Kahani
Ritz glam meets Rogan Josh, surprisingly well
Dana Point · Dana Point · Indian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 11, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
A wine list at an upscale Indian restaurant inside The Ritz-Carlton is already a conversation starter — and Kahani doesn't waste the moment. The list lands with confidence: Italy, France, and California front and center, backed by a proper sommelier in Georgi Stoianov who actually knows what's on it. This is not the wine program your average tikka masala spot is running.
Selection Deep Dive
Eighty to one-twenty bottles isn't massive, but Kahani uses the space intelligently, leaning on a trio of heavy-hitter regions. Italy gets real representation with Antinori from Tuscany, Gaja from Piedmont, and Marchesi di Barolo — that's not a list built by someone phoning it in. France shows up via Louis Jadot in Burgundy, and California brings Caymus and Rombauer to the party, which will keep the Napa faithful happy. The gaps are real — no serious sparkling depth, and the list doesn't venture much beyond its three anchor regions — but what's here is curated, not random. Wine Spectator gave it an Award of Excellence starting in 2025, and that tracks.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass is a respectable spread for a restaurant this size, running $12–$18 a glass. The range covers enough ground that you're not stuck with two options and a shrug. We'd like to see more rotation to match the ambition of the kitchen, but what's available is competent and food-friendly.
Meiomi Pinot Noir — $12–$18 by the glass
Easy to dismiss as a crowd-pleaser, but Meiomi's soft fruit and low tannin structure actually work harder at this table than most would expect — especially if you're navigating spice-forward dishes. At the low end of the glass price range, it's the sensible move for anyone ordering across multiple courses.
Marchesi di Barolo (Barolo)
Most tables at Kahani are going to reach for California or something approachable, which means the Barolo from Marchesi di Barolo sits underordered and underappreciated. Nebbiolo's grip and earthiness against a braised lamb or a heavily spiced dish is a genuinely interesting combination — this is the bottle that rewards a little curiosity.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Look, Rombauer has its fans, but at Ritz-Carlton markup on an already recognizable bottle, you're paying a lot for something you could find at your local wine shop for half the price. The big, buttery profile doesn't do the Indian spice-driven menu any favors either. There are better uses of your money on this list.
Gaja (Piedmont) + Rack of Lamb
Gaja's structure and dark fruit intensity match the richness of a properly prepared rack of lamb, and there's enough acidity to cut through any fat without fighting the spice. This is the kind of pairing that makes you feel like you planned it — even if you just got lucky.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Kahani is the Wild Card because nobody expects a serious wine program inside a Ritz-Carlton Indian restaurant — and yet here we are, with Gaja on the list and a sommelier who can tell you why it matters. Steep prices are the price of the address, but if you're eating here anyway, the wine list absolutely earns your attention.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.