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Breads of India & Gourmet Curries
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
2448 Sacramento St(between Channing Way & Dwight Way)
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 848-7684
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
147 reviews for Breads of India & Gourmet Curries
Review Highlights
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"I LOVE THE CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA." In 20 reviews -
"And the naan was amazing, so smooth and fluffy." In 62 reviews -
"Very fresh Indian food with a menu that changes daily." In 6 reviews
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147 reviews in English
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Review from Anne N.
Berkeley, CA
5/25/2012
We not far from this establishment and have ordered take out several times.
I'm impressed with their menu, it changes daily and they usually have 5 daily specials of which 2 are vegetarian.
Every time I've ordered a daily special it came with rice, salad and tarka dal which makes it a very generous meal.
The food has always been very tasty, fragrant and well-cooked, however, sometimes a little too spicy for my liking.
I always order the recommended breads too, they are delicious! Don't forget the Mango Lassi either, it's great albeit a bit sweet.
We have never waited more than 15 minutes and they were always very friendly.
I wouldn't take someone for an intimate dinner there though, it's VERY loud even when the restaurant is half full, and the decor is just meh.
Overall though a solid 4 stars! -
Review from Chat H.
Berkeley, CA
4/4/2012
For many, the first word that comes to mind when pondering Indian food is "curry." Indeed, the hardcore among us would contend that the other accompaniments, such as rice and naan, merely dilute the main dish, allowing for measured curry consumption. It is thus surprising that Breads of India (BOI) chooses to highlight the diluent while adding the clause "and Gourmet Curries" in small lettering on the bottom edge of their store-front awning near the corner of Sacramento and Dwight. Clearly the curry- and rice-based names (House of Curries, Naan n' Curry, Biryani House) were already taken, and they were left with "bread." As we learned (vide infra), BOI's breads were unremarkable; their curries, however, were of gourmet caliber.
Given BOI's rather obscure location, many blocks removed from Berkeley's gastronomical hubs near the UC campus and along University Ave., we are fairly sure it cannot rely on walk-in traffic for survival. During our visit, nearly every other patron (~5) was greeted by name by the restauranteur, suggesting a cult following (or a drug front), though we suspect the following has dropped off in recent years, as the spate of Zagat ratings prominently displayed by the kitchen ended nearly a decade ago. The prominence of the regulars was only one of BOI's many peculiarities. The wall murals depicting pastoral scenes of medieval India seem anachronistic when lit by sinuous, faux-modern Crate-and-Barrel style track lighting hung from the ceiling. And the murals are framed by a décorative floral border, which also encircles the PG&E gas meter (though not a SmartMeter™, surprisingly) and wall manifold at the corner of the store. BOI's décor evokes nostalgia for simpler times...times when we farmed the Indian countryside and tracked gas consumption with analog dials.
The medieval theme continues in the menu, which features scenes of ancient weddings and feasts alongside lengthy write-ups describing each menu item, its composition, its method of preparation, and in some cases, its geographic and historical origins (did you know that vindaloo curry is the "national" dish of Goa, a state in South India?). The deluge of culinary minutiae was overwhelming, and nearly unreadable considering the minuscule font. Given the copious verbiage, we assumed that this was their permanent menu, and were puzzled by the appearance of "Bread of the Day." Oh, but we were wrong: the menu was dated and, as we later learned, is printed each morning based on the locally-sourced raw materials available on any given day (an Indian Chez Panisse? Chez Masala, perhaps?). As entertaining as the menu was, we fear we cannot tell you more: on each page was a stark reminder: "Violation of this copyright will be vigorously pursued."
