Today we’d like to introduce you to Raj Mutti.
Raj, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all start from Los Angeles when I used to go Santa Monica College and had a pet time job in West Hollywood in one of the Indian restaurant. I worked there for 10 years. That’s what made to open my own place. My cousin join me when I was working in West Hollywood. While working together we always when to have a place like this. My cousin left me and move to San Diego. But dedication of opening a restaurant together never end. I always visit San Diego at least twice a month. One day we start talking why not just open a restaurant in San Diego since Los Angeles got so many Indian restaurant already. So no competition in San Diego since we didn’t have much money start the restaurant. We each have $30k. Never enough to a restaurant. We found this hidden location that used to be God father pizzeria. A lots of work to do. Took us 3 months to open after buying. Because we couldn’t afford to hire a helper to make the interior changes. Long story short, here we are it’s been successfully 6 years now and very happy the way things going on.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There has been a lots of struggles.
1. Budget issue
2. Health permit issue
3. Issue to have Indian clay over in the kitchen. City won’t allow us to have it. They wanted us to spend $15000 more to spend on hood in order to open a restaurant.
Most of the issue we have were with city. The reason I would say it might be because it was our first restaurant. And a lot to learn. Obviously money issue. If money would been there, we problem wouldn’t have these issue but at same time we wouldn’t have learn much either. Money make things easier in restaurant business perhaps any business
But I believe in “No pain, no gain”
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Spice Lounge – what should we know?
Spice Lounge
Nestled off Mission Boulevard at 859 Hornblend is a warm and exotic Indian restaurant with family recipes.
At this home away from home, we have crafts balanced Indian feasts with flavors for all.
The flavors at this family owned restaurant will transport you on a journey — the shortest trip to India you will ever take.
I have introduce my customers to different lever of Indian cuisine with Unique fusion flavors like our very own dish Nirvana cooked with tomato, red bell paper, mustard seed, lemon grass and touch with coconut.
Naan bruschetta, Indian crab cakes, calamari marinated with Indian chickpea bettered. And of course not forgot about my Indian crafted cocktails like (just to name few) Tantric Martini, mango martini, tamarind martini and mint cooler cucumber.
And power with sweet endings Since Indian restaurant are huge in desserts but I always think we are missing something specially being in the country where people love chocolate. Doesn’t matter old or young.
1. I have present to my customer a Chocomosa (chocolate samosa) Hot and cold combination filled with chocolate and served with homemade pistachio ice cream.
2. Mascarpone samosa (filed with mascarpone and Nutella)
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Customer service and being consistence.
Customers are the essential part of business. What I think is Because of customer and consistency we exists.
Consistency doesn’t mean you don’t have problems just be confident enough resolve problems right there and then.
Contact Info:
- Address: 859 Hornblend st
San Diego, CA 92109 - Website: www.spicelounge.com
- Phone: 3104986804
- Email: spiceloungegroup@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/spiceloungesd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/spiceloungesd
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/spiceloungesd
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/spice-lounge-san-diego
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