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    Salt and Pepper Grill

    4.0 (294 reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Pakistani
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Salt and Pepper Grill Takeout or Delivery

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    SALT AND PEPPER GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Salt and Pepper Grill

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    Chicken biryani, Shani paneer, 54. Chicken Vindaloo, 84. Mango Lassi (16 Oz)
    Sue J.

    Had takeout - Shani paneer was rich and so flavorful, the chicken vindaloo was spicy, chicken biryani was spicy and tasty. The mango lassi was fresh as well.

    Palak Paneer & Lamb Korma
    Ailun H.

    SOLID Indian food for the most part with a few minor critiques. This is more of a cafe style restaurant, where you go up to the counter to order your food and they'll give you your food in a tray if you're eating there. Absolutely no frills and there wasn't much heating indoors, but the hearty and delicious food warmed our souls quite quickly. One of my friends wanted to give this place a try due to his recent Indian cuisine cravings, and I'm so glad our group came here for a family-style dinner this past Monday. GARLIC NAAN - 3.95 The four of us got two orders of the garlic naan. Each order had one big piece of naan (that fit on a 10" paper plate). It was hot and fresh. My only critique is that it could be a lot more garlicky. Besides the bit of herbs and slight garlic taste, I'm not sure if I'd pay an extra $2 for the garlic naan next time. Either way, it was a great carb switch if I wasn't feeling the basmati rice at the moment. GOAT BIRYANI - 16.95 With six different biryani options, the one we ended up choosing was goat because it's not a common meat choice at most restaurants. The goat biryani was indeed... the GOAT. There were so many pieces of goat in the biryani, which was seasoned well with an ample amount of spices - definitely a flavor bomb every bite. The yogurt sauce was tasty. My only quip was that the rice was a bit too wet and I prefer a drier biryani rice. Overall, we'd recommend because the goat was on point. LAMB KORMA - 16.95 This curry blew me away. Korma is usually my top choice, and this one was phenomenal. The korma was so creamy and nutty, it was so perfect. On top of that, the lamb was plenty and it was so tender. The usual "gamey" flavors of lamb aren't there, and it just, wow. I can confidently say we were the most impressed by the lamb korma here. Even when we finished it, I had to really stop myself from licking the plate clean. This entree was the clear winner for me and I'd highly recommend the korma to anyone who loves a delicious creamy sauce. CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA - 15.95 I'm more used to a savory chicken tikka masala, but this one leaned on the sweeter side - and I liked it! It was cooked nicely with plenty of bell peppers and onion, giving it an extra kick. While the flavors were great, I just wasn't as impressed with this entree compared to the other ones we got. If you want something on the "safe" or mainstream side (and you like a sweeter curry), I'd recommend this! PALAK PANEER - 14.95 Another one of my favorites, and it was done decently well here. I liked that the paneer was seared to give it a bit more flavor. I enjoyed the palak paneer here, but I can't say it was anything extraordinary. Definitely above average, but not the best I've had. If you love spinach and paneer, then this one is for you! The portion sizes here are pretty good for DC pricing. They give you lots of rice here. You will not leave this restaurant hungry. Great Indian food, happy to come back if I'm ever craving their LAMB KORMA. Otherwise, I'm down to try another Indian restaurant before circling back.

    Lamb Vindaloo and Dal Makhani
    Jason W.

    I found this small Indian restaurant while visiting Howard University on a Saturday afternoon to referee rugby match. They have a very large menu with all of the Indian basics. Even though I was alone, the food smelled so good that I decided to order 3 entrees to go. I ordered the Salt and Pepper Special combination, which came with a generous pile of different meats, including some chewy sausage-like things, some spicy lamb, and some excellent tandoori chicken (the meat was accompanied by some chickpeas in a sauce and spinach with cheese cubes in it). I also ordered a lamb vindaloo and a dal makhani (lentils). Both were excellent, but they are not joking when they say that their vindaloo is spicy -- it made me cry on at least two of the occasions I ate some of it (still have leftovers sitting in the refrigerator for tonight). The rice and the naan were also excellent. Total bill was just over $60.

