Eating Michelin Starred Dosas at Semma. The Best Indian Restaurant in NYC 

Hey James, just want to say thanks for keeping me company while I eat alone. I don't always, but sometimes I work late and have to get something on the way home. Watching you have a great meal elevates my meal (even if it is Chick-Fil-A). You said once that you wish you had someone to share the experience with, but you have thousands of people with you. Keep up the great content!

It is a Tamil restaurant and the dishes are traditional tamil dishes. The dindugal biryani is a specially made known not only for its different rice type but also the spices. The spice masala they make is grounded in traditional grinding stone ..not mixies or machines., It has lot of pepper and the spices really clear ur nose and throat if u have any upper respiratory infection.

Awesome as per usual James. I love Indian food (vegetarian please) especially dosa! Yours from Semma was epic. No goat biryani though, I would have tried more of their small/medium plates. It looked wonderful - beautiful Tamilian food.

What i really liked about the whole video was that you didn't speak while eating, either explaining about the taste and experience. You really maintained a gentle nature to not disturb other customers because ive seen many youtubers just speaking and it really is annoying. Keep creating more such content 👍

Former New York Times food critic Ruth Reichel always said, “New York is the best fed city in the world”. She had it right and your videos illustrate this all so well.

I love Indian food! I really want to try the Pondicherry Dosa from the famous NY Dosas in Washington Square Park.

You perfectly said "mulagai podi " ( chilli powder). Ate it finger licking good.

Another alluring review. We NYers are so lucky to have you guiding us to all the epicurean hot spots our city has to offer. Thanks James.

Another great video. Fascinating look at a great cuisine we don't know enough about. Plus your attention to detail shows how great restaurants really make dining there an experience

Loving your videos! I love watching them while eating. haha Seriously, you should have 100k+ subscribers...keep it up and soon you will.

Your reviews are always so detailed and comprehensive!

I continue to enjoy working my way backwards through your postings. I’m really impressed with your culinary knowledge and experience and expect to gain more insight as I travel back. Such a pleasant trip. Thanks.

As Tamil origin Malaysian, I would say the meals look pretty authentic. The podi masala dosa and Dindugal Seeraga Samba mutton Biryani look simply exquisite. Southern India or the deep south as we call it, from the Malabar shores of Kerala to the heartland of Tamil Nadu, from Mysuru of Karnataka all the way to Hydrebad of Telangana, remarkably vast as it sounds , the Southern cuisine is completely unique by itself and as vast as it gets, its simply out of this world 😊

Wow, you narrated this video so beautifully, you made everything sound that much more delicious! You stimulated all 5 senses without us even being physically with you! Amazing video, hope we can see more of this!

You should have at least 800k subscribers this is quality content

Masala Dosa is always the best breakfast ....and here you chose the best dessert ...It's very soothing after a spicy food, which is prepared in other varities too in South India. This Restaurants name "Semma" pronounced as 'Summ_mah' means- Wow or Superb. Tamil people usually use this word while describing their feeling for something excellent. Eg : When our friend gets win, we will say - Semma Macha !!

Great review! I’m so tempted to eat that food!

Tender coconut is an extremely light and delicate flavour and whenever its the focus ingredient, there wouldn't be anything else that can linger and overshadow it, be it in payasam, soufflé or icecreams. Its one of those rare instances in Indian culinary space where the flavour of main ingredient is not completing with anything else.

James, you've struck another one out of the park. Bravo!!

Nice video and well done on choosing the authentic Tamil dishes. Seeraga samba is a short grain rice typically used in biriyani made in Tamil Nadu. Its so much easier on the tummy and digests far easier. Elaneer payasam is a recent invention and glad chef Vijay has it on the menu.

Another great video! I really appreciate your thoughtful reviews. Would you be open to doing a sit down video with your own “awards” of which restaurant had the best appetizer, drinks, entree, dessert, experience etc according to your opinion? You could do a yearly recap! Would love to hear what you think.

Loved the review James!

Not enough Indian Restaurant Reviews. Glad you did it. You are due to visit Cote Korean Steakhouse for Michelin 1 Star!

James I love Indian food and your reviews thank you

Been expecting this one since you mentioned it in response to me talking about the starred Indians in London. We're a bit spoilt for Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine here in the UK, so it's not one I would usually go for while travelling abroad. Semma looked interesting though and I do like a nice dosa (and agree that the potato should be soft!).

Not only informative your Semma restaurant video was hugely educative one for us viewers

Hi James, I really enjoyed this video showing the delicious offerings of Semma. It is impressive and brave when a restaurant stays true to the flavors of the world region it represents. Great first impression with the Mango juice 🙏🏼As someone who can't handle higher heat levels in food, I always try my best to eat the intended spice level without asking for milder. It doesn't always work well 24 hrs later .. lol , but at least I get the real intention for flavor and am building up my pallet . And on that thread of thought, you really enjoyed this experience to the fullest. The way you try each sauce and chutney with the Dosa and Dindigul Biryani teaches us that food is fun and you just have to try new combinations. And speaking of that Dindigul Biryani.. .You are the GOAT for almost finishing that entire goat dish! So impressive my friend... your experience really corresponds so well to the name of the restaurant.. Semma. 🏆

You had 2 main courses basically. Dosa is a meal by itself . Brave attempt .

Good recommendation on my next visit. Thanks for sharing

Yet again a flawless review James. Very informative yet light hearted. You have a real down to earth style and manor which would beg the question. How come no TV channel has approached you regarding a regular slot on one. May you have a great night and many more culinary experiences in the future. Bravo James keep pushing on buddy. Blessings from the UK 😊😊😊😊

You give REALLY good reviews!

New York has got to be the best place for Indian food outside of India, great review! Your upload schedule is perfect to start the week

Wobbling out of a restaurant is a clear indicator of a great, filling meal!

" Semma' is a Tamil word that denotes excellent /marvellous/ fantastic / superb etc.

Looks like the menu hasn’t change at all 😂 I’m glad you enjoyed! Both desserts were pretty good.

James got the Orient and the SKX, nice collection

That's a great price for all that food, considering it's a Michelin starred restaurant. It looked fabulous. Interesting to see the choice of rice they used, instead of the Biryani.

Semma has originated from the Tamil word Semmai meaning Rich and prosperous. I am amazed by your appetite. You ate 3 meals in a single sitting. Not even a regular Indian can do that unless we are feasting. I wish you get to eat a traditional Indian feast on banana leaf one day

You want good dosa in NYC? Go to the temple canteen of the Hindu Temple in Bowne St, Flushing.

It is amazing James how much food you can consume,lol. What I've found with Indian food is they do try and make dishes that help neutralize all the heat from curry or in this case Biryani, they usually carry that through with certain beverages as well. Thanks for the review.

Come to Noor. It's One Michelin in the North of the Netherlands representing groningen 😁

Just wondering…would it have been ok to have uneaten food packed up to go? This video was enjoyable as well as educational! I learned more about Indian food!

Very inspiring.Thank you.

Good review I have to try it. My favorite is Junoon it's a higg end Indian and have 3 course plates had a special dessert that week mishky doi

You must use your hands to eat South Indian food.. Dindugal Briyani not Dindle Briyani bro.. - Seeragha Sambha rice is the short fat rice much tastier earthy aromatic than BASMATI Rice from Punjab in South Indian cuisine.. Spices blended with meat.Dindugal is a district in Tamilnadu. Elaneer payasam the dessert aka Tender coconut Payasam Podi DOSA looked great with perfect Sambhar and Chutney sides.. Wonderful South Indian Tamil Cuisine...

Thank you James Please try Kerala restaurants in US. Great review Great camera work and you are an amazing person.. Best wishes from India

Hope you will do a review of Ear Inn….oldest bar in nyc!

Orient Bambino in the wild. I am from South India, we do eat of rice, that's definitely a lot of food for one person.

I'm not so much into Indian food, but I'm mouth watering watching this video.

I love that you licked your fingers ;) a great compliment to the chef!

That Biriyani portion was for 2, so kudos for the brave attempt!

Will definitely go for walk in!!!

Lmao, the Starbucks napkins coming in clutch with the biryani

Good succinct video, thanks for bringing us along with you. The restaurant based on your friendly criticism sounds to me to not be Michelin one star level. Either that or I dont know what Mitchelin one star means. For me, people not clearing the plates quickly is a big error in restaurant service.

If you could, drive to the A2B in Parsippany, NJ for an authentic Dosa experience. I'd like to see how a "Michelin Star" Dosa really compares... While Manhattan is in shortage of Dosa, Ganesh temple is in Queens, there is the Dosa man and a bad Saravanaa Bhavan franchise, no dearth of options in, Jersey.

Wow, looks yummy

I looked at their menu but I don’t see mango lassi listed. I loved eating spicy biryani while sipping a yogurt mango lassi.

Great review! Did they ask if you wanted the rice less spicy?

Lovely ❤❤❤ You need to eat at my home in Delhi or London soon

Looks good and you can get this food in india like for dosa = 1-2$, biryani - 4-5$ in expensive hotels and in not much expensive it will be around 80 cents for dosa and birayani for 1-2$ 😊

138 West 15th Anthroposophy NYC Center & Bookstore Close by Union Square A great cultural resource.

I wonder how often James is mistaken for a Michelin judge when he dines alone in these fine NYC restaurants. I thought of this when he recently dined at La Bernardin. If I were Chef Ripert I would send out an extra amuse bouche just in case.

Oh no he added the raita and gravy directly to the bowl! Lol.

I'm afraid to ask how much does a dosa cost at a michelin starred resto.

U know the yogurt with biryani is called Raita

Beautiful food. They don't have napkins?

Orient bambino as the watch! Can trust him! 😀

🙏 A dash of saffron in the dessert would have made the difference,😊

Is a Don Angie review coming?

Take this from a South Inidan, MTR in Seattle is currently one of the best Authentic Inidan dosa or any dish that you get there in the whole United States.

James, for a skinny guy you can put the food away. Plus you always got to have dessert.👍 A lot of other reviewers avoid the sweets.

Seeing prunes in that dessert

you came to dine with a full camera crew?

Did you run in the Chicago marathon over the weekend?

Made a dahi rice of a biryani. Got to teach these people how to eat our food. -_-'

This music was triumphant, lol.

nice have you eaten dosa in india

The best dose should be crispy on the one side and soft on other side

He thought about going around the corner to McD's for a large fries but decided against it.

Love from india

actually eating one dosa is enough but you have eaten it with a bucket biryani is a real deal.

The best indian restaurant is in Chicago. I've tried this place, it's very good but not the best.

Does this dude know what dosa texture is supposed to be?

Go to red rooster innharlem by markus

Semma is amazing

I LOVE Indian, having been intiated in Indian food by friends from Mumbai who do NOT serve white girl curry. LOL.

You know that first dish, it is like 5 cents in india : /

The same dishes would have cost around ₹500 or $6 in India.

I love dosa

this would all come to 7 dollah maxx in india

In india if we catch cold we prefer eating these spicy chai spicy lamb instead of taking tablets 😂😂😂

Has anyone ever tried dosas filled with testicles of goat/lamb/buffalo? My colleague had it in England.

ofc the best would be a south Indian restaurant, the food is so much better than North

You never eat Biryani from the serving bowl always take your portion in a plate and then eat it ❤❤

Semma in Tamil means amazing.

I’m surprised to hear a positive comparison between a Michelin-star restaurant of exotic flavors and Chipotle. It is disappointing.

Atleast you know gunpowder masala is Mulagapodi

Ohhh! Not napkins.😢

Thanks for not cutting dosa with fork and knife

Best dosa in the world. Are you for real?? Just cause it has a Michelin badge.