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Rasika is a restaurant I really wanted to love, especially given its reputation, and the food definitely delivered--but unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. We were a large group and ordered a wide variety of dishes including the lamb roll, lamb chops, palak chaat, paneer tikka, crab, shrimp curry, and the Everything Mango dessert. The food was delicious across the board, with plenty of bold flavors and beautifully prepared dishes. The downside is that it comes at a fairly high price, so I expected the overall experience to match the quality of the food. Unfortunately, the service was the biggest disappointment. We had made our reservation several days in advance for a large group, yet our server seemed to be rushing us from the moment we sat down. Even while choosing our wine, we were repeatedly pushed to make a decision rather than being given time to look through the options. It felt unnecessarily rushed and pushy, which really put a damper on what should have been a special group dinner. The atmosphere is lovely, with a sophisticated and ambient setting that works well for special occasions. Given the prices, though, I expected much more polished service. Great food, but the rushed service left a bad taste and unfortunately overshadowed an otherwise delicious meal.
Dimily-lit Michelin recommended Indian restaurant with both phenomenal food and service I came here for dinner with my fiance and we had a great experience. I tried the mango lassi, we got an order of garlic naan, their signature fried spinach appetizer dish, and an order of both their chicken tikka masala and their version of butter chicken (which I don't know that actual name of off the top of my head. The lassi, their signature appetizer, and the butter chicken were all phenomenal, and the naan and chicken tikka masala were very solid as well. The naan only comes with 2 pieces per order though, which is a little underwhelming. As I mentioned previously, the service here is top-notch. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and food was prepared quickly It looks like their tasting menu is absolutely worth it (we saw the table next to us with it). Also, it seems like their best dishes are featured on their tasting menu, so if you have any questions about what to order I'd recommend checking whats on there! The only downsides were that it was fairly cold and loud inside
What a wonderful place. Excellent Indian cuisine in a classy environment with lovely staff. From the moment we walked in, everyone was so nice. We missed our reservation due to unforeseen traffic jam, and yet the hostess was so understanding. We ended up sitting at the kitchen table area and the experience was great. The food is delicious, ordered the Chicken Tika Masala, the Chicken Green Masala and the Palak Chat. All so good! The bread is incredible. Should be an entree on its own! Definitely forget about your diet when you visit. We topped it off with desert and the chai tea. What impressed me the most was how helpful and kind the staff was. From the GM and the owner, all the way to the waiters and bar backs, everyone was friendly, very respectful and made you feel so welcome. We will be back!
Amazing food and amazing service! We had a group of about 12 and the staff was amazing in staying aware of dietary needs, they kept beverages topped up, and the food just kept coming. Despite it being a busy Friday night, the food was attractive, hot, and delicious. I really wish my stomach could've kept up with my eyes! I appreciated that we had a small party room for our group (especially since we were a bit loud, at times). I will definitely make this a recurring stop when in DC!
Came here over 10 years ago with my parents and it left a strong impression on us back then as some of the best Indian food we've had. Was pleased to see that the restaurant is still around (and super busy). No reservations, but we were lucky enough that there were enough seats at the bar, otherwise I don't think we would've been able to eat here at all. So hard to choose from a menu where everything sounded so good. We got the palak chaat, bhindi ka lonj, gobhi mattar, mint paratha, vegetable pulao, gujarati lasagne, and chili and olive oil naan. Standouts were the palak chaat and mint paratha. The palak chaat was the most well-balanced dish that satisfied every part of the flavor wheel: crispy spinach fritters, some tang from the yogurt and tamarind, sweetness from the date, and a lovely savoriness. The mint paratha was wonderfully flaky and herbaceous. The other dishes were good, but not particularly exciting. For desserts, we had the mango rasmalai and gulab jamun. Generally love ordering gulab jamun whenever I can, and it really hit the spot. The cardamom ice cream was the perfect pairing for it. I can kind of see where they were going with the mango rasmalai and the different textures/presenations of mango, but personally did not find it to be that memorable. Overall, not as mind-blowing as I remember but still enjoyed the meal. Definitely recommend making reservations if you want a table.
Me and my son looked this up and went here since we were visiting DC. Had no reservations, we were seated near the kitchen. Food and service were amazing. Sekhar offered us an amazing service. Will definitely come here when we visit DC again
Valentine's Day here was perfect. We were seated for our reservation at the bar immediately as we were on time. The server was amazing and properly engaging. The decorations were lovely, included the photo backdrop being such a cute idea! The crowd was classy so it was ideal for my liking. The food was a disappointment to me as an Indian food lover and to him with a big appetite and trying something new given the menu was limited! My favorite part was that they gave the ladies a pretty rose after the check was paid! The most thoughtful Michelin experience on a loving holiday. I so appreciated the door to door service. Just work on the food the fish was a bit dry and tough vs flaky and soft to enjoy. Go, maybe they're better today.
What an awesome restaurant... the food is absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered was delicious. Recommend starting with the Ragda Pattice and your main dish butter or tandori chicken. If they are serving scallops, order it! Whatever main dish you order, you have to order one of their house made chutneys. We really enjoyed the mango chutney. Also, don't forget the naan! We like plain or garlic. They are about a 5-7 min walk from the Capital One Arena. So, it is best to make reservations just in case you are trying to dine here when there is an event at Capital One. It gets crowded! Notable is the service. Our server was super friendly and. attentive. He made some very good recommendations, to include a glass of champagne that enhanced the meal.