Despite the confusing menu, we were able to settle upon a few decent items to sample. Our eigendrink, the mango lassi ($3.5), sported a pleasant combination of sour and fruity flavors. The samosas ($4) were poorly spiced and bit too potatoey but otherwise decent. In particular, we enjoyed the accompanying mint chutney garnish. The aachari paratha ($3), a griddle-cooked flatbread containing spicy mango pickle, did not live up to expectations. It lacked any hint of a mango pickle taste and is best characterized as a greasy buckwheat pancake. The simla kulcha ($3), typical plain naan with pieces of embedded bell pepper, was very tasty but a bit doughy. The day's menu did not offer aloo ghobi, but the hyderabadi handi ($8), or mixed vegetable curry, performed admirably as the substitution for our vegetarian eigendish. It was acceptably spicy and came with a fresh side salad and delicious mint chutney. The accompanying daal was a bit undercooked but otherwise quite tasty. Even though the menu inaccurately described its signature goat dish as the Punjabi mutton curry ($12), we had to try it. Once we recovered from this epic menu fail, we enjoyed the dish thoroughly: it was well spiced, and the goat meat was very tender. However, the culinary highlight of the visit was the cardamom-rich chai ($2), which is, by far, the best we have sampled.
Based on our visit, BOI is certainly in need of a name change, perhaps to one that highlights its unique décor, educational menu, and excellent chai. Despite a few missteps, BOI is a solid four-samosa restaurant with a two-rupee price tag, yielding a respectable samosa-to-rupee of ratio of 2.0. We recommend you venture into the hinterlands to experience BOI, if only to take a gander at their antique analog gas meter.
For more of Yogi & Chat's reviews of Indian restaurants in Berkeley, visit our blog: http://masalachaat.wor... -
Review from Dave S.
1/21/2012
Just get whatever is on the specials menu for the day. Don't come in here thinking "O I must have chiken tikka!" or whatever you are used to. Just order a lot of the breads, which are fantastic, and whatever they recommend for that day.
The lamb dish we tried was melt in your mouth delicious, the lamb was perfectly cooked, tender enough that you could cut it with a fork.
Service was helpful and gracious, they even asked us if we wanted the sauces on the side for the meat dishes without our prompting. -
Review from Lily Z.
San Leandro, CA
5/23/2012
Just tried this place today and it was pretty good. We had the Mangalori Chicken, Garlic Naan, Laganshala, and Missa Methi Parath, and rice pudding. The portions are big - they come with rice and salad and soup? The chicken was very tender. The curry was less lemony and coconutty than I expected. The garlic naan was delicious. The Missa Methi Parath was okay - very healthy tasting. The rice pudding was also delicious. They do have goat curry that I want to try next time, apparently people go there JUST to have that this. The service was very friendly and gave off this motherly-welcoming feeling. I also really like that their menu describes how the food is made.
Prices are pretty good, everything under 14$ - mostly around 10 and under. Will definitely come back! -
Review from Marck N.
4/29/2012
Keeping this review short. Don't order wine here. The house wine is from a big bottle that they open earlier in the week. The glass served to me was bad. I exchanged it for another variety. The goat curry I had was good. The spinach naan and cauliflower naan were also good. Service was off and slow. When we paid our bill, they didn't return the balance to the table, assuming it was all to the house. Bad assumption, service, and experience. There are better places in Berkeley to go and enjoy Indian food.
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Review from Emma T.
Berkeley, CA
5/19/2012
This is definitely my favorite Indian restaurant in Berkeley. The food is great and everyone who works there is really sweet. The chicken tikka masala is exceptionally good, so I order it every time I go, but the people I go with always enjoy their other dishes as well.
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Review from Ana S.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2012
I went here on a Tuesday evening with a book for company. I ordered a vegatarian dish with their spinach nann and it was amazing. The curry was not too spicy and incredibly delicious without being too creamy. The veggie dumplings were fresh and steamed, not fried, which I really loved. Their chai was okay, but the naan was the best I've had.
The owner came and talked to me and the service was really great. -
Review from Gary C.
El Cerrito, CA
4/18/2012
I think this along with Ajanta are the best Indian restaurants in Berkeley. Ajanta is of course much fancier and has more unusual items but nothing beats the Corgi Roast at Breads of India. The only negative is the portions are rather small I think.
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Review from Jana S.
8/11/2011
Was in the area for a get-together, so finally had the chance to swing by and try out a few of their breads, after a bookmark aging at over 1 yr!
khas khas naan and a stuffed kulcha bread tried...i didnt find anything overpriced about it... About $3 a piece. The plates on the tables smelled and looked absolutely gorgeous, and the vibrant color on their tandoori.
