Ajanta Indian Restaurant
By
Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives
We
have dined at and enjoyed the Distinctive Indian Cuisine
at Ajanta Restaurant on Solano Avenue in Berkeley
many times over the past twenty years and were interested when
we heard that they were initiating a nightly Chef's Tasting
Menu. We always enjoy the décor that features
large bold Indian Art inspired by the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra
India. Indian background music and lovely flowers on every table
also adds to the experience. The cuisine is healthier and lighter
than most Indian Cuisine, as they use locally sourced and mostly
organic seasonally fresh and natural ingredients including organic
chicken, natural seafood, as well as hormone and antibiotic-free
meats. We ordered wine and looked at the very reasonably priced
Chef's Tasting Menu which is served from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. every
night and is priced at $27.00 ($24.00 for the vegetarian offering).
It is served family style and features three appetizers, four
main dishes, sides of rice, naan bread, chutneys , pickles and
a choice of dessert.
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We
enjoyed all of our Appetizers from the tasting menu. The delicious
Tandoori Fresh Scallops were marinated in yogurt and
spices then roasted in the Tandoor Oven and served with yogurt-cashew-tamarind
sauce. The marinated and grilled Tandoori Portobello Mushrooms
tasted fabulous because of the cloves and spices. We also loved
the Tandoori Chicken Chaat which was chicken pieces marinated
then grilled in the tandoor oven, shredded then tossed with oil,
lime juice, red onions, ginger and spices.
The
main dishes which were accompanied with Basmati Rice,
Naan, Mango Chutney, and Carrot and hot Pickles were all delicious.
We ordered them Medium Spice which was definitely hot enough for
us. We were pleased to see that the Lamb Rib Chops which
are marinated in yogurt and spices then grilled in tandoor was
one of the main dishes as they were as fantastic as on past visits!
We also enjoyed the Chicken Mulligatawney which is a
chicken curry dish from the south of India. The boneless organic
chicken was cooked in a sauce made with onions, ginger, garlic,
coconut milk, lime juice and spices. The Green Fish Curry
made with Ling Cod is simmered in a sauce made with cilantro,
mint, onions, garlic, green chills, coconut milk, cashew powder,
lime juice and spices was excellent! The Vegan Achari Baingan
is a delicious sautéed Eggplant cooked in a sauce with
tomatoes, ginger, garlic, lime juice and Indian Picking spices.
The
wine list features wines from India, California and around the
world. We enjoyed the 2010 Villa Maria Marlborough New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which was light and lively with our appetizers
and the 2010 Double Decker California Red Blend with
was full bodied and paired well with the main dishes. Our favorite
Dessert was the Kulfi which is a frozen dessert made
with thickened milk, cream, pistachios and flavored cardamon and
keora. We finished our dinner with Numi Earl Grey Black Tea.
Chef/Owner
Lachu Moorjani's new nightly Chef's Tasting Menu
is a True Indian Feast from The Best of The Best of Ajanta.
We overheard one diner say as she was leaving, "This is the
Food of the Gods" and we agree! We left happy and satisfied
and look forward to returning again as Ajanta
continues to be the Best Indian Restaurant in the Bay Area.
Ajanta
Indian Restaurant
1888 Solano Ave
Berkeley, CA. 94707
510-526-4373
www.AjantaRestaurant.com