Shalimar Garden - Oakland

It was my first visit, and I really enjoyed the goat biryani. The staff was also very nice and friendly.

The food and service were excellent. There is a relaxed atmosphere with outdoor seating available. Additionally, there are plenty of healthy choices on the menu!

The food is great and reasonably priced. When you arrive, you place your order at the register, then grab your plate, utensils, and find a seat in one of the many vibrant corners of the restaurant. If you're not a fan of spicy food, be sure to inquire about the heat levels of the dishes, as some can be quite spicy.

I tried the lamb biryani for $10.99 and a couple of samosas for $3.99 (two pieces). The portions are generous enough to share between two adults. The lamb biryani contained tender chunks of lamb, seasoned with bold spices and served on a large mound of rice that was golden yellow, just as expected. However, the seasoning could be improved, and the rice was a bit mushy for my liking. I prefer fluffy rice that's almost crispy and would have appreciated some marrow in the dish. They are still new and receptive to feedback, so I hope they take my comments into consideration. The samosas were hot and freshly fried, which I enjoyed, though I would have liked to see a mix of vegetables instead of just potato. Overall, the food is good, with room for improvement, which will come with time. So if you're checking out restaurant reviews, I encourage you to give Shalimar Garden a try. Just be sure to leave your own review afterwards – that’s all I ask!

I had a delightful vegetarian lunch on the patio. The sada bindhi (okra) and mushroom masala were outstanding, paired perfectly with fluffy rice, fresh naan, and self-serve chai. The service was excellent too!