elaichi co. — Restaurant in Berkeley

I like the oat chai, the elaichi bun, and the paratha quiche. The first time I visited, the staff asked the person in front of me in line if she wanted the last elaichi bun, and she said sure. So he said to me he hoped I didn’t want that as well, and I said actually I did. The person in front was nice enough to let me have the elaichi bun. The staff asked if I wanted the bun warmed up, and I said yes. The bun had a bitter taste so I looked at it and noticed parts were burnt. I thought it was the last bun so I pulled off the burnt pieces and finished the rest of it. As I was leaving I overheard the staff tell new customers who walked in that buns are coming out fresh out of the oven. Darn, I would’ve mentioned the burnt bun if I knew fresh ones were coming out! I was only there for less than 10 minutes.

I also got the small oat chai without paying attention that it’s only 8 oz so I wished I got the large. They filled the small chai to the top, and it spilled when they handed it to me. I thought I capped it securely, but it kept leaking from underneath the lid as I was walking so I got chai all over my sleeve. I went back the next week for the 12 oz cup, and didn’t have that problem. The chai are premade and are poured out of a kettle.

On my most recent visit, the chai wasn’t as hot as before, and I also got the pistachio rose cake but maybe because my chai was so strong I didn’t really taste the pistachio or rose in the cake. I found out that they have lavender, rose, elaichi (which is cardamom) and regular syrups that you can add to your drinks. I added the lavender, but the oat chai is so flavorful already that I couldn’t taste the lavender. They let me sample the rose which tasted good, but once I added it to the chai I could no longer taste the rose as well. Although I enjoy lavender and rose flavors the chai’s sweetness is perfect without...

We visited Elaichi for our first time - won’t be the last - for the Berkeley Restaurant Week 24 specials. Elaichi did it right by offering items not on their regular menu, with Babo of Babo’s Kitchen as chef-in-residence. We enjoyed trying all 4 special items, which included 2 savories and 2 desserts with at least one vegan and gluten free choice. Those specials are now gone so I’ve removed my specific reviews for them, but there will be other specials at different times. Their regular menu is also great.

What will bring us back to Elaichi after Restaurant Week is, of course, the chai, which is strong, flavorful, and not too sweet. Watching the chai be poured from a height shows that they know what they are doing. We were lucky enough to strike up conversations with two different parties who could attest to the chai’s authenticity and the nostalgic memories it brought up for them.

Which brings me to atmosphere. Elaichi has a welcoming space, with pillowed benches and comfortable chairs, where you can take respite or strike up a casual conversation if it is welcomed. They also have a sheltered outdoor dining area that gets just enough sun in the late morning.

We hope that Elaichi survives and thrives and offers us and others many enjoyable and delicious visits for...

An intriguing sidewalk sign a block away from the cafe promised the best chai one ever tasted. A friend and I decided to check it out. The store is adorable, with a little display of pastries and a small drink menu. I ordered the elaichi latte with almond milk and my friend an oat chai. I was fascinated by the process of making the latte - a precisely weighed measure of grounds, stirred and tamped, the amount of coffee brewed also weighed to the gram, the amazing carafes of housemade syrups, the fierce shaking in a cocktail shaker. And that first sip - smooth heaven. My friend's chai was also as precisely prepared with black tea from a beautiful kettle. He also involuntarily moaned.

We left and had dinner elsewhere and returned, determined to get coffee to enjoy at breakfast the next day since we didn't live in the city. We thought Elaichi 's day old coffee, drunk cold the next day, would be better than anytime we would otherwise have.

I also got the pistachio loaf, moist, rich, flavorful.

And the best part was how friendly and personable each person behind the counter was. Funny, interesting hobbies, willing to have short, meaningful conversations. It's a lovely place and I completely understand why so many people were there - chatting, studying,...