I had dinner with my mom and husband at Chai Pani this past Sunday night and had a great time. I've…read moreheard great things about Chai Pani in Asheville for years, so I was thrilled they opened up a location in DC. Chai Pani serves Indian street food, and the restaurant is vibrant and colorful and fun. The service was also great - friendly, helpful.
My mom is vegan, and their menu is very vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. We shared: Disco Bhel (puri, puffed rice, boondi, corn poha, sev, onion, cilantro, roasted peanuts, tamarind & green chutneys, bhel mix, pomegranate); Sweet Potato Chaat (roasted sweet potatoes, pomegranate, masala cashews, golden raisins, red onions, cilantro & corn poha; tossed with tamarind & green chutneys); matchstick okra fries (julienned "okra fries" tossed with salt & seasoning, served with a lime wedge); Sabudana Vada Tots (crispy tater & tapioca tots seasoned with green chillies, curry leaves, cumin & ginger; served with Maggi hot & sweet ketchup); wild mushroom & scallion uttapam (Exotic mixed mushrooms, scallions, green chilli, ginger & curry leaf; served with coconut chutney & ghee-podi); Sloppy Jai (spiced lamb hash simmered with tomatoes, ginger & aromatic spices; garnished with onions & cilantro, green chutney, sweet yogurt & served on two toasted pav); and coconut chutney sorbet Sundae (coconut sorbet infused with hints of ginger, curry leaf, & cumin; topped with a chocolate shell). Everything (with the exception of the lamb take on a sloppy Joe) was vegan or veganized, and everything was delicious.
I had reached my alcohol max for the day, so we had some non-alcoholic drinks (even though their drinks looked great). I had their Golden Pineapple (Spicewalla Golden Milk blend mixed with fresh lime and pineapple), and my husband had a Tamarind Cola. With dessert, I also had a Chai - and theirs is a treat (although I wanted to read my book and take a nap right after - the coziest beverage on a rainy day).
I had a great time at Chai Pani. Their Indian street food menu is great - I wanted everything. And the service made the meal even better. We had a reservation, and I recommend you make one, too! They had some tables for walk-ins but they were time limited or high-tops. If you want to make sure you get a table, make a reservation ahead of time! I had a great dinner; I'd love to return.