So first off, we selected this place primarily based on the reviews here, and because I had not been there and most/all other Indian restaurants in Berlin are pretty mediocre. Anyhow. The interior of this place is actually really nice. It's not your average Indian restaurant and generally not what you're used to when you know Indian restaurants in Berlin. Service-wise, very friendly and even helpful. There's a couple things I'd like to address though: first off, it wouldn't hurt to have a waiter dedicated to certain tables vs. random waiters taking your orders. And other people bringing drinks and food who basically tell you numbers of the items, and I usually don't remember those. This is minor though and something they can easily streamline. More importantly: people should get their food at the same time. Waiting for others to get their food is a no go if you label yourself and your restaurant to a higher standard. But otherwise, we can't complain about the service. On to the food: we ordered a soup each and a veggie starter from the special menu. My (curry) soup didn't have any taste what so ever. A let down. By any, I really mean any. It tasted more like water than anything. I seasoned it with the sauces we got with the veggie starter though and it was alright. We also split a starter, they were small veggie burgers on a little salad. I forgot how much they cost (I think 7 EUR'ish), but they were a little too basic to be on the special menu and a little too expensive for my taste. I'm also not sure how Indian they really are. They were seasoned really well though. The mains were a veggie curry with their home-made cheese and Chicken Madrasi. Spice-wise, a typical Indian exerpience in Berlin. I asked a waiter prior to ordering, maybe you can't expect too much, but I was hoping for an honest recommendation and I can't believe he'd be into that. My standard is pretty high since I work with Indian people, I've had a lot of Indian food and attended a couple Indian weddings and other festivities. The food at Radas is in my opinion better than Amrit's fatty sauces and soups but it would still be pretty outrageous to serve this food otherwise. Just to clarify: the food is not bad, or anything. But except for the name, it's just not very Indian. Generally, I'm not sure what people expect from Indian food in this city. When recipes are watered down and don't have any of the spices and taste you love about it, why get Indian food to begin with? It seems like most people (on Qype) are impressed by a hot plate or a smoking pot when they order food. Maybe that's all that counts? (If you disagree, feel free to leave your Top 3 Indian places in Berlin.) For drinks, we got two of the non-alcholic cocktails off the cocktail menu. Mine had mint and lime and brown sugar in it. A mojito without the rum. I liked it a lot. Anyhow. We got an espresso (I know, very Indian ;)) to finish it off and paid 55 EUR (for two, including tip). Overall the place' interior is very nice, service is friendly, but it's just too overpriced for the cooking. And that's essentially why I take two (2) stars off in my rating. It would be nice if they chopped off half of their menu but did whatever is left extremely well instead of just OK. If food is labeled to be hot, just bring it out hot. Focus on North- or South-Indian cooking. The place seems busy and popular though. Rasas was packed when we arrived. People going here are your average upper/middle-class Charlottenburgers, aged 35+. But it's not like you would not expect that when you know the area a little. Of course this is not something I can hold against Rasas. ;) Since I live across town and drove 20 minutes to get there, I can say that it wasn't good enough to come here again any time soon. But I wouldn't really object to going there. If it had to be Indian (note, quotes), this seems like a safe bet. In the end I wish there were not just OK, but outstanding Indian restaurants in this city. If Rasas is really the top of the line, then the bar is still pretty low. read more
