Naan N' Chutney

Naan N' Chutney
525 Haight Street (between Fillmore and Steiner), 415 255-1625
11am-midnight, 7 days.

San Francisco is now literally flooded with Indian and Pakistani restaurants of all ethnic groups and prices. Many can be found by scrolling down some of my past reviews. They range from very low-priced – I call them discount-restaurants – to upscale. The one I have chosen for this review, Naan N’ Chutney, is an in-between one, with a number of low-priced dishes, and some more upscale ones. It also has a number of appetizers, more like the upscale restaurants. Naan N’ Chutney’s decor is also in-between – large and clean, high-ceilings, plain wooden tables without tablecloths. Food is ordered and paid for at the counter, utensils and complementary tea are picked up by the diner. When ready, the food is brought to the table. The quality is pretty close to the upscale Indian restaurants. The meat is Halal, i.e. the slaughtering and quality of the animals is religiously overseen. This is always a good sign for an Indian or Pakistani restaurant. Service is prompt and attentive. The restroom is unusually clean.

Appetizers include two spicy potato patties served with garbanzo beans $2.99, a Veggie Pakora with eggplant, zucchini and cauliflower, fried in spicy butter $2.99, two turnover samosas stuffed with potatoes and served with garbanzo beans $3.50, fish Pakora fried in spicy batter $4.99, Tandoori chicken salad (BBQ chicken served with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and rhitta) $4.99. Any of the above is a good starter for two.

Tandoori BBQ includes marinated chicken leg in special spices, cooked in Tandoori oven $2.99, marinated chicken breast $3.50, marinated lamb $3.99, marinated ground beef $3.99, marinated lamb $7.99, Tandoori marinated lamb chops $9.99. These are designed for Tandoori lovers, and some portions are very large.

Chicken curries include Karachi chicken, stir-fried and cooked with special spices, onions, and bell peppers $5.99, and three other Indian chicken curries with regional sauces $5.99 each.

Lamb curries, all $5.99, include lamb with spinach, potatoes, or lentils, and lamb with onions and tomatoes. Some are mild and some are hot curry dishes. The lamb is cooked to tenderness, and portions are ample.

Vegetable curries, $4.99-5.99, include spinach with Pakistani cheese $4.99, eggplant with onions, tomatoes, and garbanzo beans in a Punjab curry sauce $4.99. Curries are from different regions in India and Pakistan.

Seafood curries, $8.99-9.99, include fish in special curry sauce $8.99, shrimp in special curry sauce $9.99. These are the more expensive items on the menu, but still a few dollars lower than at upscale Indian restaurants.

Biryanis – chicken, lamb or prawns cooked with fried Basmati rice and/or vegetables – chicken $5.99, veggie $5.99, lamb $6.99, shrimp with rice and vegetables $9.99. Saffron-flavored basmati rice $1.99 (good accompaniment to any curry dish).

Chef’s Specials range from $2.99 to $9.99, e.g., lentils cooked with special spices $2,99, mixed vegetables cooked in yoghourt and special sauce $4.99, lamb cooked with garbanzo beans in special sauce $5.99, chicken cooked with spinach, garbanzo beans, or potatoes in special sauce $5.99, fish cooked with potatoes in hot curry sauce $8.99.

Tandoori breads, naan, include wheat bread baked in clay oven $1.00, naan stuffed with ground beef, potatoes, or chopped onions $1.99, naan stuffed with cheese $2.50. One order is usually enough for two, if accompanied by curry and rice.

Chutney wraps, $4.99-5.99, include chicken wrap with thigh meat, lettuce, tomatoes, chutney, and homemade mayonnaise, wrapped in naan bread $4.99, lamb wrap with same accompaniments $5.99, veggie wrap with same accompaniments $4.99. Each wrap is an ample meal for one.

Beverages -- Hot Indian tea is free with meal, Pakistani rose drink $1.00, mango lassi yoghourt drink $2.00, iced tea $1.50.

Desserts include mango ice cream $2.00, Pakistan rice pudding $2.00.