Shall return! -
Review from Jeremy G.
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Naan is usually an afterthought at an Indian restaurant. Not here. It's the star. The Bette Middler. The Madonna. The Michael Jordan. My naan was so doughy, so warm, so perfectly seasoned. I was not as impressed with the rest of the food, but I think this was more because of the fact that it was pretty darn hard for anything to taste quite as good as the naan.
I. WILL. BE. BACK. -
Review from Brooke W.
Berkeley, CA
11/21/2011
Breads of India is great because...
1) The fresh and ever changing menu
2) Good quality meat
3) Great customer service
4) Neighborhood vibe.
5) Inexpensive
6) Great spices and distinct flavors (unique dishes).
7) The stories, and background info on each dish on the menu. Perfect!
My only recommendation is that they dust every now and then. -
Review from Aditya K.
Berkeley, CA
6/24/2011
** I am a native of India who has eaten at every single Indian restaurant in Berkeley at least 3 times each, read the bottom of the review for my complete ranking list or look in my Yelp Lists **
** Begin Snobbery **
For higher rated restaurants, my reviews are very thorough with lots of explanation. For inferior Indian offerings such as this place, I don't bother with elaboration.
** End Snobbery **
-- Entree Taste: 3/5
-- Naan: 3/5
-- Price/Value: 1/5
-- Service: 3/5
*CRITICSMS*: severely overpriced
*********** RANKING LIST ****************************** **************
-- I will keep updating this ranking list as I get time --
1) Flavors of India / Kabab and Karahi (tie)
2) Himalaya
3) Urbann Turbann ($5 Cholay wrap: best value for your money, period).
4) Punjabi By Nature
5) Chaat Cafe
6) Priya
7) Viks (yeah, I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this one, but it's true folks, severely overrated due to bandwagoning)
8) Breads of India (OK, but overpriced)
9) Biryani House
10) Khana Peena (the one on Solano, a little better than the other one)
11) Pasand (OK, but severely overpriced)
12) House of Curries (College)
13) Kabana (Great food loses massive points for racially based treatment of customers)
14) Tandoor Kitchen
15) Khana Peena (the one on Shattuck, absolute trash, avoid)
16) Indus Valley Restaurant (literally serves frozen vegetable curries)
**Now if I called Khana Peena Shattuck trash, then you can imagine how the following are...yeah...these don't deserve to even be ranked**
House of Curries (Durant)
Naan N Curry -
Review from John K.
Berkeley, CA
10/4/2011
The diversity of bread choices and the unusual menu makes Breads of India stand out against the other Indian restaurants I have tried in the area. The food itself was certainly on par with some of the better Indian in Berkeley, like Vick's, but add the diverse bread choices and changing menu and you end up with something very special.
The staff was good, but I wouldnt really expect anything else since I came during lunch and there was only one other table being served. The owner was very attentive and curious about how we enjoyed our experience. The decor was also wonderful.
I would definitely come again soon. -
Review from Jason K.
Berkeley, CA
8/31/2011
I came with my friend and we got 2 orders of bread & split 1 curry with one of their specials of the day. Totally enough food for the both of us, and really good! It wasn't too spicy for me, which can be a problem at some restaurants.
We came right when it opened and were seated instantly and taken care of the entire time very well.
I would come here again in a heartbeat. -
Review from Maya P.
Santa Clara, CA
11/16/2011
This place is way OVER priced.
Lack of flavors and spices. This is not at all Indian food should taste.
Service is good but food is NOT :-( will NEVER go here again
Rating
Naan 2/5
Tikka Masala 1/5
Service 3/5
Tea 2/5 -
Review from Laurel E.
Berkeley, CA
12/31/2011
This is our go-to joint for hard days and tricky situations: Christmas Eve on our way out of town, introducing our parents to each other, after a work day that feels like being punched in the gut. It's always the right decision. The staff are welcoming and friendly, the food is excellent, the meat is good quality, and they serve the best Indian breads I've ever had.
Also, I've never had a dish arrive at anything other than the exact correct temperature. Samosas and breads are so hot you have to wait a few seconds to keep from burning your mouth. That's more than a lot of much fancier restaurants can offer. -
Review from Joshua H.
