The restaurant front and sign looked like the business was just going out-of, or just getting starting. The sign on the door declared only checks or cash were accepted. As my husband and I stood outside checking our cash reserves, the owner opened the restaurant door and told us not to worry about that requirement, and invited us in. A Westerner, Indian cuisine is my favorite. I have both cooked plenty and consumed plenty at restaurants, always looking for bright, fresh flavors with the magical blend of spices characteristic of good Indian cuisine. Because of my love of the food and high expectations, I am easily disappointed.
For lunch, we ordered from the menu rather than eating from the buffet. The veggie somosas were perfect, as were the paneer sag, the aloo gobhi, dahl, chicken masala and nan. I was especially impressed with the dahl which was prepared with a firm black lentil and the softer either split pea or yellow lentil (I wasn't sure which), giving the dahl a delightful texture and taste beyond any dahl I've eaten. It seemed the owner prepared the food himself, and he also served it with care. At the end of the meal, we had sufficient cash to pay, but had we not, the owner had told us we could pay next time. The food at Sangam is prepared to a highter standard than Breads of India in Oakland and Berkeley. I have found my favorite Indian restaurant.
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