Located on Lytton Avenue in downtown Palo Alto lies Darbar, an underappreciated local restaurant. Its menu blends North and South Indian Cuisine and features an affordable lunch buffet and a sit-down style dinner service, making it perfect for anything from a small snack to a filling meal.
Vegetable Samosa ($7.95): 8/10
The vegetable samosa is a must-have when searching for a filling appetizer. Inside its crisp outer shell sit warm and cozy spiced potatoes and peas. Its golden brown exterior speaks for itself, however, the samosa’s dough is a little runny. The Chutney dipping sauce makes up for this, though, with a punchy and citrusy taste to complete the flavor palette.
Aloo Tikki (Complementary): 6/10
Aloo tikki are fried potato slices coated in chickpea flour. While the outside is crispy to perfection, the inside is a little bland. The potato’s satisfying crunch delivers a delicious bite, but the inside quickly disappoints. Its soggy texture and bland taste leave sauces as the only way to save the dish. Still, the potato stays flat and forgettable.
Chana Masala ($17.95): 9/10
Chana masala is an onion and garbanzo bean curry packed with flavor. One bite of this dish causes an endlessly addictive explosion of warm spices, tangy tomatoes, and a rich curry. Even with relatively simple ingredients, the flavors taste complex and layered, especially when paired with naan.
Rice (served with entrées): 3/10
The rice soaks up flavor from the other dishes well, but it is still disappointing. It’s bland and overly soft. Rice is usually hard to get wrong, but it is unsalted and almost tasteless, resulting in a complete miss.
Naan (served with entrées): 10/10
The naan truly is a treat. It’s deliciously light and fluffy, pairing beautifully with the restaurant’s most flavorful dishes. Its perfect crunch and charred taste give it a surprisingly nuanced flavor. The shine reflecting off the bread is warm butter that creates a tempting glow. Each bite is terrific.
Mixed Vegetable Curry ($17.95): 7/10
The mixed vegetable curry is a great option for those seeking cozy comfort food. It contains hearty vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and peas, which come together with a mix of spices. The curry resembles vegetables in a bowl, as it lacks a saucy consistency. The spice combination can be at times confusing, however, the dish is still a delicious treat.
