Restaurant India News: Aspect Hospitality Launches House of Akina in Mumbai

Aspect Hospitality India Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its presence in Mumbai’s premium dining market with the launch of House of Akina, a contemporary Asian restaurant concept designed around immersive guest experiences, curated food offerings and storytelling-led hospitality.

The new restaurant has been developed around the fictional character of Akina, whose travels and experiences across Asia form the foundation of the venue’s food, beverage and design approach. Rather than positioning itself around a specific cuisine category, House of Akina has been created to focus on hospitality, guest engagement and cross-cultural culinary influences.

The restaurant’s layout has been designed to resemble a residential environment, featuring spaces inspired by living and dining areas rather than a traditional restaurant format. The interiors incorporate neutral tones, layered textures, curated artworks and residential-style furnishings, reflecting a broader industry trend toward experiential and destination-led dining.

Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures, said, “House of Akina represents the kind of hospitality we deeply believe in, one that is immersive without being performative and luxurious without losing warmth. Every detail within the space has been approached with intent, from the design language to the culinary storytelling. Akina is imagined as someone who has travelled the world collecting stories, flavours and emotions, and now opens her home to Mumbai. We wanted guests to feel that intimacy the moment they walk in.”

Hitesh Keswani, Managing Director & CEO of Aspect Hospitality India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Today’s diner seeks more than novelty. They seek meaning, memory and spaces they want to return to. With House of Akina, we wanted to create a restaurant that feels layered and personal, where hospitality is intuitive, conversations flow naturally, and every experience reveals itself slowly over time. It is a concept built on emotional connection as much as culinary excellence.”

The menu follows a contemporary Asian format and includes categories such as cold plates, sushi, robata grills, dim sums and large-format dishes. A dedicated section called The Akina Edit highlights dishes that combine Asian cooking techniques with regional Indian influences. Key offerings include Gondhoraj Salmon Ceviche, Wonton Lamb Birria Taco, Goi Buoi Bhel, Konkan Mushroom Teriyaki, Wok Tossed Chettinad Chicken, Black Pepper Prawn Kayalpattinam and Thecha Hakka Noodles.

Chef Ashwin Singh, Creative Culinary Chef at Aspect Hospitality, said, “At Akina, the intention was never to create food that simply looks contemporary. We wanted every dish to feel rooted in memory and emotion while still evolving through technique and perspective. Many dishes draw from Indian flavours and regional ingredients I grew up with, interpreted through experiences gathered across different kitchens and cultures. The Akina Edit especially reflects that balance between familiarity and discovery.”

The beverage programme has been developed to complement the restaurant’s narrative-driven positioning. The cocktail menu features drinks inspired by locations and experiences across Asia, including Green Hour, Sticky Gold, Nights in May, The Silk Route, Windflower Waltz and Salty Verandah.

Bensan Geevarghese, Corporate Beverage Manager at Aspect Hospitality Group, said, “We wanted the cocktails at House of Akina to feel emotional and transportive rather than overly technical. Every drink is tied to a place, a memory or a feeling Akina might have experienced during her travels. The idea was to create cocktails that are layered and expressive while remaining approachable and easy to return to.”

The launch of House of Akina reflects the growing demand for experience-focused restaurant concepts, where design, food, beverages and storytelling are integrated into a single hospitality offering. For Aspect Hospitality, the new venture further strengthens its portfolio as operators increasingly compete on differentiated customer experiences in India's premium dining sector.