Rasa - South Indian, Burlingame

209 Park Rd, Burlingame CA 94010
(650) 340-7272
Parking: street parking and pay parking lot
http://rasaindian.com/

Last Visited: February 15, 2018

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$

Ben suggested Rasa because of its Michelin rating.  I didn't realize there was a Michelin rated South Indian restaurant in the area and after the experience, I can understand why.  This is probably the best service I've experienced at an Indian restaurant - from waiters explaining the details of the menu and specials to their courteous nature, Rasa is a great place for a business dinner, date night, or those unfamiliar with South Indian cuisine. 

From the lighting to the decor, Rasa has a very modern design with red-orange accent walls, gray tile, and classic dark brown finishes.  The bar in the rear of the restaurant is also a nice focal point.  From its logo, I initially mistook it for a dance club or bar, but behind the glass windows are the table settings.

- Bombay Sliders - This is a good starter for someone who is interested in a fusion experience.  The bamboo skewered sliders are comprised of a spiced potato patty fritter and served on toasted pav bread with a tangy tamarind chutney, and cilantro chutney.  A side salad that is lightly dressed, ghee (at least I think it was ghee), and a spice powder mixture they called gunpowder dust accompanies the sliders.  The sliders are a flavorful bite and well balanced, but I still miss the meat from a texture standpoint.  The salad was very fresh and I like how they are thoughtful in using colorful vegetables to make the plate beautiful. Okay to try, but not a dish I would likely get again. $13


- White Elephant Butter Paper thin Dosa - Dosa is a crepe made of fermented rice and lentil batter. The size of Rasa's white elephant dosa is impressive, spanning the width of a two person table (about 2 feet). The crepe is touted for being brushed with house churned butter and sprinkled with gun powder dust, but what I enjoyed was its crispy and light texture.  It's also fun to eat because of the sides: a well seasoned and colorful potato mash, coconut chutney, sambar (a lentil stew), and another chutney.  The heat of the sambar, both temperature and flavor, makes it a delicious dipping sauce.  Definitely worth a try and excellent for sharing.  Also good for Instagram photos.  $18

- Butter Chicken - This dish comes with an option of rice or parantha and the waiter talked us into the kerala parantha which is a layered dough that is pan fried.  Given the choice, after having the dosa, I would opt for rice for a less oily and lighter texture/flavor.  Dark meat is marinated in yogurt, ginger, and garlic and then cooked in a tomato and fenugreek curry making this a very rich sauce that would be excellent for topping rice.  For me, the parantha, though tasty, is heavy.   Very good.  $28

It was a delight for the eyes to see the various dosas go to each table as each one appeared so distinct in shape and filling.

Service throughout the meal was attentive and water glasses were frequently filled.  The staff was ready to remove any empty plates and check in on our table.  I also saw that neighboring large parties received the same level of attentiveness and with a bar featuring unique cocktails, Rasa would be good for a business meal.  Great food, beautiful presentation, and nice ambiance makes this a good fine dining experience which is also reflected by the prices.

Atlas Pizza Parlor - San Bruno

637 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno CA 94066
(650) 553-5005
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10a-12a, Fri-Sun 10a-1a

Last Visited: July 22, 2018

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

Atlas Pizza opened on San Bruno Avenue a few months ago and since there aren't too many Indian pies in the area, I wanted to give it a try.  Newly remodeled, the big space has been divided into four sections - the dining area, the kitchen, and private two areas which seem to be primarily used for storage and a ping pong table in the back that isn't open for public use.

The front seating is ample, facing the three large screen televisions mounted on the wall and a side wall with various sports figures. On the television today were Olympics archery and a soccer game.

A large menu is printed above the counter and features Italian pizzas, Atlas Fusion Pie, subs, appetizers, salad, chicken wings, and pasta.  Although their printed menu says they serve BBQ, their only bbq offering is chicken wings.  You won't find other typical bbq items.  From the sign above the counter, there is no way to tell that they have a wide variety of juice and smoothie offerings, but a whole page is dedicated to this in their printed takeout menu.  All items are halal.

I decided to split my pie so that it was half Italian and half fusion to try out both.

