Tasty India (Metzer Straße 21, 10405 Berlin Deutschland) is located round the corner from the Ibis Mitte, our preferred place of residence when in Berlin. It has been in operation for about one year, Mein Host informed us.
We arrived at Tasty India just after the noon opening. On entering, it became immediately apparent that there was next to no space to dine inside. I pointed to the solitary table near the doorway, they would bring it outside. So, Tasty India is primarily a Takeaway, with a green carpet under the canopy outside, for those who wish to brave the elements. There is no toilet available for customers. It was 9ºC as we took our seats, coats were staying on.
Menus were provided, the usual Deutsche-Indian fayre. Then I spotted Fish Vindalu (€10.90) with inclusive Rice. Not often one sees this, it had to be. Marg was having Mix Pakora (Veg) (€7.90) along with Jogi Tea (€1.50). I asked for a litre bottle of Sparkling Water (€2.90), which would surely be the cheapest served in Berlin.
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Normally, one takes in the ambience of a restaurant at this point, today it was watching the M2 trams running up and down from Prenzlauer Berg to Alexanderplatz.
The drinks arrived, Marg’s Tea was suitably hot and milky, yeuch. I was given a glass of Sparkling Water, so none for Marg. The Pakora and two Dips arrived moments before the Curry.
Mix Pakora (Veg)
I counted about fifteen pieces of Pakora, so the price feels justified. Unlike proper Vegetable Pakora where finely chopped Vegetables are mixed together, this was simply slices of Vegetable in batter. Aubergine, Paneer, Cauliflower and Potato were present, around three or four pieces of each.
Marg avoided the Chilli Dip, and concentrated on the Mint Raita.
Filling – she assured me – a good mixture.
Today, the quantity of Rice matched the Curry, so not totally ridiculous. I helped myself to a plateful, the remainder was hopefully bound for the bin.
Fish Vindalu
Tasty India is my fifteenth Berlin Curry House. I should trawl back through every review to establish how often I have not been given a Creamy Masala. India Club does tick that box, however, today’s blended Masala was typical of Berlin Curry.
I decanted eight good sized pieces of Fish and three large Potato Wedges, plenty of solids. The quantity certainly matched the price, good value. The Masala had a decent level of viscosity, this was far from being Shorva.
Vindaloo in Deutschland is not always associated with a big – Spice – level. Strictly speaking, it doesn’t have to, I have been served many a bland Vindaloo. Today, there was a definite – kick – nothing extreme, but enough to register as a Spicy Curry. The Seasoning was well pitched, and so there was a definite sense of this being a Fish Curry. The Fish retained its integrity until it was cut, no flaky mass here. Soft, tasty, I do enjoy a good Fish Curry, this was not too shabby. The Potato, also soft, did not have the time to absorb the Flavours from the Masala. It did provide the required Diversity.
Do you want more Rice? – asked Mein Host when he came out to check on our progress. How much Rice can Europeans eat?
I ate on, enjoying the Curry. Whilst it may not have been the best ever, the traditional fayre in Deutschland is what makes me persist. Inevitably, the food cooled, but only to 12ºC, there are signs that the end of spring is imminent.
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The Bill
€22.80 (£19.05) Mein Host confirmed that the Sparkling Water was listed as – Naan – (€2.50).
The Aftermath
Our brief chat continued. The Real Taste of India – is the tag-line at Tasty India. Clearly, what I had been presented with today was not. I asked if there were any Desi/Apna Curry Houses in Berlin. This did not receive a response.
The search continues.
Menu extracts
