Latest news with #Nikkei-style
India Today
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- India Today
Are Indian couples redefining the big fat wedding?
In today's rapidly evolving wedding landscape, couples are rewriting the rules, choosing to celebrate age-old rituals not in their backyards but in palaces, private villas, and luxury hotels around the globe. This marriage of culture and sophistication is no is the result of thoughtful planning, a taste for exclusivity, and a desire to tell one's story through a personalised, immersive wedding today's rapidly evolving wedding landscape, couples are rewriting the rules, choosing to celebrate age-old rituals not in their backyards but in palaces, private villas, and luxury hotels around the globe. This marriage of culture and sophistication is no coincidence. It is the result of thoughtful planning, a taste for exclusivity, and a desire to tell one's story through a personalised, immersive wedding Gongo, Director of Sales and Luxury Events at the Shangri-La Group, has seen this shift firsthand. In an exclusive conversation, she explained how couples today are blending heritage with modernity, not as a compromise, but as a celebration of both."There's a growing preference for weddings that are deeply rooted in cultural identity, but presented through a modern lens,' Gongo said. 'Couples are no longer choosing between tradition and luxury. They want both and they're getting creative in how they bring the two together."RITUALS WITH A VIEWWhile haldi, mehndi, and pheras remain non-negotiable for many Indian families, they are now being staged in dramatically different settings. Think mehndi ceremonies by the ocean, pheras on private beaches in Muscat, or sangeets hosted in heritage forts in Rajasthan with projection mapping and synchronised drone shows.'We've hosted weddings where the couple arrives by boat for the pheras, glistening behind them,' said Gongo. 'It's breathtaking. And yet, every ritual from the sacred fire to the mantras is preserved with full reverence.'Couples are customising traditional setups like mandaps with minimalist, sustainable decor, and opting for fusion menus that combine Indian culinary staples with global gastronomy.'We often see couples request a traditional Punjabi menu for one function, and a Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei-style dinner for another,' she added. 'It's about creating an experience that speaks to their personalities and diverse upbringings.'DESTINATION WEDDINGS AS A CANVASThe rise of destination weddings, which the industry reports is growing at 25 per cent annually, is central to this transformation. Couples are now planning their nuptials more than a year in advance, scouting venues that can seamlessly accommodate both spiritual significance and indulgent celebration.'Our properties in Muscat and Hambantota are especially popular,' said Gongo. 'They offer stunning private spaces for pheras and haldi, while also providing the kind of luxury hospitality that global families expect.'advertisementFrom grand baraats on private yachts to sangeets with international artists flown in, the destination wedding is no longer just a location choice it's a storytelling tool.'It's a theatre of love and legacy,' Gongo said. 'Every detail the setting, the rituals, the menu is chosen to reflect the couple's journey and values.'VENDORS EMBRACE THE SHIFTThis trend has also reshaped how planners and vendors approach the modern wedding. There's a strong emphasis on customisation, sustainability, and tech integration. Couples are hiring teams that can execute both a classic Ganesh puja and a Met Gala-style reception.'Sustainability is becoming a big part of the conversation,' Gongo noted. 'From biodegradable decor to zero-waste catering, 20 per cent of the weddings we see now have a clear eco-conscious mandate.'Technology, too, is playing a key role. Couples are incorporating virtual reality, live-streaming, and interactive wedding apps to ensure no guest misses out.'We've had couples organise virtual haldi ceremonies for grandparents who couldn't travel, complete with custom AR filters and immersive experiences,' Gongo said. 'The emotional connect remains intact only the format changes.'advertisementTHE FUTURE IS FUSION'It's not about excess,' said Gongo. 'It's about meaningful, curated moments whether that's through an ancestral ritual or a bespoke cocktail bar inspired by the couple's first date.'With a foot firmly in tradition and a gaze fixed on the horizon, today's couples are setting the tone for weddings that are as timeless as they are trendsetting. The result? An experience that doesn't just celebrate love it honors legacy while embracing luxury.- Ends
Time Out Dubai
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
11 restaurants in Bluewaters to have on your radar
