Faiza Hospitality To Set Up ‘Sheesha’ In Mumbai

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

Faiza Hospitality Services (FHS), a year-old company specialising in organising and conducting food festivals exclusively of Peshawari and Dumpukht cuisine both in India and abroad, is for the first time investing in setting up a concept restaurant in Mumbai. Selecting the name ‘Sheesha’ as its restaurant brand name, the first outlet will open its doors to the public by the first week of July 2003. Mumbai is the first region for investment and the restaurant would be part of the shopping complex ‘Shopper’s Stop’ at Bandra, Mumbai’s western suburb.

Sheesha is positioned as a concept restaurant serving authentic Peshawari and Dumpukht. It is a 140-cover open air restaurant and will be open for dinner, with a middle eastern ambience. Special events such as belly dancing are also be part of the concept. The restaurant is spread over an area of approximately 8,000 square feet with two lounges catering for private events and functions.

Speaking about the new venture and future investments Karim Dhanani, director, Sheesha, says, “We have been in the business of conducting food festivals for a while. Setting up Sheesha is the result of in-depth market research as we felt there is great future to set up concept restaurants in India. Setting up base in Mumbai and especially within the unit of a popular shopping complex would give our outlet the much needed publicity and mileage. We aim to spread Sheesha in other parts of India.”

The venue of the restaurant is owned by Kandelwal Estates where the owners of the restaurant have hired the place on a long lease of approximately 15 years. Chef Kadar Khan is the executive chef of Sheesha and the entire restaurant is designed by Ali Reza, while the architects are Atul and Devang Desai Associates.