Lungi blends the cooking styles of South India and Sri Lanka and reflects the cultural upbringing of restaurateur and chef Albin Vincent who grew up in Kanyakumari, India, with deep roots in Sri Lanka. His culinary journey is rich with stories from his grandmother, an extraordinary cook who instilled his passion for food from a young age, teaching him the art of traditional Sri Lankan and Southern Indian dishes. Even though authentic South Asian fare has been in vogue in New York City for quite some time, it's been hard to find the bold, flavorful fare of Sri Lanka outside of Staten Island. Vincent, with Chef Vasantha Kumar from Tamil Nadu and Sous Chef Andrew Simethy from Kerala, offer both within a vibrant menu transporting diners into the homes and side street shacks of their native lands.
This place doesn't allow any BYOB even with corkage fee. Rather unusual for a neighborhood type of place.
Normally place that doesn't allow any BYOB has an impressive wine list.
I'm a fussy wine drinker, so I was shocked to see that their wine list had very limited (4 bottles each of white and red), very mediocre choices.
Either start charging modest corkage fee or substantially improve the wine list.
Food overall was tasty and unusual and interesting variety.
But one dish (Attukal Paya) that was recommended was so full of fat that we couldn't eat.