Vacaville, CA
6/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I didn't even know that Indians ate pork. But I guess there is a region in southern India where it is quite common. Small dining room with subtle and simple decor. Seems to be a local fave and family owned and operated.
Amazing breads. Them menu choices are focused but awesome. If your favorite dish is not on the menu, get over it and pick a new one
I'd so eat here again. -
Review from Theresia D.
Vallejo, CA
2/22/2011
Yumm, Yumm, Yumm!!
I really don'thave much else to say, lol.
Well clearly the food was great. We both had the Chicken Tikka Masala with a side of Garlic Naan each (To find out the portions are huge and we could share one, lol). He ordered a Mango juice and I had a hot Chai Tea. The tea was a perfect balance...wasn't too milky and wasn't to tea like.
This place is so close to home I can't believe I haven't been sooner, well I know I will be back. -
Review from Ash A.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2011
Sunday afternoon lunch - very quiet - only 2 other patrons at a table. Good things first - the yahoodi naan with sesame was the best naan I have tasted in a loooong time. Slightly tangy and scattered with sesame seeds - it was tender, nicely baked and delicious. The coconut rice naan was good too. The mix veggie tarkari ka salan was a bit tasteless for me - hubby thought it was good. Lamb dish was tasty with generous pieces of tender well cooked lamb chunks. Did not care for the salad that came on both plates - a nice cuke raita would have been far more agreeable. Service was friendly when they came around to us - they seemed busy learning/organizing something behind the counter and it was an effort to get their attention. Wanted to try their chicken biryani but they don't carry it at this location. Boo hoo.
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Review from Tiffany L.
Berkeley, CA
1/3/2011
I went to Berkeley so it was either Naan Curry or House of Curry (better), but if I had a car, I would drive here. The naans were awesome, huge and flavorful and they pair it with certain curries.
The chicken tikka massala was great, very flavorful and not overcooked (many places overcook white meat) and the lamb was good. -
Review from Gina P.
Portland, OR
9/8/2010
The naan here is absolutely amazing. If I was to give a rating for just the naan, I would give it 5 stars hands down. But there are a couple other factors that kept my overall rating at just 3 stars.
The chicken tikka masala (one of my absolutely personal favorites) was just ok. The curry was very mild, and not just in the spicy factor, but in the seasoning factor as well. The chunks of chicken were high quality pieces of chicken but not as tender as I like. Also the side dishes that come with it are totally disapointing. I plain green salad with lettuce and carrots and no dressing. So dry and bland - at least throw on something... chutney, vinegar, curry, anything! The rice was also completely plain. If this place stepped it up a bit and paid attention to the details they could really be amazing.
Also I find the size of this place totally irritating. It is WAY too small for the amount of tables they have in it. We came at 7:30 and we literally could barely get through the door because there was a full table right in front of it. Then after we had sat and more tables were filled, you literally couldn't walk between tables to get anywhere. If there was a fire, half of us would have gotten trampled to death trying to get to the door. ( okay that's overly dramatic - but seriously the fire marshall would have a heart attack if he saw this place.) -
Review from Denise R.
San Francisco, CA
11/26/2011
We ate at this restaurant for the first time last night and I am pleased to state that this is the best Indian restaurant I've eaten at in the entire United States. Their fresh, healthy ingredients put them head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. Unfortunately many Indian (as well as other ethnic) restaurants ignore the quality of the ingredients, so the food suffers in comparison to restaurants that offer market-fresh, organic produce and free-range meats. Breads of India is testimony to the fact that concentrating on healthy ingredients can put Indian food on a par with far more-expensive establishments that charge exorbitant prices for healthy food.
The breads are generously-sized and they have great choices for both vegetarians and carnivores. Background information on each of the dishes adds to enjoyment of the dish. Try the fabulous baby eggplant/potato dish if they are serving it when you go. -
Review from Amy R.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2009
I feel kind of guilty rating this restaurant so low because the service was actually very good...but the food just wasn't. It looked good, but as the lovely Jen S mentioned, my saag paneer was just bland! Not only was it bland but the cost per value was way off. 10 bucks for that guys?! There are so many great Indian restaurants out there where I can eat until I die if I want to for $10.
