Restaurants & Food

Restaurant India News: Tilaknagar Industries Doubles Down on Craft Spirits with Rs 10.66 Cr Bet on Spaceman

Published

3 days ago

August 8, 2025

Restaurant India News: Harajuku Tokyo Café Opens in Mumbai With Sushi Belts, Izakaya Nights, and Bakehouse

Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse, known in Delhi for its Japanese-inspired street food and playful café atmosphere, has opened its first Mumbai location at Jio World Drive. The brand, which started in 2021, has evolved from a quick-service café into a full-service restaurant and bar with an expanded menu developed by chefs Asami Indo and Higuchi Nariaki.

Founded by Gaurav Kanwar, Harajuku was inspired by Japan’s Harajuku district, combining street-side energy with curated culinary experiences. “Opening in Mumbai has always been part of the dream,” Kanwar said. “It’s a city that thrives on culture, energy, and design — everything Harajuku stands for. With this new restaurant, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned so far and turned it into something bigger, bolder, and more immersive.”

The Mumbai location is divided into two connected spaces: a 72-seat Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bar and a 12-seat Harajuku Bakehouse. During the day, the main restaurant offers a Kaiten Zushi (conveyor belt sushi) experience with an open sushi bar. At night, it transforms into an izakaya-style setting with sake bombs, interactive bar service, and high-energy dining. The Bakehouse features a pastel-toned space with live baking, Japanese cheesecakes, soufflé pancakes, breads, and a pet-friendly menu.

The design reflects Tokyo’s visual energy with manga murals, neon signage, layered textures, and holographic elements. The Bakehouse contrasts with a softer, pastel palette, creating a distinct identity.

Chef Raaghav Jandroia leads the kitchen with a focus on balanced flavors, integrating traditional techniques with innovation. “Japanese food should be approachable, fun, and deeply satisfying,” he said. The menu includes cold plates like Salmon Carpaccio with serrano citrus and Hamachi with truffled ponzu; sushi rolls such as the Rainbow Roll and Spicy Avocado Cream Cheese roll; and street-style dishes like shrimp dynamite, Korean corn dogs, and the UFO Chicken Platter. Robata-grilled items like Coal-Fired Miso Salmon and King Oyster Mushrooms add smoky depth, while ramen, bento bowls, and sandos round out the offerings.

The bar program, created by consultant Fay Antoine Barretto, draws from Japanese pop culture, nightlife, and anime. Drinks include Tokio Drift (Tequila Silver, Hibiscus, Sichuan pepper, Grapefruit), Call Me Kimchi (Tequila Reposado, chili, coriander, house-made kimchi), Nori Fire (Mezcal, Sake, Miso), and Naruto’s Rush (Vodka, Gochujang, Ramen broth). Other highlights include Hanami Highball (White Rum, Cherry Blossom, Sencha) and Totoro’s Garden (Gold Rum, Shiso, Gingerale). The bar transitions from daytime highballs to evening karaoke and sake bombs.

The Bakehouse continues the brand’s bakery focus with its signature jiggly pancakes, cheesecakes, and boba teas, adding a live baking counter and playful interiors.

With this opening, Harajuku Tokyo Café aims to create a multi-sensory dining and bar experience that combines food, design, and culture, differentiating itself from conventional hospitality formats.

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Restaurants & Food

Full list of all the Indian restaurants in Birmingham failing food hygiene

Published

2 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Robson McCallister

A number of restaurants and takeaways received the lowest hygiene score

We checked the latest hygiene ratings for Birmingham curry houses(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

From bhunas to biryanis, Birmingham has plenty of amazing Indian restaurants on our doorstep.

However, not every restaurant and takeaway in the city has the perfect hygiene rating.

It’s important to keep track of hygiene scores to see which business has failed the Food Standards Agency test.

Any score lower than a ‘3’ (generally satisfactory) is considered a fail from hygiene inspectors.

All inspections were conducted by the local authority and scores were taken directly from the Food Standards Agency website.

We have divided failing restaurants and takeaways into scores of ‘2’ (improvement necessary), ‘1’ (major improvement necessary) and ‘0’ (urgent improvement necessary.

As part of this list, we have included restaurants and takeaways which might prefer to identify as Pakistani and Bangladeshi.

All ratings were correct as of Friday, August 8, 2025.

