Hyderabad: Beaming with utmost joy and pride, megastar Chiranjeevi has announced the names of his son, actor Ram Charan, and Upasana Kamineni's twin babies, marking a heartwarming moment for the Konidela family. Taking to his Instagram handle, Chiranjeevi shared the first glimpse of the twins
At the Bharat Himalayan Strategy Forum (BHISM) in Dehradun, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan revisited the historical context of India-China border policy, particularly decisions taken during the tenure of fromer Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
A row has erupted in West Bengal ahead of the closure of the SIR exercise following reports that unauthorised forms are being circulated to include unmapped voters who failed to submit required documents during enumeration. Alleged distribution of such forms in parts of Murshidabad and South 24
Google and other tech companies have more reasons to be worried about the rise of AI and it is not just about them replacing coders or taking away your jobs. Google has come out with a detailed report which says some attackers tried to prompt Gemini into making a clone version of the AI model which
The BJP MP demanded that Rahul Gandhi’s membership should be cancelled and that he be barred from contesting elections for life. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said there is no plan to move a privilege motion against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi
Do You Trust Your Bartender To Decide What You Drink? Omakase Is Betting You Do
Do You Trust Your Bartender To Decide What You Drink? Omakase Is Betting You Do
The Delhi dining scene has always been a bit of a loud, celebratory braggart, and I say that with the utmost affection. We love the clatter of a busy brunch, the “more is more" philosophy of a multi-course feast.
But lately, the word on every mouth inside every clamourous bar is Omakase. Literally translating to “I leave it to you," Omakase used to be the preserve of hushed Tokyo sushi dens. But in the hands of Delhi’s modern maestros, it has evolved into a liquid dialogue and a high-stakes performance.
To understand this “Omakase-fication" of India, we went straight to the source: the visionaries behind the bars and counters where the “menu" is merely a suggestion, and the chef’s whim is law.
My journey began with Call Me Ten, where founders Karann R Chawla, Angadh Siingh, and Akshay Shokeen have pulled off a daring feat: applying the Omakase philosophy to the shaker and the glass.
“For us, Omakase is a conversation built on trust," they tell me. It’s a refreshing take. In a city where we often like to be in control, Call Me Ten asks us to let go. But it’s not a blind leap into the dark. They’ve pioneered a subtle, non-intrusive “palate reading" via a small Omakase card. You jot down your spirit of choice and your flavour inclinations, and the mixologist takes it from there.
“It’s about reading the guest – their pace, their comfort," the founders explain. “Whether someone leans toward bright, citrusy profiles or deeper, spirit-forward drinks, the progression evolves accordingly." It’s improvisation backed by rigorous discipline. At Call Me Ten, the foundation is a rock-solid bar programme drawing on Japanese techniques, but the execution is pure jazz. It’s an experience that stays consistent in quality but fluid in expression.
Moving into the historic (and upscale) heartbeat of the city, I caught up with Gurmehar Sethi at Tranzit in Khan Market. Even amidst the high energy and the “passport of flavour" menu, Gurmehar has carved out a dedicated Omakase Bar.
“Omakase is high-touch and low-volume," Gurmehar asserts, tackling the business logic head-on. “It doesn’t work by traditional volume-driven metrics. It works through precision and loyalty." In a market that usually demands scale, this is something new. Gurmehar believes that while the philosophy of Omakase can scale, the replication cannot. “The moment it becomes overly standardised, it loses its meaning. Each counter needs autonomy; otherwise, it’s just a tasting menu in disguise."
At Tranzit, the Omakase experience is about “judgement, sourcing, and restraint." It’s a bold move for a space that otherwise buzzes with “Route 66" Manhattans and “Bournvita-clarified" nostalgia. But that’s the point: Omakase offers a sanctuary of slow-dining within the whirlwind of the city. It’s not about exclusivity for the sake of a velvet rope; it’s about “responsiveness to the ingredient, the moment, and the guest."
Why now, you must be wondering, as I was when I began writing. Why is the Indian diner, historically known for being quite specific about their requirements, suddenly happy to say, “Surprise me"?
