Anita Jaisinghani, IndikaAnita Jaisinghani, of North Indian Sindhi descent, was born and raised in Gujarat, India, migrated to Canada in 1982 with an undergraduate degree in Microbiology and worked towards her Masters in Edmonton, Canada.
She moved to the US in 1990, pursued her long time passion for food by first running a small catering business along with a partner. Later on, they manufactured fresh chutneys (NJOY Inc 'Flavors' brand Chutneys) and provided them to local businesses (Rice Epicurian, Leibmans, Whole Foods Markets in Houston and Austin). Ann Criswell, the food Editor of the Houston Chronicle, featured them in the cover of the food section of the Chronicle in July 1995.
After spending a couple of semesters studying at the University of Houston Hilton College of Hotel Management, Anita, wanting some real life experience in the restaurant business, went to work for the much renowned CafeAnnie. She worked there from 1997 to 1999 in the pastry division, and while she was honing her pastry skills, also learned and absorbed the essential elements of running a fine restaurant.
Anita opened Indika in July 2001 in a tiny suburban location in southwest Houston and has garnered rave reviews almost since opening day and continues to do. She has been featured in many prestigious publications such as the wall street journal, usa today and time magazine. Indika expanded and moved to the urban Montrose district in april of 2006.
"Fearless critic" by robin Goldstein December 2007
Houston's second best over all restaurant
Robb walsh of the Houston press in 2007:
Is Indika the best Indian food in the united states?
Houston Press 2007 through 2002:
Best Indian Restaurant in Houston
Zagat 2008 through 2004:
Top Ten restaurants in Houston
Gourmet 2003:
Favorite 100 restaurants in the world
New York Times September 2003:
The Sophisticated Traveler Magazine - Top Five Restaurants in Houston
Bon Appetit February 2002:
America's Best New Restaurant 2001
Gourmet 2002:
Top 100 restaurants in the United States
