In the vibrant landscape of Mumbai's culinary scene, a new star is set to shine bright - Avatara, the world's first and only vegetarian Indian Michelin-starred restaurant. This groundbreaking establishment, part of the esteemed Passion F&B family, is poised to redefine fine dining with its grand launch on April 8, 2024.

Originating from Dubai, Avatara is the brainchild of Chefs Rahul Rana and Himanshu Saini, visionaries committed to challenging culinary norms. Their mission: to craft a fine-dining experience that celebrates vegetarian gastronomy exclusively.

Avatara's 14-course vegetarian degustation menu, priced at INR 4500++, promises a symphony of flavours meticulously curated to tantalize the taste buds. With seating for up to 65 guests per meal, the restaurant offers intimate spaces including the Main Dining Room, Private Dining Room, and Wine Cellar, each designed to ensure an unforgettable dining experience with impeccable service and meticulous attention to detail.

The culinary journey at Avatara begins with a nod to tradition and innovation, where unassuming vegetables take center stage. From bitter gourd to turnips, every dish is a testament to Chef Rana's ingenuity, challenging perceptions and elevating Indian vegetarian cuisine to new heights.

Drawing inspiration from India's rich culinary tapestry, Avatara's menu showcases a harmonious blend of regional flavours and ingredients. Chef Sanket Joshi, at the helm of Mumbai operations, infuses Maharashtrian influences into each dish, adding a unique twist to familiar classics.

But Avatara isn't just about food; it's an immersive sensory experience. The restaurant's interiors pay homage to Chef Rana's hometown of Uttarakhand, with cool blue swirls and sand colours reminiscent of the Ganga, creating an ambiance that transports diners to a realm of tranquility and indulgence.

With its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, Avatara invites guests to embark on a culinary journey like no other, where every bite tells a story and every dish is a masterpiece in its own right. Get ready to savour the extraordinary at Avatara - where vegetarian gastronomy takes center stage and culinary dreams come to life.

eTip, a leading digital tipping and financial benefits platform, has made significant strides in enhancing the hospitality industry's tipping and financial processes by integrating with Oracle Cloud Marketplace. This collaboration empowers hotels and hospitality companies to streamline tipping procedures and optimise financial management, ultimately enhancing guest experience and employee satisfaction.

As a member of Oracle PartnerNetwork, eTip is now available on the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and seamlessly integrates with OPERA Cloud through the Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP). This integration enables hotels to leverage Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud to enhance employee satisfaction by automating tip disbursement with eTip's cashless platform while streamlining operations.

Nicolas Cassis, co-founder and CEO of eTip, emphasised the growing demand for technologies like eTip and OPERA Cloud, highlighting the need for hospitality companies to automate and simplify manual tasks in hotel management. The integration with Oracle Cloud Marketplace extends eTip's commitment to the Oracle community and enables customers to easily access the benefits of the platform.

The integration offers several benefits, including enabling guests to tip quickly using a branded QR-code-based process, eliminating the need to download any additional apps. Additionally, the Charge to Room feature allows guests to consolidate all charges, including tips, onto a single bill, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

eTip's platform also provides near-instant automated tip disbursement and robust reporting capabilities, including compliance and tax reporting, tips per occupied room, and performance reporting by team, property, brand, and group. These features are expected to translate into positive guest feedback and contribute to improved employee morale and guest satisfaction.

By simplifying the tipping process and optimising financial management, eTip aims to increase staff earnings and hourly wages, leading to higher employee morale and an enhanced guest experience. The platform is designed for large-scale hospitality operations, saving management teams time in financial reconciliation and reducing employee turnover costs.

Oracle Cloud Marketplace serves as a central hub for Oracle customers seeking trusted business applications and services, offering solutions that extend Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications. OCI provides a scalable, secure environment for various cloud options, including multi-cloud, hybrid cloud, public cloud, and dedicated cloud, ensuring flexibility while maintaining data residency and regulatory compliance.

In conclusion, the integration of eTip with Oracle Cloud represents a significant advancement in streamlining tipping and financial processes in the hospitality industry. By leveraging innovative technologies and seamless integrations, hotels and hospitality companies can enhance guest experience, improve employee satisfaction, and optimise financial management, driving overall operational efficiency and success.

Hyderabad, often hailed as the city of Pearls, welcomes a new culinary gem with the arrival of AIDU—a haven for South Indian gastronomy enthusiasts. Derived from the Telugu and Kannada words for "five," AIDU celebrates the diverse culinary heritage of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh under one roof.

Nestled in the vibrant neighbourhood of Jubilee Hills, AIDU promises an exceptional dining experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional South Indian cuisine. With an ambience that exudes elegance and warmth, guests are invited to embark on a culinary journey that showcases the flavours, aromas, and traditions of the five southern states.

Aman Chainani, Managing Director at AIDU, shares the vision behind the brand, stating, "At AIDU, we take pride in offering our guests a thorough experience of all five states in one dining journey. It's an opportunity to immerse oneself in the vibrant flavours, traditions, and culture of South India, creating memories that linger long after the meal has ended."

The menu at AIDU is a testament to this commitment to excellence, featuring a curated selection of dishes that highlight the culinary diversity of the region. From the iconic Stuffed Paniyaram to the indulgent Meen Pollichattu and the flavorful Chintakaya Kodi Kebab, each dish is meticulously prepared to tantalise the taste buds and evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Complementing the culinary offerings are AIDU's signature cocktail creations, inspired by the region's rich ingredients and cultural heritage. Whether it's the refreshing Mogratini, the tropical Thengai Tipple, or the exotic Neelambiri, each cocktail is crafted to enhance the dining experience and delight discerning palates.

As Hyderabad's culinary landscape continues to evolve, AIDU emerges as a beacon of innovation and authenticity, offering a culinary sanctuary where tradition meets modernity and flavours reign supreme. Whether you're a connoisseur of South Indian cuisine or an adventurous food enthusiast, AIDU invites you to savour the essence of South India in every bite and sip.

Experience the magic of South Indian culinary excellence at AIDU, where every dish tells a story and every meal is a celebration of flavour and tradition.