I've had great dosa in my lifetime so didn't expect to be blown by the Gunpowder Dosa (5/5) here, but I was wrong. The dosa matched the hype and even after several bites, I did not get tired of it. Next, the Lamb Sukka (4.5/5) was well flavored and rich. Great mouthfuls but would've liked a little more tenderness. For mains we ordered the Venison (4/5) and Kal Dosa (5/5) to go with it. The Venison was really well flavored again, but had a good amount of fat still left on so the ratio of protein to fat on the meat was not my personal preference. However, the gravy was still very rich and abundant and the Kal dosa was so soft and delicious and made a great vehicle for the curry. Had to get seconds of this. The dessert was decent. We got the Coconut Payassam (3.5/5). The portion on this was quite small, so not really worth the price. Maybe better dessert options would make the whole meal better than it already was. I would absolutely go here again as the experience was great. Pricey but delightful. read more

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I was able to get reservations for a birthday celebration. We were seated in the back of the restaurant. They didn't have rasam available when we went but we did try the Paniyaram and Gunpowder dosa which was really good. I would rate it 10/10. The cauliflower dish wasn't a favorite of mine and the Mocktail was ok. The passionfruit pudding was delicious. I love the presentation too. The manager came by and when he heard we were celebrating a birthday, they came out with a vanilla ice cream dessert with a candle and happy birthday cocoa dusted on the plate. We had such a great time. read more

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Semma was pretty good but not as memorable as I expected. I came as part of a group of 5, and we ordered quite a few dishes. Our waiter walked us through the menu and gave some good recommendations. For apps, we got 2 Gunpowder Dosas, Cauliflower, and Lamb. Gunpowder Dosa is definitely a must-get, I could easily demolish the whole order by myself. Cauliflower and Lamb were kinda forgettable tbh. For entrees, we got the Sea Bass, Oxtail, and Goat Biryani. Sea Bass was amazing, we all loved the sauce. Oxtail was pretty good too, but the Goat Biryani was kinda mushy and didn't have much flavor. For dessert, we got a coconut pudding and a passion fruit with basil seed dish. Loved the coconut and but wasn't really a fan of the passion fruit. read more

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I'm undecided on my experience at Semma. As a thoroughbred South Indian, I'm inclined to give it four stars. The scarcity of South Indian restaurants in New York City is not lost on me so I want this one to win. Objectively speaking though, it's a solid 3. Semma, as many reviewers have stated before me, is the new Rahi, but not quite. The owners, behind nearly every critically acclaimed Indian restaurant in the city that you can think of, have attempted a fusion take on southern Indian classics like the masala dosa and uttapam but the star here are the meat dishes. We started off with the snails appetizer and drinks called Bangalore Days and Thalaiva. We got the mango lemonade for my daughter who was less than impressed with it. I really enjoyed my drink which was a delicious blend of Old Monk rum, pineapple juice and thick coconut milk. The snails were alright. It was generously spiced, maybe even overtly. To a point where the texture of the snails didn't matter and we were reaching for our drinks, any drink, between every bite. For the entrees, we got an order of the biryani and the sea bass with moile sauce. I was debating between the sea bass and the lobster, but the sea bass, we were told would be the better choice. The biryani was one of the greatest I will ever have. The meat and the rice just melts in your mouth, the flavors were simple but sophisticated. The sea bass on the other hand was so spicy, it deserves a scoville heat rating. I get that this is not necessarily an impasse for most Indians, but the sea bass is a delicate fish and if it's fresh, needs only a light, flavorful, moile sauce. Maybe I'm just a lightweight here but I was looking for a pleasant meal, not one that would make me sweat. In their defense, I was warned that it would be spicy so I'm going to own this decision but if I could do it all over again, I would go for the lobster. We couldn't finish the sea bass so we took the rest to go. We did however save some room for dessert and we got the coconut payasam which was delish and not too sweet. It was dense, creamy and refreshing and much needed after that sea bass. This meal set us back about $300 for two people and a child. I would come back here for the Biryani in a heartbeat. And maybe to try the lobster? The service and ambiance cannot be faulted. read more

