Methi Walnut Creek — Restaurant in Walnut Creek

Update after my first visit to Methi:

I decided to give Methi another try and reordered the Bhel Puri, which I had enjoyed previously. This time, I also ordered the Chicken Tikka Kabab and Matar Paneer. Unfortunately, this experience changed my perception of the restaurant.

While the Bhel Puri was consistent with my first visit, fresh and flavorful, the Chicken Tikka Kabab was a major letdown. The chicken was heavily colored with what appeared to be food coloring. As someone who has cooked Indian food for over 20 years, I found this quite disappointing. I decided to call the restaurant to provide my feedback, hoping for a constructive conversation. However, the staff seemed defensive and insisted that the vibrant red color was due to turmeric and spices, which I found to be an unconvincing explanation.

The Matar Paneer, on the other hand, was decent, not particularly remarkable but not bad either.

Overall, while the Bhel Puri remained a highlight, the experience with the Chicken Tikka Kabab has raised doubts about the authenticity and quality of the other dishes. The unwelcoming response to feedback also adds to my hesitation about revisiting. It's a mixed feeling now, with some good elements overshadowed by a concerning experience.

First visit:

I recently visited a charming little restaurant called Methi, nestled in the East Bay area, particularly in Walnut Creek. It's often challenging to find a good spot for chaat once you cross Berkeley, but Methi certainly fills that gap. Despite its modest size, Methi manages to deliver an impressive dining experience.

The service at Methi was exceptional. The staff were attentive and friendly, making sure we felt welcome from the moment we stepped in. The atmosphere, though compact, was cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual dining experience. It's clear that the team at Methi takes pride in their work, and their dedication shines through in the quality of the food and service.

We started our meal with their Bhel Puri, a quintessential chaat dish. All the base ingredients were incredibly fresh, which made a significant difference in the taste. The flavors were well-balanced, with the perfect mix of tangy, spicy, and sweet notes. It was evident that the kitchen uses high-quality ingredients, ensuring each bite was delightful.

I also tried their chai, which was wonderfully aromatic and soothing. It had just the right amount of spice, making it an excellent accompaniment to the chaat. Although I didn't have the opportunity to try any of their entrees this time, the quality of the Bhel Puri and chai has certainly piqued my interest for future visits.

Another highlight of Methi is its affordability. Despite the high quality of the food and the excellent service, the prices are very reasonable. It's refreshing to find a place that offers such value without compromising on taste or experience.

In summary, Methi is a gem in the East Bay area, particularly for those craving authentic and delicious chaat in Walnut Creek. The great service, fresh ingredients, and reasonable prices make it a must-visit. I look forward to returning and exploring more of their menu. Highly...

I felt like I was real India Dhaba! I am an Indian food home chef and have traveled extensively in Pakistan and India and have eaten in hundreds of restaurants there. I have tried every Indian restaurant in the East Bay. It doesn't come any better that this for North Indian food. The goat in the goat curry was falling off the bone as if it had been cooked for six hours. The Masala had hints of black cardamon, green cardamon and star anise. The tandoori chicken, two thighs and two drumsticks was tender and juicy, served on a sizzling bed of browned onions. The Shahi Paneer was small cubes in and tenderly spiced creamy gravy. The Naans came, fresh from the tandoor and were perfectly done. The deserts are home made. The Malai Kulfi and Ras Malai can't be beat. You can order your food to the spice level that you like. If you order it mild, don't complain about "lack of flavor". I orderey spicey and it was not the least bit overwhelming.

The atmosphere is, clean, neat and happy.

The service was a little spotty due to the fact that the server was young and in training. She also had a slight language barrier. This was completely forgivable to me because she made up for it in cheerfulness and was backed up by the owner/chef at all times.

The chef/owner was friendly, engaging and enthusiastic.

This my go-to place from now on!

Mik Hamilton, author of The Asian Road - How a Wandering Vagabond...

This review is long overdue. I've gotten takeout from methi five or six times and dined in three times now. The value of the lunch menu is really nice especially for the area. I'm actually glad it's just a little bit away from the main downtown area. It feels more like a neighborhood haunt than a place for a special occasion which encourages multiple visits and always makes it seem like it's always a viable option for choosing where to eat.

I really wish I could get into nitty gritty details about the flavors of all the different dishes but truthfully I've tried too many over too long a span to be specific. I guess I just recommend going outside your comfort zone a little. Go one spice level higher than you normally would, get a dish you're not sure you can pronounce correctly, and please, whatever you do, order too much food. The naan is a particularly nice item I'd like to shout out. Soft and chewy and perfect for scooping up your curry with. The pickled veggie salad is pretty good too. To be fair, I've almost always ordered from the veggie side of the menu so I can't comment on how their chicken is but I assure you that every veggie entree is delectable. Don't forget to order samosas for the...