    51. Butter Chicken

    the mango lassi and samosas were good, but i would not recommend the butter chicken and that's the main reason i ordered for. it does not taste or look like butter chicken, ive eaten from many indian restaurants and its not the same taste or color. i hate to leave a bad review on a small business but i dont want another broke college student to spend their money on food they won't end up finishing

    Curry goat bones with a lot of rice
    Mike H.

    First time ever going to this restaurant.... Upon walking in the owner continued to sit and ignore my presence until I asked "Is anyone working?" His response and the additional few minutes I waited should have made me leave but I tried to give them the benefit. Despite the fact I was the only customer in the restaurant. The woman who eventually appeared was of no help when I asked about the menu items. I ordered the lamb curry. When I got home I saw I was given a bowl full of lamb bones covered in sauce! I've ordered lamb curry from multiple places and I've never received a bigger pile of crap than the $14 meal I was served tonight. Ignore all the other reviews because currently this business is short changing/deceiving it's clients...

    Nick P.

    I feel like my standards for Indian food are high, but salt pepper definitely delivered! I tried the lamb vindaloo and have to say that the lamb was very good, the naan on point and sauce nicely made to order. I'm a huge fan of spicy and they really turned up the heat on my "extra spicy" request. I like the quality food in a shack kind of vibe, would definitely recommend!

    Jalapeño bhaji
    John B.

    Admittedly, I was a little leery of this sketch-looking Indian takeout place, but I kind of think Yelp has this one right. That is some pretty respectable food. The takeout I ended up with was quite flavorful and filling. It wasn't ready immediately (which in a way gives me more confidence that some effort went into preparing it), but it was what I wanted. For one thing, I checked the box to make my chickpeas very spicy, a topic which I am invested in but also rather jaded about. But someone definitely put something hot in there; this was the sinus-clearing type, not the mild tingle just to let you know they tried. I was expecting mushy overcooked chickpeas, but if anything, they were a shade tough, though not problematically so. They've also developed the nice solution of rendering their bhatura (normally one huge fried bread) as several little bhaturas, and in general did a competent job with secure takeout containers (not everyone does). Their chili bhaji comes with stems still on and seeds still in, but I got some pretty tasty ones. Altogether, I ended up with several meals worth of heathy stuff plus fried stuff (okay, mostly fried stuff), which is pretty much what I would hope for from Indian takeout. It certainly isn't the best in the city, but I'd find it worthwhile to return (or perhaps try one of their two other locations).

    The inside of a vegetable samosa
    Katherine L.

    This place is pretty impressive considering the location is far from the many Indian and Pakistani eateries in the outlying DC suburbs. With that said, it is fast food Indian style with styrofoam plates and pre-made choices. The prices reflect the fast nature and preparation, and the decor is of a similar nature. If you are craving Indian food, this is a good choice if you want it fast. There was a steady stream of all sorts of people, so that means the food is going to be pretty fresh to keep up with demand- and it was fresh! I do not like when Indian food tastes in fresh, canned, frozen and/or as though it's been sitting around too long. However, the food proportions are not my favorite. They give twice as much rice as entree, so then there is leftover rice. The food may cater to clientele, so maybe most like the saltiness of the food? I was not impressed with the potato flavoring, but the cauliflower in the aloo gobi masala was fresh and well flavored in the sauce with tomatoes, onions and spices that included a few thin julienned fresh ginger pieces and sprinklings of fresh cilantro. It was made vegan by request, which was nice. The potatoes had a flavor belying their other cooking first before added to that dish. I might ask to have no potatoes, but I am sure the response would be confusion. The vegetable samosa was a great tasting peas and potatoes combination at a fair price- this place is definitely great for price. I liked there were more peas than potatoes and the fried crisp dough was great. Freshly fried, so that was awesome. The sauces were very nice- a spicy cilantro and mint (? a bit?) green sauce was great, and the tamarind sauce was good. I used both up on my potatoes that were lacking flavor in the entree. If in the area, your craving for Indian and Pakistani fast food will be satisfied. They will adjust your order to be vegan. Good choice because price is low compared to most, and it has fast cooking of fresh food.