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A great experience for Michelin star restaurant. This was an expensive place and we did see a famous person while dining. We booked a month in advance and pre ordered the $124 crab. I eat alot of North Indian food and don't know much about South Indian food except for dosa/idly. The gunpowder dosa was amazing and totally worth $20!! We had halal lamb appetizers and lamb entree and halal goat biryani. Great and flavorful and well cooked. The lobster was amazing with the coconut rice. I want that again!! I wasn't as fond of the desserts but they were nice. It's definitely worth a pop in even if you don't order all the expensive stuff. The manager Ganesh was extremely friendly and kind. The rest of the staff are very attentive and they do replace your plates and cutlery from apps to entree. Music seems nostalgic and it's very brightly painted inside. read more

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Walked in at 5:30pm on a Tuesday and got seated at the bar immediately! Quick service, such flavorful food, and a well-structured, concise menu that only features the best. -Tiger Prawn (4/5): shrimp meat felt right off the shell. The prawns were so large, juicy and plump! Green chilis were a bit too spicy for me, but overall made a great appetizer. -Gunpowder Dosa (4.5/5): Semma's signature dish! The dosa was so good and flavorful, almost tasted like a dough-y cheez-it, although was a bit thicker and heavier than I expected. The crepe had a more flour-y texture and the addition of the potato curry stuffed inside made it a bit heavier, but I LOVED the dipping sauces that came with it -- they were so light and refreshing! -Lamb (3.5/5): the meat was quite tender but it was wayyyy too spicy for me. Personal preference, was not a huge fan of the spices of this dish, but the meat fell right off the bone. Would have loved a dipping sauce to cut through the spice. -Lobster Tail (5/5): favorite dish of the night! I knew that this dish would have been a hit or a miss given all the videos I have watched and reviews I have read, but it was a hit for me. The meat of the lobster tail was so tender and the curry was absolutely perfect. The curry paired so well with the rice and was so flavorful, not spicy at all which was a plus, very lightly sweet, I literally could not stop scraping the bowl. -Coconut Rice (5/5): Loved the coconut rice, which was packed with flavor and paired so well with the lobster tail curry. Also helped cut through the spice of some of the other dishes. Super tough to make a res here but worth it if you are able to walk-in earlier on a less popular night of the week! read more

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Where to begin! This is by far the best Indian food I have EVER eaten. The curries were incredibly flavorful, spicy, salty, sweet, creamy...I could honestly go on and on. This is the food we ordered(ranked from best to less): Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (Lobster Tail) Gunpowder Dosa Nalli Elumbu (Lamb Shank) Parotta Coconut Rice Kal Dosa Uzhavar Santhai Poriyal The lobster dish curry was incredible. I'm not a fan of seafood, so can't comment too much on the lobster, but I would honestly order again just for the sauce. The Gunpowder Dosa was so generous in portion size, a fun finger food, and has a delicious potato filling. 10/10! I love how spicy the curries are too! The Lamb Shank was also super wonderful. Not too gamey and very tender and flavorful. The parotta is a must get, the flakiness is just so delicious and pairs really well with all the extra curry you will have. I wouldn't get the coconut rice or Kal Dosa again. They were a bit underwhelming, but they are sides. I would also not order the Uzhavar Santhai Poriyal. This one was somewhat flavorless and not worth the price. They have other really great vegetarian options. I came here for a birthday and they also gave us a small bday ice cream with a candle! Overall, incredible restaurant that totally deserves its Michelin star. It has a relatively casual environment and the portions are decently large. You kind of HAVE to make a rez a month in advance, but 100% worth the delicious food! read more