I have no idea why they thought it would be a good idea to top my dish with sliced ginger either. I thought it was some kind of vegetable. Have you ever eaten a big mouthful of fresh ginger? I don't recommend it...no matter how good it smells. Don't get me started on $9 for 3 pieces of naan. The salad that came with my dinner was actually pretty good.
My dinner was enhanced by excellent company, but it still wasn't good enough to mask the food. -
Review from Kate Marie G.
Berkeley, CA
9/22/2010
When I told a friend that we were moving to Berkeley, he was all, "OMG Breads of India! Best Indian food ever!" So I thought ok, I guess I'll have to check out this Breads of India place.
He was so right. Awesome masala! Cute little place, too, with pleasant Indian staff.
Being a gluten-free person, I wasn't sure what I could eat at a place called "Breads of India." I had to ask for it because it wasn't on the menu, but they willingly made me chickpea bread fresh. It was so delicious!
I will be a regular, I'm sure. -
Review from catherine b.
El Cerrito, CA
8/3/2008
I am so confused by all the love for this place. I know people who have a tradition of coming to Breads for every celebration and special occasion. I just don't get it. Yes, as has been yelped many times, the place is cozy. I'm not sure that cozy is always a great thing. Just like the real estate ads, cozy means really small. (Fyi, 'darling' means 'tiny' and 'charming' means 'old and falling apart.') The servers are pleasant and the chef obviously goes to some trouble with the menu. They work at combining just the 'right' bread with the curry.
But the problem is when they bring the food to the table, and the food is bland and uninteresting. So bland and uninteresting that I don't have anything to say about it. Which makes this review bland an uninteresting. oops. This is why 2-star reviews suck. -
Review from Rachel H.
El Cerrito, CA
7/17/2009
After House of Curries, this is my favorite Indian place. Even after living in Berkeley for years and years, I had never been to this place until last year, when my husband introduced me to it. I love their changing menu and their variety of naan breads. There is also usually pretty good parking available, and it's not that crowded if you go early.
During my first trimester of pregnancy, I couldn't deal with meat, in addition to many other things. The Aloo Naan (when they had it) was my savior, and probably the only reason my baby is alive and growing and kicks me in the organs regularly. It is naan (carbs) stuffed with potatoes (carbs!) that are a little spicy. The spiciness settled my tummy for some reason, as did the carbs, and I was able to munch contentedly. They also have a ton of delicious veggie dishes which I used to supply nutrients to my growing child.
Last time I was there I saw a couple with a brand new baby. Maybe my baby's first restaurant outing will be here! -
Review from Rosie C.
Oakland, CA
7/29/2009
One of my favorite cuisines is Indian. Its a universally liked cuisine in my diversely picky and peculiar family. Finding a delicious Indian Restaurant that achieves my required criteria has been a struggle though...until now.
Said Criteria:
1. Good, diverse and creative menu...i.e. not run of the mill Tikka Masala and Tandori Chicken assortment.
Check! They offer an ever changing menu of creative dishes complete with the recipe's historical information. Love it.
2. Freshly prepared food that spends no time in a hot plate...EVER.
Check! They cook food to order with a lovely assortment of flavors and vegetables.
3. A pleasant and orderly atmosphere with a friendly staff patient enough to accommodate an active 2 year old.
Check! While the space is small, its comfortable, clean and pretty. The staff was more than patient with my naan tossing child, even when he screamed at the top of his lungs for more Mango/Guava Lassi.
4. A delicious variety of Indian Breads with clear descriptions of each offering on the menu.
Check! They not only have a wide variety of Naan, Daal Kulcha, Paratha and Papadums but they clearly point out which breads pair best with each Entree.
5. Reasonable pricing.
Check! We ordered three entrees, TONS of Naan, side salad, Adraki Mirchi Para and Mango Lassis all for under $50.00 with tax and tip. -
Review from sara p.
