Rasika is considered the best Indian restaurant in D.C.. Since we were both off work today, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally try it. I had pre-determined that I was going to have an iced cold Indian beer. No beer on tap, surprisingly.
My appetizer 'Tawa Baigan' $8 was a Napoleon of Eggplant and Spiced Potato in Peanut Sauce. Beguiling mysterious flavors in the Peanut Sauce. Mr. SVegetarian loved his appetizer, the 'Ragda Pattice', so much, he wanted to lick the plate. I got him to refrain. The atmosphere was not conducive to plate-licking.
We split three half orders of: 'Mixed Vegetable Gassi' $7 Vegetables, Coriander & Chili, 'Malai Palak' $7 Spinach, Garlic, Green Chili & Onions 'Broccoli and Pinenut Poriyal' $7 Mustard Seeds, Lentils and Curry Leaf. Each one was very impressive with the right amount of heat. Not heavy or oily.
Because the Naan contains eggs, I enjoyed the Roti $3. No professional photography to be found here.
While the grub was worth the hype, I personally prefer a less formal atmosphere. But at least if anyone ever asks me if I've eaten at Rasika, I can now say 'yes'. Although no one will probably ever ask. TJ's Vegan Cream Cheese with Cucumber on a Wegman's Pumpernickel Bagel for dinner...
Turtle Trails for dessert...
Lots more bread tomorrow at lunch with Mom.
6 comments:
Oh, you just posted! I do appreciate a formal atmosphere, I must say. Probably because I rarely get it. It's all yelling to be heard over one another and burping around here.
I'm glad you still have lunch with your mom. I hope my kids will still have lunch with me when they're grown.
WHOA! This is some impressive business. I'm with you, I'm definitely more of a casual dining kind of gal. I'm not a huge fan of Indian food but this meal looks and sounds really delicious. Except for coriander... can't get behind anything related to cilantro ;)
You know I love a good pumpernickel bagel and even more when it's schmeared with tofutti. Yum. Hooray for ice cream!
What an impressive lunching! The eggplant app was such a great presentation- and i love the order a few dishes and share strategy. Somehow those indian flat breads are soooooo much better than pitas and such.
Pumpernickle bagels are amazing. I just found these pretzels and have been inhaling them....
http://www.snydersofhanover.com/products/braided-twists/pumpernickel-and-onion-braided-twists.html
Hope bread with mom is yummy!
Ttrockwood
Very fancy meal out! I prefer casual atmospheres, too, but it can be fun to try out other places like this. That peanut sauce looks very different- was it good?
Rasika looks fresh and tasty, definitely not the oily, heavy Indian food of many hole-in-the-wall establishments. It all looks so good, especially the Malai Palak - I'd be all over that with some Roti.
I had to briefly check the calendar to make sure today was Saturday, as history has told me it's Friday when Shen has lunch with Mom. My guess is . . .not Indian.
Hey Now!!!!
Jenny, I prefer burping to pretentious. Rasika was too uptight for my taste. If you make sure to raise your kids to know that they're a major disappointment to you, they'll try to do everything they can to please you for the rest of your life.
VaVa, holding a grudge against the Cilantro Seeds too, eh?
Unknown, I will look for the Pretzels. Snyders has the best Pretzels.
RVs, the Peanut Sauce was worth the whole trip. Really compelling. Sweet and spicy but not too much of either. It will haunt me forever.
Ingrid, good call. Because I knew I was seeing my mother today, I didn't do Friday lunch. That'll be in six days...
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