Breads of India - Berkeley

2448 Sacramento St, Berkeley CA 94702
(510) 848-7684
Parking: street parking
Hours: Lunch: 11:30am to 2:30pm daily, Dinner: 5:30 to 9:30pm daily
http://breadsofindia.com/

Last Visited: May 15, 2005

Food: 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Enter Breads of India and the aromas blast you with savory sensations. It’s a dark little place with not much ambiance, but the food is great (although that has no relation to authenticity). The restaurant is square shaped with lots of tables packed next to each other. If you’re looking for a spacious and comfortable setting, this isn’t the right place for you. The main counter is in the back, and you’ll find benches out front should you need to wait for a table – likely to occur if you go on a weekend evening.

The difficult part of writing about Indian food for me is my lack of familiarity with the cuisine. This is definitely an area I would like to work on and increase my food vocabulary. For example, the spices have this familiarity about them, but I haven’t gotten to the point of identifying them by name yet.

- Samosas – Two large samosas filled with potatoes and spices. There may have been other vegetables in the stuffing, but it was hard for me to tell. These triangular pastries are stuffed to the gills. The outer shell is crispy/crusty in a good way, and the spices are evenly mixed throughout the filling. Upon their arrival, be careful as the contents are hot. The samosas are served with a side of tamarind dipping sauce that adds a light sweetness to the flavorful mixture. Good in taste and portion, but a little darker brown than I expected. $3.95

- Chicken Tikka Masala – All entrees are served with basmati rice, salad, and chutney. The chicken tikka masala comes in a small metal bowl. The chicken is served in large chunks with a lot of creamy curry sauce. Only white meat was served, so for lovers of white meat, it’s a great thing. For me, the meat was just okay. I found the meat a little dry once broken apart, but the sauce can compensate. The flavor is great though – the sauce is very good for accompanying naan or rice. The vegetables in the salad – carrots, mint, and lettuce are fresh. The helping of rice is hearty and the chutney is just a bit tangy. A folded piece of papadam accompanies the dish. The value of this is great. Many other places only offer the meat a la carte, so getting the sides with the meat makes Breads of India a winner for value. $10.95

- Naan – The naan is excellent. Baked in a tandoori oven and offered in many varieties, they’re fluffy on the outside with just the right texture and consistency. I selected one containing parsley and tarragon. There might have been some other spices too. The size of the naan is huge – about the length of a football. Hot, soft, and scrumptious, they’re a must try. 5 stars. ~$3

- Sweet Lassi – Lassi is offered in sweet and mango flavors. The lassi definitely has a yogurt flavor about it, with a sweetness that reminds me of sweetened soy milk. Good (although my disclaimer is that I don’t know enough about lassi to truly claim it to be good). ~$2.50

Each entrée comes with a suggestion for the type of naan to accompany the dish. Although I didn’t listen to the suggestion, I was still extremely satisfied by the naan. Their menu changes daily, but the basic staples are always served – samosas, chicken, and lamb. You can also count on a variety of curries.

The service leaves something to be desired. They don’t check on you and I felt a bit hurried during the meal. Due to the line outside, don’t expect to be able to sit around the table and chat once you’ve finished your meal. The bathroom could use some upgrades, and you’re sure to see the kitchen if you make your way back there. Think of it as a hole in the wall with great food and you won’t be disappointed (see note below).

After talking about my visit to Breads with some Indian folks, I found that the food here may be more to the liking of non-Indians or those unfamiliar with Indian food. Apparently, they use mostly dried herbs that reduce the amount of flavor. It’s a good place to try if you’re unfamiliar and want to stretch out of your usual realm, but if you’re truly an Indian food connoisseur, it may be one to skip. Check it out and decide for yourself.