Aaswad

Aaswad is located in Andheri West, right at the corner of 10th Main and 6th Cross in the Vasanthappa Block. It’s a quiet enough area compared to the main roads, which I like. I opened this place because I wanted a small spot to serve the kinds of snacks I grew up eating. We don't have many tables, maybe just three or four, so it stays pretty intimate. I spend my mornings making the batters and the chutneys from scratch. You can really tell the difference when things are fresh. A lot of the people who come in are from the houses nearby, so I’ve gotten to know their families and their stories. It feels more like a community spot than a business sometimes. We have some plants out front that I try to keep alive, but the sun is pretty harsh on them. The kitchen is visible from the counter, so people can see us working. I think that makes them feel better about the food. Sometimes we get a bit slow in the mid-afternoon, so I sit by the door and watch the cars go by. It’s a peaceful way to earn a living. We don't do any big advertising or anything like that. Word of mouth from the neighbors is usually enough to keep the tables full in the evenings. It’s just an honest little shop in a nice part of town.