Mmmmmm...Dosa on Fillmore!

Last year, I ate at Dosa in the Mission and you can read all about it right here.

A little bit ago, Dosa opened up their second branch over on Fillmore. It's a much bigger space, in the former Goodwill store. You can look in the windows and see a mix of foodies, pre- and post-Kabuki moviegoers, and the general assortment of people you see in SF.

You walk in the door, are greeted by the hostess and then it's a bit strange. There's a long banquette along one side of the hostess area, which in the back of it has a large empty space. There are tables set aside near the bar, but those are not first-come-first-serve.

The bar, though, is first-come-first-serve and is a great spot to grab a bite. They also have a liquor license (the Dosa on Valencia only has wine and beer) and they have a tremendous bar lining one side of the restaurant. The drinks were strong and inventive: the former Absinthe and Nopa mixologist has created the cocktails and took hints from the food. Therefore, expect spices and fruits and exotic ingredients, Indian twists on classics.

The menu is more expansive, but the dosas are still here as well as other favorites from the menu in the Mission. We had the dahi vada (which was curiously not as good as the one on Valencia - too much yoghurt we felt), but the rest of the food was fantastic. We had one of the dosas of course.

We also tried a lamb curry: succulent, spicy, and a great balance of flavors. We also had a chicken biryani and the meat fell off the bone. While we had cocktails before eating, we paired the food with Indian beer. They have an extensive wine list. We were too full for dessert.

One final thought: I love that they make the following claim on their website, "DOSA is the only Indian restaurant in the Bay Area that has a holistic commitment to primarily organic, bio-dynamic and sustainable ingredients and products."

For a more intimate setting, go to the Mission. For a grander experience, go to Fillmore and then go see a movie (perfect pairing would be with slumdog millionaire, of course).