El Cerrito Round-Up either order to go or pick up telephone orders. At the busiest point during the evening, there were seven dine-in parties, and the only server that evening was none other than Pasang, herself! She gracefully handled the room, while also answering phones, fulfilling take-out orders, cashiering, and bussing tables, always providing excellent, friendly customer service. All food is freshly cooked to order at Tashi Delek, so there may be a bit of delay before food is served; but it is definitely worth the wait! The Momos were served first, and they did not disappoint! There were eight dumplings arranged in a circle on a plate, with a small dish of homemade sauce in the center. The dumpling skins were soft and the generous inside fillings of each dumpling were delicious--much more flavorful than most Chinese potstickers I’ve had. My favorites were the beef and chicken, and my guest especially enjoyed the lamb. The dipping sauce was reminiscent of marinara, and we later confirmed with Pasang that it was a home-made tomato sauce. Next we were served bowls of dal, which Pasang explained was a lentil soup. It had a creamy texture and the flavor reminded me of lima bean soup that my grandmother used to make when I was young. There were no whole lentils in the soup, and it was flavorful but not spicy. The Tandoori Tikka arrived on a sizzling platter, steaming hot, and boasting a wonderful aroma. The platter was filled with large chunks of broiled chicken breast served amid a bed of lightly sautéed onions and bell peppers; however, no other accompaniments were served with this entree. The Saag Paneer arrived in two dishes, one containing the creamy spinach and cheese mixture, and the other with a generous serving of white rice. The Tandoori Tikka had an excellent flavor and was mildly spicy. The chicken was generally moist, though a few pieces seemed a bit overcooked and a bit dry. My guest’s creamy spinach was not what she’d expected, and it was a bit too spicy for her taste, although she had ordered it to be mild. I liked the creamy consistency of the spinach but also found the dish a bit too spicy for my taste. We had also ordered both the Garlic Rosemary Naan and the Garlic Cilantro Naan, which were delivered to the table piping hot right from the oven. Both selections were very large portions, and were light and fluffy with excellent flavor. In addition to the great food and service, the prices at Tashi Delek are very reasonable. Prices range from $4 for some starters to $12 for the most expensive entrée, which is Lamb or Fish Tandoori. Most selections average $8 - $9, making this a great value for the money. Although a novice in Indian cuisine, I will certainly return to Tashi Delek to try some of the other entrees that piqued my interest. For adventurous diners who are interested in trying delicious ethnic cuisine, or for those who are well-familiar with Indian, Tibetan, or Nepali food, I highly recommend that you try Tashi Delek for their wide-ranging menu of intriguing and authentic home-style dishes. SAAG PANEER (CREAMY SPINACH WITH HOMEMADE CHEESE, SERvED WITH RICE) MANGO LASSI (DRINK-LIKE A SMOOTHIE)
Contra Costa Marketplace - Dec 2014
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