Ron W.
Yelp
Kahani is a pop-up bucking for a permanent base. It offers high end, upscale Indian cuisine suitable for a Rajah's Daughter's nuptials.
The decor is opulent, lavish, luxurious and smacks of old and new money although the pricing is manageable for what you will experience.
Kahani is borrowing the EnoSteak space at the Ritz Carlton and added a few elements and flourishes. For example there is so much gold leaf spread around that the Golden Buddha in the National Museum in New Delhi is now nearly naked.
The small dining room is elegant without being stuffy, so settle in.
The Staff: Rough cut diamonds who paid copious attention during their training in hopes that Kahani survives and offers a full time gig. Samantha and Camille were charming and cared for their assigned guests like Faberge Eggs.
Larry, a seasoned Veteran as polished and smooth as an Indian Prince's brass buttons, directs traffic from the host podium to the table. He should offer a Master Class on how to be a savvy Maitre d'Hotel.
The Bar: Signature cocktails that are suitable to leave any Real Housewife with that amusing glow which alcohol produces. There is a huge Wine List borrowed from EnoSteak along with their Somm to assist. So finding the right wine will be easy.
My Chai Fashioned which could've powered a Tesla battery came in a High Ball glass. One quick stir and everything re-settled into place. Ultimately, the drink was as smooth as a puppy's tummy.
Who's here? He wanted to try something new and where else can you leave the Lambo without being hassled for a large spiff or worse, followed home these days? She wanted somewhere tried and true and just received something witchy from Jean Paul Gaultier before he hung up his pin cushion and retired that costs as much as what the whole staff makes in a year. He orders everything with his eyes and she picks at her Papadum as trophies are a depreciating asset and it's only 6 months until Bikini weather.
The Food: Who knew Indian food could be elevated to this level?
As you are seated a runner runs over and sets down a tray of crackers with a Spicy Mint/Yogurt Sauce, and some Tomato Chutney which was creamy instead of merely a Salsa wannabe. Salty, crunchy and perfect to go with your cocktail.
The Masala Beets beat a path to the table and happily so. Torched Goat Cheese, Citrus Greens, Pistachio, sweetened Yogurt all awash in a Honey Vinaigrette dotted with Cilantro Oil. You're not going to find this in the frozen food case at Trader Joe's. This was a sophisticated composition featuring farm fresh ingredients married to haute technique.
The Ajwain Scallops were seared and then halved onto a pool of Tamarind Gastrique mixed with Cauliflower Crema and non-slimy Okra Masala. Add it all up and this was one brilliant concoction.
Saag Paneer was different. Normally, it's smooth chopped Spinach/Green Vegetables with cubes of Farmer's Cheese resembling salty Firm Tofu. Here that familiar Cheese was settled into a bowl of Jungle Green Soup. The dish fell short of the mark. Saag Paneer is Indian comfort food and this version said a prep cook walked away from the Vitamix that was cranked up to Destroy.
The Malai Kofte was a Vegetable Dumpling laid to rest in a wading pool of Tomato Curry. The Sauce was the star here.
I was reluctant to ask for the Wagyu Short Ribs. Wagyu is mostly a fatty business. Fat with streaks of meat created by the same mad man ad man who renamed the Patagonian Toothfish to Chilean Sea Bass.
Wrong! This dish was fabulous. Tender squares of meat that looked like meat instead of Fat Back. The Short Ribs Slices lay in Rogan Josh Sauce, a mildly spiced Tomato Sauce, along with Tumeric, Sage, Sago Palm Pith, Cumin, Chili Aioli, Potato bits, Pickled Shallot slices, Charred Shishito Peppers, and a Sago Crisp. This tied for the best dish of the night.
Next, out came the perfect Chilean Sea Bass which was as good as fish gets. A Bean Ragu, Delicata Squash, Mustard Oil, Curry Leaf, and Ninja Radish were all important supporting actors but the Fish took the Oscar.
Full to my hat band, I asked for Malwas Cake. Think Indian Carrot Cake with just the right sweet index that produced a satisfying happy ending. Okay...it was close enough any way.
Here's hoping Kahani finds a forever home in OC.