Foodie Diary – San Francisco – Eyalan 🍛

Went in hoping for the tasting menu, but found out it’s limited and sells out fast — if it’s not an option during booking, it’s gone. Ended up trying the Family Style Fix Menu instead. I’ll be honest — my knowledge of Indian food is pretty much limited to my company’s Wednesday Indian lunch special. Beyond naan, roti, and chicken tikka masala… my vocabulary taps out 😢 But from what I can tell, Eyalan truly feels like modern Indian cuisine — not just another “Indian fine dining” spot tweaked for American tastes. You can really taste the layers of familiar-yet-unique spices in every dish. 🥇 Top Tier Chilled Green Grape Chaas Tangy with a hint of spice — just as hyped in other reviews. The outer sphere is crispy, and eating it in one bite offers an explosion of textures. Frozen Shrikhand (the dessert in the last photo) Creamy, sweet and tangy — not sure what the base was, but it was incredibly refreshing and delicious. 🥈 Solid Second Tier Hispi Cabbage Served in a rich curry with super thin, chewy flatbread. Flavorful but definitely on the salty side. Cod Tender and well-cooked — but again, a bit salty. 🥉 Interesting & Edible A taco-like dish (name forgotten) — salty but interesting. Grilled Mushrooms, Indian-style Juicy and flavorful — my first time trying this preparation. Fried Chicken Surprisingly moist and well-seasoned. Grilled Shrimp Firm texture with a noticeable lemon infusion — tasty, though not entirely unique. 👀 Acquired Taste Tier Fried Rice Made with rice prepared in different ways — strong textural layers. Not totally my thing, but my dining companions liked it. Other courses were either forgettable or beyond my culinary comprehension 🫣 ⚠️ The Experience The meal felt a bit chaotic — courses came in a confusing order, sometimes two at once, with various chutneys and sides but no explanation from staff. We only realized some dishes came with dipping sauces after we’d finished them 😅 Also, a heads-up: the food leans salty and intense — avoid if that’s not your style. But if you’re into bold flavors and trying something new, it’s worth a visit. Compared to Ettan from years ago (where nothing stood out), Eyalan at least had a couple of courses that shined. 💡 Note: A 20% service charge is already included — check your bill so you don’t double-tip! #BayAreaLife #BayAreaFood #SanFranciscoLife #SFEats #WeekendInTheBay