The journey of Tender Shades began in March 2024 when my brother and I were working in the corporate sector. Despite knowing the risks and challenges of the restaurant industry, we had always been passionate about the food business and dreamt of opening our own café.
With a commitment to providing customers with a clean, welcoming ambiance and affordable coffee, along with a variety of delicious dishes, we decided to turn that dream into reality.
After conducting market research in Mahavir Nagar, we designed a menu that blends unique dishes with popular, comforting favorites to cater to a wide range of tastes.
One of the most challenging tasks was naming our brand. Today, many ask us, “What does Tender Shades mean, and how did you come up with the name?”
The story behind the name is that we spent a lot of time brainstorming something unique. From the start, we were clear about one thing for the café’s interior—we didn’t want a rustic look or color scheme, instead opting for pastel tones.
If you look at the logo and overall brand colors of Tender Shades, you’ll notice we’ve used pastel shades without any rustic elements, both in the logo and the café’s interior.
This idea inspired us to name the brand around the concept of pastel colors. We wanted the name to reflect both the ambiance and the delicious food we offer. After much research, we found that “Tender Shades” was a perfect fit.
“Tender” signifies warmth and gentleness, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere, while “Shades” represents the variety we offer, both in the décor and the menu.
We began our search for a location by exploring various options online. We weren’t looking for a crowded spot; instead, we wanted a place slightly away from the main streets of Mahavir Nagar, where there would be less hustle and bustle, allowing customers to relax and enjoy their food and coffee in peace.
While searching for the right space, we learned how the real estate industry operates. If you’re unfamiliar with the market, it’s easy to get quoted prices much higher than the actual rates. Fortunately, we had a few family friends in the industry who helped us secure a place at a fair price, meeting our requirements.
Once the location was finalized, we embarked on the renovation process, which took around 45 days. We handled much of the work ourselves, from painting to other tasks.
Simultaneously, we began the process of hiring staff. Since we planned to be present at the café ourselves, we didn’t want to hire too many people initially. We focused on bringing in just the right number of staff to ensure smooth operations.
After connecting with many candidates over 15 days, we found the perfect team for every role, and we are grateful to have them working with us.
As the interior neared completion and the kitchen setup was almost done, we started menu trials and conducted hygiene and cleanliness training sessions.
During this time, we were fortunate to receive guidance and support from various industry experts, which was invaluable as we were new to the business and still learning.
After nearly 2.5 months of hard work and sleepless nights, we were ready to launch on 12th August 2024.
Our Best Dishes!!
Our special Malvani Chicken Pizza is a fusion of traditional flavors and modern style. The chicken topping is marinated and cooked in authentic Malvani masalas, giving each bite a burst of bold, coastal spices. Paired with our freshly made pizza dough and the perfect blend of cheese, it’s a unique and flavorful experience you won’t want to miss!
Panini Veggie Grilled Sandwich:
Our Panini Veggie Grilled Sandwich is a healthy yet flavorful option, made with wholesome multigrain panini bread. It’s filled with a mix of fresh, exotic veggies, grilled to perfection for a delicious, satisfying bite. Perfect for those who crave a nutritious meal without compromising on taste!
Shades’s Special Malvani Chicken/ Paneer Pizza:
Our menu comprises of various continental and Chinese food along with all types of coffees and mocktails. Personally we being from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, we’ve tried to introduce fusion reciepes wherein we’ve introduced Malvani Chicken Pizza and many other dishes in our menu.
Our Panini Veggie Grilled Sandwich is a healthy yet flavorful option, made with wholesome multigrain panini bread. It’s filled with a mix of fresh, exotic veggies, grilled to perfection for a delicious, satisfying bite. Perfect for those who crave a nutritious meal without compromising on taste!
Apart from the regular delicacies we also have the option of healthy bites wherein we’ve various types of salads and our signature recipes. So here we’ve tried to make various dishes which will be tasty and healthy at the same time.
Healthy Chicken Burgers/ Wraps:
Our Healthy Chicken Burger and Wrap offer a guilt-free indulgence without sacrificing flavor. The chicken is air-fried for a crispy texture, and we’ve used low-calorie sauces to keep it light. It’s the perfect choice for those looking for a tasty yet health-conscious meal option!
Green Mac n Cheese:
Our Green Mac n Cheese is a unique twist on the classic, made with a basil-based pesto sauce that gives it a vibrant green color and a distinct, refreshing flavor. Creamy, rich, and full of goodness, it’s the perfect choice for those looking to try something deliciously different!
Niraj Tawde: I completed my MBA from Mumbai University in 2017 and started working in the corporate sector. I always had a desire to start something of my own, and during the Covid period, I ventured into retailing locally manufactured products from the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
Currently, I’m not fully involved in the day-to-day operations of Tender Shades, as I continue with my corporate job. Most of the responsibilities are handled by Chinmay, and we’ve divided our roles in a way that ensures the smooth running of the café.
Chinmay Tawde: I completed my graduation in Marketing in 2023. While still in college, I started working and always had a desire to start something of my own.
The food industry had always fascinated me. In March 2024, I came up with the idea of starting Tender Shades after realizing that Mahavir Nagar lacked a proper place where people could relax and enjoy good food at affordable prices, as most of the options there were focused on street food.
I handle the majority of the responsibilities at Tender Shades, and I truly enjoy the process. Every day brings new challenges, and with the support of my team, we find solutions together.
Being new to the restaurant industry, we face new hurdles regularly, but thanks to our dedicated team and the guidance of close friends, we’ve been able to overcome each challenge and continue moving forward.
Our Panini Veggie Grilled Sandwich is a healthy yet flavorful option, made with wholesome multigrain panini bread. It’s filled with a mix of fresh, exotic veggies, grilled to perfection for a delicious, satisfying bite. Perfect for those who crave a nutritious meal without compromising on taste!
When Chinmay came up with the idea of starting a café, I was both excited and a bit unsure, as setting up a café involves significant risk and requires substantial capital investment.
After many discussions, thorough market research, and guidance from friends and mentors in the industry, we decided to move forward, driven by Chinmay’s confidence and positive outlook.
Courtesy : In Conversation with ‘Chinmay Tawde & Niraj Tawde – Restaurateurs at Tender Shades – Bistro & Lounge at Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West, Mumbai.