Keith B.
Yelp
Let's start with something that I don't think people bother to point out:
Agni is not for everyone.
Nor should you feel like "you're missing out" because it doesn't sound good to you. It's just as much a "flavor journey" as it is "a place to get some food."
However, I'd argue it is more the former than the latter (however, some couples came in, and were clearly regulars and had a couple favorites items... but even then the flavors are not "basic" or where you'd take someone who "maybe can find something to eat on the menu" - that sounds like a recipe for disappointment).
I did the reserve pairing and tasting. It's expensive, but it was so damn good I think I would come back once the menu changes.
I *do* want to come back and try the (albeit, still, expensive) regular menu - but the service and staff made it so damn enjoyable, I'd go back just for some wine and to hang out at the bar. (And to order some Chaat - that was the winner for me). But I doubt it would affect this review - as a couple "non-tasting" items were tossed my way that just were so amazing that it felt evil for them to do that to me (I felt spoiled, y'all).
But to speak to "not for everyone" - especially the tasting - it's the kind of thing that you do because you enjoy flavors, textures, pairings, and the experience. It's small plates (note: I left full and happy). It's "Intsagrammable." And you see that level of pretentiousness generally reserved for huge cities where people pay too much money to be hungry.
Yes, it's Bengali influence is clear, but if someone said "I like Indian!" I wouldn't send them here if I didn't know their palate. In the tasting, I knew I was going to be served several things I don't seek out - sheep, goat, mushroom - but as someone that enjoys the experience and magic of food (and loves when you can tell the Chef puts themselves in their work) - it's the kind of thing you recommend when someone says "I like flavors, I like textures, and I like Bengali food, and I'm cool with fusions and twists."
First and foremost here: Talk to your server(s). Talk to the sommeliers. They know their shit, they will make recommendations and suggestions (I mean, some things I asked if it was better to "mix together" or "sample a bit of each" first - everyone had their own opinions on it).
Of their tasting menu - the Chaat (an early course) was my absolute favorite. I could eat a huge bowl of this. The sichuan kashmiri oil in their lamb dumpling was amazing (I don't like lamb, don't care, this was good to sample). Some items changed with the season - hence my "I want to come back and try the change up").
The wine/beer pairings were spot on - a sip, a bite, they played off of each other delicately and delightfully. I am not a wine person (I can pick out some flavors and scents, but I also am not a picky wine drinker), but they could speak to the bottle, where it came from, it's flavors, and how it could play together with the plate in front of me. Just a nice touch of elegance to the meal.
If you have a bad experience here with the food, I'm going to have to say you came somewhere when maybe your palate is not ready for it (and there is NOTHING WRONG with that! Just don't force yourself to have food you won't enjoy, what's the point of that?)
If you know what you like, the flavors, the textures, and you can experiment and enjoy new fusions and takes on things (they did a "take on Skyline chili" that was simple and delicious, yeah yeah - elevated the simple chili dish on a fried potato!) then Agni is 100% worth the visit.