Pondicheri

"Nestled upstairs in the space of Pondicheri, this Indian-inspired counter service hotspot churns out colorful breakfast plates, juices, and pastries. Choose from dishes such as the oat uppma and eggs — a South Indian hash with chia seeds, steel-cut oats, millet, buckwheat, black garbanzo, and two eggs or go with the dwaffle — a fermented crispy dosa waffle served with diner’s choice of ghee or maple syrup and fresh fruit. A perfect compliment to any meal here is the rose lassi drink — a traditional Indian beverage made from yogurt with rose, hibiscus, and cardamom." - Brittany Britto Garley, Sean Hekmat

"Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike can rejoice in Pondicheri’s take-home Thanksgiving Day feast, with dishes like crab tarts with tomato and fresh herbs, butternut saffron soup, and Kashmiri roasted lamb. Serve up to four people with the plant-exclusive Herbivore Holiday Meal for $215, the vegetarian Vegivore package for $220, or the omnivore option for $234. All items, including lassi drinks, desserts, and sides, are available la carte. All orders must be placed by noon on Sunday, November 24, and can be picked up on Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m. or noon upstairs at the Bake Lab + Shop." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Acclaimed chef Anita Jaisinghani of Houston’s Pondicheri has compiled an online store brimming with spices and goodies that bring some of the best Indian flavors straight to your kitchen. Instead of picking just one thing, build a customized care package or a holiday gift box with items tailored to your loved one’s tastes. Tins of masalas, varying in flavors like chai, garam, coffee, barbecue, and curry can up any home cook’s game, while Pondicheri’s signature chili chocolate chip cookies, offered by the dozen, deliver warmth, spice, and sweetness your giftee won’t forget. The India 1948 website also serves up cooking tips, with dozens of recipes that Jaisinghani has compiled over time for her fans. But if you think your person would prefer a keepsake or something more analog that they can hold in their hands, consider Jaisinghani’s cookbook, Masala. Nominated for a James Beard Award, this cookbook is a riveting, educational read that dives into the history of Indian cuisine and offers dozens of flavorful recipes inside. The book ships nationwide." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Pondicheri puts a modern Indian spin on brunch staples with dishes like the “everything but the kitchen sink” Railway omelet, pumpkin chai oats, and French toast with Nutella and cardamom. As a bonus, the Upper Kirby gem offers its breakfast menu daily, from 9 a.m. and the restaurant’s Bake Lab, located directly upstairs, also has its own selection of pastries and snacks to consider." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Save some room for something sweet after a meal at Pondicheri. The restaurant’s dedicated bake shop is located just upstairs and is stocked with syrup-soaked gulab jamun doughnuts, mithai, and almond-topped madeleines, along with the completely irresistible chai-spiced pie. The vibrant and colorful space serves as a pleasant backdrop for winding down with dessert and a cup of chai or coffee." - Brittany Britto Garley