Pondicheri

Chef Anita Jaisinghani, the force behind the acclaimed Indika restaurant in Montrose, now has another Indian concept spicing up Central Houston.

Located in the West Ave development, Pondicheri is a casual breakfast, lunch and dinner eatery serving up bite-sized pakoras, seekh kebabs, goat biryani and Chef Anita’s take on many more Indian favorites. She’s even serving up a special “PondiKill” sauce made from the Naga Jolokia or ghost pepper.

It’s all happening in a sleek, modern 3,000-square-foot space in the middle of the mixed-use center. Large steel-and-glass window panels and giant, handcrafted doors are veritable works of art. Many of the design elements inside the restaurant were sourced during a buying trip to India that brought back colorful tiles from a New Delhi artisan. The tiles provide a great contrast to the countertops and tabletops made from reclaimed wood damaged during Hurricane Ike. Indian influences abound here, from the bright patterned upholstery purchased in open-air markets to the unmistakable scent of Indian food being prepared.

The restaurant also features an in-house specialty bakery. Pondicheri offers counter service for breakfast and lunch and table service for dinner starting at 5 p.m.