Fremont always evokes for me memories of high school and stifling suburban boredom. Though things have since begun changing, back in my day, (heh) Fremont had little to offer a restless high schooler but sprawling track housing and hills. Maybe it’s an age thing, but with time I began finding diamonds in the rough. Small cafes, restaurants, and dives that give Fremont more character than I had initially given it credit for. For one, Fremont’s large Indian population brings with it some damn good Indian food. And among the pack, Pakwan has quickly become my place of choice for warm, hand-made naan and spicy curry. Ho, yes.

At least on the outside, Pakwan has a pretty curious feel going for it. The exxagerated sloping roof would have you expecting an alpine place serving bratwurst and kraut. But instead you find some solid naan and curry. The interior isn’t much to talk about, yellow paint and photos of India, a singular podium where you place your order. A semi-open kitchen allows you to look in on where the action happens, always a big plus in my book. Watch the cooking, soak in the aromas, and listen to the patting of fresh dough as the cooks make hand-made naan in the roaring ovens. Quite a treat.

In my mind, curry is inseperable from fresh naan. A little crispy, a little soft, light and airy, and slightly steaming as you bite into it, naan does a lot to provide a crispy texture contrast to gravyish curry, while also balancing out it’s spiciness. Not to mention it’s always fun to put down the knife and fork and eat with your hands. Rip that flatbread into conveniently shaped pieces to dip, scoop, wrap, (and spill) your curry. Pakwan hasn’t dissapointed with this staple, and they offer various flavors and stuffings for naan, including garlic naan, ground beef, onion, and potato.

First up, chicken tikka masala, a dish I consistently order at all the Indian restaurants I go to. Interestingly enough, tikka masala is not a traditional Indian dish, yet it is widely ordered and vastly popular. Much like orange chicken, tikka masala is a westernized version of an authentic dish, tracing it’s roots back to the UK, and it’s large Indian immigrant population. British tastes for gravy are said to have accounted for the thick, creamy consistency of the curry. Globally speaking, it’s widely regarded that the best Indian food outside of India can be found in Britain, (Apparently Kanye put in $3900 for overseas take-out) so they must have done something right. Anyway, Pakwan’s tikka masala is pretty solid. A slightly acidic, sour taste, likely from yogurt and/or tomatoes in the sauce is mellowed out by the cream in the gravy itself. So the end effect is somewhat tangy, yet not overwhelmingly so. And of course, the nice thickness of the curry is perfect with the naan. The chicken has been a hit-or-miss sort of thing, tending towards a bit dry and overcooked sometimes.

Next is the achar gosht, a roasted pepper lamb curry, along with a mixed vegetable curry. I’ve always been kinda partial to lamb…while others have told me it tastes like wet socks. Nonetheless, the achar gosht was pleasantly spicy and a bit hot, while the mixed vegetable curry tasted of mostly spinach more than anything else. The curries at Pakwan seem to be a bit on the heavier, greasier side compared to other places I’ve been to. Both were solid, but neither was particularly amazing.

For some reason or another, the tandoori entrees at Pakwan have never really hit the mark for me. The spice is right, but the meat almost always seems to be dry and overcooked. Such was the case for our tandoori lamb chops. All the good flavor seems lost if you find yourself having to gnaw at your meat rather than chew it. Hopefully I’m wrong, and I just haven’t ordered the right dish yet.

For all its tendency towards overcooked meat, Pakwan still has me coming back for solid Indian/Pakistani food. And none of the menu items are significantly expensive, so you can walk away pretty full for not too much cash. While I’m willing to bet there may be better Indian food in Fremont, (Shalimar comes to mind) Pakwan provides an easy, accessible, and pretty solid option for sampling Indian cuisine. Give it a shot.

Pakwan
41068 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94358
(510) 226-6234
Make sure to get some of the unlimited milk tea, it makes for a nice complement to all the spice.

Berkeley has tons and tons of unearthed gems when it comes to delicious food. When I first stepped foot on campus as a student, I distinctly remember strolling down College Avenue during the fall, avoiding puddles and watching the golden ginkgo leaves float in the air. I noticed that there was a plethora of restaurants close in the Elmwood district and I made it a goal to give each one of them a go. This Italian restaurant captured my fancy with its simple, yet authentic food. However, since I slurped down my first linguini four years ago, Trattoria La Siciliana has gained a lot of pub from both locals and Zagat hypebeasts alike, with very good reason.