Here is the list of Birmingham Indian restaurants and takeaways failing in food hygiene…

2-star Indian restaurants in Birmingham

Hen and Chickens on Constitution Hill, Birmingham.

Apna Lahore – 122-124 Ladypool Road, Birmingham, B12 8JA. Last inspection: 10 February 2025

Bengal Palace Indian Restaurant – 54 East Meadway, B33 0AP. Last inspection: 23 April 2025

Bhoj Raj – 142 Garretts Green Lane, B26 2JN. Last inspection: 11 June 2025

Desi Roti & Karahi House – 4B Alum Rock Road, B8 1JB. Last inspection: 4 December 2024

Hen and Chicken – 27 Constitution Hill, Birmingham, B19 3LE. Last inspection: 5 February 2025

Kerala Spicy – 580 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, B29 6BE. Last inspection: 13 February 2025

Maharajah Tandoori Indian Take Away –272 Highbridge Road, B73 5RB. Last inspection: 12 May 2025

Omar Khayam Restaurant – 711 Bristol Road South, Birmingham, B31 2JT. Last inspection: 5 June 2025

Roti & Curry Junction – 3 Langton Road, Birmingham, B8 3DG. Last inspection: 29 April 2025

Shababs – 163 Ladypool Road, Birmingham, B12 8LQ. Last inspection: 14 November 2024

Shapla – 189 Gravelly Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 5SG. Last inspection: 25 June 2025

Spice Route – 18 Boldmere Road, Birmingham, B73 5TD. Last inspection: 23 June 2025

The Hajee Desi Khanna – 592 Coventry Road, South Yardley, Birmingham, B10 0US. Last inspection: 24 June 2025

1-star Indian restaurants in Birmingham

Channis Indian Restaurant(Image: Google Street View)

Alishaan – 90 Hawthorn Road, Oscott, Birmingham, B44 8QP. Last inspection: 30 September 2024

Biryaniwala – 639 Washwood Heath Road, B8 2HJ, Last inspection: 20 January 2025

Chak 69 Desi Street Kitchen – 228 Alum Rock Road, B8 3DH. Last inspection: 10 July 2025

Channis Indian Restaurant – 795 Stratford Road, Springfield, Birmingham, B11 4DG. Last inspection: 22 October 2024

Desi Dera – 840 Alum Rock Road, B8 2TX. Last inspection: 7 January 2025

Hot and Spicy – 626 Coventry Road, South Yardley, Birmingham, B10 0UT. Last inspection: 4 June 2024

Karachi Flavours –211 Ladypool Road, B12 8LG. Last inspection: 17 June 2025

MAJAJAN – Unit 2a, 153 Bordesley Green Rd, Birmingham B9 4TJ. Last inspection: 12 December 2024

Mahfil Restaurant – 68-69 The Green, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 8RU. Last inspection: 10 June 2025

Punjabi Dhaba – 17 High Street Moseley And Kings Heath, B14 7BB. Last inspection: 7 March 2025

Royal Shapla –417 Hagley Road West, B32 2AD. Last inspection: 16 January 2025

Sher Khan – 187 Ladypool Road, B12 8LG. Last inspection: 4 April 2025

Shimla Restaurant – 9 Mere Green Road, B75 5BL. Last inspection: 20 January 2025

Spice Land – 127 Fairfax Road, Northfield, B31 3SH. Last inspection: 24 September 2024

The Original Karahi King – 1154A Stratford Road, Hall Green, B28 8AF. Last inspection: 12 March 2025

The Spices Corner – 8 St Stephens Road, Birmingham, B29 7RP. Last inspection: 26 November 2024

0-star Indian restaurants in Birmingham

Balti Hut (Image: Google Street View)

Balti Hut – 1544-1546 Pershore Road, B30 2NW. Last inspection: 30 May 2025.

Lazeez – 1160 Stratford Road, Hall Green, B28 8AF. Last inspection: 22 May 2025

Panshi Deshi Restaurant – 556 Coventry Road, South Yardley, B10 0UN. Last inspection: 27 March 2025

Shahi Nan Kabab – 353 Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, B11 4JY. Last inspection: 3 July 2025

Desi Karahi – 762-764 Alum Rock Rd, Birmingham B8 3PP. Last inspection: 4 June 2025.

