Google/Yelp stars will be purely based on a very general metric of taste and the overall…read moreexperience.
For my detailed review below, typically above a 4.5 is in the two or three Michelin star category and 4.2-4.4 is a Michelin 1 star.
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D.C. Michelin #1: For our first stop in our nation's capital, I am reviewing the Indian restaurant, Rania. This is actually my second time at the restaurant, however I only experienced the 3 course option that time and opted for the full tasting experience this time.
Ambiance: 4.2/5.0
The restaurant is simple, yet elegant. The noise level is moderate and you don't have to worry about listening to someone else's conversation all night. I have yet to travel to India, but I imagine a fine-dining establishment there to look something like this with the goblets, arches, and see through walls!
Service: 4.4/5.0
In my first trip to Rania, I actually had to bring my golf clubs which the host stored for me and even carried it out when I was leaving (it is extremely heavy). In my second trip, the service was again top notch. The waiter was attentive and enthusiastic making me excited for the full tasting experience. The pace of the meal was also perfect.
Food: 4.3
Amuse:
Two incredible small bites starting with a Sabudana Vada, a warm and spicy fritter that was soooo good. Next, a Chana masala that had that same incredible warmth but a tomato kick instead.
First:
The first dish of the tasting was a yellowfin tuna tartar and Pani Puri. The crunch of the pani puri complements the tuna so well and the yuzu vinaigrette was not overpowering. I will say, that there wasn't a wow factor for this dish however, but still tasted good.
Second:
Next up was a scallop dish with an Amritsari (cooking style that blends spices for a burst of flavor) sauce. The scallop was cooked perfectly and sauce is no joke. At first the flavor is subtle as you really taste the scallop, but then the kick comes in and it is delicious!
Third:
The next course was a Nargisi Kofta quail egg, Swiss chard, truffle cream, and pickled mushrooms. Think of a scotch egg with chicken as the outer covering. This dish was surprisingly spicy (you see a theme here), but the creamy sauce complimented the crispy chicken so well. If it's too spicy, make sure to eat the chard to give yourself a break. This was fantastic, but be warned, it's deceptively spicy!
Fourth:
I then had a Shrimp momo which is a shrimp dumpling. The dumpling sits in a moilee sauce which is coconut based. First off, I will admit that shrimp dumplings are not my favorite, but it was perfectly cooked in this dish. The sauce has a great savory and nutty flavor. However, there was a bit of an aftertaste that I couldn't wrap my head around.
Fifth:
For my fifth dish I got to eat a Lamb Seekh kabob. The lamb is incredibly tender and the Kashumber (cucumber in yogurt) is a perfect compliment. I will say that the flavors weren't as strong, perhaps because the previous dishes were so powerful.
Sixth:
The last savory dish was my selection of the duck vindaloo (chose over the squab tandoori). Vindaloo is a spicy curry and think of the duck like a duck confit. The skin is so crispy and the meat is extremely tender. The duck also comes with naan, rice, and lentils. This feels like a traditional Indian meal but elevated to the max. So much flavor, perfect cook, and the best accompaniments, my favorite part of the meal.
Dessert:
To wrap everything up, dessert was a chocolate tart with masala chai ice cream. The chai flavor balanced out the dark chocolate fudge to perfection. As someone who doesn't really like chocolate, the chai itself made me want more.
Overall: 4.3/5.0
Just like my first trip, the food was great, ambiance serene, and service superb. There were a couple of dishes that didn't wow but overall I can't complain at all. As someone who loves Indian food, this experience elevates while keeping true to its roots. Rania is absolutely deserving of its star, and I can't wait to return!