- Medium Half Mighty Meaty (Red sauce, pepperoni, ham, ground beef, sausage, red onions, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese) and Half Atlas Tandoori Chicken Pie (creamy garlic sauce, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, red onions, diced tomatoes, tandoori chicken, green onions, and fresh cilantro) - First, the crust was very fresh tasting and the edges stayed crispy.  The menu specifically notes the fresh hand made dough.  The tandoori chicken pie was really good - smooth and creamy with a mild taste compared to the Italian half, but very flavorful.  The only improvement would have been to add more chicken.  On the Italian side, the toppings were more moist and had gone through to the bottom of the crust so that the pan showed juices flowing through.  This side was also significantly saltier than the tandoori side.  Overall, I would recommend the tandoori chicken pie since the Italian didn't stand out in comparison.  Medium 12' whole pie - Fusion $12.99, Italian $12.99

From a service standpoint, there is a lot of room for improvement.  There were some challenges understanding each other as I asked for water and there were a few exchanges before it was clear on their end that I wasn't ordering coconut water.  Also, when completing your order, you'll get a number on a stand.  All that number does is remind you of your number when it's called so that you can go retrieve your order - nobody brings you any food.  There's no point to having a number on a stand.  In some cases, I saw people go up for their pizza and about ten minutes later, go retrieve their chicken wings.  They weren't given a number at all.  Instead, the person behind the counter just yelled out 'hello' in their general direction.  For dine in, you get those super thin paper plates, and only one per person.  One of mine was dirtied by pizza sauce smudges.  When you enter or exit, there is no greeting for anyone, so don't expect a hello or thank you.

In summary, try a fusion pie and lower your service expectations.

Lotus - Indian, San Rafael

704 Fourth St, San Rafael CA 94901
(415) 465-5808
Parking: street parking
Hours: Buffet Lunch – Mon to Sat 11:30am to 2:30 pm, Dinner – Mon to Sat 5pm to 9:30pm, Sun 5pm to 9pm
http://www.lotusrestaurant.com/

Last Visited: June 11, 2006

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 to 5 stars
Service: 4 to 5 stars
Price: $$$

Lotus is located in the heart of downtown San Rafael. After coming off the freeway and onto Fourth Street, it’s one of the first restaurants you’ll see. The beautiful decorative door is eye catching as you walk up to the restaurant. You might also pass by the Lotus home furnishings store just a few doors down. Gautum recommended this place, so it’s officially Indian approved for authenticity and flavor.

Walk into Lotus through the waiting area and you’ll see the bar. We were promptly greeted and brought to our table which was alongside the bench seating against one wall. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with colorful and brilliant Indian wall hangings and statues including gold elephants, gold vases, and large statues of women in a prayer position. On the right side of the restaurant is the buffet table (which is not in use during dinner). The tables are spaciously placed and covered with pink tablecloths. The dishes are all printed with a pink and green flower pattern. The light yellow columns softly stand out amidst the white and pink in the room. A peek at their very professional website will show you what they’re all about. The best part of the atmosphere was the skylight, which they opened up so that the blue sky could be seen and if you desired, you could watch the clouds float by. It was perfect for our summer evening visit.

As we were seated, we were brought menus and our tealight candle was lit using a match. Our server promptly filled our glasses with ice water.

- Vegetable Samosas – Two samosas, triangular shaped pastry, are stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas and served with two sauces – one tamarind and one mint. The pastry is deep fried until golden brown and crispy. This is a healthy serving. One person per samosa is perfect for an appetizer, or one person can eat both samosas for a hearty meal. The spices are strong, but can be tempered with the sweet red tamarind sauce or by the cool mint sauce. Very good. $4.50

- Chicken Biriyani – The chicken biriyani is comprised of Basmati rice cooked with zucchini, carrots, green beans, green peas, cashews, golden raisins, and spices. The menu states that cauliflower is in the mix, but today, it was broccoli. The ingredients are combined for a strongly flavored combination of spices and vegetables. All of the meat is dark meat, which is perfect for me. It was served with raita, a homemade yogurt with spices and fresh cucumber shreds. The raita cools down the spices for a nice balance. I would liken it to chicken fried rice, but in a smaller portion and more intense flavors. Good. $13.95

- Rogan Josh – I wanted to select a lamb dish and asked the waiter for a suggestion. Rogan Josh is lamb cooked until tender in a spicy curry sauce. The dish itself is small, but it’s packed with flavor. The lamb was perfectly done until fork tender and infused with the flavor of the curry packed into each bite. Very good. $13.45

- Naan – This flatbread is available stuffed, but we selected it plain. Warm and served in a bread basket, it’s a nice accompaniment to the dishes above or any full flavored dish. $2.50

The environment is nice and the level of service and professionalism is superb. The only area of improvement for service is to have the general waitstaff smile – in general, they all looked very serious. When we left, the staff thanked us – a nice touch, as the farewell greeting at restaurant seems to have disappeared with so many other things. Lotus is a great place for authentic and delicious cuisine, and even better when you can watch the sky as you dine under the stars.

