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My boyfriend and I ate at Rasika last weekend. We had the vegetable Moilee and Gobhi Mattar, both from the vegtarian section. Both dishes were excellent, some of the best Indian food I've had in a restaurant. We didn't have a reservation, but got seats in the lounge on a Saturday evening.
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The spinach chaat is terrific. I'm Indian-American and I find much of the veg food there amazing. Also wonderful is the dal makhani - nowhere in the city does it taste like this. If you decide to stay at Rasika for dessert, the apple jalebi is good. It comes with cardamom ice-cream on the side. It's a great fusion dish and not nearly as sweet as most Indian desserts tend to me. By far my favorite Indian restaurant in the city, and the MD/DC area.
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scotcheroo
May 20, 2008 01:34 PM
I second the black cod. Also, they occasionally have a vension/curry special that is amazing (but pretty spicy so it's not for the timid). I also love almost all the vegitarian/side dishes i.e. califlower w/ peas, lentals, broccoli w/ coconut... etc. Don't forget a bread basket either to soak up all those great sauces.
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re: scotcheroo
Just wanted to say "thank you" for all of the suggestions. We went this weekend and it was really terrific. Highlights were the crispy spinach, tandoori lamb chops, chicken makhani, bread basket. Really this was better then the best Indian restaurant in Philadelphia (Palace at the Ben). If only it wasn't quite so loud it would have been perfect. Thanks again...as you can see we ordered almost everything you suggested.
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Just looked up Coco Sala and it sounds amazing and fun. I'm not a fan of Indian desserts so this would be great. My only question...will it be very noisy because of the DJ? A family member has a hearing impairment and it is really difficult if the restaurant is particuarly noisy. Thank you for your thoughts!
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re: DaisyM
kikyou
May 20, 2008 07:47 AM
The DJ doesn't start spinning until later in the evening, I believe. The lounge was very noisy, even before the DJ started, so I won't recommend sitting there. The dining room may have been better. We didn't sit there for very long so I can't say for certain.
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Thank you...now one more Rasika question...should we have dessert there or go someplace nearby? If you think we should go somewhere else, where would you suggest. This is the only night we'll see my stepdaughter while she's doing her internship and I really want to make it fun and special. We just don't get to see her enough now that she is in college. Thank you!
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re: DaisyM
This is late but here are my 2 cents- I went to Coco Sala last week- loved it! If you like chocolate that is. We had a flight (you'll know what that means when you see the menu- three little desserts basically), hot chocolate and tea. Not cheap (one dessert and two nonalcoholic drinks were $30+ but very memorable. We went after work (there wasn't a DJ that day) and it was not noisy at all.
On a different note- Make sure to check out the bathroom its very cool looking.
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If you like seafood, you must order the black cod. To me, it is fabulous. Light, incredibly flavorful, and interesting.
My boyfriend is a big fan of the tandoori lamb chops and the tandoor barramundi. Also, I love their ginger champagne cocktail! Such a nice way to end, and sometimes begin, a meal.
We love Rasika. Great service, unique flavors, and wonderful atmosphere.
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re: dckw
KWynn
May 19, 2008 06:01 PM
Agree on the black cod and the spinach. I also like their chicken makhani. And they have a tasty veggie dish--I can't think of the name of it but cauliflower is the primary ingredient.
We've had dessert there during restaurant week (i.e. dessert was included) but I've never been a huge fan of Indian desserts. If you can snag a reservation, I'd suggest going to the new Co Co Sala. They have several 5-course dessert tastings (definitely enough for sharing) as well as smaller portion desserts. You can order any of the "main course" desserts a la carte, and they always have a sugar free option, which is nice.
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re: KWynn
KWynn, I ordered the exact same thing when I went there. I agree the spinach dish is very good and unique. I thought the black good was good, but was expecting it to be more flavorful. It was too bland per its description (I actually put salt and pepper on it). I also ordered the cauliflower veggie side, I believe it was curry-inspired. This was incredibly oily I couldn't eat it.
I have to admit I was a little disappointed in my meal. Plus, it was loud in there, but most Penn Quarter restaurants are, like Oyamel next door.
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re: DaisyM
Not a mistake! Rasika is a great experience, from the drinks to the food to the decor to the service. Keep that reservation! Just be sure to ask the staff if you aren't sure how a dish is prepared. Someone who loves Indian food will be very pleased with Rasika's interpretations. Often we make a meal of many of the appetizer dishes. And though it seems boring and there are truly so many good choices, the dal at Rasika is just heavenly!
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kikyou
May 19, 2008 01:08 PM
I would also like to know! Unfortunately, I can only tell you what *not* to get, because my one time experience there was disappointing..
Chicken green masala w/ mint and corriander - sounded wonderful on the menu, but turned out so spicy I couldn't taste the corriander and mint!
Lamb kabob - I didn't like the mushy consistency of the meat, and the flavor was too bland.
But yes, the flash fried spinach is indeed excellent. :)I've heard so many good things about Rasika, however, that I'm willing to give it one more try.
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re: kikyou
JeffCraddock
May 19, 2008 06:54 PM
I guess it's a matter of taste. The one dish that stood out to me was the green chicken masala--the degree of spice that disappointed you made the dish for me.
But we do agree about the flash fried spinach--an unusual and excellent dish!
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