Milan: Quality, Affordable Indian Cuisine With a Great, Helpful Staff
Many restaurant goers will find that in Charlottesville, eastern inspired casual dining options are rather common. The commonality of Indian restaurants in particular makes it increasingly difficult for one to distinguish itself amongst the usual fare of faux-authentic food items and atmospheric details. This is where Milan, an Emmet Street staple, sets itself apart. Through the integration of the key details of hospitality, incredibly stable service and quality, Milan’s strength is in how a seemingly common, reliable restaurant in a saturated market can set itself apart.
My experience at the restaurant was marked with a noticeable but never unwelcome level of friendliness and informative extroversion on part of people working, from the host to the wait staff. Even as the house started to fill up, the team seemed as ready as ever to provide informative and friendly service. This plays into the comfort level of any restaurant, but especially in regards to eastern-inspired cuisine. The coastal shrimp curry I ordered was lovely, and I attribute it much to the help of the waitress who served me. She asked questions about my pallet preferences, heat sensitivity and assisted me in pronunciation, making the ordering process enjoyable and informative.
After ordering a chai tea, I inquired about the spice level. As my helpful waitress coached me, their spiciness range is from one to five, with five being the highest level. After making the order, the experience continued in a fashion that was speedious in service but relaxed in atmosphere. This is another quality that makes Milan shine, since its speedy service can make the experience casual but its relaxed and semi-formal atmosphere can adhere to more upscale gatherings. The hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. then back up from 5 to 9:30 p.m., making both a relaxed lunch or dinner treat possible.
My chai tea came out a minute or two after I ordered, and the waitress brought out complementary sides of crisp flatbread with authentic toppings for an appetizer . The quick service gave me a very comfortable sense of place in the restaurant. The high booths made for easy intimate conversation, while still being open enough to take in the understated decor and moody lighting. My meal came out in under 15 minutes. The curry was served in a separate bowl from the rice which was served in a communal bowl next to garlic naan. The flavors were rich and the spice level was perfect; even simple dishes demand care and craft, and Milan’s attention to detail in that area is another strong suit.
As I enjoyed and finished my coastal curry with frequent but not overbearing check-ins by the staff, I noticed a number of parties inquiring about wines and setting into long meals. Alongside them, casual diners came in and left in a span of half an hour. In that very stasis of operation, alongside the quality food, Milan is a restaurant that can make for a fantastic reliable restaurant choice, pleasant date night option, or just a possibility to spice up one’s casual dining experience. It certainly has earned its place because Charlottesville seems to keep serving Milan just as it has served the foodies of the city.