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Restaurants & Food

16 best Bengali restaurants in Kolkata

Published

19 hours ago

August 10, 2025

Poorna Banerjee

Owner Moumita Ghosh’s Epare Bangla started off as a small restaurant in Siliguri and weaved its way into Kolkata. Celebrating Bengali food from around the state, the menu offers fare typical to the Dooars-Siliguri region. For instance, the elusive Boroli, a river fish, is flown in from North Bengal and served in different ways, such as Lebupata Diye Boroli (Boroli fish cooked with lemon leaves) or Borolir Tel Jhal (Boroli cooked in a spicy gravy). They also serve a wide array of fishes, prawns, crab, and meat dishes that are a must try.
Location: 44A, 44B, Ward 87, Raja Basanta Roy Road, Kalighat, Kolkata 700029
Timings: 12 pm to 11 pm
Contact: 6289897019

The Colonials

The East India Room, Raajkutir

Bhetki Meuniere

The East India Room, Raajkutir

Raajkutir’s all-day diner has a menu initially crafted by chef Subrata Debnath (also the hotel’s first general manager). The East India Room follows a cooking style called Colonial Companion, borrowed from the interaction of Indian cooks with the British, and also highlights traditional recipes from Bengal’s zamindari history. On the must-try list: Portuguese Bandel Cheese Malakoff (crumb-fried Bandel cheese), Bhetki Meuniere, Mutton Dak Bungalow, Kosha Mangsho, Darjeeling Tea Smoked Bhetki, Caramel Custard, and Patishapta.
Location: 89C, Narkeldanga Main Rd, Kadapara, Kolkata – 700054
Timings: 12 pm to 10.30 pm
Contact: 6289461972, 7003271805

Calcutta Retro

Deviled Crab

Calcutta Retro

The restaurant offers a medley of food from Bengali households, Anglo-Indian recipes adapted from pre-independence cookbooks, as well as dishes served in vintage Park Street eateries. Chef Sumanta Chakrabarti says “When researching for the menu, I felt it had to be a combination of popular and rare recipes. So, the menu has simple Bengali dishes like Chhoto Begun aar Kalo Jira Diye Ilisher Jhol (Hilsa cooked with tiny aubergines and cumin), interesting experiments like Chingri Aloo Posto (potato and shrimps cooked with poppy seeds), or Mourola Machher Korai Paturi (Mourola fish teamed in a kadhai, paturi-style], as well as colonial classics like Bhetki Meuniere or Chicken Stroganoff.”
Location: 558/2, Panditya Rd Ext, Behind Vivekananda Park, Hemanta Mukherjee Sarani, Lake Terrace, Kolkata – 700029
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
Contact: 9147167344

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Restaurants & Food

Where to find tasting menu deals for 2 in Twin Cities

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2025

Nancy Ngo

The deal: This casual south Minneapolis neighborhood bistro is all about Caribbean flavors while keeping budgets in mind. The Wednesday date night paella special — with a side of flamenco dancing — is no exception. Choose two appetizers (soup, salad, tostones or yuca frita) and two paellas (wild mushroom or Valencia-style with chicken, chorizo, calamari, shrimp, mussels and clams), both a Cuban version of the Spanish classic dish. Wash it all down with a drink, choosing from red or white sangria, house red or white wine or juice. We highly recommend the white sangria, mango avocado salad and Valencia paella.

The three-course Thursday date-night special at Copper Hen features items not on the everyday menu, including the standout beef bread appetizer (top). Entree choices include Moroccan chicken and swordfish (for an upcharge), and two cupcakes.

Cost: $55 for two; three courses.

The deal: You’ll want to stay awhile to soak in this restaurant with French farmhouse vibes and an emphasis on scratch cooking and local ingredients. Choose two appetizers, two entrees and dessert from the special menu, which features some gems not on the regular menu. There’s a lengthy list of options, making it suitable for a variety of cravings and eaters, choosing from dishes like Moroccan chicken to two kinds of burgers. As part of the special, a mystery bottle of red or white wine is $25. The wine list is well-curated, so it’s a low-risk, high-reward venture.

A la carte, the food bill would have tallied $101 before taxes and wines start at $40, making this Thursday special one of the best bargains around. Highly recommended are the beef bread, barbecue burger, Moroccan chicken and champagne cupcake.

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