I relish the opportunity to eat all my comfort foods when I’m back in Berkeley. And for good homestyle Sicilian food, I go straight to Trattoria La Siciliana. The fresh crab and lobster sign is always alluring (although it always seems to be posted). Today, I decided to order one of the house specials, the Granchio all’Insalata, as a starter. The crab was freshly cracked and slathered with lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Simple, but incredibly lip-smacking. It’s not cheap, even for the half, but mmmmm. And I love the fact they give you a nice steamed towel to wipe down your hands after. Great service.

Next up, main course! After the almost sweet tasting crab, I wanted to mix it up with something a little more hearty. Well, might as well go with the Linguini alla Siciliana, complete with anchovies, roasted red peppers, Sicilian olives, and sauteed eggplant. Ahhh, so good. I know that not everyone is an anchovy fan, but if you are, you will absolutely love this dish. The almost earthy kick of the anchovies coupled with the capers make the sauce a rich and very savory experience.

Like many of the storefronts and eateries on College, the space is a little tight and narrow. Makes dinner an intimate one, but it can easily get loud especially if there are parties upstairs. The decor exudes a very homey feel and the service was excellent and very attentive. Sigh, I love having the water filled with expedience. Haha, the simple things right? Trattoria La Siciliana is easily one of the best places where you can find a great plate of authentic pasta in the East Bay.

Trattoria La Siciliana
2993 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705
510-704-1474
Aw man, cash only again. Mmmm, cracked crab.

Well, this is easily one of the all-time greats in my book. As a Cal alum, eating a slice of pizza here on the median of Shattuck was and always will be one of my fondest memories as a student. Born out of the Alice Waters’ food revolution, Cheeseboard Pizza encompasses the distinct magic of Berkeley so well, preaching a perfect mixture of flavors and a love of all things delicious and fresh to the students and families of the area. From the flowing sounds of the jazz to the tantalizing smell of garlic in the air, Cheeseboard Pizza represents all that is good in the city of hippies and radicalism with a slice of simplicity and a spirit of both hard work and passion for life.

The Cheeseboard Collective has a rich history here in Berkeley. Nearly 40 years in fact. They started out just selling cheese and it’s grown significantly to pastries and pizzas. Gotta say, if you’re looking for rare cheeses, they probably have it or know somewhere to get it. As a collective, each member is both a worker and an owner. Everyone gets paid the same wage and all decisions are made as a group. Sounds about as close to culinary socialism as you can get. That’s Berkeley for ya. They’ve been making pizzas since 1985, the same way – one pizza a day.

Today’s was heirloom tomatoes, onions, mozarella, campo montalban, garlic, and herbs. The crunchy chewy crust is a sourdough-base and there is no sauce and no meat. They pile on the toppings and they throw it in the oven. A little plain, maybe, but appearances are incredibly deceiving. Makes the menu a breeze and definitely cuts down on inventory costs for the collective. How do they get away with this? Easy, the ingredients are fresh. The flavors are always spectacular. The pizza is so simple, yet so delicious that Berkeleyites are more than willing to come back another day for a different pizza.

Cheeseboard just recently expanded to take over another store that once separated the pizzas from the cheeses. The result is a much larger and more modern looking place, which is great for the collective. More seating for customers and now even fancy little bathrooms to use means that business is better than ever. I do lament the loss of the old look, though. The previously cramped, narrow store had a certain character that gave the pizza more distinction and made the sweet sounds of the local jazz echo even more. Speaking of which, the collective never ceases to bring out the best of local jazz talent and showcase them on a daily basis. What better way to spend a warm Friday afternoon than with the sounds of an upright bass and a savory slice of pizza? Cheeseboard is that place, where the grungy Cal second-year electrical engineer, the weather 30-something social worker, the middle-aged mom with kids in two, and the very affluent retired investment banker can all sit back and enjoy two of God’s greatest gifts to the world in peace.

The Cheeseboard Pizza Collective
1512 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709
510-549-3055
Seriously, one of the best pizzas ever and one of the best places ever. Love it.