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Ruchi is a welcome curry-and-chutney outpost on a hidden corner in the heart of the financial district. Atmosphere is an afterthought, though, and the space resembles a mid-priced chain, its interior marked by prismatic hanging lamps that dance color across a brush-swirled orange ceiling. The menu, however, offers an array of selections that are across-the-board excellent. Meals begin with promise: Naan is fluffier than usual, mulligatawany soup packs a rush of spice, and the innards of various samosas are wonderfully supple. The meal's sweet components are especially tasty: Iced lassis are addictive and brightly flavored while thick mango chutney serves as a welcome complement to nearly every dish. Against these vibrant flavors, certain entrées (rubbery, bitter malai kofta; indistinctly seasoned lamb) can suffer by comparison. — Patrick Coffee

Chicken Vindaloo, $12.95; mulligatawny soup, $4.95