Pittsburg, CA
10/27/2006
Nope, nope, nope. I live in this neighborhood and came to this place frequently before Mehak arrived across the street, mostly out of boredom because I didn't feel like cooking. The handful of times I have sat down to eat inside, I felt like the serving staff had me on a damn egg timer.
The dal is always the same bland stuff. The 'pickles' is always the same vaguely spicy stuff. The rice is bland. The undressed salad got old the second time I got takeout... Hmm. The veggie dishes are usually good, but nothing really to yodel about. There was a time when I was cooking a lot of recipes out of my Julia Sahni books and I'd come here for the naan to go with, and find that even if you're only ordering a couple slabs of plain naan, nothing fancy, it still takes 15 minutes to get it.
Ah well.
Mehak across the street lacks greatly in ambience, but it's not like Breads is the equivalent of being entertained as royalty either, ya know? So I go to Mehak and eat better food served by friendlier staff who don't pressure me to leave post-haste. Better yet, I get takeout. -
Review from Jen S.
Berkeley, CA
4/7/2009
By Yelp standards, 2 stars = "Meh. I've experienced better."
This precisely describes my feelings on Breads of India. It's overpriced and not that great. The naan is always delicious but the curries are so-so and the saag paneer is the most bland I've ever tasted. My chicken tikka masala had chunks of overcooked dried out tandoori chicken. I KNOW most Indian places aren't making curries fresh every day but they should at least be more convincing about it. I don't know, I'm just not that into it. -
Review from Matthew H.
Monterey Park, CA
10/8/2009
After hearing multiple accolades about this place, my friend Dorothy and I decided to try it. I'm not an Indian food expert by any means but I do know what good Chicken Tiki Marsala and naan are. Breads of India differentiates itself from other local Indian eateries by using Free Range Chicken and high quality meats. They also vary their menu quite a bit to provide variety. Think of it as gourmet Indian dining.
I got the Chicken Tiki Marsala and garlic naan and Dorothy got the lamb with their suggested "bread of the day." Overall the entree was a little salty, but the naan was delicious. The service was very good as they constantly came by to refill our drinks and check up on us. On the other hand, it is a little more expensive than the "Naan and Curry" that I've grown used to.
The place was good, but it didn't "wow" me. I left here feeling "A-OK." -
Review from smudgeink s.
Berkeley, CA
9/18/2010
I had the goat! Excellent! And the naan was amazing, so smooth and fluffy.
They apparently change their menu every day, r.e.s.p.e.c.t. -
Review from Monica T.
Berkeley, CA
9/1/2006
My standby for Indian food.
Admittedly it is a muted version of Indian food where the food is a little less foreign, less spicy, and less greasy. I don't feel that it's catered to the Western palette--just that it is a healthier alternative to some of the other kinds of Indian food you can get. -
Review from Shyam P.
Oakland, CA
1/8/2006
They have lots of different naans but I swear they all end up tasting the same and they're not even very fluffy. I like my naans fluffy and delicious. Theirs are far too dense. Don't even get me started on their curries. They sound like the greatest thing ever made by mortals on their fancily worded menus but end up being spectacularly disappointing upon actual consumption.
Super bland. Plus it's mad expensive. -
Review from Igor N.
Los Angeles, CA
7/11/2006
They're good. The thing is, they're not "great!" So why have I been there twice? Why have I cross the Bay Bridge to travel to a restaurant that offers up much of the same food I can get a mile away from where I live? Simple answer: friends love it. I like it, but friends love it.
Here's a plus, though. Their menu constantly changes, which might be cooler in concept than execution, but I'll still give them a bonus point for that.
A minus? I don't really dig their tikka masala, which is like an Indian food staple for me. It's the standby. And if you can't count on the standby, what can you count on? -
Review from Kathleen M.
San Jose, CA
4/25/2008
This place might be the most overrated Indian restaurant in the Bay Area. It shows up on the radar of lots of critics but I only know one person who really loves it (he lives 2 blocks away).
The best part of this place is the menu descriptions. The entrees always have lavish descriptions recounting what part of India they're from, the ingredients composing the dish, and what breads with which they should be paired. The breads all have similar descriptions. Unfortunately the food (even surprisingly the namesake breads) are never as good as the descriptions.
