Easily one of the most exciting aspects of living in India is how entrepreneurial it is here. Whereas the economy back home in NY still feels drenched in fear and conservatism, opportunity abounds here in India. It's inspiring to have so many of our friends starting businesses and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit. There's my former co-worker and good friend who started her own company in Hyderabad -- essentially a marketing platform for micro-entrepreneurs and service workers. There's another girlfriend in Bangalore heading an inspiring social enterprise focused on newborn health. Tyler recently had drinks with a future business school classmate of his, who started a healthcare foundation in India a few years ago.
An unindented consequence of moving to Delhi is how much our social circle has expanded beyond social enterprise. In Hyderabad, if you are an expat, in 99% of cases, you are either working in social enterprise or in IT (and both "camps" live on opposite sides of the sprawling city, entrenching the insularism of both tribes). In Delhi, our circle has expanded to include aspiring politicians, journalists, socialites, and bankers. And of course, there's the diversification of businesses that our friends are starting.
Today, we served as tasters for two friends, who are opening a chain of healthy fast food Mexican joints called Picante. The two friends, both Indian and schooled in the US, went to Darden Business School and essentially lived off Chipotle for most of their two years in Virginia (understandably!) One went off to McKinsey after school, but couldn't help thinking that this idea could take off in India. When his friend and future business partner finished b-school a year later, they decided to head back together and give it a shot.
Heading to the tasting this afternoon proved to be quite an adventure in itself. An hour and forty-five minutes on the motorcycle, we went from posh South Delhi, to historical North Delhi and the Delhi University area, passing forts and crumbling Mughal palaces along the way... to what felt like the wild west. Large trucks abounded, carrying all sorts of items/food/people. One huge truck was open in the back, stacked to the brim with onions, with five men sitting on top of the piles of onions, bopping along the way. Needless to say, cows and all sorts of animals lined the roads. It didn't help that we didn't know the area. Google maps could only help so much (and navigating with Tyler's smartphone while we're driving on the motorcycle ranks on my list of favorite activities lower than cleaning the bathtub).
As is always the case in India, just when you think you're insanely lost, somehow you stumble upon what you're looking for. We're grateful for our perseverance, for once we get inside, there's a giant spread of the most beautiful Mexican food we've seen in all our years in India: roasted chicken, black beans, spanish rice, corn salsa, guacamole, and three types of fresh salsas. We dig in, then spend time giving feedback around taste, appearance, texture, smell, and overall recommendations.
Picante opens up in Gurgaon on Christmas Day. Keep your eye out. It's sure to be a hit! -- India's ready for it (and if not, there's a good chance that Tyler and I ourselves will keep it in business with all our visits there!)
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