Now on the one hand, I don’t want to write a raving review, set your bar way high, and then you wind up disappointed. That happened to me before at Morimoto’s and Volt. The food was great, my bar was just out of bounds. On the otherhand, this place? Thus far, in my limited experience of fancy dining in this DC metropolitan area, it is at the top. The food is Indian/Indian fusion/Indian wonderful! I am ready to take all my non-Indianfood-loving people to Rasika to change their minds! If you have a vegetarian in the group, this is also a great option to choose.
If you read any review of this place, you will invariably hear about Palak Chaat. Fried crispy baby spinach leaves with yogurt and sweet tamarind and dates chutney. It’s the texture, the flavors of salty sweet. It is as good as everyone says.
The six course tasting menu gives you smaller sized versions of four of their entrees. In the non vegetarian tasting menu, there was Bindi Amchoor (okra), Tamatar Rassa (seasonal vegetable dish), Lamb Gucchi Korma, and Chicken Mahkani. The chicken mahkani was flavorful but not too spicy. I loved the okra dish, and the lamb pieces were fork tender. What I like most in all their dishes is the nice balance of spices. They don’t overpower. In fact, when I first walked in, I didn’t smell the typical overpowering Indian curry, rather it was more of an aromatic fragrance.
I also ordered a Chicken Green Masala entree which they recommended for people who like spicy. At first taste, it’s not spicy. Let it roll around your mouth a while longer, chew, and you’ll be blowing your nose and drinking water.
One small pick is the food is very rich. The curries taste of coconut milk and ghee (clarified butter). I mean, I’ve never had ghee straight, but I could taste the buttery deliciousness in the Chicken Makhani. If you feel full, stop, or you will make yourself ill.
Also, I’m not a fan of Indian desserts but I did enjoy the carrot halwa and gulab jamun here. Really, if it weren’t for the tasting menu dessert, I would probably skip it. If I had room for dessert, I’d just order another appetizer.
Since Rasika is rather fancy schmancy, it’s worthwhile to mention the ambiance and service. The decor was pretty. The bathrooms were clean. The service was not your typical DC area hoity toity type. Dylan was knowledgeable, attentive and relaxed/approachable. The dining room is noisy though. Some folks may not like that. I had to lean in to be heard. But I enjoyed it. I like the hustle and bustle and drone of a noisy restaurant. It makes me feel like I’m out amongst people. It’s also good they don’t bother with tablecloths. Hello, waste of water and other resources.
Clam Caldine appetizer. I wish they had a naan basket because I wanted to soak up the sauce. They didn’t. I drank the sauce.
As a first timer there, I would recommend one person ordering the six course tasting menu for everyone to share and however many entrees (or other appetizers) for the rest of the diners. The six courses vs. the four is a difference of additional appetizers, and you want to try as many as you can. That’s where they get creative with the Indian fusion and that’s where they shine. Go!
