As we go out, we get the chance from time to time to explore some Indian restaurants. I guess I still have some nostalgia from last week’s Arabian Night. We have a ranking of the 4 we’ve tried in the capital area thus far. Our criteria is simple: Quality of food, Price, and other parameters like distance, atmosphere, etc. The best one is on the top. The worst is on the bottom.
- At the top of our chart we have Karavalli. Their website is here. The variety of food is pretty broad as they cater from different regions of India. I for one love it because it’s inclusive and sorted by meal and dessert. On the dinner menu, we could easily see which entrees were at which spice levels. It’s by far the fanciest place on our list since they just got remodeled. When we ordered for dinner, we found out the hard way it was family style. We had a lunch leftover for the next day. This would be a great place for large or small groups to relax and truly share a meal. Easily a perfect 5 spoons raised! The prices were also fair too, while not the cheapest place of all the restaurants we have been to, it was reasonably priced. And it is only about a 10 to 20 minute drive from our house, so all the better. The staff are also friendly too, which are a big plus. Make sure to make reservations, as this place tends to be crowed around lunch and dinner.
- Shalimar- This one is right near Sake Bon and Market 32. My friend Jared used to work there briefly. The folks there are alright and the food is of limited variety, but all of it satisfying. They make the best chicken marsala I’ve ever tasted. Remember that time we did it with tofu? They have a really cheap lunch buffet, all you can eat for roughly $12.00. Not bad, and the quality of the food for that price is excellent. However, while not bad, the atmosphere leaves a little to be desired. The decor seemed a little run down, and it could use a dusting in the corners and chandlers. This is their website.
- Chatpata- We went there last Valentine’s Day for the low-cost lunch buffet. Everything is delicious from the spice selection to the, but the sauces left my lips red and tingling for a few minutes. We were satisfied with the vegetables – I loved the curry flour breading – but the goat was very greasy and the other meat that wasn’t cut off was mostly bones. We went to their Facebook website. Similar to entry #2, but even cheaper. The decor was a little worse, and it seemed not as frequented as #2 although they have decent Google reviews. The quality of the food wasn’t as good either, as Darling had already mentioned. I felt like the food was lost in the spices and sauces, and the chicken tandoori was burnt to a crisp, I mostly got charcoal bits.
- Curry House- Everything there is so spicy, it may as well be from a joke shop. No-frills is an understatement. It seemed like the building was yawning from the bland walls, but not as bad as trying to find a space to park the car. I’m talking near invisibility. There wasn’t much value driving all the way out just to get burned. Give me some of that cheese naan, basmati rice and a pitcher of water to get this down! Don’t be skimpy with the ice, please, I’m begging you! The naan may be flavored, but that’s the only pizzazz available. The delivery may be free, but they only go 5 miles taking the same amount of time to deliver as it takes to make it yourself. Their website is here. As you can see on their website: HERE The menu is HUGE, which some say isn’t always a good sign. At least it’s easy to place your order. So we’re clear, I am not familiar with this location. I haven’t spent much time driving around in this area. That being said, I am a decent driver and navigator. I had passed this place by several times before we were able to spot it (the sign for the place was not well placed) and parking was horrendous.
Any places you think should be on the list? We’ll be more than happy to tell about any place we go.
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