i had a delightful experience at 1601 bar & kitchen celebrating a birthday in the party. i had never tried sri lankan food and was amazed at the depth of flavors and uniqueness of textures. the tasting menu was brought out as 4 separate courses: bites, appetizers, mains, and dessert. the bites were light and small but all incredible. the radishes were served in a beautifully plated dirt-looking powder that was super flavorful and delicious. the trout was also super good. the appetizer was by far the standout dish. the egg hopper with potatoes and chicken curry was excellent. so many textures and flavors in one dish! it was so good, i will dream of it. the main was good but not my favorite - the crunchy green beans were by far the most enjoyable to me in this round. im not the biggest fan of lamb, but the main dish was well cooked and served so beautifully. lastly, the dessert was so well composed with the sweet white chocolate and the tart fresh passionfruit. the whole night, our server and the chef would come out to describe the meal. the service was excellent and very attentive. i would highly recommend 1601 bar & kitchen and would like to return for another nice occasion! thank you! read more

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The food was unique and absolutely delicious. It was a fusion of flavors and a mix of different spices and ingredients. Great spot for a family style upscale dinner. The ambiance and service were great! read more

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Our first time having Sri Lankan food, and this was amazing. Easily one of the top favorite meals we've had this year. Each dish was tasty, packed full of new and unique flavors. My favorites were: consommé, these sticky potatoes that were somehow caramelized with honey and some spices, and the smoked salmon bites with roe. The egg hopper, shaped like a bowl, was surprising and fun to eat. It was also a joyful experience to have my pink coconut water served in a wine glass. read more

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Amazing food and delightful service! Didn't have any expectations for the wonderful dining experience in an unassuming warehouse spot. We were a party of 6 and the only diners here for the evening...so had an exclusive 3-1/2 hour dinner with the chef and 1 server. The food was delicious for all the senses (sight, smell and taste). Started with a clear, clean village salad consommé to awaken and cleanse the palate. Next the hokkaido scallops crundo & caviar...so smooth with a light coconut cream sauce, pickled kumquat topping. Then a delicious smoked trout and roe on a small brioche toast. Added a potato croquette with tuna as well. The next dish was amazing... an egg hopper, fried rice flour basket with a perfectly cooked sunny side egg. But the sides for inclusion were not to be denied...sticky, crispy chili-fenugreek topped potatoes; chicken curry; & sambols of onions and coconut. By this time, I'm full but still had the main and dessert! Not to be missed was the Australian lamb chop over dhal topped with fresh peas. The sides were amazing...kale malum, crispy blue lake beans, fresh tomatoes with black garlic preserved lime sauce, fresh carrot and onion pickles and basmati rice. The perfect finish was the white chocolate dome filled with a passion fruit mousse and fresh strawberries. A wonderful meal and great conversations! So happy to have discovered this spot!!! read more

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If you want to have one of the most exquisite and memorable dining experiences of your life, you need to head to 1601 Bar & Kitchen asap! Situated on a quiet corner in SOMA, and with a modest facade, you would never expect such a gem to be hidden inside. The restaurant is decorated beautifully with thoughtful art and lighting and perfect for intimate settings. Yulia and Brian make the most remarkable team. Their knowledge and passion for food shines not only in presentation, but also in taste! You can tell the menu is carefully curated. I love that there is a list of local vendors and what is sourced from them on the menu! And you can taste the freshness of the food! As someone who does not enjoy smoked salmon or salmon roe, i could eat their version every day! The combo of sweet, smoky, and salty was euphoric! The chicken curry, hopper, sambal, and coconut were perfect in any combination! And the potatoes are my most favorite that I've ever had anywhere! The short rib was literally fall off the bone! We didn't need a knife to cut it apart. It was so rich and succulent. And each side was perfectly thought out. From the perfectly crispy cauliflower, to the refreshing pickles, and the most perfect kale salad. I love that each course had so many different ways that it could be enjoyed. So many flavor and texture combinations! The strawberry granita with dessert was so refreshing and worked so beautifully with the white chocolate and passion fruit dome. And who doesn't love a good Madeline?! I will definitely be going back! It's one of those meals that makes you never want to eat any other food again! Our meal will forever be one of the most memorable experiences of my life. read more

