1337 Park St.
Alameda, CA
510-522-6821
The flavors of India have arrived on Park Street, thanks to this neat-as-a-pin relative newcomer where the décor is as warm and inviting as the taste sensations that arrive on the plates. Appetizers reach from papadum, pakora and samosas to entrees from the tandoor, folded into wraps, stuffed into bread and atop rice. Chicken, lamb, seafood and plenty of vegetables are on offer here, along with sides of cooling cucumber raita and tangy mango chutney. We lingered over mango lassi and chai and then dove into a breadbox-sized sweet-tangy paneer wrap and a steaming bowl of chicken chili sided with daal and rice, two reasonably priced choices from an abbreviated lunch menu. Mmmm. The menu helpfully denotes whether dishes are spicy (choose your heat carefully), vegan or right for tots. Serves lunch and dinner daily. Also: 3211 College Ave., Berkeley, (510) 658-3461; 3276 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, (510) 268-8957; and 6112 La Salle Ave., Suite 2, Oakland, (510) 338-0553.