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What a fabulous meal we had a Semma. Love the atmosphere with the thatched walls and ceilings, plus for a small restaurant, they really gave ample space between the tables in our section of the restaurant. Service was very warm, informative and attentive. Things we loved: Semma Sour - this is a fabulous drink. Highly recommend Gunpowder Dosa - absolutely superb, generous and delicious. Accompanying chutneys were also fantastic Lamb app - super savory, delicious little lamb bones in a nice pile really gave the meal a great start Lamb shank - incredible. Soft as butter, phenomenal sauce. Stuffed peppers - amazing curry, a real highlight. Did not love the oxtail as it was frankly too fatty so 2 out of 3 bites were literally globs of fat. Not the chef's fault. I think we just misordered and should have opted for a fish dish instead. Would definitely return to Semma. Where we found Masalawala sort of ungenerou in the portions, Semma is more than ample. We look forward to returning if we can ever get a reservation again! read more

Thought I'd like this place way more but overall didn't think it's a reservation worth fretting over (certainly not worth going at 930pm for). We got the lamb appetizer, cauliflower appetizer, dosa, sea bass, duck, and biryani. They were out of the oxtail and lamb shank which we were super bummed about. There were way too many missed imho. The only standouts to me were the lamb and cauliflower appetizers. The dosa, though flavorful, wasn't very hot and felt on par with many dosas you can get elsewhere in the city. I actively disliked the sea bass and biryani :/ staff were great. Nice, respectful, and patient. read more

Semma - Paratha - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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We were finally able to get reservations here, thanks to waitlist option on Resy. We got the mung beans salad (very average), gun powder dosa (average), mirchi ka salan (amazing!!), lobster tail (very good!!), parathas and payasam. Really enjoyed Semma Sour and Konkan Jaadu for cocktails. I'd gladly come back here any day, but if it's anything more than a 10 min wait, hard pass. read more

Semma - Konkan Jaadu - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

The folks behind celebrated Indian restaurants Adda, Dhamaka, Rowdy Rooster and more sure know the formula to making a successful restaurant. A unique cocktail menu, a deep exploration of Southern Indian heritage via the cuisine, and beautiful ambience all make for a satisfying meal and a good time, which was all had during my dinner at Semma. I recommend making a reservation far in advance as tables book out fast. I really appreciate that the cocktail list only offers a compact list of 6 options, which tells me some intention and care went into the selection of ingredients to highlight, which is a trend I noticed of their menu writ large. I tried the Verri, which contained Old monk infused coco chai, sweet vermouth, campari and the Silk Smitha, made with cardamom infused tequila, red peppercorn, agave. Both drinks were solid though not entirely memorable. These days, the $18 they charge per cocktail is pretty standard. The food is definitely priced on the higher end, with the average large plate costing $50 and the average small plate around $20, so we prepared to splurge-- still didn't make the final check any more appetizing. What was really appetizing was the Eral Thoku, a small tiger prawn dish covered in green chili, fenugreek, & curry leaves, and the Seasonal Uttapam, a rice & lentil pancake, covered in farm vegetables & sambar. I thought these two were more unique than the acorn squash coconut curry dish or the banana leaf wrapped black fish. I love banana leaf wrapped fish but the fish used in this was really really bony, the kind with lots of little bones that made it really hard to eat so I think we regretted the $45+ we spent on this. Overall we had an enjoyable experience here and it's wonderful to see South Indian food represented and getting much deserved attention-- I think personally it would be tough for me to justify spending this much on another meal here, which is not to say they should charge less-- I'm fully on board with food made by people of color deserving to charge on par prices with European cuisines we are used to spending top dollar for-- so I would be more mindful of spend should I consider another visit here. read more

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What can I add to what has been already said..! People have spoken- this is the place for South Indian food -unapologetic ,unique and class of its own. The menu is original and interesting and service is on point. Do try the goat intestines- delish..and goat biryani. Drinks have intriguing South Indian names- I got Aiyo which looks like masala tea but -Aiyyo is a full on mezcal drink, lol. Enjoy the kerala inspired interiors and fancy food. Just remember to make reservations or at least put yourself on the wait list as we did- we were confirmed a day before and felt like hitting a jackpot. The double ka mitha was not as sweet as expected but the evening left some sweet memories. read more