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It was a lovely and fun dining experience! It's basically four courses with each having multiple components. The starters were tasty and pleasant. The highlight was the Egg hopper and accompaniments - really delicious, especially the chicken and potatoes! The entree short rib was decent, and the dessert was too sweet. The service was strong - overall I enjoyed it, but felt there was something slightly missing from the flavors that is why it's lacking the fifth star. read more

This is a special place with warm personal service. What's especially nice is it's quiet. Something that almost every other restaurant is incapable of. The meal is a perfectly composed multi course affair trending French but with Sri Lankan spicing. We have visited several times and it's always a treat to go. read more

Just had a lovely dinner for two at 1601. Exceeded my expectations by a far and the husband and wife team are lovely. Bring an empty stomach because you'll want to eat every bite. The courses are beautifully composed and each dish is balanced and/or bold in flavors. You get a little of every thing here and the wine offerings are quite nice. I would go back. Unassuming on the outside with a peaceful cozy inside. read more

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The food is amazing. The chef uses fresh ingredients and elevates Sri Lankan food using french cooking techniques. The sea food is cooked to perfection. My all time favorite is definitely the black cod dish. I never had anything like that in my life before. The service is spectacular, the chef even came out and handed us the dish and explained the ingredients and cooking method used. The restaurant is very cute and romantic. No loud music so you don't need to guess what your partner is saying, which is really shocking to find in San Francisco. Highly recommend this place to those that want to see what it's like when South Asian food fuses with french. read more

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This place is a hidden gem. Run by a lovely couple - pre fixe menu blending Californian cuisine with Sri Lankan flavors but not too heavy. We had scallop crudo in coconut milk, smoked salmon and caviar on toast and fish cutlets to start with. Followed by the classic egg hoppers and chicken curry with a yummy onion chili jam and potato fingers. Main course was lamb curry with rice and pickled vegetables and lentils. Very traditional yet presented in a California style. Great wines and superb service. read more

My wife and I picked out this amazing place without knowing anything about Srilankin food. We are adventurous so this was right up our alley. From the moment we walked in it felt like we were in for an experience. The staff was super friendly and provided an explanation for every course. The food was perfectly made and everything tasted so good. The experience was beyond our expectations, we'd recommend anyone that is seeking something different. Highly recommended, thank you. read more

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1601 is one of the most unusual restaurants I've ever enjoyed. Not only is the food a work of creative fusion of cuisine from an under-represented part of the world, the results are well-executed with great attention to detail. I have been here about four times for dinner, but have put off reviewing the place because I still don't know how to describe some of the dishes. Much less do I feel confident I can guide a newcomer as to what to order or expect, other than that if you are at all adventurous with food you really must give this place a try. For starters, read a bit about the couple that started this venture, and especially about chef Brian Fernando. He describes what he's doing with the food at 1601 as a California-styled fusion of flavors and ingredients from Sri Lanka using French preparation techniques. The result are dishes you won't find anywhere else, which is not to say they are totally off the wall, just that the food is presented in a form presumably a bit like home but turned out as well as if coming from a Michelin star kitchen in Paris. I was just there the week of April 7 and had the set tasting menu for that week. There were no a la carte items this evening and in any case I strongly suggest going with the set dinner. It will occupy a good bit of your evening and you will come away filled not only with memories of delicious food but with a new scale for food innovation. I especially like the fish items, which this evening was Hokkaido scallops crudo paired with Tsar Nicoulai 'Estate' caviar. That dish in itself gives you some idea of where the evening went after that. You will likely have the "egg hopper", a kind of signature dish here and unlike anything you've had before, yet described here as a kind of "street food" back home. A celery soup was perfectly pureed with highlight flavors of fresh crab. On and on it went, have a look at the restaurant's website for the full spring offering. At the end was my personal favorite, a dessert described as Valrhona white chocolate & passion fruit mousse dome. Just the perfect geometry of the dome itself is amazing, but once you crack the white chocolate dome covering it the passion fruit mousse inside is wonderfully fresh. Again, this is a must-try if you're an adventurous sort but it will also appeal to anyone who is open to new flavors, forms and textures of food. read more

