Getting Ready for the 2010-2011 School year

It was way too hot to spend another day in the kitchen, and since we get our wonderful 68 degree weather back starting tomorrow, I decided to take the day off and relax and let Chan, Freddie and the rest of the trusted crew run the show. In all honesty we did just get back from 3 days in Vegas, but I came back more tired than I left. And a solid days rest would be probably be wise with Fall semester classes starting for the under grads tomorrow.

Summer, as far as students are concerned, is over and and we are ready for the frenzy of the school year. For those who don't yet know, Urbann Turbann is located on the busy thoroughfare known as Euclid Ave. just up from UC Berkeley's North gate entrance. A relatively quiet neighborhood housing a mix of students and non-students, the area has a soothing calmness during the summer relished by the residents and hated by the business owners. From what we hear from some of our very friendly neighbors, restaurants on the North side see a drop of 30-45% during the summer months as the great exodus of students and faculty takes place. But the U-hauls lining the streets of all the neighborhoods around campus assures us that the students are back and we are ready for them.

Opening in the summer was both a blessing and a curse. We still had our busy lunches, especially in July, and we were able to smooth out our ordering process and assembly line. We had lots of regulars and really got to know our customers on a personal level. Dinners have been very slow, it's typical of the the neighborhood, so that gave me some time to play with new recipes. But most importantly we got lots of feedback. Less ginger in the karahi paneer, more spice in the cholay, a more careful approach to wrapping and a better description of the breads (roti is not just a whole wheat naan, there are major textural differences) are just a few of the changes we were able to make.

There are a few principles we are always going to stick to. We are always going to run a business that we can be proud of. One that treats the staff, environment and community with respect. A restaurant that offers homemade wholesome food using great ingredients. These are all sincere promises and we hope that you will call us out if we ever stray from our mission.

Cheers to a new school year. Cheers to the success of UT. And most of all, cheers to a PAC-10 title for the Golden Bears!!!

Aman