Sitting pretty underneath Ain Dubai, there's no doubt that Bluewaters is a very aesthetic place for food. Home to some of the city's best seafood and one of its biggest croissants at the same time, a meal here never disappoints. If you like this: Your complete guide to Bluewaters from rent to restaurants So if you need some inspiration on where to tuck in, here are some of the coolest spots to have on your radar. Restaurants in Bluewaters Alici Credit: Alici This charming spot overlooks the Arabian Gulf and JBR, meaning it's ideal for holidaymakers, while those who live in Dubai will also enjoy the vacation feel. Focusing on flavours from Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast, the cute blues and whites give a fresh feeling, while the menu stars Italian seafood dishes. From raw plates to the specialty ingredient anchovies (Alici means anchovy), there's plenty to try for seafood-lovers. The lobster pasta is artfully presented, served table-side and comes with tender shellfish in an unctuous tomato sauce. Plus, it's officially one of the best restaurants for seafood in Dubai. Open Mon-Fri noon-4pm, 5pm-11pm, Sat-Sun noon-11pm. Bluewaters Dubai, (04 275 2577). Bakerist If you're visiting for brekkie, there's a giant croissant at Bakerist calling your name (just make sure you order it in advance). The French bakery and coffee shop also offers up a range of normal-sized desserts and savoury options too, from pistachio and chocolate covered strawberries to a creamy eggs shakshuka. Open daily 8am-midnight. Bluewaters, (050 715 2343). BrewDog (Credit: Brewdog) The fun, quirky and in-your-face brand has drinks inspired by everything from punk rock to Elvis Presley to Willy Wonka and everything in between. A bar first created in Scotland, the venue recently opened beneath Ain Dubai, filled with dart boards, sports screens and some seriously-stacked burgers and bar bites to get your teeth sunk into. Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-2am. Bluewaters, (052 956 5688). Clay Credit: Clay The Japanese-Peruvian fusion first landed on Bluewaters back in 2022 after first launching in Bahrain. Serving up a selection of Nikkei-style dishes, you can nibble on dishes from sake taco and katsu sando to ceviches, prawn and tofu tempura. Boasting an Ain Dubai view, the terrace is an ideal spot to enjoy a few dishes, or for free-flowing drinks, head to the weekly Saturday brunch instead. Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am; Sat 1pm-1am. Bluewaters, (04 422 5600). Demon Duck (Credit: Demon Duck) When there's a celebrity chef involved, expectations are high. Mix in a prime dining spot at Bluewaters Dubai and you know you're in for a treat. Created by chef Alvin Leung, the Chinese restaurant serves duck in every shape and form think duck gyozas, duck soup, minced duck wraps, the lot. But there's much more than that to dig into, and in the cooler months, you can enjoy your dinner out on the garden terrace. Open daily 6pm-noon. Banyan Tree Dubai, (04 556 6466). Din Tai Fung Located on Bluewaters Island, it's Din Tai Fung's fifth outpost in the city – with popular venues already delighting diners in The Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Al Ghurair Centre and Nakheel Mall. The menu is the same as its other branches with the same no-frill approach to tasty and wallet-friendly food. A must order dish? Don't miss out on the xiao long bao. Open daily 11am-1am. Bluewaters, (04 288 7786). Frank Credit: Instagram @frankmeat_me This casual spot is a perfect place to kick back with something from the grill. All about the meat, you can try everything from beef ribs to lamb steaks and juicy burgers. Covered in red neon lights and graffiti creeping up the walls, you can expect hip-hop tunes (and generous portion sizes). If you fancy something chilled on the side of your grill, there are happy hours running every day of the week. Open Mon-Fri 1pm-noon, Sat-Sun 1pm-1am. Bluewaters, (058 634 8811). Ribambelle (Credit: Supplied) Head over to Bluewaters with the little ones this weekend and get a table at Ribambelle, the restaurant that comes complete with an in-house slide and ball pit. Designed to give the kiddos a magical experience while you finally get to enjoy that coffee (or glass of grape), the play zones include candle-making and even T-shirt painting. Plus, the cost of their soft play entry also comes with a kids' meal included. Dhs95 (kids, weekdays), Dhs150 (kids, weekends).Open daily 9am-10pm. The Wharf, Bluewaters Island, (04 581 5555). The Pods If you're looking for a spot for the 'gram, or want to feel like you're still outside during those hot summer months, then these are the pods for you. Offering up a pan-Asian menu, you can also nip in for breakfast and try the restaurant's take on eggs benedict and French toast. Letting you look over to JBR during the day and a glittering skyline at night, these private dining capsules make the perfect place for a good gossip (or to impress your other half). Open Mon-Fri 7am-1am, Sat-Sun 7am-2am. Bluewaters, (04 453 8994). The Spaniel The British brasserie is serving up everything you would expect from a classic gastropub, from a quality roast dinner to huge slabs of fish and chips. You can enjoy different deals every night of the week, from beef Wellington Wednesdays to steak frites Saturdays and a weekly business lunch. Open Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 9.30am-1am; Sun 9.30am-midnight. The Spaniel, (04 554 3728). VNYL Hi-Fi Credit: VNYL Hi-Fi The listening bar is a laid-back record spot during the day, turned electric speakeasy by night. Pick from a selection of Izakaya-style small plates (think shrimp toast and wagyu katsu sandos), or head straight to the miso-braised short ribs. While you're there, be sure to browse the shelves of shiny vinyl cases and even listen to a record or two on the in-house players. Open Mon-Wed 4pm-1am,Thu-Fri 4pm-3am, Sat-Sun 1pm-3am. Bluewaters, (052 249 4004), Hungry for more? New Dubai restaurants 2025: The just-opened spots you need to try next The new dining spots you need on your radar 12 seriously underrated Dubai restaurants and cafés (that are not tourist traps) Places Dubai locals swear by 5 incredible Bali-inspired cafés to spend the day in Chill out at one of these super cool spots
