In our latest episode of the American Bhau Podcast, we sit down with the incredible team behind Seven Monks Cafe—Neeta Tai and her daughter, Rashmi Bhatt. Located in the Texas Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin, this isn’t just a cafe; it’s a cross-continental story of family, resilience, and a deep-rooted passion for food.
From navigating life in France and Malaysia to building a business empire in the U.S., Neeta and Rashmi share their journey of bringing “Marathmoli” style hospitality to an American audience.
The Story Behind the Name: Seven Monks
Many guests wonder about the name “Seven Monks.” While some assume a spiritual connection to the Saptarishi (Seven Sages) of Indian mythology, the origin is actually far more personal and modern.
The concept was envisioned by Rashmi during her school years. The “Seven” represents the seven continents, reflecting the family’s global journey through Europe and Asia before settling in America. The branding—including the vibrant orange and blue colors—was entirely Rashmi’s vision, aiming to create a brand that felt both approachable and international.
From Mumbai to Texas: A Global Culinary Journey
Neeta Tai, a proud Mumbaikar and graduate of Ruia College, started her career in banking. However, life took a dramatic turn in 1999 when her husband’s career moved the family to France.
“We went to France not knowing a word of French. At five years old, Rashmi became my interpreter because she picked up the language at school faster than anyone else!” — Neeta Tai.
After France, the family moved to Malaysia, which Neeta describes as a “culinary gem”. It was here, during a 7th-grade school project, that Rashmi first conducted market research at a local food court, charting foot traffic and consumer preferences—the very seeds of what would become their business.
The Pivot to Indian Food: Driven by the Customers
When they first opened in Texas in 2014, they actually started as a sandwich shop. Because they lacked a full commercial kitchen initially, they focused on Panini-style sandwiches.
However, the local American community had other ideas.
- The Demand: Regular customers began asking for the food Neeta and Rashmi ate at home—Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, and fresh Chapatis.
- The Experiment: They started a “to-go” service out of a small cooler in a local comic book shop, selling containers of Butter Chicken and rice.
- The Success: The demand was so high that they realized they had to pivot. In 2019, they officially launched the Indian menu at Seven Monks Cafe.
Innovating the Menu: “Good Ol’ Saag Paneer”
Rashmi, who studied entrepreneurship at the University of Houston, realized that many Americans found Indian menus intimidating. To bridge the gap, she added English descriptors to the menu.
One of their most popular items is the “Good Ol’ Saag Paneer.” Unlike many restaurants that use heavy cream, Neeta’s version is a vibrant green, staying true to the fresh spinach flavor. They even have a “Momo’s Yellow Curry,” named after their family cat, and “Yogi Matt Daal,” named after Rashmi’s husband.
Surviving COVID-19 with “Bread Diplomacy”
The duo had only been running the Indian concept for six months when the 2020 pandemic hit. Facing a total shutdown, they got creative.
Realizing there was a shortage of fresh bread in local grocery stores, Rashmi used her connections with local bakeries to offer bread delivery. She would drop off fresh loaves at people’s homes and include a Seven Monks menu with every delivery, effectively marketing their “to-go” Indian meals to the entire neighborhood.
Why Neeta and Rashmi’s Partnership Works
The dynamic between Neeta and Rashmi is the definition of “Yin and Yang.” Rashmi handles the high-level strategy, marketing, and the tech-heavy aspects like their popular Instagram page, @ToastyIndian. Neeta Tai is the heart of the kitchen, ensuring that every dish—even the beef dishes she prepares despite being a lifelong vegetarian—meets her high standards of spice and soul.
“In America, if you aren’t innovative, you don’t survive. We learned everything—from how to use a deep fryer to how to fix a leak—from scratch.”
Watch the full episode now to hear more about their legendary “Vindaloo Stand-off” and why Neeta Tai thinks everyone should have a “growth mindset” regardless of their age!
