I'm soooooo out of touch with things culinary in my own home town! This little joint is on a nondescript side street in a part of town filled with car repair shops, small (really, really small) manufacturers, and, well, um, not much of anything, really. And yet, it's part of the Vikram Vij empire. Who knew? This guy is an amazing restaurateur. I've only ever been to his original place, "Vij" (or is that "Vij's"?), and that was fantastic. Amazing food and not-amazing prices. And, unlike a lot of places, he's there. The place doesn't take reservations, so there's usually a line outside. No problem (well, as long as the weather cooperates) - he's out there, too, wandering from waiting guest to waiting guest, handing out cups of chai. Once you get inside, he'll be by your table suggesting possible combinations of dishes and drinks. Or, for that matter, dishes and dishes. This guy has succeeded because he really deserves to.

Anyway, the only reason I'm bringing this up is that I had no idea he owned this little "dump" when I photographed it. The New York Times, however, was much more clued in.