The Daily Bread gets a menu makeover (Indian), also poised for name change

The Daily Bread, 16717 Redmond Way, has a new owner, a new menu and is poised for a name change.

You can still get made-to-order, deli-style sandwiches, served with chips and a drink for $5.95.

But if you crave a hot lunch, you can now order Indian entrees such as Butter Chicken or Chicken Karahi, served with an appetizer, rice, dessert and drink — all for just $5.95.

New owner Mohammad Bhatti said he wanted to give the Redmond lunch crowd fast, affordable versions of the cuisine he serves at his other restaurant, Tandoori Kitchen in Kirkland.

“I want people to see value in it — and the taste speaks for itself,” Bhatti stated. “Looking at the economy, I don’t want to overprice.”

Customers seem especially enamored with his Multani Soup, a take-off on the traditional Mulligatawny Stew. Both vegetarian and chicken versions are available, of the soup that features mildly spiced lentils, fresh cream, tomato, onion and sauteed garlic, topped with fresh cilantro, lemon and basmati rice.

Other vegetarian menu options include Chana Masala, garbanzo beans soaked in tamarind juice and simmered with onion, jalapeno, tomato and garlic curry sauce; and Samosa, a mix of green peas, potato, onions, cumin seeds, tumeric, garam masala, salt, lemon juice, flour, butter and chili pepper, wrapped in a crispy pastry shell.

Incidentally, everything on the new Daily Bread menu is 100 percent Halal, which means permissible under Islamic law.

Bhatti grew up in the restaurant business, first working at Jack In the Box and Denny’s. And his father has had a catering business for 40 years. When he bought The Daily Bread, he said, “I literally wanted to spice things up. I went around the neighborhood and did a little survey among other shops and asked, ‘Why do you think the place went out of business?’”

Many responded, “People wanted more than just sandwiches.”

But wasn’t keeping the old name confusing, if emphasis is shifting to Indian food?

Bhatti admitted he didn’t want to scare people off by making an abrupt change. But he eventually sees a renaming such as Bollywood Cafe. He’s still testing out his menu, seeing what customers like best.

The Daily Bread is currently open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. As warmer weather comes, Bhatti hopes to stay open later and add blended fruit and yogurt drinks called Lassi, as well as Pepper Chicken Burgers.

For more information, call (425) 867-0900.

Contact Redmond Reporter Reporter Mary Stevens Decker at mdecker@redmond-reporter.com or (425) 867-0353, ext. 5052.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.