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Loved the appetizers of the gunpowder dosa and scallops. So delish but the scallops did only have two for 23 seems like a bad deal. The short rib is out of this world. I split the biryani with a friend and while she was a huge fan, I was not. Could use more spices for my pallet, but I also did not have the spice tolerance for the sauce so that might have made it a new experience. My friend got the lobster tail and it has the most incredible sauce. Worth the seat at the bar for the meal. read more

It's located in a cute part of Greenwich Village. The interior is colorful, vibrant, and full of life (and people!). The service is quick and efficient. The server explained the menu to us and gave common recommendations with quick jests in between. Overall, I expected much more of the food. When I come to a Michelin Star restaurant, I expect a bit more boundary experimentation with the food. Don't get me wrong, the food was good - it just wasn't exactly creative. The masalas were flavorful, but are things I could've made with my mom. I was expecting more of a Goan, tropical, citrusy twist, but I just got expensive ingredients like venison put into classical dishes. Just didn't blow my mind for the incredibly high price tag read more

Semma - Oxtail curry & parotha - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

This was one of the more unique Indian spots I have been to! With all of the hype I was shocked they were able to take my friend and I walk in at 7pm for dinner on a Wednesday night. We sat outside since it was so nice out and the service was just as great! The dishes are not cheap but not super overpriced especially for Indian food. The dosa was the highlight. The ambiance is very nice and I would recommend trying out this spot! (But don't bend over backwards for a reservation since you can sometimes walk in!) read more

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The maitre d' people are so rude. I showed up on my way home from a run around 6pm and asked to put my name down for a seat at the bar (for one!), and was told not to bother because the waitlist is so long, there isn't enough time to serve everyone. I said that's fine, can I put my name down anyway? I've lived in NYC and dined at these places long enough to feel confident in my chances. They reiterated the message, suggesting I didn't understand what was said. I said again that I'd like to put my name down because I live very close by and will take my chances. Gosh! Sweetheart, I've been dining here since before the Michelin star and why does anyone need to justify and explain this request multiple times? Is this a guided tour of the White House that I'm trying to sign up for? And OF COURSE, I got a text an hour later that my seat was ready. I ate elsewhere. New York City is full of great restaurants no one needs to put up with this rudeness. read more

This is the ONLY Michelin restaurant that I left genuinely feeling satiated! First of all, getting a reservation to this restaurant was not easy. They open up reservations 31 days in advance at 12:01am and even then, the prime times are taken within SECONDS. I got on at 12:01am and already there was only 5pm or 9pm available for a table for 5 on a Sunday. When we arrived, there was already a line forming out the door. The doors opened promptly at 5pm and the restaurant was already filled! The service was impeccable. I don't think my glass of water was ever more then 2 sips empty and every time I put my napkin down, someone would come and fold it and they brought out the food perfectly timed so I never felt like I was waiting too long or that I was being rushed and kicked out of the restaurant. We even went to the restaurant with a 2 year old and they were super patient and entertaining with her! The food was in SUCH large quantity and there was so much flavor and variety. Lots of options for veggie and meat eaters, and honestly I think the vegetarian dishes were even tastier. I also love that it was a la carte instead of prix fixe since most Michelin are prix fixe. This format let you be more flexible and spend only the amount of money you wanted! This is what we got for 5 people, in the order of most to least liked Gunpowder dosa (v): this was absolutely incredible. I actually have never had a dosa this amazing in my life. It was VERY spicy but not too much where it is unenjoyable - just perfect! PANIYARAM (v) Eral Thokku (non-veg): grilled prawns were cooked very tenderly and had a masala-heavy marinade MANGALORE HUUKOSU (v) Kozhi Allepey (non-veg) Dindigul Biryani (non-veg) 3 sides of Kal Dosa 1 side of coconut rice 1 dessert Overall, this was an incredible experience. I cannot wait to be back! read more