According to the team at She’s Here (the sophisticated sister brand to Call Me Ten), it’s a matter of global exposure meeting local talent. “Indian diners today are far more globally exposed," the founders note. “They’ve travelled, they’ve seen the world-class technique, and they realise the talent right here in India is now performing at that same global level."
At She’s Here, the Japanese aesthetic of restraint continues. The interiors are clean and cosy, creating an “exclusivity of experience." The rise of this trend isn’t just a social media fad (though the “theatre" of a drink being crafted tableside certainly doesn’t hurt the grid) it’s a deeper appreciation for craft. “Diners today are curious about what goes into their drinks. They appreciate the personality behind the creation," the founders add.
Every time I sit at a low-seated counter and watch a mixologist balance citrus against smoke with the precision of a surgeon, I realised that Omakase in India demands two things Indian diners are now freely giving: money and trust.
We are happy when someone else takes away the mental gymnastics of figuring out what to order, and let the chef whip up something new. Whether it’s the seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients being reinterpreted at Call Me Ten or the “rhythm of Delhi" being distilled into a glass at Tranzit, the rise of Omakase is clear. And if my own experiences are anything to go by, the appeal is only growing. Because once you experience a drink or dish created entirely in response to you, it becomes very difficult to go back to simply ordering off a menu.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies To Make For Your Loved Ones This Valentine's Day How far can your car go after India’s 3D radars see you even before you realise it We’re Ready, Are You Does Changing Cities Change Who You Are Should you buy Hyundai Venue Heels That Instantly Elevate Your Style Airtel launches AI ‘fraud alert’ feature to keep your OTPs safe You can't denigrate section of society by such title These Indulgent Gift Hampers Are Perfect To Bring A Smile On Your Lover's Face This Valentine's Day
American actor James Van Der Beek’s untimely demise on February 11 left a huge void in the hearts of his fans. The reason behind his death was colon cancer, as confirmed by his family. The tragedy highlights the importance of not overlooking the early signs of the disease
1 minutes ago
Not long ago, watching a group of high school students work through a thorny calculus problem, I noticed something that has stayed with me. When the problem got hard enough, no one reached for a textbook or sketched a graph. The instinct was a reflexive reach for the phone. Within seconds
1 minutes ago
Lupin Ltd. posted a 37.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) jump in quarterly net profit to Rs. 1,180.5 crore in Q3 FY26, driven primarily by record US sales, stronger gross margins, and a favourable product mix, even as sequential earnings dipped due to exceptional items and higher taxes.Lupin Ltd
1 minutes ago
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi is positioning India as a key bridge between advanced AI economies and emerging markets. With participation from leaders such as Aarthi Subramanian, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Executive Director, Tata Consultancy Services; Aparna Bawa
1 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Tarique Rahman on the victory of his party in the country’s 13th national parliamentary election. He added that he also reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and progress in the region in
1 minutes ago
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance has so far won 212 of the 299 constituencies that went to polls in Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election. The alliance led by the Islamist party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, emerged as the main Opposition with 77 seats
1 minutes ago
Xiaomi 17 series launch in India and globally is just a few weeks from now according to reports, and now we are getting more details about the new Xiaomi flagships in the market and how much people in India might have to pay for these devices
1 minutes ago
The festival season for 2026 has commenced, bringing news of holidays. Mahashivratri, the major festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, occurs in February this year. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, and Bihar, have announced school holidays
1 minutes ago
Pothole-related road accident deaths have increased by 53% over the past five years, with 9,438 fatalities recorded nationwide between 2020 and 2024, the government told Parliament. Uttar Pradesh accounted for over 54% of the deaths, reporting 5,127 fatalities during the period, including 1
1 minutes ago
Pollution levels are at an all-time high. Conventional methods are falling short in tackling immediate atmospheric repair. Mushroom World Group's AlgaeTree Project offers a new solution. It uses algae to absorb carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants in urban settings
1 minutes ago
