On our return visit we got Chicken Biryani. Perfectly cooked chicken, the dish a cornucopia of spices.
An outstanding version of Baingan Bharta (eggplant stew).
Last night was the debut of a new dish at Zaiqa, Lamb Shank. Absolutely divine sauce served with tender lamb on the bone.
A piece of the succulent lamb, amid the rice from the Chicken Biryani and the Baingan Bharta.
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| Bhindi Masala at Zaiqa Indian-Pakistani Cuisine. |
Hercules is one of the last bedroom communities along Interstate 80 before you cross the Carquinez Bridge into Vallejo. You'd never know there was anything there but Starbucks and Mountain Mike's Pizza, as that's pretty much all you see passing by on the highway. However, that little strip mall's got a few mom and pop stores, including this fantastic Indian-Pakistani restaurant that's up there with some of the best in the Bay Area.
Lamb Palak, boneless lamb cooked with spinach. The spinach tastes like it was cut by hand instead of blender because it has some tooth to it. Normally, when you specify "medium spicy" that's simply a reference to the heat of the chiles. There's nothing "medium" about the explosion of spices that hits your palette with each bite. Tender lamb that's probably been marinated in yogurt and ghee are the backbone of this Palak, along with plenty of spices, no doubt the chef's mother's own garam masala blend.
Goat Korma, definitely has some of the sweeter spices like anise, mustard seed and cardamom, but also some pepper and chile. Another highly nuanced blend in the sauce with the tender goat meat on the bone.
Bhindi Masala, my favorite Indian vegetarian dish, with the blend of okra, onion, peppers and tomato making for a joyous counterpoint to the meat dishes. Each entree comes with your choice of rice or naan. During lunch, Zaiqa features a buffet.
Zaiqa Indian-Pakistani Cuisine
848 Willow Ave.
Hercules, CA 94547
510-313-0697
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