Pearl Indian finally opens on Franklin at Sterling

I'm glad they're open, but the menu is disappointingly in line with the rest of our local Indian restaurants. I was holding out hope against hope that it would be something more interesting.

My expectations are low.

We went, and were pleasantly surprised by the food. Yes, it's nothing out of the ordinary, but the execution was excellent, especially considering it is opening night. I had the lamb handi, which was full of vegetables and flavor. My wife had the kofta, which was very much to her liking, with a flavorful sauce that evoked more than just cream, and just the right texture to the kofta ball itself. The chaat appetizer was good, but a little stale-tasting, while the pakoras were very tasty. Other tables we saw had some very nice-looking biryanis.

The lighting in the place is a little off today, with the fluorescent lights blinking nervously as if they were meant to induce a seizure. I inquired, and was told that the electrician has already been summoned.

No beer or wine so far. Unclear whether this is to be the case going forward, but unless they get a BYO license it's going to be tough for them to charge their prices and not provide patrons with any options for libation.

Service-wise, the waiter who seems like he is probably also the owner was very nice, and the food came out reasonably fast, with the appetizers down less than five minutes after our order. The food is served in nice traditional cast-metal bowls usually found in higher-end north Indian restaurants.

It won't stop us from going to Lexington Ave when we really want to treat ourselves, but Pearl definitely has promise as becoming our go-to neighborhood Indian place.

We ordered some food from them yesterday and it was quite good. I wish them well.