What wouldn’t a human being do for an Olympic gold medal? History is full of athletes who have pushed their hearts to the limit, starved their bodies, or trained until they broke. But the latest trend in the world of professional ski jumping (now infamously dubbed “Penisgate")
1 minutes ago
I’ve never quite known where I stand on Valentine’s Day. Like most people who work in restaurants, I’ve spent more Valentine’s Days watching other people’s romances unfold than participating in my own. That has a way of shaping your views. Valentine’s Day in a restaurant is a peculiar
1 minutes ago
Inflation in the US cooled last month, as prices for energy and used cars dropped. The consumer price index rose 2.4% over the 12 months to January, the Labor Department said. That was down from 2.7% in the prior month and marked the slowest pace since May.Inflation in the US cooled last month
1 minutes ago
Dhaka, Feb 13 (PTI) A referendum on the implementation of a reform package saw a 60.26 per cent voter turnout in Bangladesh, with the ‘yes’ vote winning a clear majority, the Election Commission announced Friday. The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held on Thursday along with
1 minutes ago
O'Romeo stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles and has opened in cinemas today. Mumbai: Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has penned down his thoughts on 'O'Romeo', just a day before the film hits theatres. Taking to his Instagram handle
1 minutes ago
Dubai has a new chairman for DP World. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has been replaced. This follows the release of Jeffrey Epstein documents. New emails showed a friendship between Sulayem and Epstein. Financial groups paused ventures with DP World. DP World is a major logistics company
1 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the new ‘Seva Teerth’ complex at Kartavya Path, marking the relocation of the PMO from the British-era South Block. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated ‘Seva Teerth’, the new complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office
1 minutes ago
Border 2 is inspired by the true events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and showcases how the Army, Navy, and Air Force fight together as one force. Mumbai: Over the past three years, veteran actor Sunny Deol has been on a remarkable streak. First, Gadar 2 became a blockbuster, followed by Jaat
1 minutes ago
The draft rules indicate a big shift in how PAN will be used in everyday financial transactions. One of the key proposals is a higher threshold for quoting PAN in cash dealings. Currently, individuals must provide PAN for a single cash deposit above Rs 50,000 in a day
1 minutes ago
A: The answer is a combination of how many eggs are released or ovulated and the species’ survival strategy. Many large mammals like elephants, cows, and humans usually release one egg per cycle and commit heavily to that one offspring. Pregnancy is long, the baby is relatively big
1 minutes ago
Praful Patel announced the Nationalist Congress Party's immediate focus is on strengthening its organisation. Sunetra Pawar will soon become the party's national president. The party aims to rally behind her leadership. This comes after recent local body poll successes
1 minutes ago
Spider - verse created by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord is set to release on 27th May 2026, showcases Cage's Reilly navigating. Washington: Nicolas Cage steps into a rain-soaked 1930s New York as a fallen hero in the first official trailers for 'Spider-Noir,' released by Amazon Prime Video
1 minutes ago
AP Inter Hall Ticket 2026: The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education (BIEAP) has issued admit cards for the first and second-year intermediate exams. Students can download their hall tickets from the official website bie.ap.gov.in. To access the hall ticket
1 minutes ago
As Nora Fatehi performed her hit tracks on the field, the Indian players were watching from the comfort of the dressing room. While the intense pressure of the T20 World Cup usually dominates headlines, a hysterical off-field moment involving Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has taken social media
1 minutes ago
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday announced that Rs 5,000 each has been credited to the bank accounts of 1.3 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme in the poll-bound state. The amount includes the advance disbursal of the monthly entitlement of Rs 1
1 minutes ago
The Prime Minister, who inaugurated Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2, in the national capital, said the new buildings reflect the country's commitment to citizen-centric governance and national progress. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Seva Teerth
1 minutes ago
I give up — there aren’t ANY superlatives left for LeBron James. At 41, in his 23rd NBA season, he’s still stiff-arming Father Time. And on Thursday night, he delivered another reminder, powering the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks
1 minutes ago