    Samosa chat- sweet and savory messy and a good started but could have been a meal!

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    3 years ago

    Good good reasonable prices and I can walk to it. Good deal . What else to say? I like it!

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    Chai Pani - Paneer tikka and disco bhel

    Chai Pani

    4.3(152 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Just walking up to this place, it was absolutely adorable with all the flowers and charming…read moreatmosphere. Inside, the music wasn't too loud, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience. I definitely recommend making a reservation. We didn't have one, so we were offered a seat at the common table or outside. Since it was a beautiful day, we chose to sit outside. Our server was training someone, and they were both fantastic. They gave great recommendations and were attentive throughout the meal. The food came out at the perfect pace, and everything was delicious. We shared two small plates, along with the fried chicken sliders and the butter chicken. The butter chicken had the perfect amount of spice and was incredibly flavorful. There were two of us, and sharing four dishes was just the right amount of food. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back!

    The atmosphere here is 10/10. If you are having a bad day, make a reservation here, and your mood…read morewill instantly be lifted. The vibrant colors and music are tastefully intense. Indian street food is one of my favorite cuisines. I fell in love when the first wave of this type of restaurant hit the West Coast -- Bollywood Theater (Portland) and DOSA (SF- RIP). Chai Pani is a more Gen Z version of those restaurants. The menu has all of the classics, and you'll want to order everything (but don't, because the food is very rich). We enjoyed all of the chaats we ordered, the Disco bhel being my favorite. The one main we shared, lentil dahl, was so spicy it was hard to eat. It was absolutely local Thai or local Indian spicy. I've lived in Asia and eaten all the street foods, and this was in the top 10 spiciest things I've eaten. The carrot halwa dessert was fantastic, so don't skip dessert even if you're full. While I didn't think the food was leagues above similar options that are already available, the vibe of the restaurant makes it worth a visit!

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    Rasika - Garlic Naan

    Rasika

    4.2(4.1k reviews)
    2.1 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    What an awesome restaurant... the food is absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered was…read moredelicious. Recommend starting with the Ragda Pattice and your main dish butter or tandori chicken. If they are serving scallops, order it! Whatever main dish you order, you have to order one of their house made chutneys. We really enjoyed the mango chutney. Also, don't forget the naan! We like plain or garlic. They are about a 5-7 min walk from the Capital One Arena. So, it is best to make reservations just in case you are trying to dine here when there is an event at Capital One. It gets crowded! Notable is the service. Our server was super friendly and. attentive. He made some very good recommendations, to include a glass of champagne that enhanced the meal.

    Get reservations!! I am go glad i got reservations because we were seated right away and saw people…read morehaving to wait a while before they were seated. The place is quite dark with that moody ambiance. It's also loud. Our server bhaskar was very attentive and a total sweetheart. I heard him ask a delivery driver if he wanted water or anything before he got his delivery order. Since we got the mixed grill, he recommended a new dish to us, chicken green masala. We also got the lacha paratha to go with it. The mix grill was nice to taste a bit of everything. The salmon was a bit undercooked in some areas but very tasty. The tandoori chicken was dry. The lamb was absolutely delicious and i could have eaten a whole platter of just that. The green masala has such warm spices and it was perfectly spicy. It went sooo well with the paratha. The paratha was flaky and buttery. The mushroom was so unexpected. I loved it so much. It was tangy and spicy. Perfect also. Overall, I'll be back for the mains, for the grill, i would definitely recommend the lamb but not others. This was our anniversary dinner, so bhaskar surprised us with a small ice cream and gulab jamun. Sooo sweet to recognize this. He is the best.