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Booked a resy day of and was super excited to try Semma! I've heard good things and have been craving Indian food. If you're looking for Americanized Indian food like butter chicken or tikka masala, you won't find that here. Semma dives deep in to South Indian fare and I highly recommend you try it! What we tried- Gunpowder Dosa: This is huge! I LOVE dosas and ordering in person is always recommended. You want it fresh and crispy. I love the fermented flavor of the dough (it's subtle) and the potato masala was something I've never tried before. The accompanying sauces and sambar were the perfect flavor enhancers. Def recommend it! Attu Kari Sukka: The lamb was sooo good but beware! It was very spicy to me. There is flavor to this spice though, it's not just spicy to be spicy. I loved tasting all the different flavor profiles of the spices and how they work together. It was seasoned nicely and the lamb had a great consistency. Goanese Oxtail: I've been CRAVING oxtails like crazy and this definitely satisfied. Succulent, tender pieces of meat, perfectly seasoned in a light gravy sauce. This was also spicy but not as spicy as the lamb. This paired with rice was delicious. What else I tried but can't write a detailed review on: Meen Pollichathu, Mulaikattiya Thaniyam & my pina colada-esque drink that I can't find the name of. Honestly the 3 dishes I reviewed above are must orders to me. It was a well seasoned and a fun restaurant to eat at! It's kind of tight inside the restaurant since the tables are close together but it didn't deter me and my partner. Service was nice and our waitress took the time to recommend and explain dishes to us. My bf is South Indian and he was very satisfied with this meal! We will definitely be back! read more

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Spice bomb overload in the best way. Overall a very happy meal. Favorites: *Snail - tiny and juicy, probably the spiciest dish we had. *Cauliflower - looks boring from the photo but the flavor was so good! *Dosa - needless to say it lived upto it's hype! *Lamb appetizer - I'm not a lamb eater but this dish was not too gamey and very tender. *Bean Sprout - gave a refreshing palette cleanse, crunchy and beautifully presented. *Lobster Curry Moilee Okay for me (but still good): *Oxtail - a bit heavy on flavor for me plus the fatty parts of meat overall the dis just feels heavy. Love the bone marrow that came with it. *Venison - better than the oxtail entree but both are on the similar side, wish the waiter let us know these two sorta overlap in flavor. *The 2 desserts we tried, forgot the name. *The 2 cocktails we tried (out of the 5 options) Dislike: *Pancake - it's pretty thick and dense, the sauces are identical with Dosa, the only dish we didn't love. Now I want to try Dhamaka & Adda even more! read more

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This review is for the booking system. I was on the 9am on the dot, picked my time and was going through the rest form pretty quickly only for the reservation to suddenly be no longer available. Do better Semma - you obviously don't want any normal ppl eating here. read more

Great food and service sat at the bar and had short ribs prawn lobster and pudding bill was 136 very tasty and great staff . read more

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Decent place but leaves you desiring more improved dishes. Good: Great fish, beef and dosa Not great: Chicken, Biriyani and Parrota Mainly Parrota seemed a bit like store bought and not flaky as expected read more

The vibe here was immaculate and the servers were all really nice and attentive. 1. Nathai Pirattal (8.5/10): This was an interesting dish and I think they executed it well. The snail shells at the bottom were a nice touch aesthetically. 2. Gunpowder Dosa (10/10): This is what Semma is known for and it does not miss. The flavors were outstanding for the dosa, and it is definitely a must get dish here. 3. Dindigul Biryani (7/10): This kinda fell flat for me compared to some of the other dishes, but still overall delicious. There was a lot and I was able to take it home for leftovers. 4. Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (9/10): The flavor for the curry was very good, and the lobster texture hit. Definitely one of the better dishes here. 5. Attu Kari Sukka (9/10): Pretty good, I would definitely order this again. It was soft and there were so many pieces. 6. We got a chicken dish but I forgot the name of the dish. It was delicious and was perfectly spicy. 7. Meen Pollichathu (9/10): This was delicious and super fresh. There was a lot of flavor and was super big. It took a while longer than the other dishes to come out. We also got dessert and it was so delicious. I would definitely go back for the dosa and the dessert. read more

