East Bay Spice — Restaurant in Berkeley

Update:

After posting my review, I followed management’s request for more information. Jack reached out to me. He was transparent, empathetic, and professional throughout our call. With his transparency and communication, the duplicate payment was canceled by Citi.

Thank you again, Jack! I am leaving the original review, as again, I think it’s an important experience — and in that, I think this experience also highlights the service East Bay Spice Offers.

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Original:

Love the place, but I was charged twice on my recent visit. I was visiting Berkeley from Stockton, and had to step out to contact Citi. Citi had sent a fraud alert, and so I needed to call to clear. Before stepping out, I was at a total of 108. I returned after calling the credit company to confirm I was the one making charges. By the end of my meal the total was just shy of 150. Tip was left, and I received one check of est 150. I left a 20 percent tip.

I have been charged both the 108 and the 150. Annoying and an unfortunate happening to a location I genuinely enjoy frequenting. The reason I know 108 was where my bill was before exiting to call Citi was that I asked the bartender in the event I needed to pull the cash/ charge to debit. I wanted to ensure that I had the total on hand, and so I asked the tab total at that time.

I had ordered, up to that point:

A curry masala The flat bread - with lamb Order of tacos 2x drinks

At the time of the 108 charge, I had only purchased 2 drinks. After clearing with Citi, I asked for 2 more. Bringing my order above to an additional 2 drinks, or 4 total.

I know I did not spend 250. I understand how the confusion occurred, but it’s annoying on the side of the costumer. I would expect better business practices/ checks.

I caught it just today, but it is something that will cause me to rethink visiting.

If management contacts me, I am more than willing to discuss and revise. I have attempted to be fair in my review since I have been to the location 3 times prior without issue, but this was something I feel bothered by. Had I not caught it, I would’ve been charged twice.

The mistaken 108 transaction is still pending, and has been pending since 12/30. I believe this is because I had never received the 108 duplicate receipt, and so I had never signed it. Again, I would love to explain this to management, and ensure this does not happen to...

If you are a woman, it is not safe to come here. I was sitting at the table across from the bar with my back facing the walkway and a man kept coming up behind me and whispering or making general noises near my ear. I just ignored him but by the third time I had enough and told him to stop approaching me. He acted offended but stayed right behind me despite me pleading for him to leave me alone. He even proceeded to touch my shoulder and I had to tell him not to touch me. My friends at my table chimed in telling him to leave but it still took many times for him to finally turn around and sit at the bar. No one else in the vicinity tried to help by intervening but the security guard must have witnessed it because he immediately approached the man so I was relieved thinking he was getting kicked out. But it turns out he knows the staff well because he remained in the bar and was even walking back and forth between the back kitchen and the front bar being friendly with the workers. I switched spots with a friend so my back wouldn't be exposed to him but now he was making sure to make eye contact with me every time he walked past. My friend approached the security guard to ask if anything would be done about the man harassing me but since the security guard was friends with him he brushed it off and refused to make him leave. I even talked to the security guard and told him I felt very uncomfortable but he still did not do his job so my friends and I...

*10/31/2023 I really like East Bay Spice Company, and I always order their Chicken Tikka Masala with naan and basmati rice. The chicken breast is cooked in a special oven with yogurt and spices, making it really tasty. I like to have it with a Trinidad ting drink, which has tequila, amaro, bitters, pineapple, and lemon, making it even better. The Chicken Tikka Masala is consistently amazing, and the drinks make it even more special.

I also tried their Original Tikka Masala Flatbread, which is made with naan, onions, cilantro, mozzarella, and tikka masala sauce with a choice of protein.

8/14/2023 East Bay Spice Company is my go-to spot, and I'm always drawn to their Chicken Tikka Masala served with naan and basmati rice. The chicken breast, tenderly cooked in the tandoor with yogurt and spices, creates an irresistible masterpiece. The experience is elevated with a glass of Trinidad ting, featuring cimarron tequila, angostura amaro, angostura bitters, pineapple, and lemon, which adds an exquisite touch. With consistent excellence, the Chicken Tikka Masala remains consistently exceptional, while the carefully curated drink pairings elevate the overall experience to...