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    Rasika
    Rasika - Mango shrimp

    Mango shrimp

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    G.O.A.T. Room - Chicken Shammi Kabab Half Chilli Chicken

    G.O.A.T. Room

    4.5(235 reviews)
    1.5 miDowntown

    Wow! We had such an amazing experience at Goat Room Indian Cuisine! Being from the Bay Area, where…read morewe have some incredible Indian food, I came in with high expectations--and this place completely exceeded them. Every dish was packed with rich, authentic flavors and perfectly balanced spices. We ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Veggie Korma, Shrimp Korma, garlic naan, cheese naan, plain naan, fragrant rice, and tea. The owner also recommended an appetizer, and we're so glad we listened because it was absolutely delicious! The service was just as outstanding as the food. The owner personally checked on us several times, made thoughtful recommendations, and made us feel so welcome. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. If you're looking for authentic, flavorful Indian cuisine with exceptional hospitality, this is the place. We loved every bite and can't wait to come back. Highly recommend!

    Great service, delicious food, and a great central location. The GOAT Room looks to give you the…read moreGreatest Of All Time experience and their food will certainly have me coming back. The Palaak chaat was packed with flavor, lamb samosas were really tasty, and I also enjoyed the spinach rolls. They have a number of share and signature dishes and Indian-fusion cocktails. The outdoor patio was nestled near a beautiful garden and the interior was modern and chic. Looking forward to another visit and coming back with a larger appetite.

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    G.O.A.T. Room
    G.O.A.T. Room - Aloo Tikki w/ tamarind sauce

    Aloo Tikki w/ tamarind sauce

    G.O.A.T. Room - Plate from the G.O.A.T. Room special

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    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Goat Sekuwa

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar

    4.8(36 reviews)
    2.5 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast
    Free WiFi
    Sports on TV

    This place is so good!! When we walked in there was only one other table with customers, and I…read morewondered if I had made a mistake. However, by the time we left they were packed, and everyone there enjoyed the bright atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and delicious food. We tried several dishes--we got the fried chili buff momos. I will definitely get. Them again, but steamed. Honestly, I think that I could make an entire meal of momos. We got veggie samosas--standard--crisp, plump, a little salty, and good. We also got a creamy chicken dish and an okra (bhindi) dish. Both were very good. The service was exemplary--there was a team of four or five dedicated staff who rotated through with dishes and takeaways. Oh! I almost forgot the garlic naan--some of the best I have had. Definitely stop in and give this place some love!!

    We were actually looking for another restaurant in the area when we chanced upon this…read more This is not fast food. It may take awhile to get to the table but it was delicious. They tried to tone down some of the dishes as the hubster is a non-spicy person. The stuff still spicy , he stayed away from. We ordered a meal set for two to try a little bit of everything. We aren't experts in this type of cuisine, but there wasn't anything we didn't like. With the meal for 2 plus a side order of naan, we ended up making 2 lunch take out plates for us. I wasn't super hungry so that probably resulted in us taking more home. It was great, quiet and we'd come here again!

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    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Inside

    Inside

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Garlic Naan with Herbs

    Garlic Naan with Herbs

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Inside

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    Pappe - Fish Chittnad

    Pappe

    4.0(585 reviews)
    1.3 miLogan Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    I went to Pappe in DC for happy hour with a friend and had such a great time. I originally wanted…read moreto go because I saw they had a $24 butter chicken meal deal that comes with a glass of wine or beer, and it definitely did not disappoint from 5-7. The butter chicken was AMAZING -- super flavorful, rich, and honestly a really generous portion. It was easily enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day, which made the deal even better. During happy hour they also have $3, $8, and $10 bites, and $10 margaritas, which is such a great value. I tried one of the $3 bites and it was so flavorful and well done. Honestly sooooo good! It was the vegetable Samosa and it's soooo good! The whole experience was great and the food had so much flavor. This was my first time coming here, but it definitely won't be my last. It honestly feels like a bit of a hidden gem for happy hour in DC.

