FAQ
Where did the name Pondicheri come from?
Close to the start of construction back in 2010, a working partner attempted to sell our restaurant without my knowledge. Sell my baby in the womb? No way! Just like any mother would do, I gathered my resources and took over. Unfortunately, the intellectual property was not in my name and suddenly I was held hostage for a large sum of money to buy my name back! I cried, rebelled, went through anguished nights and finally decided to change the name. Serendipitously, one day at my old restaurant Indika, an oil executive regular who was also a map collector walked in with a gift for me. With their imminent retirement and with a desire to downsize, they wanted to find a home for one of their favorite collectibles, an original 1751 map of India.
I took the beautiful map home and that night, lay it on the floor and began to pour over it. Parts of India in the 1700s were a French colony during which time Puducherry, a small town on the southern coast had been renamed Pondicheri. I took one look and knew we had found our new name. It sounded Indian by way of France, and I could now incorporate my new found passion for baking into the new restaurant!
I loved the word Pondicheri also because it had a strong feminine feel and a warmth to it. A few days later, my brother called me and joked about whether Pondicheri was going to save me a second time? He jogged my memory… when I was around seven years I contracted stage IV malaria, which can cause permanent brain damage. After a long painful recovery, my worried mother took me to a famous ashram in Pondicherry to receive the protective blessings of the matriarch who ran the ashram. The malaria never did any brain damage, and I recovered just fine… however, here I was armed with an even greater reason to name the restaurant Pondicheri ~ Anita
What part of India is the food from?
Our menu choices represent carefully curated and authentic yet reinvented preparations from all over the Indian subcontinent to showcase the best of the cuisine. Here is a map to represent the areas of inspiration.
What is Curry?
Curry simply means a sauce with spices in it. Despite popular belief, it does not refer to a yellow powder. Curry powder, commonly sold in grocery stores around the world is largely a mixture of turmeric, cumin, coriander and chili powder. Cooks in India do not use ‘curry powder’, they use different combinations of spices in their cooking.
Are all curries hot?
No, they are not. Curries, or sauces, whether they have meat or vegetables in them, usually have a combination of spices (masalas) and can be hot, mild, fragrant, thick or thin.
What is a Masala?
Masala simply means a spice blend. Some masalas will have just spices, some may have onions, ginger, garlic, herbs and other seasonings. Not to be confused with Marsala, an Italian sweet wine!
What is a Frankie?
A frankie is a Mumbai born roti wrap with an egg wash with various fillings.
Can I Bring My Own Wine?
Pondicheri & Bake Lab + Shop : Based on TABC we are unable to allow any outside wine into the main restaurant downstairs since we have a mixed beverage license. Please feel to order off our curated wine menu.
Can I Bring My Own Dessert?
Pondicheri has its own Bake Lab & Shop where we create beautiful cakes & desserts - click here for our selection or to pre-order. If you still wish to bring in your own cake or desserts we will charge a $20/flat fee for a small cake or $30/flat fee for a large cake.