Legacy Meets Innovation: Sampan Returns with a Bold Pan-Asian Makeover in Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach
Legacy Meets Innovation: Sampan Returns with a Bold Pan-Asian Makeover in Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has officially reopened the doors to its iconic restaurant, Sampan, now reborn as Sampan 2.0, a bold new iteration of Pan-Asian excellence that blends legacy with innovation. 

A new and expanded menu, a sophisticated service approach, updated tableware, and new staff uniforms are all part of this daring rethinking. Every component has been carefully chosen to provide visitors with an exciting and engaging voyage through the flavors of China, Japan, Thailand, and Korea.

With its roots in tradition but its focus on innovation, Sampan 2.0 shows a profound awareness of Mumbai diners' changing tastes. The menu is a bold departure from Sampan's previous, mostly Chinese offerings, featuring everything from wok-tossed main courses, sizzling small plates, and Asian-inspired desserts to rich ramen broths and artisanal dim sums. A strategic repositioning in Juhu's competitive dining scene led to the relaunch; Sampan now coexists with upscale eateries while setting itself apart with a decidedly Pan-Asian aesthetic and a carefully chosen guest list. Every component has been carefully chosen to provide visitors with an exciting and engaging voyage through the flavors of China, Japan, Thailand, and Korea.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach said, “Sampan has always been a part of Mumbai’s culinary memory, and with Sampan 2.0, we are honoring that legacy while redefining what modern Pan-Asian dining can look and feel like. Our aim was to create something far more than a menu variation. We wanted a change that speaks to the senses, rooted in authenticity and delivered with finesse.”

The menu is a celebration of regional diversity and craftsmanship, offering dishes like Korean Fire Chicken (Bul Dak), Spicy Kimchi Curries, Pork Belly in Yellow Bean Sauce, soft-shell crab with Thai sweet spice, and crowd favorites such as Dragon Rolls, Siu Mai, and Massaman curry. Vegetarian guests can indulge in delights like Furikake Corn Ribs, Crispy Lotus Stem, Mapo Tofu, and the chef’s signature Sampan-style paneer. Complementing these dishes is an elevated beverage offering, featuring Asian beers such as Asahi, Singha, and Tsingtao, alongside Soju, Sake, and a lineup of cocktails infused with regional botanicals.

Chef Avinash Kumar, Director of Culinary said, “This menu is a love letter to Asia. Each dish tells a story, not just of flavour, but of culture and care. We have stayed true to the origins of each cuisine while adding our own creative flair. It’s a kitchen that respects tradition but isn’t afraid to experiment, and I can’t wait for guests to experience the result.”

 
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KMC Bar & Bistro Opens in Pirojshanagar, Mumbai
KMC Bar & Bistro Opens in Pirojshanagar, Mumbai
 

KMC Bar & Bistro, Pirojshanagar marks a bold new chapter for Chef Niyati Rao and the NISA Experience team in Mumbai. Tucked in the heart of Vikhroli, this immersive dining destination rises within a hand-planted forest, weaving nature, design, and storytelling into a powerful narrative. More than just a restaurant, it’s a bold expression of purpose.

Set within The Trees by Godrej — a benchmark in urban regeneration — the concept reflects NISA’s alignment with this visionary ethos. Inspired by the pear tree, one of the first to thrive in the site's Miyawaki forest, the structure is thoughtfully integrated into its surroundings, offering a sanctuary amid the urban sprawl.

Created in collaboration with leading global designers, the architecture doesn’t dominate the landscape — it grows from it. It’s a space that listens: to the forest, to memory, and to the quiet rhythm of intentional dining. The space unfolds through four distinct experiential zones: an open-air Art Terrace, a sunken Amphitheatre, a Live Kitchen for chef residencies, and an immersive Cocktail Bar. Each zone is purposefully designed to offer unique moments of intimacy, interaction, and theatricality.

