Suvai Taste of India, a new restaurant in downtown San Rafael, has quickly become a local favorite, offering a variety of bold and aromatic South Indian dishes. Opened in late November, Suvai brings the rich culinary traditions of Tamil Nadu to the area, featuring rice-based dishes, lentil stews, dosas, and coconut-forward curries.
A Taste of Tamil Nadu in San Rafael
Owner Raja Ramdass took over the former Taj of Marin space in October, partnering with chef Ganesh Sankar to craft a menu inspired by their home region of Tamil Nadu, located in southeastern India. Ramdass, who moved to the U.S. in 2014 and earned a master’s degree in engineering management, also owns restaurants in the East Bay.
Chef Sankar, with two decades of culinary experience, including time at India’s luxury ITC Hotels, brings his expertise to the kitchen. His menu features dishes made with house-roasted and ground spices, using organic produce sourced from the Thursday Marin Farmers Market. Suvai also offers both regular and gluten-free naan options.
A Menu with Traditional and Fusion Dishes
The name “Suvai,” meaning “taste” in Tamil, reflects the restaurant’s focus on balancing sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy elements. This concept extends beyond the menu to the restaurant’s décor, featuring custom wallpaper and placemats that highlight the cultural significance of these flavors and ingredients.
While the menu includes familiar Indian dishes like butter chicken and tandoori platters, it primarily highlights South Indian specialties. The dosas, which are crispy, crepe-like lentil and rice pancakes, are available with a variety of fillings, including classic masala, spinach, spiced chicken, and even a fusion pizza version with vegetables and mozzarella.
Other popular South Indian dishes include Chettinad-style curries such as Suvaiyana dal fry (lentils cooked with a house spice blend), ennai kathirikai kulambu (spicy eggplant curry), and chintamani chicken (a chili-forward dry curry). The menu also features Indo-Chinese options like chow mein and fried rice, which come with a side of house-made Schezwan sauce. Samosas, biryanis, and a selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian soups round out the offerings.
Hours and Location
Suvai Taste of India is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The restaurant is located at 807 Fourth St. in San Rafael.
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