Old South Pearl Street knows ocean fare: Between the fresh oysters and seafood at Black Pearl and top-notch sushi and sashimi at Sushi Den and Izakaya Den, Platt Park residents are treated to some of the best sea grub around. What had been missing since BB’s on Pearl–and, before that, Lola–left the ‘hood was, well, just about anything else.

Enter India’s Pearl: The weeks-old restaurant’s massive menu features a mix of traditional Indian food (curries, vindaloo) with some surprising fusion entrées (including shrimp and a Hindu no-no filet mignon). Appetizer wise, the lamb samosa is spicy and hearty, but the star is the chicken pakora, India’s lightly fried, heavenly answer to the chicken finger. We haven’t even come close to working our way through the extensive menu, but an early note: The tandoori fare–chicken, fish, beef, shrimp, venison, duck, and pheasant spiced and roasted to perfection in the traditional Indian clay oven–shines.

The spot needs to work on its service and pacing, however, and they could stand to pare down their enormous dinner, wine, and cocktail menus. But with food this good, it’s only a matter of time before Platt Park has another pearl of a restaurant.

1475 S. Pearl St., 303-777-1533