Shaan Indian Cuisine
3434 Fruitvale Ave.
Oakland, CA 94602
510-531-1172
www.shaanindiancuisine.com

Shaan chef-owner Parmjit Singh has been in the restaurant business since 1983. Early in his career, he took a turn as chef at Gaylord in Palo Alto and he most recently owned Berkeley’s Mugal Indian Cuisine.

The lunchtime all-you-can-eat buffet ($7.99) is an opportunity to try many of the dishes, six of which change daily. The standard offerings include naan, tandoori chicken and vegetable pakora, which is best when it’s fried to order ($2.99).

Tender naan is gussied up with a spiced ground lamb stuffing ($2.99), which is good on its own or as an accompaniment to saucy dishes like chana masala, garbanzos cooked in a spice blend. The moderate portion of lamb vindaloo ($8.99), though billed as spicy, still seemed fairly mild. Small dishes of accompanying sauces and a la carte condiments – raita ($1.49), Indian pickles ($1) and mango chutney ($1) – alternately soothe and boost the myriad flavors. Singh’s moist tandoori chicken ($7.99) arrives on onion slices that soften and char on the oval sizzle plate.

Free delivery within 5 miles is offered with a $15 minimum order.

11am-3 pm and 5-9:30pm daily
www.Shaanindiancuisineoakland.com
Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted.