I was happy to read the news on Eater that Vijay Bist of (the very delicious) ~AMBER INDIA~ is going to be opening another location into the large, vacant space on Valencia Street next to Luna Park. The name will be Amber Dara (the word dara reportedly means “earth” in Sanskrit), and is targeting an opening in summer 2011. Highlights: an “ethnic Indian menu sourced locally as much as possible,” an affordable price point, a mezzanine level and a lounge, full liquor license, and supposedly the chef, N. Rao, is “something of a prodigy in India” (I’m guessing it’s this guy, the director of the Culinary Academy of India). Bring it on. 680 Valencia St. at 18th St.
Lounge at Amber India SF (photo from Amber India).
