Passand Lounge

Ever since my travels in South India, I've dreamt of Dosas, sambar, cocnut chutneys, thalis served on banana leaves… I have a serious emotional attachment to this food. I couldn't believe it when a friend took me to Passand. This place actually gets it. I've never been to a place the more authentically recreates food from Asia. Unfortunately, midway through the meal, my head spinning in sensual delight, that's when I get the story about how the place was a front for an underage prostitution ring which was exposed when two of the girls died. Complicated story, but after the meal I read all about it on the internet, about the protests in front of the place because while the ringleader/owner was put away, all sorts of people who were part of the web are still running the place. So, with a heavy heart, I do not eat there. There's too many other good people to support in this town. more

Pasand bills itself as a place for the Berkeley 30s crowd, but I've gotta tell you -- I'm 27, and I loved the place. The Indian-themed decor is funky, but not overdone. The couches are incredibly large and comfortable. And the drink specials from 5-7 really can't be beat ($2.50 domestics; $3 imports and well drinks). My only complaint was the food, which was decent, but far from exceptional. (My chicken curry had very little chicken in it, and what was there tasted processed, rather than freshly cooked.) On the whole, I'd say that this is a great place for an after-drink cocktail (or 3), but you might want to head somewhere else for dinner... more