Adda With Kalyan: India's Expanding Food Metros #Hangout

Zorawar Kalra, Monika Manchanda & Pooja Trehan Dhamecha (bottom)

India's food scene is expanding. Be it the big metros or even satellite townships, eating out has seen a massive change over the past few years. In Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru, diners can now expect premium restaurants, Indian as well as international chains offering a varied range of cuisines along with some top class service.

Gurgaon in Delhi NCR, Navi Mumbai (Vashi) and Bengaluru's Whitefield are the newest hotspots for food and dining. On this week's Adda With Kalyan, we got talking to Zorawar Kalra, Founder & MD of Massive Restaurants, Pooja Trehan Dhamecha of PRestaurants and Bengaluru-based food consultant, Monika Manchanda about what's keeping these food metros busy and alive as far as food is concerned.

Monika, a Bangalorean says that the city's newer food hubs like Whitefield and Kammanahalli have seen a variety of cuisines, more contemporary in nature than its traditional localities like Indiranagar or Malleswaram. A mix of international as well as Indian standalone restaurants is what one can expect here.

When it comes to Mumbai, Pooja who has assisted several big brands in setting shop in Navi Mumbai says that there is at least one restaurant launch every month here. The suburb, which is fairly young is now moving beyond north Indian and Mughlai eateries to Pan Asian restaurants. Not to forget the audience is price sensitive too!

Gurgaon on the other hand is a young and vibrant city comprising DINKs (double income no kids), who don't mind paying for a good experience, and therefore has a huge revenue potential. Zorawar Kalra, Jiggs Kalra's son and the name behind many a successful restaurant like Farzi Cafe, Masala Library, Made in Punjab is of the opinion that diners are very curious about new cuisines and are more value conscious. Essentially it is the young corporate crowd, new parents and expats who are open to exploring interesting cuisines.

Where to eat in Whitefield, Bengaluru:

Monika Manchanda reccos - Microbreweries like Windmills Craftworks and Biere Street, Hanoi for Vietnamese food, and Cheenavala for Malayali cuisine.

Where to eat in Navi Mumbai:

Pooja Trehan Dhamecha reccos - Amar Juice Centre, Navratna for dosas and idlis, Salad Bar and Walnut Cafe, and Pot Pourri for world cuisine.

Where to eat in Gurgaon:

Zorawar Kalra reccos - Three Sixy One Degrees at The Oberoi, Pintxo at Galleria Market, and Chaayos in Cyber City.