Eater
09-06-2025
- Business
- Eater
A New 200-Seat Boat Bar Anchors in Hudson Yards
Sailor's Choice, a breezy seafood bar from Alex and Miles Pincus, opens today at 350 11th Avenue, at 30th Street. It joins a wave of new restaurants in Hudson Yards — a second location of Locanda Verde and Papa San, the Nikkei-style izakaya — following a fleet of post-pandemic failed ventures, including Thomas Keller's TAK Room. Built around a vintage fishing boat-turned-centerpiece bar, the seasonal Sailor's Choice is among the more chill options for drinking and snacking in one of Manhattan's most corporate neighborhoods, where offices like Time Warner and Meta reside. Sailor's Choice is one of a handful of mostly nautical-themed restaurants from the brothers' Crew Hospitality, which includes New York boat bar Grand Banks near Tribeca, West Village waterfront Drift In, boat bar Pilot near Brooklyn Bridge, Island Oyster at Governors Island, and land-based Holywater. There's also High Tide in Dumbo and Fairweather in the High Line Hotel. This new project also features a boat — albeit one that's docked on land. The concept came together quickly after Alex Pincus gave a speech at a Hudson River Park gala and was approached by a Hudson Yards executive. 'At first,' Pincus says, 'it didn't feel like my scene,' he said of Hudson Yards. But a Monday morning visit changed his mind. 'It was packed. I hadn't been there since before COVID. It felt so alive — and I thought, how cool would it be to drop a proper New England seafood shack right in the middle of all this?' The name Sailor's Choice comes from the brothers' post-sailing ritual: a cold beer poured over ice. That unfussy vibe is what the Pincus brothers are going for in a restaurant that can seat around 200 people. As far as the scene, the vintage fishing boat (made by Hinckley, loaned to the brothers by the fancy mariners' club, Barton & Gray) is surrounded by counter seating and a large deck with yellow-and-white striped umbrellas and nautical-looking chairs. A second bar, built into a retro Airstream, handles cocktail service. The menu leans into New England seafood shack offerings, with a lobster BLT ($27), oysters ($23 to $29 for six; $43 to $55 a dozen), caviar tater tots ($27), fish and chips ($29), and a surf club sandwich ($21). Drinks range from a Tropicalia with watermelon and vodka to spritzes. They include 'yacht club' offerings like gin and tonics and martinis ($18 to $21); wines by the glass or bottles, and beers — including any frosty brew over-ice with lime for $7. Sign up for our newsletter.
Business Journals
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Maru rooftop bar to debut in Tampa's Bayshore with Nikkei-inspired menu
A hospitality group known for its innovative concepts is bringing a taste of Japanese-Peruvian fusion to Tampa's Bayshore neighborhood. Story Highlights Maru, a rooftop cocktail bar, opens Friday, May 2, in Tampa's Bayshore neighborhood. Menu includes small plates, hand rolls, ceviches, and upscale shareables like caviar. Open Thursday–Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight; until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. A new rooftop bar is set to open in Tampa's Bayshore neighborhood. Maru, an elevated rooftop cocktail bar with a Nikkei-style menu, will open on May 2. The new eatery from the Indigo Road Hospitality Group will be located on the seventh floor of Bayshore Gardens at 2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd. Asana Partners is redeveloping Bayshore Gardens, located along West Bay to Bay Boulevard, with scenic views of Bayshore Boulevard and Hillsborough Bay. The developer acquired the site in late 2021 and is known for its distinctive, retail-focused neighborhood projects. Since then, it has expanded its footprint in Tampa's urban core, with a portfolio that includes properties in North Hyde Park and SoHo. Maru will offer customers traditional Japanese cooking techniques mixed with Peruvian flavors, according to a release. It will have a curated beverage program led by beverage director Vonda Freeman, with a selection of sparkling wines, champagnes and crafted cocktails. Under the direction of Chef Masa Hamaya, Maru's menu has shareable dishes, ranging from small plates, hand rolls and ceviche to elevated shareable dishes such as caviar. The restaurant will be open Thursday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight, with extended hours until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. This latest opening continues Indigo Road Hospitality Group's trend of opening unique concepts in Bayshore. Last year, the company announced it would open O-Ku, a sushi concept, this year on the ground floor of Bayshore Gardens.
