Vik's Chaat Corner in Berkeley, CA
I went to Vik's Chaat Corner in Berkeley yesterday with CHF and MH, and let me tell you: it was quite an experience. Vik's is on an unassuming street near the highway in a part of town that is mostly warehouses. Vik's itself is half grocery/distribution store and half "restaurant," divided by a wall. By "restaurant," I really mean warehouse, because that's what it is.
As you walk in, there is a huge whiteboard on the wall with all of the daily offerings. The Chaat (snack) menu is always offered, and there are weekday and weekend specials, depending on what they are making. You give your order and your name at one of two cash registers, and then find a seat in the cavernous eating area. The eating area is set up with plastic chairs and utility tables. We got there just after noon, so it wasn't too crowded and I was able to snipe a seat as soon as we had ordered.
Given the surroundings (and the fact that the food is served on paper plates, and plastic trays), I wasn't expecting much, but the food was actually pretty incredible. Between the three of us, we tried a number of dishes. First, we had Samosa Cholle, which were two large samosas stuffed with potatoes and peas. The samosas themselves were excellent - well-spiced and fragrant (and not too much cardamom, which is a big issue with me), but the real gem was the spicy garbanzo bean curry that came as a side dish. The curry was so good, that CHF, MH and I fought with our plastic sporks to eat it plain after the samosas were finished.
We moved on to Bhatura Cholle, which was a huge puffed puri (a hollow fried bread made of fermented white flour, that is crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside). The puri was served with onions, mango pickle, and more of the excellent garbanzo bean curry. The dish was wonderful, the puri a delightful mix of crispy and chewy, with the delicate smell of good freshly fried food.
Next, we sampled the Aloo Paratha, a whole wheat flour bread stuffed with spiced potatoes. The Aloo Paratha was served with raita (yogurt with cucumber), and achar (a pickled dish). In particular, I really enjoyed this dish. The raita really made it for me. I love raita, and this had a good taste, although it could have been a bit thicker in consistency. While I was eating my Aloo, CHF had Chicken Kathi Kabob, a dish of cubes of boneless chicken with onions and cilantro, rolled into a flatbread. This was served with yogurt and mint chutney, into which CHF repeatedly dipped the Kabob. This dish was excellent, but not as good as the Aloo Tikki Cholle. The Aloo Tikka Cholle consisted of potato patties stuffed with green peas and covered with spicy garbanzo chutney. The potato patties were incredible, with a thin film of crisp on the outside where they had been pan fried. The chutney was a riot of flavor, tart and spicy, and really delicious.
We also tried Lamb Baida Roti, which was spiced ground lamb with onions and cilantro stuffed in a white flour bread. This was served with yogurt and mint chutney. MH said the lamb was well-spiced, and had great flavor. Finally, CHF had a mango lassi, served in a small styrofoam cup. CHF pronounced it "too sweet and Americanized," but this was the one dull spot in an otherwise great meal.
The next time I go to Vik's (and I will definitely be going back soon), I am going to try one of the dosas, a huge crepe made of rice and lentil flour (usually with a slightly sour taste, like that of sourdough bread) that can be served plain with a side dipping sauce, but that usually is stuffed with a potato or lamb mix. I saw a number of customers carrying them by as we waited for our food, and they looked really delicious.
Vik's Chaat Corner
7/10
As you walk in, there is a huge whiteboard on the wall with all of the daily offerings. The Chaat (snack) menu is always offered, and there are weekday and weekend specials, depending on what they are making. You give your order and your name at one of two cash registers, and then find a seat in the cavernous eating area. The eating area is set up with plastic chairs and utility tables. We got there just after noon, so it wasn't too crowded and I was able to snipe a seat as soon as we had ordered.
Given the surroundings (and the fact that the food is served on paper plates, and plastic trays), I wasn't expecting much, but the food was actually pretty incredible. Between the three of us, we tried a number of dishes. First, we had Samosa Cholle, which were two large samosas stuffed with potatoes and peas. The samosas themselves were excellent - well-spiced and fragrant (and not too much cardamom, which is a big issue with me), but the real gem was the spicy garbanzo bean curry that came as a side dish. The curry was so good, that CHF, MH and I fought with our plastic sporks to eat it plain after the samosas were finished.
We moved on to Bhatura Cholle, which was a huge puffed puri (a hollow fried bread made of fermented white flour, that is crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside). The puri was served with onions, mango pickle, and more of the excellent garbanzo bean curry. The dish was wonderful, the puri a delightful mix of crispy and chewy, with the delicate smell of good freshly fried food.
Next, we sampled the Aloo Paratha, a whole wheat flour bread stuffed with spiced potatoes. The Aloo Paratha was served with raita (yogurt with cucumber), and achar (a pickled dish). In particular, I really enjoyed this dish. The raita really made it for me. I love raita, and this had a good taste, although it could have been a bit thicker in consistency. While I was eating my Aloo, CHF had Chicken Kathi Kabob, a dish of cubes of boneless chicken with onions and cilantro, rolled into a flatbread. This was served with yogurt and mint chutney, into which CHF repeatedly dipped the Kabob. This dish was excellent, but not as good as the Aloo Tikki Cholle. The Aloo Tikka Cholle consisted of potato patties stuffed with green peas and covered with spicy garbanzo chutney. The potato patties were incredible, with a thin film of crisp on the outside where they had been pan fried. The chutney was a riot of flavor, tart and spicy, and really delicious.
We also tried Lamb Baida Roti, which was spiced ground lamb with onions and cilantro stuffed in a white flour bread. This was served with yogurt and mint chutney. MH said the lamb was well-spiced, and had great flavor. Finally, CHF had a mango lassi, served in a small styrofoam cup. CHF pronounced it "too sweet and Americanized," but this was the one dull spot in an otherwise great meal.
The next time I go to Vik's (and I will definitely be going back soon), I am going to try one of the dosas, a huge crepe made of rice and lentil flour (usually with a slightly sour taste, like that of sourdough bread) that can be served plain with a side dipping sauce, but that usually is stuffed with a potato or lamb mix. I saw a number of customers carrying them by as we waited for our food, and they looked really delicious.
Vik's Chaat Corner
7/10
posted by epicure | 9:20 AM
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