Wow, it’s been a busy week! I’ve got some blogging to catch up with… I’ve still got Indian food on my mind. Recently, a new Indian restaurant opened in the Rockridge neighborhood – ok, almost…it’s in Elmwood. A nice 20 minute walk so it’s not too far…better to work off the naan with the walk home. Anyway, it’s about time! I’ve been wishing for an Indian restaurant for the 7 years we’ve lived here. Unfortunately it took over the space of our favorite Chinese restaurant but alas, the restaurant business is tough and there were so many other Chinese restaurants to choose from within a few blocks. So, the new Indian place is called Naan n’ Curry. We’d been to the original in the Tenderloin in San Francisco – this outlet is considerably more upscale! The food I remembered from the Tenderloin outlet was tasty and cheap…though I do recall battling a bit of indigestion…authentic Indian food is not light fare, that’s for sure! Of course it had nothing to do with being a complete pig. So, you ask? How is the food at the Elmwood Naan n’ Curry? Very tasty and cheap! We’ve been twice now and each dish was great though a tad on the rich side but like I said authentic Indian food is rich – it’s the ghee (butter that has the solids and water separated out – so pure butter fat). The naan bread is the best – light and airy with a nice chewiness too it – great for dipping into the curries. We’ve tried the garlic naan which had the perfect amount of garlic and the potato naan – yum. Of the curries we’ve had, we like the Aloo Gobi (cauliflower & potato), the Lamb Vindaloo and the Chicken Tikka Masala. Next time we’ll try the saag paneer and maybe some thing with eggplant. Every dish is pretty spicy so we just get naan and some plain rice to dampen the heat. The Biryani’s, as I recall are pretty darn hot. There are specials too that are listed at the front. We did try a fish dish but I thought it was a bit too fishy. Also, try the complementary Chai tea – it’s self serve in tall silver airpots in the front. The service is fast (order at the counter and they bring you the food) and ambience casual with lots of room for the kid’s strollers. Give Naan n’ Curry a try if you like spicy no nonsense Indian food. Rumor has it that another Indian restaurant is on the way to Rockridge – going into the space where the liquor store use to be. Khana Peena is currently in the permitting process. Other favorite Indian Restaurants nearby: Chaat Café on University and Martin Luther King in Berkeley. This has great tasting small dishes and the food is less greasy than most places.
Udupi Palace across the street from Chaat Café. This is my new favorite – a vegetarian South Indian place specializing in Indian pancakes called Dosas. I love the steamed rice cakes with the coconut chutney. Try it – you won’t be disappointed! Vik’s Chaat House on Addison and Fourth in South Berkeley. This is in a warehouse space – very casual and a great cross section of people dining there at lunch time. There is also a store next door so you can stock up on all things Indian. Umm, now I am getting hungry.
