Christine and I had a late Friday night dinner at Naan N Curry, just a blocks away from the Berkeley campus and her apartment. Tonight we ate "Berkeley student style" - good, cheap and satisfying food. I had just arrived from Ontario and was famished for something hot and savory. Indian cures everything (at least when pastry cannot!)
Naan N Curry was packed when we got in. Families, student, locals, anyone and everyone. Place your order at the counter and set your number at the table. Everything aside from delivery of the order is self-service, from the plates to utensils, cups of water and free chai. Quite efficient no?
I'm a sucker for Palak Paneer - it's a weakness I gladly give into whenever I can. LA is lacking in Indian cuisine so you can imagine how I completely tore into this dish. A simple and warming serving of seasoned pureed spinach with cubes of fried panir cheese. This one harbored on the greasy side, but seriously, after being deprived of a dish I used to have on a weekly basis in nyc, it was pure heaven.
An order of naan and paratha served as my mighty eating weapons. When people talk about Indian food, you often hear, "oh yeah, I love naan!" Naan, naan, naan...that's all you hear about. But you know why? Cause it's good! Parathas are not as effective in soaking up curries and supporting meats, but I like nibbling on it plain. However, the only Indian bread that beats naan in my books is the fried poori. Now that's crazy stuff. But you can only eat so much of it before you feel an oil ball starting to form in your stomach :)
We eyed a dish of fried somethings being brought over to the other table and asked the waiter what is was. "Pakoras," he replied bluntly and then disappeared. He was back a minute later, "for you" he proclaimed, and set down a dish of pakoras for us. How sweet is that? He totally made my day. These little fried fritters of onion and potatoes were positively addicting, and I suspect that a large reason of why they were so delicious was due to the kindness of our waiter.
It was good. We were full. But there is always room for dessert. I said to Christine, "lets take a walk before we eat, that way we can digest our food." "Ok," she replied. We walk across the street.
And found Crepes �-Go-Go.
That was the end of our walk. Christine claimed she was still stuffed, but the ricotta, applesauce and cinnamon crepe sounded too good to pass up. The crepe was soft and spongy, as far as you can get from traditional French crepes but given that the shop was catered towards college students, it fulfilled a inherent desire for soft, warm desserts that are just a touch sweet.
The mix of ricotta and applesauce was a comforting combination, spiced with dashes of cinnamon. We sat at the counter, ate the crepe cone style and caught up on the years gone by since high school. I can't even begin to tell you how nice it was to get away from Claremont. This is the first time I've stayed in Berkeley and based solely on my first three hours here, I loved it already.
We began the short uphill walk back to Christine�s apartment when she cried out,
"Oh, SHOOT!"
"What?"
"I forgot!"
"What? Your wallet? What did you forget?"
"Yogurt Park! Crap," she says and then makes a left in the opposite direction.
We encounter a looooong like of college students. Every 30 seconds or so, someone would walk out with Costco sized cups of frozen yogurt. Oh moley. I love frozen yogurt. I was REALLY full.
But there was no time on my "agenda" list to come back here! San Francisco and the Ferry building tomorrow, Amce Bread, Cafe Fanny and Cheeseboard the day after...not to mention La Farine and Masse's. Alas, when there is no room in your tummy and you're on vacation, you must MAKE room.
$2.25 later, I was the proud owner of the "small" (16oz.) cup of Coffee Cognac and Pumpkin Cheesecake yogurt. As far as frozen yogurts go, Yogurt Park did an excellent job with very clean and smooth flavors. The Pumpkin Cheesecake was creamy with the melting thickness of cheesecake and the slightly nutty autumn flavors of pumpkin. And the coffee? Well, it was just coffee, good and honest. Very strong, I must add!
We hiked up home, cups in hand, fingers frozen solid and quite content. Why don�t I come up to Berkeley more often?
Naan N Curry
2366 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 841-6226
Crepes �-Go-Go
2334 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 486-2310
Yogurt Park
2433A Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 549-0570
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