Rasika

Last week, I went to Rasika (Penn Quarter) for my 21st birthday dinner. Not only is it easily my favorite Indian restaurant, but quite possibly my favorite restaurant bar none. We walked inside the four star restaurant a few minutes late for our reservation. The inside was packed, yet alluring with soft shades of orange and gold. Not only was the ambiance a pro, but the service was also impeccable. When we arrived, our table was not ready, but the staff apologized for the inconvenience. They also surprisingly and thoughtfully offered us complimentary champagne.

 A few minutes later we were seated and perused the menu. We ordered Naan and Garlic Naan for the table and I ordered the Chicken Biryani. This time, we didn’t order any appetizers. When we were here a few years back though, we did order their signature palak chaat, a dish of baby spinach dipped in a spiced chickpea batter, fried, and tossed with sweet yogurt and date chutney. I didn’t think I would like it since I’m not a big fan of spinach, but our waiter recommended it and I’m glad he did. It was flavorful and unique and I highly recommend it. 

All the dishes were amazing. The breads were warm, slightly fluffy, and delicious. My basmati rice and aromatic chicken were fragrant and a little spicy- just like I like it. If I craved a more mild taste, the side helped offset the spice giving me plenty of variety.  After we finished, and in honor of my birthday, the staff brought us dessert. The Gulab Jamun with Cardamom Ice Cream was a perfect end to our meal. Throughout the entire experience, the staff could not have been more friendly and attentive, wishing me a Happy Birthday again as we left the restaurant. Overall, I’m glad I spent such a special day with loved ones, all of us enjoying the country’s best Indian cuisine.