Owner
Ajna Jai

New York

About Ajna Jai

Ajna Jai is the daughter of Chef Anita Jaisinghani, the owner of Pondicheri, an industrial chic all day café serving vibrant India inspired cuisine. Ajna is the general manager of their New York location.

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My Venues

Featured Content

Balancing the Stage of the Kitchen with the Theater Stage

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3:03

Balancing the Stage of the Kitchen with the Theater Stage

July 1, 2019

Ajna Jai spends most of her time at her New York restaurant Pondicheri making sure everything is running smoothly day after day. But the kitchen isn't her only stage: Outside of the restaurant, she finds inspiration at the theatre for her acting career, all with the help of the perfect adventure vehicle the Toyota RAV4.

At My Venues

Rosemary buns

Pondicheri

$$, Café, Indian, Reservations, Full Bar, Breakfast, Midtown

"Make sure to order them with a side of ghee, or clarified butter. These yeasty buns are seasoned with rosemary, and dipped in melted, buttery goodness... yum."

$$, Café, Indian, Reservations, Full Bar, Breakfast, Midtown

"Okay, this is technically not a dish, but working at my butcher shop every day, I eat a lot of meat. I take any opportunity to find a great vegetarian alternative, and Pondicheri’s Meatless Monday menus offer some of the best in town."

Chef

Ryan Pera

Revival Market, Coltivare

French toast

Pondicheri

$$, Café, Indian, Reservations, Full Bar, Breakfast, Midtown

"Fairly new to Houston is Pondicheri, the sister restaurant to Indika in Montrose. Think Indian street food infusion. Tucked in the new shopping center of West Avenue, this place offers a little flare to the Upper Kirby district. Stop by for breakfast and try their French Toast with jaggery syrup. You won’t be disappointed!"