    A true gem on 14th street!…read more My dining experience here was nothing short of magical. There is something special about a restaurant whose decor tells a story of culture and beauty. This place brings South Asian culture to DC and the evidence of that is the beautiful black and white portrait collections with DC sprinkled throughout it. See if you can spot it in the image I posted! I loved it Next, their hospitality was excellent!!!!!! From the time that you walked through the doors, you're immediately greeted. Then, as soon as you sit at the table, the wait staff is attentive to your needs and uses such care to keep your water glass refilled and your table cleared between meals. Thank you! Drinks: we were there for the happy hour so we both wanted to try something special. I ordered the Chai espresso martini and my boyfriend ordered the Pili margarita. The Chai espresso martini was GOLDEN! If this drink were to go up for cocktail of the year, it would come out on top. Might I say that chai is something that you can mess up and I've had encounters where it was watered down, not the case here. I tasted the fresh and real chai and the richly brewed espresso. This drink wasn't just a martini, it warranted deep conversation with each sip. My boyfriend raved about his Pili margarita and talked about how excellent it was to taste fresh mangoes, a burst of citrus, and spiciness. A beautiful culinary combination Safe to say that both drinks were our favs!!! I also had a glass of their white wine and it was dry and refreshing. Well done! Food: we ordered several dishes from the happy hour menu. Please note that they aren't shy of providing excellent portions. Manchurian wings: a star dish! The fry on the wings were perfect but the seasoning puts this dish over the top. Highly recommended! Vegetable samosa: flaky dough with the most delectable sautéed vegetables. You'd definitely want to try a few of these! Gobi manchurian: a beautiful dish for non-meat eaters and meat eaters. Similarly to the wings, these cauliflowers were perfectly fried and seasoned to perfection. Actually, at one point, I thought that I was eating a meat dish because it was so tender and juicy inside. Please don't miss ordering these! Spicy chicken tikka: the dish that makes you ask "what spices are in this? They're EXCELLENT!" Such a juicy and tender cut with the perfect blend of flavors. Order, order, order! I think it's safe to say that we enjoyed ALL of our selections and appreciated the modern twist on Indian food classics. They didn't stray too far from the beauty of these dishes but added just enough personality to win you over. Lastly, we ordered dessert! We originally went with their bread pudding which came with cardamom ice cream but the amazing host, Dave, surprised us with their special Gulab jamun. The cardamom ice cream was AHHH-MAY-ZIN (spelled how I need you to say it!) it was amazing! But let's get into this bread pudding. I have so many questions: who is the pastry chef? How did they master such perfect bread pudding? Also, why is this dessert SO GOOD?! Best bread pudding and ice cream EVER! And I don't say that often about much bread puddings. The Gulab jamun was also my favorite because it wasn't sweet as the others and I felt so satisfied taking bites of this with the beautiful ice cream they placed on top. It's a no brainer that I'm coming back soon and that I'm going to try their dinner menu next. Please make the reservations and go support this spot, you won't regret it!

    Photos
    Pappe - Pappe Ambiance

    Pappe Ambiance

    Pappe - Mussels Malabar

    Mussels Malabar

    Pappe - Lamb Taar Gosht

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    Lamb Taar Gosht

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Palak chat ($10)

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen

    4.5(80 reviews)
    3.3 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    Jab We Met remains a must try in DC Indian cuisine!…read more If you're on date night, catching up with friends, in a group or just looking for tasty take out, Jab We Met checks all the boxes. Lively atmosphere, with modern decor and great music at all times. Best of all the food is ever evolving with Indian favorites and inventive new plates!