Absolutely delightful experience. The service was superb, with great explanations of the dishes by the chef and staff. The food was impeccable and truly a fantastic set of flavors - Sri Lankan food is uncommon in the US and almost non-existent in SF, and it was really amazing to taste especially in a context where the chef was free to experiment at a higher price point. Will come again when the menu rotates (probably 3-4 months). read more

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An interesting menu featuring a variety of dishes with Sri Lankan influences. Unique offerings made of high quality ingredients. The food is complemented by an offering of outstanding wines. All in all a great dining experience. read more

Just visited SF for the weekend and found this place on the Michelin website. The food, wine and service are world class. In a city filled with great restaurants, this was the highlight. Loved it! read more

We had a really spectacular meal here. The menu was creative and fresh, and was presented beautifully. Our server was friendly and attentive, and ensured we had a great meal. One of the better tasting menus I've had in San Francisco. read more

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This was one of the best recent finds, despite it being around for 11 years now. We're both Sri Lankan and found the food both authentic and innovative. The bites were all great - although the standouts were the fish cutlets and smoked steelhead. The highlight was the appetizers - the hoppers were great and the chicken curry was the best I've ever had. The lamb curry was quite nice and the dessert was delicious. Service was prompt and attentive and the decor was amazing. Can't wait to go back! read more

This place is a total GEM. Owned by Yulia and her husband (whose father was from Sri Lanka), this restaurant features dishes and flavors I had never encountered before. Super innovative and delicious! Small, peaceful place away from the loud buzz of too many hyped-up restaurants. The staff is always discreet and very helpful, the seats are comfortable and the setting is tastefully decorated. A great place for a date or a change of pace. read more

Tasty food with creative plating, excellent ambiance, and wonderful service and as always, great owners (husband and wife team). This is the MUST be place for a fine dining evening in San Francisco...we enjoy our evening once again as a group. read more

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After watching "Check Please" and seeing the interesting food served here, I immediately had to make reservations to see what this was about. The restaurant is quaint, with maybe 40 seats, so it's intimate, nicely decorated, could be romantic sitting in the far back room, and QUIET! Finally a place you can have dinner in SF and not have to yell at each other. There are a la carte items which we saw coming out that looked great but if this is your first time here, go for the tasting menu so you get a taste of everything the chef has to offer. For the price, you get a nice amount of food and you won't be hungry when you are done. The dining experience last about 2 hours so a perfect way to spend an evening. I won't list every item as you can see the tasting menu on the website. However you have to get an Egg Hopper if you don't do the tasting menu. Hoppers are very Sri Lankan and are big there but very little is known abou them in the U.S. so having one here is a great way to experience something you probably won't find in many places. In their simplest form they are bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Cooked in small round pans, they tend to come out crispy round the edges, thicker at the bottom. The Egg Hopper we had was like that and you fold over the bowl and pick it up and eat it like a taco. You can use a fork and knife but that takes out all the fun! The service was excellent and the timing of the food was fantastic. Rather than shoving 10 dishes in front of you within minutes, you get plenty of time to enjoy each dish, talk about it and maybe even talk to the chef who comes out (he did come to our table). A fantastic evening and on my "Do Not Miss In SF" list now when people ask me where to go. Funny end of the night, there is a man sitting at the table next to us and guess who he is? The guy that was on CHECK PLEASE! He was the one that introduced the restaurant to the t.v show back in 2016. Shows you how old these reruns are but they are sure worth watching! 5 stars all the way around. read more

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Delicious, carefully crafted food and awesome service. Extremely good value for the quality and amount of food provided. Will be back!