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Very good food, it lived up to the hype built around the visit. Food: Pros: Excellent appetizers and main course items. Cons: Desert was ordinary at best, specially the passion fruit desert. Service: Pros: Server was knowledgeable, explained really well, talked about the special which was excellent, and the waiters were attentive. Cons: My water glass was empty while remaining three of us had glasses full. I had stepped away to the restroom when water was served but for a Michelin star restaurant they should have known it was a table for 4. We had the first table close to the entrance and I was cold through out as the door was constantly opening. I would strongly recommend fixing this issue and for customers to certainly not sit on the first (or first two) tables read more

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Was so difficult to get reservations but the place is just too much hype. Food was disappointing. All of us had horrible stomach upset and vomiting after eating here. Not coming back! read more

In the West Village, where the urban beats of New York clash and meld with nostalgia, you'll find Semma -- not just a restaurant, but a bold declaration of Southern Indian cuisine. With the accolades to back it up, snagging a table last minute at this Michelin-starred joint is a fool's errand. Unless, of course, you're lucky enough to have a friend in Chef Vijay Kumar (whom I fondly call 'Thambi'), the maestro behind the scenes. Vijay, with his compatriots Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya, have ventured where few dare: spotlighting dishes so intimately tied to home and hearth, they're usually reserved for family gatherings in far-off Tamil Nadu. The journey kicked off with 'Paniyaram', these little dumplings -- a heartfelt nod to days bygone, nestled with paatti's chutney, a flavor so grandmothers-eque, it tugs at your soul. Then, the 'Gunpowder Dosa' slid in. Damn. Easily one of the best dosas I've ever had the pleasure to rip apart. The crisp rice & lentil crepe paired with that spice mix? A riot. The potato masala, a soft whisper amidst the fiery ensemble. This dish is a must have. I've had it every time I've visited. Nuf said. 'Attu Kari Sukka' graced the table, with lamb singing notes of black cardamom, tellicherry peppers, and mace -- a symphony of the South. The 'Goanese Oxtail' slow and seductive with its dance of green cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin, whispered tales of India's verdant west coast. 'Dindigul Biryani' came swaggering in, with the goat and seeraga samba rice playing a tantalizing duet, infused with wafts of garam masala and mint. And the 'Parotta', which was constantly replaced by our side, well, that's art in flour form -- layers upon layers, marvolously flakey. From my vantage in the Malaysian food world, seeing a kindred spirit like Vijay tear it up in the Big Apple, on the same global stage where ethnically Indian folks are rocking it from tech boardrooms to gourmet kitchens, it's a sight to behold. In the words of the late, great Bourdain, "Food is everything we are." And Semma, with every bite and every story, reminds us of this universal truth. read more

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I am South Indian , so it was pretty good! Mocktails better than the fancy cocktail All the vegetarian food was grand. Definitely get the coconut rice. read more

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Truly lived up to the hype! As an Indian American, it's exciting to hear about south Asian restaurants being awarded statuses, like a Michelin star! I went to this spot after work and grabbed a spot at their bar. Right away, the music was a good level where I could hear others still and the servers were friendly. I ordered the gunpowder dosa and the poriyal and both were delish!!!! The dosa had fantastic flavor and the chutneys were heavenly, particularly the coconut chutney. I ordered dessert per the servers Rec and I am so glad I did! It was creamy and smooth with little bites of soft coconut that melted in my mouth! 100% would go again read more