    This place is a solid high 3*, but I bumped it up to 4* because they have good customer service,…read moreoffer a lunch special, happy hour, and discounts on dinner during the week and takeout. Considering there is a 5* Indian restaurant across the street, it is difficult to not compare this restaurant to it. Jab We Met has your customary authentic Indian cuisine, however, in typical American fashion some of the flavor and heat is dialed down or inconsistent. The first time I visited, I was left wanting more in the flavor department. I asked for spicy, and although what I received would be considered spicy to some, it wasn't nearly as spicy as I expected for Indian cuisine. The depth of flavor can be inconsistent, although for American standards it is perfect. What I've experienced with some Indian restaurants is the flavor level depends on how close the batch is to almost empty. I've experienced some restaurants stretch their gravies by adding stock/water. Jab We Met seems to take pride in serving consistent gravy texture and consistency. The customer service is always good. The inside has an upscale decor, fitting for Capitol Hill and not your traditional Indian restaurant. There is a full size bar and window seating.The lunch special is perhaps the best value here. I'll continue to visit.

    Photos
    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Great interior

    Great interior

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Basmati rice i believe

    Basmati rice i believe

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen

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    Daru - Chicken Tikka Masala

    Daru

    4.4(305 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    July 2026: My wife and I recently ordered takeout from Daru after not having been in a few years…read moreand were pleased to find that it was just as outstanding at it was three years ago. We shared the malai paneer lasagna, which was rich, creamy, and flavorful. I got the murgh makhani as my main dish and it was fantastic-perfectly cooked, great flavor, amazing portion size, and creamy. I highly recommend Daru and look forward to returning! February 2023: An absolutely outstanding experience from start to finish in every way. Daru is the rare restaurant to exceed the tremendous hype it has. My friend and my amazing experience started the day before, when Daru asked us if anyone in our party had any food restrictions, which my friend did. When we arrived for our weeknight reservation, we were seated immediately. What distinguishes Daru from almost anywhere I've been is that our server gave us a paper menu with the dishes my friend could eat based on the listed dietary restrictions starred-above and beyond service. The rest of our service was similarly excellent, with our server making some excellent recommendations that allowed us to try the dishes we wanted and additional dishes in the most cost-efficient way. Our dishes were delivered in a timely manner and the meal itself was extremely affordable. Daru adds an automatic 20% charge to all checks and tells you on the menu; our experience was worth all of that gratuity. The food itself was incredible-a modernist take on Indian cuisine. Everything my friend and I had was good and ranged from fine to incredible. I recommend sharing 4-5 small and large plates per two people like my friend and I did to enjoy as many dishes as possible. Black Dal Burrata-my least favorite dish of the evening, but still fine. The lentils could have had a bit more flavor and the dish needed a side of rice, but the burrata was rich and creamy. Bread basket: The za'atar naan was fine but no need to order it, as the garlic naan was outstanding. The parota was good but needed more butter or oil. Chutneys and sauces: My favorites were the sour cherry chutney, the chimichurri, and tomato-szechuan. I love spicy food but the habenero-kashimir chili overwhelmed overwhelmed any other flavors. Blue Cheese Reshmi Kebab-One of Daru's most recommended and unique dishes, it lives up to the hype. The chicken was well-cooked, the cashew provides crunch, the cheese umami, and the sour cherry sauce complemented everything perfectly. Striped Bass Paturi: Simply outstanding. Perfectly cooked fish with good spice, greens, and creaminess. Some of the best bass I've ever had. I highly recommend Daru for your next special occasion and make sure to book well in advance if you want a reservation between 6-9 PM-there are many reasons Daru is this popular! Things to note: 1. Daru is small and it can be hard to hear at times. 2. The surrounding neighborhood isn't the safest-I would recommend not coming alone at night and taking a rideshare after dark if possible (avoid public transit and parking nearby) 3. The lot next to Daru is currently a construction zone, so you may see a rat or two if you are at Daru after dark and sitting by the window. This is beyond Daru's control; something to note for the next few months if you go there.