I remember coming here when they first opened and the only available table was a communal one that we had to share with another group. I don't think it's as busy any more. My husband and I never had a problem in subsequent visits although then it was just the two of us. Briefly my husband included this on a list of his favorite 20 restaurants in the world... I'm not sure what happened to him that day. I mean it's good... but not that good.Listed in: It's Not Easy Being a Green…
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Review from Heather R.
El Cerrito, CA
8/8/2009
The first time I went to the Breads, I was blown away. It's the real thing.
They even serve a chicken or fish plate on a steaming hot skillet / plate.
My favorite dish was the seared salmon. Oh my. It had all the crunch and swish of a 'how do they do that' trick. They served enough so that I could share with my fellow diner.
I went last Valentines day and they served literally TWO BITES of fish in the same dish. I was like, "Where's the beef!?"
I've noticed a few restaurants serving less of the good stuff in their dishes (i.e. the Pasta Pomodoro in El Cerrito. The mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari in their "Frutti de Mare" has shriveled to a pittance. And don't ASK me how their Risotto broke my heart. But that's for another review.)
In any case, they are still good, but be warned they are the most aggressive restaurant I've ever been to about turning tables. They pace the isle and want your plate if you even pretend to stop eating.
(I had a friend visiting from out of town and felt very unwelcome by this.)
Their breads are good, but cool down too fast, but whatch gonna do?
Their BEST OFFERING is the Papadom (is that spelled right?)
In any case it's a rare treat. It's a thin flat bread made out of crushed lentils or rice. I forget. It's like a big potato chip. Oh now.
But if you're going to say "Papadom" it's much more fun to say it impersonating Louis Armstrong. Get your voice really deep and go, "Pahghghghghghg Pa Daghghghm". Dig? -
Review from Jamie C.
Berkeley, CA
7/11/2007
Listen... if you can't get a simple Chicken Tikka Masala right, who cares if the bread you are going to mop it up with is any good.
( T' was burned, btw)
The C.T.M. tasted like sweetened cinnamon chai and was absolutely disgusting.
Inept, bumbling wait staff too.
Based on a positive experience I had had almost a decade earlier I brought my British wife, who is also well-versed in Indian cuisine.
Her reaction to her choice; a basic Biryani?
A less than polite grimace.
If you just want some simple, edible Indian food -nothing fancy- go to Naan and Curry on Telegraph. It isn't London, but hey, neither is New York's East 6th Street. -
Review from J. L.
Richmond, CA
1/9/2007
My God, I can't believe so many of you have had such a horrible experience at Breads, I personally have never had such an experience. I love this place and everything about it. My boyfriend and I have never been hurried out the door, regardless of how busy they might have been or how many people were waiting outside. The veggie Samosa and the Tamarind Chutney they come with are to die for. I also love the fact they have iced Chai, which not a lot of Indian places do and they look at you strange when you ask for iced Chai. And the Naan and Curries are also stellar! I haven't been to the one in Oakland, just the one in Berkeley and honestly there isn't a damn thing wrong with the place. And as far as it being "Americanized," that is a load of crap!
The only bummer is they only except cash. -
Review from Matt R.
Oakland, CA
2/22/2007
5 stars for the delicious food, many vegetarian options and reasonable prices. -1 star for turning my ass into the exhaust pipe of a 66 Cadillac.
Serious. It's crazy.
My girlfriend now insists on only going here when she will be spending that night, and the next day away from me. It's bad. But it tastes so good. Don't get me wrong, the gas doesn't bother me too much, but Breads of India might not be the place to take a date, unless you fart in front of each other.
As for the food, the menu is ever-changing (different every day). That said, many of the dishes taste similar, which is good, because they are all pretty tasty. For vegetarians, the offer at least 1 of the 5 or so entrees as veggie options. Most nights there are 2 to choose from. -
Review from Melanie C.
Berkeley, CA
6/3/2007
Unique in their "suggested bread pairings" with each dish.
Awesome use of fresh organic produce and sustainable meats, etc.
Food's a bit bland though... The fresh veggies were so tasty and vibrant, but the cooked veggies were so overcooked they had no texture at all whatsoever.