One of the better meals in San Francisco. I've been twice in the last couple of months. The egg hoppers and sambols are excellent. Every dish is done well. Creative and well-executed. Good wine list. Great desserts. read more

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This place is very unique. I don't know Sri Lankan food well, but my friend who accompanied did and mentioned how many of the dishes were based on traditional things, but with an interesting and creative twist. The tasting menu was in my opinion fantastic with a nice variety, the people very nice, and it was very easy to park on the street, so basically everything you could ever want. Considering the quality, time we spent there, and number of dishes (something like 10ish items), it was well worth it! We were basically alone in the restaurant for most of the time, which may not be a positive for everyone, but I felt like it was a very personal dining experience. read more

Excellent food and great service. Flavours are not watered down like we see in many other ethnic restaurants read more

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My uncle fancies that his downtown Colombo cafe has the best hoppa chef in Sri Lanka so I had to check out this joint. I walked an hour from a late work lunch to eat here at 5:30pm and was nervous they would make me buy the chef's tasting menu. Fortunately they offer a la carte options including the egg hoppa, fried okra and dahl curry. I really enjoyed the hoppa. Believe me these semi spheres of happiness are hard to make well, i.e. with a golden crisp lacing the edge of the bowl but a soft spongey center, without over or undercooking the egg and keeping the whole thing crispy on the outside and a softly steamed dough on the inside. The yeast added a sourdough flavor (nice SF twist, chef!) and the subtle salt brought depth. The side garnish trio of sambols was authentic and perfect. I also enjoyed the fried okra. Not a traditional SL dish, much too salty fry for the local palate - but a good adaptation for the US customer, served with a delicious mayonnaise. The dahl was disappointing to me. Raised on a diet of purippu (The Singhalese word for dahl) I expected more depth, a little smokiness and considerable heat from fiery red peppers. This instead seemed like a toned down version, the kind of thing my mother now prepares for the infant palate of her grand children. It was all beautifully presented but a little bland for someone in search of Amma's home cooking. Maybe perfect for non-Sri Lankans. I enjoyed the semi freddo. A little too much sugar on the top but I scraped some off. The top cracked like a soft creme brulee. Delicious and refreshing. read more

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This has been one of my favorites since discovering it a number of years ago. I'm so delighted to see they have opened back up for reservations, even though it's only a few days a week! The food is amazing and the whole experience is unique and magic. It's quiet and elegant and there is course after course of inspired creations from Chef Brian. And of course...those wonderful egg hoppers! read more

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Came back several years later and was blown away! The food we had was incredible and service was A+. Went with coworkers so we pretty much ordered everything on the a la crate menu and we also got to order a few things from the pre fix. Everything was delicious - the salmon, potatoes, tomato, egg hopper, carrots, okra, all 3 curries (especially loved the minced lamb one) and the chocolate mousse. Yummmy!!!!! Go now! read more

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Phenomenal dining experience. Certainly Michelin level food for a fraction of the price. Delightfully Crafted menu by kick ass culinary designers. read more

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I was the Cinderella at ball that night: a vintage pencil polka dot dress styles from the 1950s, a pair of 5 inch high boots in the same black and white pattern, Hair and nails all done just right, age indeterminate. I arrived early with a poem book in tow. It was not difficult to pull that off, as the restaurant's location has no shortage of street parking. I suspect I was over dressed for this city, in my old age, I stopped caring what people might think and accepted the fact my dressing too nicely when out is just me being me. After all, it was a holiday dinner and had I been in New York or Paris, this would be par for the course. The service was over the top nice. I had not seen this type of attentiveness in a while. While I read and waited for my friend to show, I was served a glass of rosé, and staff came over several times to ask if I had any questions with the menu. We ordered the kale salad to start, with a stewed goat as the main, a potato as a side and finished with a pot de créme like dish, it had curry and coconut in the chocolate dust, very unusual. Not everyday do you get Sri Lanka food. It is most definitely my first meal of this kind. Reading the critic reviews, chef had French culinary training. That is a very nice combo as it showed in the food we consumed that evening. I was in a good mood as the holidays were upon us. I had imagined this meal would be outstanding, but I did not expect service was also equally wonderful. This is an adventurous eating establishment. I suppose if you wanted to try something unusual, and fanciful, do put it on your list. read more