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.

Battle: Indian - Novato

Two Indian Restaurants - Anokha and Batika - Both on Grant Avenue in Novato - Can they both survive? There are a number of restaurants on Grant Avenue already - is there enough business to go around? Sesame Tea Eats does a quick comparison of Anokha and Batika for you to help you decide.

<><><><> 

Address	811 Grant Avenue, Novato	868 Grant Avenue, Novato
Phone	(415) 892-3440	(415)895-5797
Website	http://www.anokharestaurant.com/	http://www.batikaindia.com/
Food	North Indian Buffet lunch offers two meat dishes, multiple sides, and two desserts	North Indian Buffet lunch offers three meat dishes, multiple sides, and one dessert
Atmosphere	Lighter colors, spacious setting between tables, cushioned banks of seats, L-shaped buffet area which makes self-service slightly awkward.	Darker colors, close proximity between tables, single file line buffet area allowing easy self-service, outdoor patio dining available.
Service	Good. Naan comes quickly. Plates are removed quickly.	Good. Naan comes quickly. Plates are removed quickly. I liked how they asked how they are doing (but maybe they only did this because they’re new.
Price	Buffet Lunch $8.95	Buffet Lunch $8.95, Champagne offered on weekends.

They both have good stuff - which is why I approve both for the lunch buffet. Depending on how many are in your party, it may be difficult to try a variety of items for dinner unless you want to take home leftovers, so the buffet is a great way to try out a greater variety. We'll see how things go in the weeks and months ahead. I hope they both can draw enough Novatoans to stay in business. Good healthy competition usually means better food for all.

Batika - Indian, Novato

Best: Indian Buffet in Novato

868 Grant Ave, Novato CA 94945
(415) 895-5757
Parking: street parking
Hours: Open Daily - Buffet Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm, Dinner 5pm-10pm
http://www.batikaindia.com/

Last Visited: March 23, 2011

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

Batika opened very late in the year in 2010 and introduced to us more Indian cuisine on Grant Avenue. Located near Sherman Avenue, this one block now has two Indian restaurants offering lunch buffets. Not related to any of those Indian restaurants in San Rafael, Batika has brought chef Anil Shahu to serve local Novatans more options for great food.

Enter Batika and there is a warmth to the place from the scent of spices wafting through the room. During this lunch visit, the back door was open, the kitchen was pretty much empty and spotless, with the exception of the chef in charge of cooking naan, and the buffet was ready for service. The walls are a combination of gold and black blended together well. One side of the restaurant has cushioned bench seating with a row of framed mirrors decorating the wall. The other side of the room is decorated with interesting clothing and bejeweled decorated metal frames.

Their lunch buffet is $8.95 with champagne offered on weekends at the same price. The chafing dishes are set up in a line on a table located in the rear of the restaurant, just in front of the kitchen area. Darker colors seem to decorate the room – rich burgundy curtains decorating the entrance to the kitchen are offset by the white tablecloths throughout the room. While the tables are put fairly close together, on a beautiful day, one can enjoy their patio seating outdoors where there are umbrellas set up over tables.

Each item in the buffet is clearly labeled. During today’s visit, there were three main dishes, many sides, green salad, and one dessert. Fresh hot naan is brought to the table after you have settled in from your initial buffet visit.

I appreciated the thoughtful service here – they came by during the middle of the meal to see if we wanted more naan and also asked us about the buffet. I overheard some tables giving suggestions for tossing the salad with a little more dressing since it had been dry. They also checked in with us at the end of the meal. I hope that their willingness to listen and learn goes beyond their first few months as they continue to mature. The first dish offered was a green salad with tomatoes and cucumbers on the side. There was also a bin of fresh melon.

On most days, they offer three meat dishes, several side dishes, and rice pudding seems to be a standard.

- Tandoori Chicken – The tandoori chicken is cooked with onions, tomatoes, and spices. The color of this tandoori chicken is not as bright red as others I have seen, but whatever is used here is great. It seemed to be more juicy than others that I have tried and I appreciated that a lot. Tender and very good.

