"At HITCHKI, we are looking at introducing various new properties and seasonal festivals. Additionally, we will soon be introducing a new menu at HITCHKI. We also plan to launch our new outlets for Bayroute and HITCHKI both", says Arjun Raj Kher; Brand Head, HITCHKI & Bayroute.

In an interaction with BW Hotelier, Arjun Raj Kher,  Brand Head, HITCHKI & Bayroute spoke about his plans with the two restaurants.

What are the recent trends in the restaurant industry?

The restaurant industry is evolving. In addition to out of the box taste, ambience and properties, the consumers are open to experimenting and trying out new pallets. ‘Dining Out’ is a trend now and the digital era has made everything a click away. Restaurants are tapping into social media to garner maximum consumer traction and to help consumers make mindful choices. It is not only about the F&B anymore. It’s an entire package that consumers look for – concept, experience, unique tastes, ambience, and value for money.

How do you plan to make it different from the other?

Consumers are always looking for a place where they are welcomed and can come back to. We aim to provide services that cater to the masses and create a brand recall value that our consumers can connect with. Both our brands – HITCHKI and Bayroute are absolutely different from each other. The offerings at both the places are different with varied set of audience and there is something for everyone under one roof.

On one hand, HITCHKI is a fun and quirky place which aptly reflects its Hindi meaning ‘hiccup’ cleverly evoking memories of a time gone by, in a contemporary chic setting.The internationally aspirational brand focuses on regional cuisine and elements of nostalgia to the dining experience, the food and the bar offerings.

Bayroute on the other hand is a fine-dine restaurant with a never seen before concept. The Middle Eastern delicacies at Bayroute have connected the enchanting streets of Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece to the coast of Mumbai, holding the most invigorating cuisines. The culinary map of Bayroute is an expedition to rich cuisines around the globe which will transform the city’s food segment forever. Classic exterior and elegant modern interiors reflect the rich vibrancy and culture of the region.

Is sourcing fresh ingredients on daily basis a challenge?

We firmly believe authentic ingredients play a pivotal role while preparing a dish. At Bayroute, each ingredient is procured from authentic sources, parts of which even go back all the way to Greece, Egypt ,Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon. Our specially trained chefs have perfected traditional recipes that make way to your bright plates. At Bayroute every detail has been meticulously taken care of and all you have to do is soak in the flavors and unparalleled aromas. It is a challenge at times but we assure things are in place to keep the authenticity of the dishes intact and available to our consumers.

HITCHKI’s menu focuses more on regional cuisine and we have a wide range of F&B to choose from. Like we mentioned, it gives our consumers a nostalgic feeling when they enter the place. We have innovative plating and serving options. We serve our desserts in a very theatrical way that is not only mouth-watering but also a visual treat to our patrons. That’s not all….we have very unusual names for our dishes which gains a lot of traction amongst our consumers.

Brief us about your upcoming plans

At HITCHKI, we are looking at introducing various new properties and seasonal festivals. Additionally, we will soon be introducing a new menu at HITCHKI. We also plan to launch our new outlets for Bayroute and HITCHKI both. We will be happy to share the big news as and when things roll out.