening another 25 stores by 31 July 2025 will take the total number of outlets to 50. 'In five years, the company aims to be a pan-India powerhouse in the F&B [food and beverage] space - with over 1,000 Nom Nom Express outlets, over 50 premium restaurant formats and at least two international cities in our portfolio.' According to the move is set to significantly increase the brand's footprint, which currently operates across the Indian cities of Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Aspect Hospitality has also initiated a marketing campaign in Mumbai to promote the expansion. Asked about financial commitment for the expansion, Keswani stated: 'We are committing substantial investment to our expansion, confident in both our brand and the dynamic Indian QSR market. 'With the sector poised to reach over $27bn by 2025, fuelled by evolving consumer lifestyles and digital adoption, our strategic resource allocation will establish new outlets, upgrade infrastructure and refine operations.' The diverse offerings at Nom Nom Express draw inspiration from the Asian cuisines of China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. "India's Nom Nom Express targets 500 outlets in expansion" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Business Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Wells Fargo suspends China travel after employee exit ban: source
[NEW YORK] Wells Fargo has suspended all travel to China after a banker was blocked from leaving the country, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday (Jul 16), causing broader anxiety about the risks of travel in the country. The US banking giant's Chenyue Mao was subjected to an exit ban after she entered China in recent weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. 'We are closely tracking this situation and working through the appropriate channels so our employee can return to the United States as soon as possible,' Wells Fargo said. A senior Trump administration official on Thursday said that they could not comment on the reports of Mao being refused permission to leave China, citing privacy considerations. The ban could worsen concerns among multinational companies about the risks of doing business in China, particularly around employee safety and freedom of movement. The incident could also chill corporate travel to the country and complicate relations between the world's two biggest economies. Broader US-China relations remain tense, shaped by deepening strategic, economic, and geopolitical rivalries. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Mao was born in Shanghai and is based in Atlanta, according to a June 2025 release from FCI, where she serves as chairwoman. FCI, formerly named Factors Chain International, is a global network of companies that do business in the factoring and financing of trade receivables. Even before the incident with the Wells Fargo employee, some of the large banks had been asking their employees to exercise more caution while travelling overseas by carrying additional documents, considering the geopolitical risks and some concerns around immigration policies, a source at a large bank said. 'This kind of event is not a step in the right direction,' said Mark Headley, co-founder and CEO of Matthews Asia, a San Francisco-based asset manager with US$6.5 billion in assets. Matthews Asia has a team based in Hong Kong, and five dedicated China funds as well as a roster of broader emerging market and pan-Asian funds. 'Should I be worried about my employees in China or travelling there? It certainly has leapt to the front of my mind yet again,' Headley said. 'We've seen a long pattern since I first travelled to China in 1991 of the country being very tricky to work in, to seeming totally normal, to being tricky again.' Headley has not suspended corporate travel to China, but told Reuters on Thursday that he will monitor events closely. 'Right now, I don't feel that the Chinese authorities will go after foreign tourists' or senior executives of companies that are among China's biggest trading partners and crucial to its economic growth, Headley said. Decade-long tenure Before her election as FCI chair in June, Mao served as vice-chair of the body. The industry body did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the matter. Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf is a member of the Business Roundtable, a group of company leaders that was addressed by US President Donald Trump earlier this year. Mao is a US citizen, according to the source who said Wells Fargo has suspended travel to China. She has been a banker at Wells Fargo for over a decade, according to her LinkedIn profile. She currently serves as a managing director at the lender and spearheads its international factoring business, as well as advising multinational clients on cross-border working-capital strategies. Factoring is a financing method where companies sell their receivables to third parties, such as banks, in exchange for immediate cash. The third party, known as the factor, profits by purchasing the receivables at a discount and collecting the full amount later. The Wall Street Journal reported it could not be determined precisely when Mao entered China, or what prompted the travel restriction. She has worked and interacted with Chinese companies and industry groups on trade financing and international factoring matters, The Wall Street Journal reported, adding she also sometimes travelled to China for business. Exit bans Beijing has increasingly used exit bans on both Chinese and foreign nationals, often in connection with civil disputes, regulatory investigations or criminal probes. Many affected individuals are unaware of the restrictions until they attempt to leave the country. Mao did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on LinkedIn. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 'The Chinese government has, for many years, imposed exit bans on US citizens and other foreign nationals in China, often without a clear and transparent judicial process for resolution,' the senior Trump administration official said. In September 2023, authorities in China ordered a senior Nomura banker overseeing the firm's investment banking operations there not to leave the mainland. Some companies have cancelled or delayed trips to China in recent years, while others have introduced safeguards such as advising staff to enter the country in groups rather than alone. Human-rights groups say China is using exit bans more frequently, often targeting individuals under investigation or those asked to cooperate with government inquiries. Headley told Reuters that the incident involving Mao reminds him of travelling with a Chinese-born colleague who had become a US citizen around 2003. They were scheduled to fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong, and Headley, who had cleared security first, turned around to see his colleague 'surrounded by Chinese security police, being marched off'. The colleague managed to get back to Hong Kong by flying to Guangzhou and then boarding a ferry to Hong Kong. 'I was completely powerless to help,' Headley said. The current escalation in the level of rhetoric has reminded him to be wary and not 'to poke the panda bear'. REUTERS
Time Out
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025: Five Singapore bars are in the top 50 this year
The verdict is in, and five Singapore bars have done the city proud in last night's announcement of Asia's 50 Best Bars in Wynn Palace, Macau. That's six down from last year, where we saw 11 bars in Singapore sweep the scoreboard. This year, we're overtaken by Bangkok and Hong Kong, which have seven and six bars on the list, respectively. The Singapore bars on this year's ranking are, in order: Jigger & Pony at No. 3 Offtrack at No. 23 Nutmeg & Clove at No. 24 Cat Bite Club at No. 44 Native at No. 45 Once again, industry giant Jigger & Pony is crowned The Best Bar in Singapore and third in Asia – that's seven years straight of appearing in Asia's 50 Best Bars' top 10 ranking. Most recently, it released its latest menu, Embrace, which is all about embracing change, tradition, and oneself. Meanwhile, Offtrack (a new entrant in 2024) steadies its reign with a modest climb from No. 25 to No. 23. The vinyl-friendly bar is known for its solid music programming, fun, laidback atmosphere and pan-Asian grub. There's also hidden agave powerhouse Cat Bite Club, which crawls up a whopping 34 spots from No. 77 last year to No. 44 this year. Some sobering news for bar industry veterans Nutmeg & Clove and Native: Nutmeg & Clove slips from its cushy No. 6 spot to No. 24 this year, while Native falls from No. 31 to No. 45 this year – both still respectable rankings that secure their spots among the world's best. Now, you may be curious about the top spots. Earning cheers all around last night, Bar Leone retains its No. 1 title for the second year in a row. The Hong Kong neighbourhood bar slings classic Italian cocktails that are as understated as they are delish. Next comes Seoul's trendy Zest, holding steady at No. 2. More excitingly, Bangkok's Bar Us leaps 17 spots to No. 4, surpassing BKK Social Club, which was the city's best bar last year. Despite some major reshuffles for Singapore, our city still fared well overall in this round of Asia's 50 Best Bars. Earlier this month, we saw six bars enter the 51-100 ranking, making us the Asian city with the most bars on the extended list. All in, Singapore clocks out with 11 bars across the full 1-100 list – a feat definitely worth raising a glass to. Check out the full Asia's 50 Best Bars list below:
What's On
10-07-2025
- What's On
Thinking of ordering in? Top rated restaurants on Deliveroo
Whether you're in the mood for gourmet comfort food or chef-curated cuisine, these top-rated restaurants bring exceptional flavour right to your doorstep. Think premium ingredients, expert technique, and dishes that deliver on every level all without leaving the couch. Peking Street, Marina Image: Deliveroo Website From the creators of Mott 32 comes a bold new delivery only concept inspired by the vibrant street food culture of China. Peking Street brings the heat with flavours that pack a punch all served with soul. On the menu? Think sweet corn soup, freshly roasted Peking duck, and wok-fried Angus beef with scallion. Each dish is a tribute to traditional Chinese flavours, reimagined with a modern edge. Craving bold Chinese street food? click here 77 Asia, JBR Image: Deliveroo Website At 77 Asia in JBR, your cravings for a pan-Asian feast are more than covered. The vibrant menu spans seven countries, from the bold flavours of Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, to the refined tastes of Japan, Korea, China, and Malaysia. Expect everything from gyoza and stir-fries to seafood buckets bursting with flavour. Whether you're in the mood for something spicy, savoury or sweet, this culinary trip across Asia is a must-try. Keen on a mix of seven cuisines to choose from? click here Riina, The Meadows Village Image: Deliveroo Website Craving something fresh yet comforting, or a breakie dish? Riina, a modern Mediterranean kitchen, is all about vibrant flavours and feel good dishes. Popular picks? The steak frites is a classic done right, the green shakshuka brings a herby twist to your usual eggs, and the harissa chicken chopped salad is the perfect balance of spice and crunch. Big flavours, minimal effort. Fancy mediterranean comfort? click here Bawarchi, JLT Image: Deliveroo Website If you're after rich, aromatic dishes that hit all the right notes, this North Indian delivery kitchen brings the comfort of home-style cooking with restaurant-level finesse. Expect authentic recipes, generous portions, and layers of spice in every bite. Menu standouts include the chicken tikka biryani, fragrant, fiery, and packed with flavour and the lasooni murgh tikka, a garlicky, charred delight that's perfect with naan or straight from the box. Craving a spice kick? click here Images: Deliveroo Website The Sweet Life Desserts Image: Deliveroo Website Why not add a sweet spot to your next order? This dessert-only delivery concept is all about indulgence, rich, nostalgic flavours with a playful twist. On the menu? Try the Nutella pretzel crumble, go green with the Matcha Made in Heaven, or dive into one of their yummy chocolate bars that taste as good as they look. It's dessert done right no rules, just joy. Have a sweet tooth for something sweet? Click here > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
