Chairperson of Reliance Foundation and wife of billionaire Mukesh Ambani Nita Ambani recently visited Varanasi to extend an invitation to Lord Shiva at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple ahead of the wedding of her younger son Anant Ambani to Radhika Merchant. Wearing an elegant pink saree, Nita Ambani attended the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. She was accompanied by designer Manish Malhotra. According to ANI, she said, "I offered prayers to Lord Shiva. I feel very blessed. I came here with the invitation for Anant and Radhika's wedding to present it to the almighty. It’s been ten years since my last visit, and I am pleased to see the development here."
During her visit to the temple town, Nita Ambani also visited a popular chaat shop where she relished some local delicacies. She said her husband Mukesh Ambani would have enjoyed the food there.
Nita Ambani interacted with locals at the chaat shop and enjoyed various dishes, including the famous aloo chaat. She commented, "Mukesh would have loved it," highlighting her husband's fondness for street food. Mukesh Ambani is a regular customer at Mumbai's Swati Snacks, a favorite he visits weekly.
About Swati Snacks
Swati Snacks, a humble quick-service restaurant in Mumbai, is beloved by many, including billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Renowned for its authentic Gujarati cuisine, this eatery has been a cherished favorite of the Ambani family for three generations. Asha Jhaveri, the current owner of Swati Snacks, notes in her autobiography, "Three generations of the Ambani family cannot live without ordering from Swati Snacks every week."
Founded in 1963 by Asha's mother, Minakshi, Swati Snacks has grown significantly over the years. What started as a single outlet has expanded to four locations—two in Mumbai and two in Ahmedabad—along with a cloud kitchen. The restaurant’s menu is a celebration of traditional recipes, featuring Mukesh Ambani's favorites like sev puri, paani puri and dahi batata puri.
The Ambani family's connection to Swati Snacks runs deep. Asha Jhaveri fondly recalls the frequent visits of Mukesh and Nita Ambani to the restaurant. "Mukesh and Nita Ambani used to visit our joint quite frequently and would often stand in the queue to get in. Now, they mostly order takeaways. We recognise their staff by their uniform when they come to pick up the food," she shared with the South China Morning Post.
The enduring success of Swati Snacks lies in its unwavering commitment to quality and consistency. Chef Mayur Gupta of Curry & Co. explains, "Multigenerational eateries survive by consistently delivering good food that diners want to return to. They rely on fresh local produce, source their spices and masalas locally, often roast and hand pound them in their kitchens, and employ local cooks who understand the nuances of the region’s cuisine."
Swati Snacks offers a diverse array of dishes, from satpadi roti and gatta nu shaak to fada ni khichdi. One of their standout items is panki, a favourite of Mukesh Ambani and it costs Rs 230 approximately. This unique dish, made from rice flour and steamed in a plantain leaf, has gained widespread popularity over the years.
Reflecting on her mother's legacy, Asha Jhaveri says, "Her chaat had people licking their fingers. Her famous hand-churned pumpkin ice cream had people clamouring for its recipe. So when she opened the eatery, both items were incorporated into its menu."
