rasika

rasika
Originally uploaded by bluepupae.

encountering a contemporary take on indian food is a rarity, especially one that remains true to the essential flavors of indian cuisine, so when i heard about rasika, i had to experience it for myself on a recent trip to DC. the food didn't completely deconstruct indian cuisine for me, but i was reminded that done well, food can be both new and traditional and good.

the four course tasting menu offers an opportunity to sample a broad range of dishes at a reasonable price, especially when sharing between three people, and as i found out, a lot of food. we started with the famous flash fried spinach (PALAK CHAAT), a dish of crispy leaves mixed with fresh tomatoes, red onions, cilantro and yogurt, combining a medley of sweet, salty, tangy flavors. between the first and second courses, came the ASPARAGUS ROLL--sections of asparagus spears rolled in a delicate pasta sheet, sitting in a tangy, mint chutney and sprinkled with mustard and fennel seeds. i didn't care as much for the pasta texture, but the flavors were good, and the chutney had a kick to it.

second courses included the CLAM CALDINE, simmered in a coconut and chili sauce with a slight kick, CRISPY TAWA FISH, a white fish crusted with crunchy rice and accented with a creamy cilantro mayo, and TAWA BAINGAN, consisting of a stack of eggplant and mashed spiced potatos. all were excellent.

the meat entrees, which included CHICKEN MAKHANI and LAMB GUCCHI KORMA, were more reminiscent of traditional indian food. both had thick sauces perfect for dipping the paratha and naan that accompanied the meal. with a tomato based sauce, the chicken was more tangy and sweet, while the lamb was creamy. i liked the appetizers a little better than the entrees. i was so full, i didn't get to try the garlic naan, but found the mint flavor in the paratha refreshing.

the vegetarian options included MAKKI SHIMLA MIRCH--a sweet combination of fresh corn and red peppers-, VEGETABLE TAMATAR RASSA-stewed vegetables in fragrant spices, and an earthy DAL MAKHANI. All were tasty, but I found the corn & vegetable dishes most flavorful.

i found the dessert, APPLE JALEBI with CARDAMOM ICE CREAM, to be a too sweet for my taste. the jalebi consisted of a slice of apple thickly battered and deep fried, which was kind of oily. the donut hole like cake ball that came with it was good, but also very sweet. my favorite on the dessert plate was the rich and creamy cardamom ice cream with hints of ginger.

besides offering a unique twist on indian food, rasika is an elegant, upscale restaurant where service was prompt and friendly as expected. if you like indian food and are open to new experiences, rasika is worth a try.

udupi palace

udupi palace
Originally uploaded by bluepupae.

#25 on my 101 in 1001 list (39/143)
its a good sign when you're the only non-indian at an indian restaurant. granted, i've only started eating south indian food last year, but the spinach cheese dosa i had here is the best i've had in my limited experience. dosas are delicate but large crepes usually filled with some combination of potatoes, vegetables and/or spices. what makes the dosa and other dishes we ate here so great is how well spiced and balanced the flavors are. sporting a crispy chewy outside and only available on weekends, the spinach was well seasoned with wonderful curry and great with bits of cheese.

bf & i also shared the thali to try a little of everything, which comes with 2 veggie options--that day it was chana masala and gobi masala (both were good; the gobi was sweeter, while the chana had a tangy tamarind flavor)--, a delicious daal (one of the better i've had--most are usually a little bland--lentils with fennel and mustard seeds), sambar (a tasty lentil soup), rasam (broth cooked from lentils), poriyal which was spicy, turmeric-y cabbage, tomato rice, raita which is yogurt with chunks of cucumber, and payasam which appeared to be a sweet coconut milk flavored with saffron and chopped almonds.

we should have stopped there, but we had to have some baigan bartha, a slow cooked eggplant curry dish with some kick. i was eyeing our neighbors' poori, which are these puffed bread things, and paratha, which are thicker tortilla like bread, and was intrigued by the coconut rice, so will have to return to try other things. everything tasted great, and though there was some heat, it wasn't unbearable, especially if you have a sweet and creamy mango lassi.

service was friendly and fast. utensils are optional.