Yesterday (June 21, 2025), we had the chance to do something we’ve never done before — attend the soft opening of a brand-new South Indian restaurant in Naperville called Simply South. While we weren’t sure what to expect, the experience turned out to be a pleasant one, filled with warmth, flavor, and a little bit of post-meal regret.
First Impressions: Welcoming Vibes & Cheerful Decor
Walking into Simply South, we were immediately struck by the fun and welcoming atmosphere. The interiors have a clean, modern look while still staying true to the essence of a South Indian eatery — think cheerful lighting, earthy tones, and thoughtful accents that hint at the region’s heritage. The staff were equally warm and gracious, setting the tone for a pleasant evening.
Early Birds Get the… Fast Service
Since we were among the first guests to arrive, the service was prompt and efficient. Dishes flowed to the table smoothly and in quick succession. By 8 pm, however, the place had filled up significantly and the service began to slow down — not unexpected for a soft opening, but something to keep an eye on as they settle into a rhythm.
A Curated Feast (and Then Some)
The night featured a curated tasting menu that was honestly way more food than we could handle — a generous move on the restaurant’s part, but one that left us wishing we had worn stretchier pants.
We began with mango lassi and savory buttermilk, both of which were excellent palate-setters. The lassi was perfectly sweet and creamy, and the buttermilk had just the right amount of tang and spice.
Next came the starters — baby corn, cauliflower, and mushroom chilli. While none of them stood out as exceptional, they were tasty and satisfying, especially since we were ravenous at that point.
The dosa course followed, and this was where things got truly exciting. We were served a plain dosa, benne dosa, and idli. The benne dosa was the star of the evening — soft, rich, and soaked in ghee, it had that melt-in-your-mouth quality that made it unforgettable. If we come back (and we probably will), this is what we’ll be ordering again.
The paratha with veg keema was flavorful, but by then, I was completely full and sadly couldn’t do it justice. The pongal, avakaya annam, and curd rice went untouched for the same reason — a rare occurrence in our household!
A Sweet Finish
Dessert was Khubani ka Martha (a warm, ghee-laden Hyderabadi bread pudding) served with ice cream. It was a nice, balanced ending to a heavy meal. The quality of the ice cream was particularly noteworthy — creamy, rich, and clearly not from a generic tub.
The Final Word
With two other South Indian restaurants already established in the area, Simply South will need to carve out a unique identity — perhaps by leaning into lesser-known regional dishes, consistently delivering stand-out items like the benne dosa, and streamlining service.
That said, for a soft opening, this was a strong start. The hospitality, flavors, and vibe all showed promise. Once the kinks are ironed out and the full menu rolls out, Simply South could well become a go-to destination for South Indian comfort food in Naperville.
We’ll be back soon — but maybe next time, with larger appetites and bigger expectations.
lopastuff.com 