- Butter Chicken – Butter chicken is made of pulled tandoori chicken. It’s cooked with fenugreek, spices, and a touch of cream. Fairly mild in flavor for the buffet, I think it will appeal to many audiences, especially those whom are not accustomed to Indian food. The color of the sauce is a beautiful rust orange.

- Coconut lamb – The lamb was tender and didn’t have any gaminess to its taste. This dish was more like a rich stew with the lamb cut in cubes and the sauce like a dark brown spiced gravy. What is interesting is that this dish doesn't appear on the menu, but they also say that the menu will change with the season.

- Methi Murg - Chicken with onion and spices is finished with cream and ground cashew. You can't taste the texture of the cashew, but the flavor is really quite delicious and rich.

- Vegetable Samosa - The samosa was just okay. I like it when the samosa wrapper is really crispy. Like most samosas available in a buffet, these are just alright, not wow.

- Corn Pakoras - Sweet corn is mixed into a chickpea batter and deep fried into tiny balls.

- Yellow dal - Yellow lentils are cooked with cumin, shallots, and turmeric. This was a very wet dish, but that allowed the lentils to stay relatively whole.

- Aloo Gobi – Cauliflower florets are cooked with potatoes, cumin, and spices. This was a nice side dish.

- Palak – Spinach is cooked with spices. Good stuff, especially if you like the texture of creamed spinach.

- Rice Pudding – The rice pudding had a thinner consistency than most Indian rice puddings that I’ve tried, but the flavor was very pleasant. I liked the nuts that were in the dessert and the level of sweetness was light and delicious. The name is a little misleading to an American audience, but maybe it gets more people to eat it than just saying Sweet Rice Dessert.

From the menu, you can see that they offer seafood as well - prawns in mint and a tomato marinade, salmon spiced with black peppers and Indian spices are just a few of the ones available. There are a variety o fbreads and of course, your typical Northern Indian dishes like chana masala and palak paneer too. Batika also offers catering; for take out orders, there is a 10% discount. Batika is a nice stop for trying some great Indian fare – flavorful and delicious, I hope they stick around.

Om - South Indian, Novato

1518 Fourth Street, San Rafael CA 94901
(415) 458-1779
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm
http://www.omcuisine.net/

Last Visited: August 19, 2009
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Nimish first suggested that I try Om to get a sampling of south Indian cuisine which he explained differs quite a lot from north Indian food which is what we typically find here in Northern California. With his hearty suggestion, I went to try Om's lunch buffet for $8.99 which offered a variety of dishes and included a choice of masala dosa or chapathi.

What I really loved about Om was their website. It was so informative and educational, but since my visit, they have changed the site. I even called at the beginning of 2010 to ask about their webpage and was told that it was being worked on, but the best part is gone.

Driving by, it might be easy to miss the restaurant entirely unless you know that it's there. The signs are inconspicuous. If you like dosas and uthappam, you'll like their selection - they offer more than ten dosas and at least seven uthappam. If you're unfamiliar with dosas, they are made with a batter fermented overnight and cooked like a crepe. An uthappam is like a dosa, but thicker and softer. Both are served with sambar and chutneys.

Their buffet offers about eight to ten hot dishes as well as some other items. Today's visit included chicken drummettes, rice, a dosa and some other good finds. Enter the restaurant and find that the raised dining area on the right and a floor level dining area in front of the entranceway. The buffet is set up in the rear of the restaurant. Each table is covered with a tablecloth and glass is placed on top. During lunch, paper napkins and paper placemats were presented on the table. In large chafing dishes, unlike traditional steam tables that you would find at neighboring Indian buffets, you'll see a variety of well-labeled offerings.

While Nimish got a plain dosa, he recommended a masala dosa to me which meant this thin cylindrical golden brown crepe that was crunchy on the edges and softer within contained a filling with mashed potato like consistency. The potato mixture contained onions and was mildly spiced with masala.

I also had a chance to try some chicken that had been cooked in a thick curry sauce; rassam, a soup that was sour in taste; dal; my first coconut chutney and more. Without their website, I'm at a loss for identifying what I ate, but I can tell you the flavors were great, and the lunch offerings were more than sufficient for a buffet.
Service received a rating of two to three stars because I had ordered a drink upon arrival, but even after returning from the buffet to the table and eating a portion of my dish, the drink failed to arrive. I had to ask for it again in the middle of my meal.

If Om were only a little closer to my workplace, I would probably visit more frequently. However, I would certainly be willing to try them again for their buffet lunch or dinner entrees. Good stuff and a great chance to learn what South Indian cuisine is all about.

