The word “Siri” might mean “Apple’s talk-to-your-phone voice” to most people, but near Milwaukee Avenue’s Restaurant Row, the partners who founded Siri Indian Restaurant are emphasizing an entirely different meaning.
In Sanskrit, “siri” means “wealth,” and co-owner Ramesh Gorintla said the ownership group for the new restaurant wanted a “siri” of offerings for its diners.
He said the eatery brings a unique type of offering to the area.
“In Restaurant Row, there were no Indian restaurants,” and Gorintla said he wanted to bring new flavors, as well as new phrases, to the popular dining area.
There was some discussion, he said, about the best time to open the restaurant, but confidence won out.
More Top Picks Best Massage Chairs Under 1000 Dollars
“I was a bit nervous about opening a new restaurant during the winter months, but I have four incredible chefs and I was confident in our menu offerings,” he said.
Located at 401 E. Dundee Road, in a shopping center on the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Dundee, Siri features180 items on its menu.
“We knew from the start that we didn’t want to hire just one chef,” he said.
Gorintla said he and most of his group moved to the US from India about 15 years ago. He said they came up with the Siri idea about a year ago. They targeted Restaurant Row in hopes of being the first Indian menu on the block, but found the rents surprisingly steep.
“It’s expensive,” Gorintla said.
He said the group wanted a fine-dining ambience, but set their prices low enough that customers would hopefully view Siri as an any-night-of-the-week option instead of a destination for special occasions. The key to success, Gorintla said, will be volume — thus, the expansive menu and the platoon of chefs.
“I am truly blessed,” Gorintla said. “I believed in our concept and was hopeful that people would enjoy our offerings, but the truth is, you never know.”
Twitter @RonnieAtPioneer