Growing up, our lives were woven with unplanned moments of connection. The neighbourhood wasn't just a place, it was a vibrant community where 'adda' flowed naturally. That neighbour spontaneously popped in for tea and shared local news, kids organised and raised funds for community events, and societies bonded over both trivial and meaningful banter. Our streets buzzed with discussions spanning from cricket matches to political debates to the latest film gossip, sometimes over a carrom board, and sometimes over chai. This created an effortless sense of belonging.
As we become more urbanised, these spontaneous interactions have become scarcer. We have gotten busier, and our lives have gotten more isolated. Having lived across multiple Indian cities pursuing our careers, we've experienced firsthand how challenging it becomes for a newcomer to forge meaningful connections in a city that isn't theirs. Meeting new people without a specific agenda feels increasingly rare. We miss that quiet sense of community we once took for granted.
For us, food has always been the invisible thread connecting our most cherished memories. We sincerely believe that exceptional food paired with good music creates bonds like nothing else can. This conviction, combined with our passion for Bengali cuisine and love of hospitality, inspired us to create 'Addar Ashor.'
We invite you to gather around our table for home-cooked Bengali meals crafted from treasured family recipes. Our menu showcases dishes that are typically too labour-intensive or complex for restaurants, flavours that represent the true essence of Bengali cooking. Beyond simply sharing a meal, we're cultivating a space where community can flourish naturally while introducing you to the rich, nuanced traditions of our cuisine.
Join us as we revive the art of adda—one meal, one conversation, one connection at a time.
Who Are We?
We are a group of three friends, of whom two of us have grown up in Calcutta, and hence the never-ending love for Bengali food. In addition to feeding the world the food of our ancestors, we also love the concept of 'adda', and the opportunity to meet new people. As we left our hometowns well over a decade ago, we miss seeing familiar faces and bonding over sweet nothings. We miss that sense of community, which is what gave birth to this not-so-unique idea.
By profession, we are a psychologist, a public policy professional and a product manager in our late twenties. We have collectively lived in over 7 cities and can speak/ understand 5 languages. Other than hosting strangers in our living room, we also enjoy literature, art, music, travelling and soaking in new experiences.
Abhilasha, Harsh and Sohinee