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1601. Another numbered restaurant, one that reminded me of 1706, where I had a delicious and unexpected meal. I expected the same at 1601 and got lots of unexpected but very little delicious. The price was steep and I was unimpressed by the wines. For the price, I would not recommend. Note: they no longer have happy hour. read more

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Every now and then I come out of hiding to write a review when I find a new bar or restaurant that truly deserves the praise and recognition. Like most Yelp searches, I had picked 1601 for its location (we were going somewhere nearby afterwards) and its first-glance rating. We were pleasantly surprised to find this sophisticated restaurant in the middle of a neighbourhood that's taking its sweet time to come to maturity. Low lights and comfortable spacing between tables made for the perfect ambiance for an intimate dinner amongst close friends (and dates!). The food was phenomenal, to say the least. Generally when you go to a well-known restaurant already populated by 7x7 readers you know what to expect (that is, the usual greatness of the SF foodie scene), but not having heard anything about 1601 I was blown away. It was also an excellent introduction to Sri Lanken cuisine. Between the two of us, we shared the smoked halibut, portuguese octopus, traditional egg hopper, lamb and pork meatballs, crispy okra, and Ceylon tea semifreddo. While the main ingredient of each dish was cooked to perfection, it was the thoughtful yet playful garnishes that really made every bite exciting and delightful. Highlights of the meal were the traditional Jidori egg hopper with the different sambols (looks like Sri Lankans got gastronomy right from the very beginning!), the curiously good iced heirloom tomato chutney that accompanied the octopus, the crispy okra (think kale chips but better), and finally, the heavenly semifreddo that literally melted in my mouth. Service was great as well, we never found our glasses even half-empty and our server thoughtfully helped us space our choices into three courses, plus dessert. We also got very thorough recommendations for wine (we wanted a medium bodied red good with seafood and ended up with the Stoller Pinot Noir 2011) - I'm a sucker for a good wine and a good somm, so brownie points there! All in all, this was one of the best meals I've had in San Francisco. I'd put it up there with the likes of Quince and Benu. I'm definitely returning to try the rest of the menu. I really hope 1601 starts landing on more radars because it is truly a hidden gem in this city. read more

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Pretty amazing! It's a mix of asian fusion, seafood and sri lankan style mixed together. It seems like its a family owned restaurant. The host, servers were great but the only thing is different servers kept coming up and got confused who I should order from (only improvement thats needed) but other than that the food was delicious! This is more of a family style/tapas -- small portions but it's great to share and try different dishes. Theres a pretty good selection of wine as well. AND the temperate of the wine was on point. What I ordered/recommend: - House-smoked salmon w/ burnt onion creme fraiche, turmeric gel - Raw kale salad w/ toasted coconut meat, black garlic-citrus vinaigrette,parmesan - Lobster fricassee w/ barley, English peas, spring onion achcharu, coconut oil - Hokkaido scallops w/ goraka, traditional fish cutlet, champagne vinegar - Lamb and pork meatballs, Sri Lankan cinnamon, cilantro-almond relish, Straus yogurt (a little over cooked but was still tasteful) - Portuguese octopus w/ lime gelée, iced heirloom tomato chutney read more

