A new business in the Pinetree Plaza is bringing authentic Indian spice to Thomasville. 

Beginning its soft opening on the Fourth of July, Zaan Indian Cuisine is owned and operated by business partners Aspen Barnes, a Thomasville local, and Neeraj Jeswani, who came to the United States from Mumbai, India in 2017. 

According to Barnes, she had seen countless restaurants in Thomasville come and go, but had never seen an Indian restaurant in her hometown. 

“I’ve seen countless restaurants come and go,” she said. “Let’s add some variety in here.”

Both attending Florida State University, Barnes said that she first tried Indian food at the encouragement of her boyfriend, Jeswani, in Tallahassee, and fell in love. 

 “I fell in love with Indian food the first time I tried it back in 2019,” she said. 

Living with Barnes in Thomasville, Jeswani said that he first had the idea for an Indian restaurant after his diet limited his options for eating out within the city. 

I can only have Mexican food so many times, he said. 

After being inspired by a similar venture in Miami in 2021, Jeswani and Barnes began recruiting for their idea, with two of Jeswani’s trusted friends being hired on as chefs for the authentic restaurant. 

“Those two cook and they are the ones who know how to do it.” Jeswani said. “Each, well, have their specialties…they do what they are good at.”

The business’ goal for authentic food is founded on Jeswani’s desire for Thomasville to eat the genuine, spiced food of his home and not the subdued flavors dialed down by cream or syrup.

“When I say authentic from Mumbai, that is our whole food, our whole menu, is similar to what I would find at home,” he said. “I wanted to stay true to the roots, the right spices…made the right way, presented this way which is how I would want to see it if I went home.”

With Jeswani handling the finances and legal aspects of the business and Barnes handling marketing and customer service, the two, alongside their chefs and part-time staff, have been amazed at the response from the community.

“We weren’t expecting as great of a response, if I’m being honest, um, we weren’t sure if people would like Indian food,” Barnes said. “We’re really proud.”

Jeswani added that he has personally appreciated the patrons that have come to thank him for opening up the business.

“I’ve had more than a few people come to me when they find out we started this and they come in and they thank me for taking a chance on Thomasville because they wanted something different and they are very happy we are here,” he said. “Which is something I personally appreciate.”

While they have received some critique on their wait times for food, and they are learning something new everyday, Jeswani said that the food they serve is given the time it deserves.

“Everything is gourmet, fresh and made to order,” he said. 

Considering a grand opening sometime in August, the business partners could not give a set date, but said that they were getting an alcohol license and would be opening a bar, selling domestic and imported beers. 

Additionally, the duo said that they were interested in getting more decoration, better lighting and an official sign for their restaurant. 

Zaan Indian Cuisine is operated at 2575 East Pinetree Boulevard in the Pinetree Plaza.