At the pop up at Kadri Art gallery
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Have you ever imagined dining in a grocery store? Not just grabbing snacks at checkout, but a proper sit-down, multi-course meal, ending with a decadent dessert? Think beyond convenience-store fare seen in K-dramas.

You Can Sit With Us (YCSWU) is disrupting the pop-up dining experience, turning supermarkets, art galleries, and coffee shops into unique dining venues. Founded by Sonali Pamnani Jhabakh in December 2024, the initiative promises expect-the-unexpected dining, where each event is a carefully curated, themed experience packed with activities.

“Our first event was a sit-down dinner themed around childhood nostalgia,” says Sonali. “While food is central, our dinners focus just as much on the venue and theme.” True to its name, YCSWU pops up in unexpected locations — its debut dinner was at Kadari Art Gallery, followed by one at a supermarket, and even a coffee shop transformed into a late-night bar.

YCSWU dinners come with a twist — curated discussions that foster connections. “It’s a cross between an icebreaker and a team-building exercise,” explains Sonali.

Take, for instance, a supermarket dinner at Qmart, where Chefs Nikitha Umesh and Akash Stanley crafted an unconventional menu. “We flipped a classic breakfast meal inside out,” says Nikitha. “Coffee, toast, and butter were reimagined, and our ‘cereal bowl’ was a savoury version — coconut milk replacing dairy, with vegetables and meats in place of nuts and fruits.”

YCSWU was born from Sonali’s experience as founder of Locker Room, a women’s-only networking community. “I saw the power of coming together with shared intentions — to learn, grow, and forge genuine connections. Regardless of gender, we all seek experiences that bring us closer and create lasting impact.”

And what better space than a dinner table? “It’s where laughter mingles with stories, comfort food nourishes both body and soul, and cocktails ease our defences,” she says.

Their recent pop-up at Food Stories, a gourmet store in Hyderabad, featured a play by Vaishali Bisht, performed in two acts between courses.

Nisha Dur of Edit Baking, who curated desserts for YCSWU’s first dinner, highlights the meticulous planning that makes these experiences stand out. “It’s not just about eating and leaving. The atmosphere encourages discussions, introduces new people, and makes learning fun.”

Sonali agrees. “Many strangers have formed real bonds, and we’ve even seen WhatsApp groups emerge post-dinner to keep the conversations going.”

Creating menus that resonate with diverse audiences is key. Nishita Sandeep of Hashi who worked on the first dining menu points out the challenge: “Nostalgia for a 40-year-old isn’t the same as nostalgia for Gen Z.” Every dish is tailored not just to the theme, but also to the audience.

Dinners happen once a month, with themes and venues changing each time. And no children allowed—just great food, great conversations, and an immersive dining experience like no other.

You can sit with us announces their dinner meet up (seating capacity depends on the venue, 30 members is their biggest group) on their social media platform @youcansitwithus.in