Sunday, January 3, 2010

something- Indian, Telegraph, Ave

Meh, I can't remember the name of this Indian place either, and will have to correct it once we drive by to our next stop (which is Pakistani - yay for a new ethnicity to taste on the project).

As we get closer to campus, I have a theory that we're going to begin to find cheaper food which, regrettably, may mean that we're also finding sub-par food - drunk college kids aren't as picky as crabby 30-something internet executives, after all.

So far, this theory seems to be holding. After having Meh Sushi, we then went for Meh Indian food.

I will state for the record that we're kinda split on the Meh Indian. Partner in Chow liked this place better than I did, and admittedly the ingredients seemed fresher than a lot of other Indian food I've had. Somehow, though, the preparation just seemed... American. Like someone was trying to make Indian food taste good for Gringo taste buds, from the strangely fluffy Naan to the mildly spiced Dal. Hmm.

What we ordered: Dal, Sag Paneer, Garlic Naan, Regular Naan, Baklava, Lamb Something
Service: friendly Mom 'n Pop - we got Pop (and he gave us a free Baklava)
Atmo: citified hangout - stools at high tables, an upstairs, order at the counter, open kitchen
Crowd: Cal students, the neighborhood
Spent: Around $30
Overall rating: 3 sporks

As stated, this food just somehow fell flat (except the Naan, which was the opposite of flat due to its inexplicable puffiness), and left me feeling as though I ate Americanized Indian food. The naan had the consistency of pizza dough, and although the sag paneer had fresher spinach than I usually see, it somehow lacked a true Indian flavor.

The lamb was loved by PIC, who overall thought this place was a great find for someone on a budget and/or someone close by looking for cheap, decent Indian grub.

This place is indeed cheap and fast, and better than eating at Subway or something. Even so I wasn't a huge fan of this place, - and it apparently wasn't a fan of mine either. I almost never have an upset stomach after dinner, but for whatever reason this place led to some unpleasant after-effects later. Since we both ate all dishes and PIC didn't have a food hangover, it may have been something I ate earlier in the day. (Um... toast?)

Bright spot: the baklava was great. In fact, the baklava was the best we've had so far, and we've had it a few times at various Ethiopian haunts.

That being said, I wouldn't risk eating there again due to The Evening Thereafter. And even if I were feeling risk-taking, I'd probably just go elsewhere.

-something-Sushi, Telegraph

OK, 'tis true - I can't remember the freaking name of this sushi place, and I'll correct it when we drive by it again. It's on Telegraph somewhere between the Drunken Boat and Fondue Fred's.

Anyway, not remembering the name is in this place's favor. It's not very good. Cheap, but not good. It doesn't look good from the outside, and the atmo didn't surprise.

What we ordered: various rolls, teriyaki chicken
Service: fine
Atmo: somehow this place left me with the impression that I was in the Japanese version of Applebee's
Crowd: the 'hood - lots of Cal students
Spent: Around $30
Overall rating: 1.5 sporks

Honestly, there's not much to say here but "Meh." Don't bother. I've had fresher fish, more interesting rolls with less sauce, and better atmo in other sushi joints. If you want cheap sushi, the place in San Leandro's Pelton Plaza is way better.