Pamposh - Indian, Santa Rosa

52 Mission Circle, Suite 110, Santa Rosa CA 95409
(707) 538-3367
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://www.pamposhrestaurant.com/index1.html

Last Visited: May 16, 2005

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Enter Pamposh and find that the color scheme is rich. Pamposh calls itself fine and certainly caters to a wide crowd in its classic atmosphere that isn't stuffy. The layout is simple with booths on the left side of the restaurant and tables in the center and on the right.

The colors are a dark burgundy and golden yellow. The wood chairs match the surrounding atmosphere and the burgundy cushions in the booths have gold patterns in the design. Above the booths are large lamps in classic styles. The tables are covered with white tablecloths and white paper. Folded burgundy cloth napkins are placed on the square white plates. The wood floors accent the furniture. Indian music plays from the stereo system, but as the evening wore on, the music was drowned out by the noise of the patrons. Even the menu cover is rich in color and decorated with people. Pamposh means lotus, and the art displayed depicted many.

Upon our arrival we were served water along with folded papadam accompanied by mango salsa containing cucumbers, onions, mint, and mango of course. The papadam is crispy, and had a classic flavor. According to my Indian friends, it’s not typically served this way, but it made for a good starter.

Our server was very patient and made sure we didn’t have any questions. She happily explained dishes to multiple tables. It’s apparent that Pamposh is catering specifically to the Sonoma County crowd which is less familiar with Indian cuisine. They offer each dish with a choice of being cooked mild, medium, or hot – few places in the Bay Area seem to do that.

- Vegetable Samosa – Two triangular pastries are stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas. The samosas are accompanied by a light salad of shredded cabbage. A mint chutney and another chutney accompanied the two samosas. Although the samosas are flavorful, I found they could contain more spice for my taste. Also, they were a bit more petite than I anticipated. Being that I had tried two much larger samosas for about the same price, I was of course, slightly disappointed. $4.25

- Plain Nan – Pamposh has four types of nan available. We chose plain to test out the texture of the nan. A large round piece of nan arrived in a basket. Nan is made in a tandoori oven and the center becomes crispy and the edges get puffed up. It’s lightly brushed with oil, and has an al dente sort of texture. Good. $2.50

- Chicken Curry – Chicken in a traditional curry is served in a metal bowl. There is a combination of white meat and dark meat in the dish. The chicken is flavorful and comes in a sauce that has a thick consistency. Although the breast meat seemed a little on the dry side for my tastes, the flavor of the curry was still good. $12.95

- Lamb Boti Kebab – Cubes of boneless lamb are cooked on an iron platter along with onions, peppers, and two lemon wedges. The lamb has a nice spiciness to it, flavorful, and it didn’t have that gamey taste that is so often undesired. Since it remains sitting on the hot platter, this dish tends to lose its juices faster, and can be dry at the end of the meal. $14.95

In general, food quality is good. The presentation is very nice, but all dishes are only available a la carte. Raita, rice, and salad are served separate. Pamposh is an excellent place to go for a person trying Indian food for the first time. The staff is very patient and willing to accommodate. The atmosphere is comfortable, and the food is good. It’s not the best in terms of value compared to authentic Indian cuisine in the Bay Area, but the setting will make up for it. Also, think of it as going to a more upscale restaurant, and it all balances out.