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Neighborhood Eats: Lungi serves authentic South Indian and Sri Lankan food on Upper East Side
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- This week's Neighborhood Eats takes you to a South Asian food spot recognized by the Michelin Guide just months after opening its doors. Lungi is an Upper East Side eatery specializing in South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines and flavors.Albin Vincent is the chef and co-owner of Lungi. Vincent says South Indian and Sri Lankan food are very similar, with Sri Lankan dishes generally having more spices. Both cuisines utilize totally different flavors when compared to North Indian food, according to Vincent.
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Chef/co-owner Albin Vincent, who grew up in Kanyakumari, India with deep roots in Sri Lanka, has penned a love letter to both regions at this Upper East Side restaurant with a contemporary setting. Chef Vincent learned to cook at his grandmother's knee, mastering the art of traditional Sri Lankan and Southern Indian dishes like pan-fried spicy kingfish served on a banana leaf with fried makrut lime leaves or kothu roti, a classic Sri Lankan specialty comprised of roti, meat, and sauteed vegetables mixed with scrambled eggs. Served with raita and a small side of curry with shredded chicken, it's not to be missed. For dessert, mashed carrots cooked down with warming spices and tossed with raisins and cashews is a sweet finale
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Sri Lankan Fare Takes Center Stage Uptown
While Sri Lankan food has made a mark in Staten Island, it’s moving beyond the borough to Manhattan’s Upper East Side with Lungi. Co-owner Albin Vincent is flipping Imli, his neighborhood spot for modern Indian food, into Lungi, with a focus on Sri Lankan and coastal South Indian fare. The restaurant is located at 1136 First Avenue, between 62nd and 63rd streets, opening Wednesday, September 18.