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.

Anokha - Indian, Novato

Best: Indian lunch buffet, Novato

811 Grant Ave, Novato CA 94945
(415) 892-3440
Parking: street parking
Hours: Buffet Lunch Mon - Sat 11:30am -2:30pm, Sunday lunch Noon - 3pm
Dinner Mon-Sat 5pm-9:30pm, Sun 5pm - 9pm
http://www.anokharestaurant.com/

Last Visited: January 28, 2011

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

A member of the group of Indian restaurants owned in San Rafael, Lotus, and Fairfax, Lotus Cafe, Anokha is a welcome addition to the restaurants on Grant Avenue with a name that means unique or different. The same owner also owns Old Town Bistro next door to Anokha.

A sign in the window advertises their $8.95 lunch buffet available Monday through Saturday starting at 11:30am. Enter Anokha and you may feel like you've stepped into a different world. From the Indian music on the sound system to the mustard colored tablecloths, there is a certain warmth about the restaurant. I also really appreciated the spacious seating. A bench topped with long seat cushions line the window and one wall of the restaurant. While this somewhat affects the height of those seated compared to the table, it's only initially uncomfortable and certainly bearable throughout the meal. The Indian art on the wall features ladies in their saris.

So far, I've tried the lunch buffet a handful of times and each time, I've walked away stuffed with good food. Upon arriving, the staff immediately greeted and seated us. After settling down with drinks, we received some Naan cut into quarters and lightly oiled, served in a basket. The buffet corner is at first impression, quite small, but there are enough choices for both vegetarians and meat eaters. The plates are placed next to the hot food and then the adjacent wall contains cold items, sauces, and dessert. The best thing about the lunch buffet - if you arrive before noon, it doesn't take long to get food, and even with a crowd, it moves fairly quickly.

For those whom are unfamiliar with Indian fare, each of the items are clearly labeled. However, they are often labeled with their Indian name which may mean some translation after you've had a chance to look at the menu.

Here is a sampling of what I've tried so far:

- Vegetable Pakora - Cauliflower and an assortment of a few other vegetables are lightly breaded and fried. While some of my dining partners enjoyed this a lot, as a fan of tempura battering, I found it to be just okay.

- Vegetable Samosas – Fried pastry is stuffed with potatoes and peas. It looks like a little pyramid with its triangular shape. The dough was fried until deep brown. I prefer my samosas to have more stuffed inside them (meatier in texture). This one was only slightly filled. I liked the texture of the dough - crispy on the outside, but would have preferred more potatoes and peas.

- Bhindi Masala (Okra Curry) – Sliced okra is cooked with onion, tomatoes, ginger, and spices to create a warm curry. This dish was new to me. I think I would have enjoyed it a little chunkier, but good.

- Chicken Tikka Masala - Chicken breast chunks is cooked in a creamy red orange sauce. Great flavor. Good.

- Tandoori Chicken - During every visit, they have had tandoori chicken available. Drumsticks to drummettes are available along with onions and bell peppers cooked with the chicken. The meat is tender, and sometimes it's a little more salty than I prefer, but paired with rice, it's fine.

- Dal Makhni – Lentils are always one of the dishes available. The only drawback of the buffet is that you can't ask for it to come extra dry.

- Saag (Spinach) - Most times, Saag Paneer is available, so if you like paneer cheese, it's just what you would want. However, during this last visit, the paneer was absent. If you've never had it before, think creamed spinanch with Indian spices.

- Basmati Rice is always a buffet staple, present each time I have visited. On most occasions, they've also had brown rice as an option, but not during my most recent visit.

- Kheer – Cold rice pudding with nuts (I think they were almonds this time), cardamom, and saffron is one of the desserts always available. I love the flavor of this dessert.

- Gulab Jamun – Small round pastries made with milk are fried and served with hot honey syrup. Think of a donut hole, but denser, floating in a light sweet syrup. This is a great way to cleanse your palate after eating all of those wonderfully spicy dishes. Arriving for lunch earlier means a denser pastry while a later arrival usually means that the ball has expanded as the dough absorbs more of the liquid. Good thing I don't have regular access to this.

Fresh green salad, fresh fruit (watermelon and honeydew), raita (cold yogurt with vegetables), and a variety of sauces were also available between the hot dishes and dessert.

