Category: Pakistani & Indian
Neighborhood: The Mission
Price Range: $$It is a wonder that I haven't written about this place sooner. We go here all the time and I mean, all the time! At least once or even twice a week some times, I would say. I'm not going to lie, we even came here after our lunch at the French Laundry. Sorry FL! This place is great for almost any occasion, from dinner with the girls to large birthday dinners and it is consistently good every time. I love Pakistani & Indian Food and I have some very good Indian friends that think that I was from India in another life. That very well may be true...
Aslam's Rasoi has really great Pakistani & Indian Food. It is definitely not your Indian Dive joint that you find in the 'Loin, but it is a mid-range family-owned place that does their Food extremely well. The Master Chef and Owner, Mohammed Aslam was from Indian Oven in the Haight formerly and has won many awards from Zagat, SF Weekly, San Francisco Magazine and the like. He opened Aslam's Rasoi in April 2006 where he took over the former restaurant there which was called just Rasoi and thus made it Aslam's Rasoi. His Son, Asif and Daughter, Sehrish, both work there and are very sweet and extremely accommodating. This is a family operation and they have always made us feel at home there.
So what else is so great about Aslam's? Well, let me tell you...
For me, the Curries are perfectly prepared where the Spices are just right. The Meats, from Lamb to Chicken or Prawns are always incredibly tender. And their Menu has many things that you don't typically find in hole-in-the-wall joints. I do have my favorites though, so let me share these with you.
Above we have a typical Raptor Aslam's Spread - a photo which I took myself. We always start with a bottle of the Sula Chenin Blanc, which is light, fresh and fruity. Not as sweet as a Reisling, but goes extremely well with spicy Indian Food. When we're feeling super hungry, we will occasionally get an appetizer or two such as Samosa or Pakoras of which there are the typical Vegetable, Bombay-style or Gobi, but we are big fans of the Chicken Pakoras, which in effect are Indian-style Chicken Nuggets. Good stuff! Another great thing is that the Menu not only has your typical Naans and Basmati Rice for their Sides, but they also offer a huge variety of other items that you don't typically find. Like six kinds of Biryanis, Paratha (Buttered and Layered Whole Wheat Bread), Chapati (Unleavened Whole Wheat Bread baked in Tandoor) and Poori (Deep-Fried Whole Wheat Puffs). A little secret for you... We sometimes ask for a Chaat-Style Salad (Not on the Menu) which has Chick Peas, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, Lime Juice and Cilantro and finished with a little bit of Yoghurt. Delicious and Refreshing...
We then go on to order our Mains...
First-timers at any Indian restaurant typically order the Chicken Tikka Masala, which naturally they do a great job with here. But we prefer the Murgh Makhani which is Boneless Chicken simmered in a mild Butter Creamy Tomato Sauce. My favorite go-to Dish is Saag Gosht, Boneless lamb cooked with Creamed Spinach, Garlic and Ginger. Aslam's is my favorite, because their Lamb is so tender and juicy. The photo above is a picture that I took of the Saag Gosht. I love it.
Other Faves are the Karahi Gosht, Lamb cooked with Butter, Ginger, Garlic and Spices in a semi-dry Sauce and the Rasoi's Rogan Josh, a classic Lamb Curry cooked with Ginger, Garlic, Onions and Saffron. These are both very similar Dishes, but we prefer the Karahi Gosht a little more. I have tried a few of the Vegetarian and Seafood Dishes, but admittedly, prefer Lamb & Chicken. I have tried their Dal and I thought it was really good.
Oh and we always get an order of Raita, Homemade Yogurt with Herbs, Shredded Cucumber and Cumin, which is a great Side to help cool down anything spicy. Theirs is particularly thick & creamy, which is how I like it.
Speaking of Lamb, O.M.G.! The Rasoi's Lamb Chops are to die for! See photo below...
Rasoi's Lamb Chops are Tender Lamb Chops marinated in homemade Yogurt and Aslam's Spices. You won't find this under the Lamb section, but in the Tandoori section. They are Unbelievably Good! So Tender, Juicy and Succulent... Mmmm...
Trust me on this one, you have to try it.
All I can say is if you like Indian/Pakistani Food... EAT HERE.