Semma - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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Having tried Adda before, we were excited to try Semma. Great service, ambiance, and good food! The dosa was fresh and crispy with some good heat. We also loved the oxtail which was juicy and tender. Comparing the two, I would say Semma was better. Gunpowder Dosa (vo) | rice & lentil crepe, potato masala, sambar Attu Kari Sukka | lamb, black cardamom, tellicherry peppers, mace Meen Pollichathu | banana leaf wrapped sea bass, ginger, shallots Goanese Oxtail | Angus oxtail, green cardamom, cumin, cilantro Coconut rice read more

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Wow, another incredible restaurant by unapologetic foods. Being the sister restaurant of Dhamka, it did not disappoint! Semma focuses on South Indian food and I thought it was generally less spicy, although it could have been the dishes we ordered. Gunpowder dosa - what they're known for and for good reason. Dosa's aren't usually my go to but this changed my mind about them! The crepe was perfectly crispy and the potato masala was so flavorful especially paired with the sauces. Kudal Varuval (goat intestines) - was very excited to try this since I love tripe. It was cooked perfectly with the masala and had a decent kick to it. The intestines were very tender and I loved it eating like a taco with the kal dosa that came on the side. This was probably my favorite dish although it was hard to decide because all of them were delicious. Goanese Oxtail - also incredible! The oxtail was so tender and fall off the bone and a healthy portion. The sauce was also delicious mopped up with rice and their deliciously buttery parotta. Cannot wait to come back here to try more of their popular dishes like the snails and cauliflower! A great place to visit to celebrate a special occasion or have a memorable meal. read more

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10/10 hands down one of the best South Indian food in NYC and makes THE BEST DOSA!! From the ambiance, service, great cocktail specials, and of course the food. Very happy to try this spot and everything I ordered was spot on so you can't go wrong! What I ordered: - Eral Thokku | tiger prawn, green chili, fenugreek, curry leaves - Kudal Varuval (n) | goat intestines, garam masala, kal dosa - Attu Kari Sukka | lamb, black cardamom, tellicherry peppers, mace - Mirchi Ka Salan (v, n) | stuffed long peppers, sesame seeds, peanuts - Meen Pollichathu | banana leaf wrapped sea bass, ginger, shallots - Dindigul Biryani | goat, seeraga samba rice, garam masala, mint - Parotta - Ponni Rice read more

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Solid Indian food place; flavors were good, SUPER spicy (which I love) and service was great. The only reason it's not 5 stars is that at this price point I expect really out of this world food and honestly my favorite basic Indian food places are just as good (not in NY though - still trying to find that simple great takeout Indian food here.) As far as what to get, the gunpowder dosa and the lamb appetizer were the standouts and the bread pudding like dessert was the best thing of the night. (I would come back just for the bread pudding.) So far the best Indian place I've tried in the city, worth it if you are looking for dependable good Indian food. read more

It's no wonder they got Michelin's mark within mere months. The Gunpowder Dosa is their signature dish. The classic comfort remains recognizable, but there has never been a batter so beautiful, or a spice mix so formidable. The Nathai Piratta is one of their more unusual offerings, tender snails in ginger-tamarind sauce. Mirchi Ka Salan simmers stuffed peppers in a sesame-peanut sauce. Recommended for vegetarians who can take the heat. Meen Pollichathu is a whole sea bass simmered in ginger and shallots, topped with a creamy sauce. Valiya Chemmeen Moiles is just stunning, a lobster of epic proportions, cooked to perfection with a gravy of mustard, turmeric, and coconut milk. This one is the dish to remember, unanimously voted the best of the night. Paratha and coconut rice are mandatory options for soaking up sauce, and both are beautifully made. If you want to end the meal with something sweet, a Shahi Tukda will do. It's a bread pudding of buttery brioche soaked in a fragrant, milky cream. It'll hit that dessert craving without making you feel like you can't move. Every bite was amazing. I already expected to be blown away, but Semma still exceeded all expectations. read more

