"Asian Dining Bar SAPANA Palaceside" opened Feb 20—B1 east, just below the "Dream Staircase," where Daisaku stood until last spring. The photo above shows lines forming by early afternoon and staff swamped.
SAPANA is an ethnic Asian chain (India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) at reasonable prices—Akasa, Iidabashi, Kagurazaka and now Palaceside as its 7th store.
President Adhikari Bhuwan is from Nepal; chefs use authentic spices for diverse Asian dishes (photo lower). Curry is central—worried it's too hot? Relax: seven levels from "mild" and "1-spicy" to "6-spicy," with beyond-6 on request. Curries include
chicken, mutton, vegetable, seafood, bean, extra-hot green and red.
Lunch (11–16): curry & tandoori chicken sets with naan, rice, salad from 900 yen; takeout bento 700 yen.
Dinner (16–23): spring rolls, stir-fried water spinach, momo dumplings, shish kebab, Indian fried rice and more. Wines and beers worldwide; seasonal advisor pairings. Parties OK—unlimited naan/rice and drink courses available.
Bhuwan returned to Japan in 1998, worked at an Indian restaurant, then Italian and dining bars; he came to love Japan and its people and opened "Nepal Dining Bar SAPANA" in Chiyoda in 2003, expanding since.
"SAPANA" means "dream" in Nepali: "Our dream is to meet guests again in the Japan we love."
Open weekdays and Saturdays (closed Sun/holidays).