    Early Birthday celebrations deserve a great story. Mine started with picking a letter and ended at…read morea Michelin recognized gem in the heart of DC. My date knew exactly what he was doing. Walking in you are hit with a warm dim lit environment. Intimate, quaint with well appointed tables. We elected to sit at the bar and Matthew the bartender immediately welcomed us with an unforgettable experience. We tried a few red wine options and at that moment were not thrilled with the selection. We pivoted to the Colaba Cabana and the flavors did a happy dance going down so much that my date ordered one as well. Matthew was so well informed on the menu and suggested the murgh makhani, their close take to butter chicken, and the wild mushroom biryani with a side of garlic naan. The murgh makhani was flavorful with the chicken cooked perfectly, however the star of the show and my date's favorite was the biryani. It was brought out encased in a dome of naan which amplified the anticipation. Matthew cut it open and we were free to dig in. The accompaniment of the dill and celery raita topped with fig and a few pomegranate seeds married together the flavors in the most magical way. We saved room for dessert and the Gulab Jamun arrived with a candle to celebrate my birthday. The fried dough was cooked well and served alongside the most decadent cardamom ice cream. Sitting at the edge of the bar where we could see each other made this feel like a first date all over again. Impressionable, intimate, and exactly what a birthday night deserves. While others were at the bar alongside us, the environment did not welcome a community feel and we were not going for that. Sometimes you want a date night where you simply engage and enjoy each other. This place embodied that. Matthew was our experience dealer from start to finish. He boxed up our meal and bid us farewell as we were off to our next surprise adventure. Daru delivered a table, actually a bar, worth gathering at.

    Photos
    Daru - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Daru - Carrot halwah

    Carrot halwah

    Daru - Bandit Queen

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    Bandit Queen

    Rania - Dhal Makhani, rice and garlic naan that came with the main course

    Rania

    4.5(264 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$$

    We've come to Rania probably half a dozen times since it opened, but last night was the first time…read morewe tried the full chef's tasting menu. Holy. Smokes. Certainly the best meal I've had in DC in years, which includes meals at Jont and P&P in the past several months. Unquestionably the best Indian meal I've had on Earth. The parade of dishes does not have a low point, which is incredible given the range of "mains" from chicken, to sable fish, to lamb taco, to pork cheek. Each dish shows clear French influence - we had most of the five sauces at least once - but with clear, vibrant warmth from Indian spices. Even at places like Eleven Madison and Le Bernardin, there's usually a miss or two. Not last night. Which brings me to the question: why not two Stars? Three? I think some of the answer comes back to ambiance and service. The chef's tasting does not have a dedicated space, flow, or timing. The rhythm of it can be somewhat offbeat with the constant arrival of over-the-top cocktails at the tables around you. And also, it has honestly felt like many of the waitstaff were "in training" on each of our recent visits. I know staff turnover is real and constant, and the staff last night were all perfectly kind, but I think there's a level of consistent experience - "worth a detour" - that has to elevate even perfect food beyond itself to garner the higher levels. Anyway, never mind that. And don't change a thing about the food or presentations. World class.

    Rania was my first dining experience at a Michelin star restaurant. My partner and I decided to try…read morethe signature chef tasting menu, discounted to $125 per person as it was a weekday dinner reservation, as opposed to the $175 per person charge on the weekends. The tasting menu included 7 courses (drinks were a separate charge). Each course was creative, innovative, and presented beautifully (like a work of art). The flavors were phenomenal, especially on the seafood courses. My favorite course was the black cod fish with scallop foam - just divine. The meal fused Latin American and Indian flavors beautifully. While the food was out of this world, service and ambiance did not meet the standards of a Michelin starred restaurant. The dining space lacked creativity in its decor; it felt quite sterile. Service was fast and attentive but lacked the personal touch I expected. The acoustics in the restaurant are not good; we could barely hear the servers' explanation of the courses. Overall I found Rania to be a very good dining experience, and would recommend it to foodies looking for a unique fusion fine dining experience in DC

    Photos
    Rania - Table decor

    Table decor

    Rania - Gobhi Manchurian Tomato

    Gobhi Manchurian Tomato

    Rania - This is not lassi

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    This is not lassi

    Salt and Pepper Grill - indpak - Updated July 2026

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