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Been here twice now and it's never disappointed! Decided to go here for my birthday and we ordered the gunpowder dosa, green chili pepper in peanut sauce with coconut rice and some appetizers. We also had their dessert special which was a fresh mango concoction served on ice. It's usually hard to get a reservation but we went around 4:45 and waited in line outside until it opened. We got a seat at the bar which is first come first served, and the service was great I ordered a cocktail with coconut which was delicious. They also brought me a special dessert for my birthday read more

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Came here for my 3rd marriage anniversary! Getting a reservation was slightly difficult but not terrible. The food was really good with the gunpowder dosa being the star of the dinner. I also really loved the dessert we got it was the perfect mix of tangy and sweet! The main upset was the table we sat at ( in a tight corner) and they ran out of parathas so we had to eat our meals with rice. It wasn't a huge deal just a slight bummer. Overall, I would definitely come back! read more

Semma - Passionfruit dessert - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Great place to enjoy South Indian food. Gun Powder Dosa is indeed delicious and sumptuous. Service was excellent. Would love to go there again to try the other dishes. read more

Definitely overhyped. Nothing was particularly bad, but for the price range, I wanted things to be a lot more flavorful. The ox tail really lacked flavor, and a lot of the meats were pretty dry. The best dish of the night by far was the gunpowder dosa, followed by the cauliflower appetizer read more

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Showed up to Semma with my husband for my birthday dinner. I prepaid the dinner on Dorsia and I was looking forward to it all week. My husband had a cardiac event at the restaurant and we had to leave and go directly to the emergency room. However, because Semma believes it is a highly sought after dinner experience it is unwilling to give us any credit to return there and have that experience, and is instead choosing to keep the $300 dollars I already paid (and now have nothing to show for it). A Truly disgusting response to what was a very scary evening for my husband and I. Regardless of whether the food is good (I wouldn't know!!) the attitude and service speaks for itself. read more

One of my best meals in NYC!! Came with a group of 6 and ordered almost everything on the menu! The lobster tail is to die for (5/5) The gunpowder dosa (lentil crepe) and the moongdal crepe was made crisp to perfection and oh so delicious. (5/5) The tiger prawns appetizer was also among the MVPs of the night. (5/5) The mirchi ka salan main dish had a delicious curry - great choice for vegetarians (4.5/5) The lamb appetizer was very tender, but rich with ghee (4.5/5) The crispy cauliflower was spicy, coconutty and delicious (5/5) For sides the kal dosa and the paratha are great complements to any curry. Highly recommend the shahi Tukda dessert. The coconut dessert was my least favorite (4/5) but that's simply because everything else was sooo good! I'll definitely be back! read more

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Unapologetic Foods. Love what this brand stands for. This team is behind many restaurants, including Dhamaka, Rowdy Rooster, and Semma which we finally tried last night. The group was formed on a likely all-too-familiar experience for many ethnic restaurants, where a customer wanted an apology because the food was served "too spicy". (Hold my tongue from snarky comment) To be honest, I am not familiar enough with South Indian food to judge authenticity but it was absolutely delicious. Started off with four amazing appetizers: the Gunpowder Dosa in its perfectly equilateral triangular shape, the Nathai Piratthal which is a ginger-y, delectable snail dish, Eral Thokku giant tiger prawns covered in herbaceous green chili, and Attu Kari Sukka an incredibly tender and un-gamey lamb. The main courses of the night were the Valiya Chemmeen Moilee a lobster tail soaked in a creamy coconut milk based sauce, the Meen Pollichathu that for sea bass almost chewed like meat, and the Goanese Oxtail that essentially dripped off its bone. We obviously ordered extra rice and parotta because we would have had to apologize for leaving any drip of sauce on any of those plates. One lingering thought... I would go for even more heat because it wasn't "too spicy" for me! Here's to never apologizing for who you are! read more

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