| About: | Namaste Indian Cuisine offers excellent Indian cuisine in an elegant and quiet atmosphere. |
| Hours: | Buffet lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner 5-11 p.m. daily |
| Categories: | Salad Restaurants, Healthy Restaurants, Indian Restaurants, Restaurants |
| Specialities: | Dim Lights, Music |
| Amenities: | Catering Facility, Light Menu, Business Lunches, Kid-Friendly, Daily Specials, Parking, Reservations |
| Cuisine: | Healthy, Indian, Salads |
| Ambiance: | Elegant, Romantic, Quiet, Family Friendly |
| Feature: | Brunch, Private Rooms, Entertainment, Healthy Options, Take Out |
| Reservations Policy: | None |
| Other Contact Info: | Fax: (510) 687-3682 |
Namaste is my all time favorite Indian buffet and resturant. I have introduced many people to Indian food by taking them to Namaste, even people who said they would never eat Indian Food have agreed the food is delicious and have found themselves going back. The decor is average although I wish they had a TV with the cool Bollywood video's like I see in other Indian resturants, they make great background music and enhance the atmosphere. The owner/host is very gracious and always happy to see you.
It is a clean place to go. The owners are very gracious people, but the food is the problem. If someone goes there for South Indian food like Idlis, Dosas or Uttapams, it is fine. They know how to cook it. But if someone is looking for North Indian food, then it is a disaster. The spices used in each and every dish are the same. Dishes like baigan bharta or lamb sagwala, taste the same. The problem is the cook. One person who is cooking South Indian food is also cooking the North Indian food. It does not work this way.
A few time it happens in this kind of a restaurant that the person who is cooking meat is a non-meat eater. He or she may not have any idea what is needed in meat cooking.
Namaste buffet is the worst buffet I have ever eaten in th SF Bay area. Every dish had the same spices. It is good food if I am looking for volume and do not care about the taste or quality. But the trouble is that I am a foodie and know good food from bad one. I have never eaten their buffet again but I have eaten their South Indian food a few times, it is ok.
My advice to food eaters - if you go to a South Indian place, eat South Indian food. If you go to a North Indian place - eat North Indian food. Do not make the mistake of asking for a South Indian food, it is a disaster.
I have been going there for years and never tire of it. The food is tasty, flavorful and wonderufl. The lamb curry is my favorite. Service is excellent and friendly. The food is always fresh.