UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- This week's Neighborhood Eats takes you to a South Asian food spot recognized by the Michelin Guide just months after opening its doors.

Lungi is an Upper East Side eatery specializing in South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines and flavors.

Albin Vincent is the chef and co-owner of Lungi. Vincent says South Indian and Sri Lankan food are very similar, with Sri Lankan dishes generally having more spices. Both cuisines utilize "totally different flavors" when compared to North Indian food, according to Vincent.

"We use a lot of black pepper and cardamom, curry leaves and coconut, because in South India, a lot of coconut trees are available," Vincent said.

Born and raised in Kanyakumari, India, Vincent says he learned how to cook from his family.

"I learned from my grandmother's cooking and my mom's cooking. I was trying to help them, you know, while they are cooking. And that's where I learned and started cooking like this, since I was a kid," he said.

Vincent says part of the inspiration behind Lungi was wanting a restaurant that offered both South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines together. Since its opening, Lungi has been able to attract a diverse group of customers, some who even come for both lunch and dinner.

"That is, you know, good for the business because then other people say the food is good. Because they know, the better," Vincent said.