TLDR
Boldly spiced, authentic South Indian cuisine in the West Village. Famous for its crispy Gunpowder Dosa and refined regional dishes.
Instagram Posts References
Semma in the West Village is featured for a dish that appears to be a seafood preparation, possibly lobster, served in a rich sauce. The presentation suggests a focus on refined dishes and potentially upscale dining.
Dishoom is highlighted as a highly popular Indian restaurant chain with 11 locations across the UK, famous for attracting massive queues daily. The post announces its upcoming expansion to New York City next year, bringing its beloved dishes across the Atlantic. The reviewer praises their signature slow-cooked black daal and renowned chicken ruby, giving the restaurant a high rating of 8.8 on the Beli app, based on their experience at a London location.
Semma specializes in traditional South Indian cuisine, with a mission to present the breadth of Indian food beyond common dishes like chicken tikka masala and butter chicken. Executive Chef Vijayakumar customizes the dining experience for guests, selecting a diverse menu. Dishes are presented beautifully, and the restaurant encourages an authentic, hands-on eating experience, reflecting traditional Indian customs.
Semma is an Indian restaurant known for its South Indian cuisine. The image shows a large, crispy dosa served with accompaniments, indicating a focus on authentic and flavorful Indian dishes.
Semma is recognized for its 'Gunpowder Dosa', a large, crispy South Indian crepe served with dipping sauces. The impressive size and texture of the dosa suggest an authentic and flavorful culinary experience.
Recent lawsuits filed by three former hosts against Unapologetic Foods have brought serious allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment to the forefront at this Michelin-starred Indian restaurant.
Discover the rural cuisine of Southern India at Semma in the West Village, a Michelin-awarded restaurant where chef Vijay Kumar's James Beard Award highlights his acclaimed approach to Indian flavors.
Details
A Michelin-starred gem in the West Village, this restaurant brings the nuanced, rural cuisine of Southern India to New York City [1]. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef Vijay Kumar, the menu celebrates authentic, boldly spiced regional dishes like Gunpowder Dosa and Goanese oxtail curry [1], [2], [3]. While highly sought after for its exceptional flavors, the establishment has recently faced scrutiny regarding internal HR practices and operational challenges [4].
Food Overview
The restaurant serves an upscale a la carte menu focused on regional South Indian flavors, often using ingredients like cardamom, coconut milk, and chili [2], [3]. Highly recommended items include the Gunpowder Dosa, Goanese Oxtail, and Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (lobster), while some diners express mixed feedback on the value of specific vegetarian options compared to meat dishes [2], [5], [6].
The Gunpowder Dosa is a frequently cited must-order, alongside the Goanese oxtail curry and Valiya Chemmeen Moilee [2], [3].
Diners often praise the unique, flavorful South Indian dishes, though opinions frequently divide over the restaurant's high prices, reservation difficulties, and sometimes rushed service [5], [6].
Most Mentioned Dishes
- 01Gunpowder Dosa$2178 mentionsMenu: Gunpowder Dosa (vo)This dish is frequently described as 'fire,' 'GOATed,' and a stan...
- 02Lobster$5515 mentionsMenu: Valiya Chemmeen MoileeThe lobster dishes, particularly the Valiya Chemmeen Moilee, are ...
- 03Oxtail$5113 mentionsMenu: Goanese OxtailThe Goanese Oxtail receives mixed reviews; while some consider it...
- 04Biryani$4211 mentionsMenu: Dindigul BiryaniThe Dindigul Biryani is a highlight for some, described as authen...
- 05Short Rib$2711 mentionsMenu: Mattu Iraichi SukkaThe short rib dishes, including Mattu Iraichi Sukka, are frequent...
- 06Crab$14511 mentionsMenu: Kanyakumari Nandu Masala (For Two)The crab dishes, especially Kanyakumari Nandu Masala, are highly ...
Caveats
Securing a reservation is notoriously difficult, though walk-in bar seats are a more accessible option if you arrive well before opening [2], [3]. Be aware of recent reports regarding internal management and HR concerns at the restaurant group [4].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About SEMMA
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Im From La Visiting Nyc For The First Time And
"Mentioned as an example of high-quality upscale Indian food."
PositiveFrom post: Any Recommendations For A Finedineish Experience
"Recommended as an à la carte dining destination."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurants You Keep Going Back To Any
"Recommended restaurant."
PositiveFrom post: First Time In Nyc Recommendations For Halal
"Listed as a fine dining Indian restaurant to check for halal options."
NeutralFrom post: First Time In Nyc Recommendations For Halal
"Recommended by another user."
Neutral