This is a great place for a quick and reasonable lunch. I also like that they vary some of their offerings so you don't grow bored and are able to try new dishes in a low risk situation. There is always more available. The staff is friendly and frequently come by to clear plates, refill drinks and water, and the like. I enjoy the great flavors and the adventure the buffet offers. Definitely one of my favorites for lunch in Novato - fast, easy, and pleasant setting.

Vik's Chaat Corner - Indian, Berkeley

2390 4th Street
Berkeley CA 94710
(510) 644-4432
Parking: street parking

http://www.vikschaatcorner.com/

Last Visited: February 7, 2010

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

Chaat means 'to lick.' As their menu describes, these road side snacks were served on a leaf and were so good that you couldn't resist licking the last morselfs from the leaf before discarding it. When friends first told me to try out Vik's I was told to expect street food or snacks, so keep that in mind as you look at the menu containing various specials like puris, dosas, biryanis, kebabs, and more. I remember going to Vik's a couple of years back. They have since moved two blocks south of the old warehouse (and it really was a very basic warehouse with little style) to a newly remodeled location which they affectionately refer to as the Taj Mahal.

The new location contains a grocery store (stocked with plenty of different spices) and also has a new, fresh modern design with a new flow for both ordering and picking up food. First, you order from the main counter which has a menu overhead and several registers to take your order. This counter also contains a glass case displaying all of the wonderful desserts available. Upon ordering, you approach the condiments and utensils counter to pick up all the environmentally- friendly sporks (yes, that fork/spoon combo utensil) that you might need. Find yourself a table in the large dining area and listen for you name to be called from the sound system. It's a casual do-it-yourself environment, so if you're expecting service here, you'll be sorely disappointed. Also, everything comes in paper trays and plates, so it's kind of like going on a picnic.

If you're like me, you're more curious about how the food is being made. I headed to the kitchen area where there are signs designating the various locations of food pick-up depending on the type of food being ordered. It can feel chaotic, but trust that your order will come up eventually.

- Plain Dosa - A dosa is basically like a crepe. This thin pancake is golden on one side and soft on the other side. It's rolled and served with sambar (a lentil stew/soup containing vegetables and made with a tamarind base) and chutney. I really like the other dip it's served with because it has a texture similar to hummus (I love hummus). You can also choose to get potato or vegetable filling as well. It's excellent hot, but with all the running around to get the next item, it cooled very quickly. $5.75

- Bhatura Cholle - You can see a lot of people eating this giant round puffy bread (bhatura). It's made with fermented white flour and served with spicy garbanzo curry (cholle). Unfortunately, I don't know the spice combinations well enough to describe it in detail except to say that it's good. It's quite a lot for one person to eat, but great for sharing. It's not exactly what appears to be low in cholesterol - if you watch them cook it, you'll see how the bread is deep fried until it expands to this size - fun to watch. I could eat it alone even without the curry. $5.75

- Lamb Baida Roti - Roti is a whole wheat flat bread cooked on the griddle. Stuffed inside is spiced minced lamb. This was probably my favorite dish because of the great flavors and slightly crisp outer crust. It also reminds me of having a Chinese curry beef pastry because of the similar texture of the meat inside. A dipping sauce comprised of mint and yogurt also comes with the roti. Very good. $6

- Chicken Biryani - Biryani is a rice dish that comes with meat still on the bone. Here you can see the tender meat over long grain

basmati served with a side of raita (flavored yogurt) which cools your palate. This is a great comfort dish, but don't forget about the bones in the meat. I found this dish to be fairly filling - if dining alone, it's a good choice. $6.25

During my first visit, I tried the samosas and they too were quite good.

One thing about the old warehouse system that I liked before was that your meal was given to you all at once. With this new system where certain areas of the kitchen attend to the dish of that area, you'll find that you may need to approach the counter multiple times which means your food is getting cold while you're away. If they could return to having your entire meal ready at once or if someone brought it to your table, I would be a happier camper since the food that has arrived already could be enjoyed while waiting for the items still to come.

The food is very fresh overall and it's definitely quite an interesting cultural experience if you're unfamiliar with the chutneys and dipping sauces. As long as you are willing to try something new, you'll enjoy the great flavor combinations and interesting textures and possibly get to try a few items that are new to you. Also, you'll find some weekend specials and of course, they have kulfi, a personal favorite of mine. Kulfi is a rich ice cream that you'll have to save room for to end your meal properly. And don't worry, they also have a glossary for all the words you may not be familiar with. Vik's makes for a great casual dining experience.