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I don't know what traditional Sri Lankan cuisine tastes like but the contemporary version offered by 1601 Bar and Kitchen was just fabulous! I came here as I was working through the Michelin Bib Gourmand list and was just so pleasantly surprised by a really strong tasting menu: (1). Frozen Savory Uni Watalappam with caviar (5/5) - basically this was uni ice cream with caviar. This is a really strong start to the meal. The bite itself was so unexpected and really made a statement about the caliber of this restaurant. (2). Hokkaido Scallops Crudo with Passion Fruit and Goraka with Chip (3/5) - The scallops and chip was perfect but the passion fruit flavor felt odd to me. (3). Maine Lobster Bisque with Mulligatawny Spices (4/5) - it's a play on lobster bisque but with different spices. The lobster meat was nice and tender and the spices just worked here. (4). Traditional Egg Hopper with Jidori Egg and Sambols (4/5) - this is very playful but the coconut sambol really overpowered this dish for me. (5). Dungeness Crab Kottu Roti (5/5) - really nice, hearty dish. (6). Crispy Okra with Dessicated Coconut and Cashews (5/5) - I get apprehensive when I see Okra on the menu (not a fan of the slimy texture) but this preparation was just great. They've figured out how to largely de-slime the okra and create tempura. The cashew also adds a great textural element to this dish. (7). Smoked Cornish Game Hen-Maldive Fish "Tisane" (4/5) - this is a consommé and really well placed in the menu. It's like dashi but with fowl. It was on the edge of being too salty for me. (8). Duck Leg Curry with Wild Rice, and Acharu Pickles (5/5) - This was just a great, hearty entree. There's a lot of love in this dish. (9). Mulberry Sorbet (4/5) - great palate cleanser before the main dessert. (10). Bittersweet Valrhonna Chocolate Custard with Toasted Spices (4.5/5) - love this dessert - it's the right amount of bitter, sweet and texture components. Fever Tree Ginger Beer was the best non-alcoholic pairing for me. I came here during Game 4 of the NBA Finals so the restaurant wasn't packed. Service was great and the ambiance is nice and modern. Including tax and tip, the above meal ended up being about $160. It's what you would spend for a one star Michelin place in SF and my experience here was consistent with that level. They also have an a la carte menu that's competitively priced. Highly recommend this place!!! read more

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Just had another wonderful meal here last night. Great service and fabulous food. Can't wait to go back. - Dungeness crab chilled, jackfruit, kiri broth - Maine lobster bisque, mulligatawny spices - Smoked cornish game-Maldive fish "tea" - Egg hopper, Jidori egg, sambols - Chicken curry, coconut gravy, English peas - Yukon gold potatoes, fried, chili-fenugreek vinegar - Baby back ribs, smoked, smoked, black curry, mango chutney Highly recommended! read more

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Creative dishes here, for sure. As a Sri Lankan, I'm pretty picky about my food - especially because I cook as well. There's a lot of traditional plates here, with very interesting twists. I enjoyed the prix fixe - the food combinations were very thoughtful, especially the dessert. Extra points for dope ambience and interior artwork read more

Delicious food, great service. We had three small plates and a dessert: The kale salad, the dungeness crab and the chicken and egg curry, a dessert and drinks. It came to significantly less than $100/person, which I consider a bargain given the quality. I'll definitely be back, and next time I'll be properly hungry for the tasting menu. read more

Hidden gem with delicious and unique dishes, which will make you love Sri Lankan fusion. I highly recommend going with the chef tasting. read more

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We had a wonderful and enjoyable dinner here. The cuisine is very interesting, simplistic, and reminded of home. I had authentic Sri Lankan food in the past and was curious to try this modern take. As a welcome drink we were served beautiful melon, turmeric, mint and lime mocktail. It was refreshing. We ordered the potatoes, tomatoes, okra and jack fruit small plates. The tomatoes were served with a chutney infused with spices, potatoes were fried with chili and spices, the okra was a bit deep fried and can be missed, the jack fruit is strictly for people who love this fruit and enjoy this distinctive flavor. We ordered the dal with rice main course and it was delightful, healthy and flavorful with the eggplant. Chocolate dessert melted in our mouths and the crumbles topping was a perfect touch! Would recommend to definitely try this place for different yet familiar south Asians flavors. read more

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Not only did we forget we'd been here before (ok Boomer) we couldn't even find it (no sign). That said, another terrific meal and good service. Unusual food prepared impeccably. read more

We dined here for the first time last night. The experience was "dining perfection". Every dish was prepared perfectly and it was delicious. The portions were generous and I loved the decor. And the service was lovely. I'll be returning soon. read more