“This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a layered narrative.  A place where food meets memory and space becomes emotion. We wanted to give people something to feel, not just something to taste,” commented Chef Niyati Rao.

The culinary program is bold and considered — featuring slow-fermented breads, seasonal ingredients, and the debut of handcrafted sourdough pizzas. Signature dishes are complemented by a cocktail menu that includes truffle negronis, mahua-infused classics, and house-made liqueurs that reflect a deep sense of place and flavour.

 

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Butterfly High Spreads Its Wings to Hyderabad with a Dazzling Seventh Outpost
Butterfly High Spreads Its Wings to Hyderabad with a Dazzling Seventh Outpost
 

After winning hearts across Mumbai, Butterfly High has spread its wings to Hyderabad — unveiling its seventh and boldest outpost yet.  Located in the heart of the city’s buzzing food and nightlife scene, Butterfly High Hyderabad brings back the brand’s bold flavours, vibrant design, and flamboyant energy—this time through a concept of “curated chaos.” A blend of gallery and cocktail lab, this maximalist space is a sensorial playground where every detail is crafted to surprise, making it more than a restaurant—it’s a living, immersive experience.

“Hyderabad has a heartbeat like no other — rich in culture, bold in spirit, and deeply rooted in tradition. With Butterfly High, we wanted to honour that legacy while bringing something entirely fresh and fearless to the table. This space is more than a restaurant — it’s an experience designed to spark joy, connection, and a little wonder every time you walk in,” said Nikita Poojari, Director, Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt. Ltd.

At the heart of the venue lies a vibrant bar, alive with energy and crowned by a sculptural centerpiece. Backlit shelves gleam with rare spirits, artistic glassware, and curated curios, while an eclectic mix of velvet, gold, and lucite stools ensures each seat feels unique.

An immersive art wall ties it all together featuring a concave crackled glass installation set against surreal wallpaper and abstract details. From jungle botanicals to baroque accents and psychedelic collages, the space is boldly expressive, revealing new details with every visit.

“As a family that’s been part of India’s food story for decades, opening in Hyderabad felt like a natural next step. We’ve always believed great food is about storytelling — and Butterfly High is our most expressive story yet,” commented Narayan Poojari, Founder, Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt. Ltd.
 

Curated by Corporate Chef Vinayak Patil, Butterfly High’s menu celebrates Indian flavors with a global twist and bold creativity. In Hyderabad, the menu features city-inspired dishes like the reimagined Chicken 65, Guntur Podi Chicken Wings, and Nizami Dum Ka Murg—honoring local culinary heritage. These join crowd favorites from Mumbai like Ghee Roast Flatbread, Crumb Fried Chicken Baos, and Burnt Garlic Fried Rice with Sapo Sauce. Dessert highlights include the indulgent Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake and decadent Mario’s Discovery—fan favorites that end the meal on a high.

The new Wings & Spirits cocktail menu, created by Corporate Bar Manager Stanley Fernandes, turns drinks into storytelling. Standouts include Nizam’s Blush, Sunset by the Charminar, SouthSide Goa, Amethyst Hour, and Ash & Olive—each blending fantasy, flavor, and flair into one-of-a-kind pours.

“Butterfly High is a brand built on momentum and moments — and Hyderabad gave us the perfect canvas to take things to the next level. This isn’t just a launch; it’s a love letter to a city that understands both tradition and transformation,” added Nikhil Rochlani, Managing Partner, Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt. Ltd.

 Ankita Poojari, Director, Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt. Ltd pointed, “This space was imagined like a dream and built like a story, bold in colour, rich in texture, and full of soul. At Butterfly High Hyderabad, every corner is an invitation to celebrate your own narrative.”

Weekly highlights include Ladies’ Nights that celebrate bold femininity, and Bollywood Bar Nights that bring high-energy glamour and nostalgia to the dance floor. With curated lineups, themed evenings, and an ever-changing music programme, this is more than a bar — it’s Hyderabad’s newest destination to party.

 

 

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