The best Indian in the US in my opinion, and they've been consistently good since they opened over 20 years ago. That was probably the last time I visited the restaurant before this trip, and the first thing I did was order the spinach dish, Palak Chat, which had changed but actually improved. This dish is outstanding and a must for every visit. Everything was prepared perfectly, the chicken so tender, mushrooms flavorful, lentils perfect flavor and consistency. Our server was extremely attentive and polite. Ask for the front booth if you have a large enough party. It's the best seat in the house.
Get reservations!! I am go glad i got reservations because we were seated right away and saw people having to wait a while before they were seated. The place is quite dark with that moody ambiance. It's also loud. Our server bhaskar was very attentive and a total sweetheart. I heard him ask a delivery driver if he wanted water or anything before he got his delivery order. Since we got the mixed grill, he recommended a new dish to us, chicken green masala. We also got the lacha paratha to go with it. The mix grill was nice to taste a bit of everything. The salmon was a bit undercooked in some areas but very tasty. The tandoori chicken was dry. The lamb was absolutely delicious and i could have eaten a whole platter of just that. The green masala has such warm spices and it was perfectly spicy. It went sooo well with the paratha. The paratha was flaky and buttery. The mushroom was so unexpected. I loved it so much. It was tangy and spicy. Perfect also. Overall, I'll be back for the mains, for the grill, i would definitely recommend the lamb but not others. This was our anniversary dinner, so bhaskar surprised us with a small ice cream and gulab jamun. Sooo sweet to recognize this. He is the best.
A DC classic that is just as wonderful as I remembered. I lived in the Washington, D.C. area years ago and used to dine at Rasika often. It had been quite a while since my last visit, and I'm happy to say it was every bit as good as I remembered. I visited with my two daughters, ages 8 and 22, after a long day of sightseeing in nearly 100-degree weather. We were dressed for the extreme heat outside and, understandably, didn't want to carry sweaters or jackets around all day. Our original table was directly beneath an air conditioning vent, and the staff graciously accommodated our request to move to a warmer table. When my 8-year-old was still chilly in the 67-68° dining room, our waiter thoughtfully brought over a tablecloth for her to drape over her shoulders. It was such a kind gesture and an example of truly exceptional hospitality. The food was outstanding. The appetizers were fantastic, and my youngest especially enjoyed the mango lassi and a butter paneer dish that served as a kid-friendly alternative to butter chicken. My oldest daughter and I shared several appetizers along with a shrimp entrée, and everything was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Rasika continues to excel in every way--wonderful food, attentive service, and a beautiful atmosphere. It's easy to see why it has remained one of Washington's premier restaurants for so many years. We had a fantastic evening, and I look forward to returning the next time I'm in D.C. Keep up the great work!
This is a composite review for several visits over 15 years. I'm glad to report that it's still a beautiful and comfortable dining experience with fresh and delicious interpretations that make me a repeat customer. Seating and ordering food ends by 2:30 for lunch before reopening for dinner. Even with a late lunch Yousef was an attentive and helpful presence. The masala chai was more black tea forward. Palak chaat is always a tasty treat; I still remember the first time tasting it here over fifteen years ago. All the tastes and textures still create a dopamine rush. The okra was more astringent than I recalled. The roasted style reduced the mucilage, which many people prefer. The crusted two tandoori lamb chops were a generous size so made it more filling. The lemon cashew rice was tasty also. Feel like a little kid to report that my dessert was probably my favorite part. The warm black rice pudding was delicious comfort food and something I will remember for a while. Unctuous and crunchy with stewed raisins and cashews, I will add this as something to order each time.
Cauliflower Bezule was great as an app to munch on. The Sweet Potato Samosa was like Thanksgiving in a samosa, and it was a unique pairing we didn't expect to enjoy as much as we did. Definitely try it if you can. Got the Gosht Ahuna which was well made, and the lamb pieces were very tender. Chicken Makhani was average, good but not exactly a memorable dish in my opinion. Truffle Naan was a bit of a miss and didn't really pair that well with our entrees, but the Garlic Naan was pretty good. We got the Kashmiri Sour and Ginger-Pom Pisco Sour for drinks, and they were both well made and paired really well with our meal. The Kashmiri Sour was definitely our favorite drink of the night between the two. Overall, service was great and the staff was attentive. It was also pretty easy to get a reservation.
The best Indian restaurant that I have eaten at! It has a much larger menu than normal and included dishes from regions all over India, according to my two Indian friends that I dined with. They too were impressed with the menu, which speaks to the authenticity for a US-based Indian restaurant. I ordered a lamb dish. I wish I could remember the name. It had cinnamon listed as an ingredient. Instead of Naan bread like I normally order, I opted for the GOAT CHEESE KULCHA. It was like a Naan but filled with light layer of goat cheese. The creamy bread was an excellent pairing to the spicy food! I tried the GULAB JAMUM for dessert, a recommendation from my Indian friend. It was served warm and was extremely tasty. I don't have opportunity for such a treat very often. read more
Had a great experience here! The vegetarian tasting menu was amazing! Each dish was so delicious and plated very well. The service was great the entire evening as well; our waiter was very helpful and polite. Definitely a must-try if you like Indian food and are in DC! read more
I really enjoyed Rasika, Indian cuisine is always top-tier for me. But there were a lot of items on the menu that surprised me in terms of presentation and sauce pairing. So it felt like an adventure as we ordered different dishes. The sweet potato samosas is definitely one of those surprise dishes. I would recommend a reservation, went on a Thursday night and the restaurant was full. waited a solid 20 minutes before being seated for dinner. But service was quick and good. read more
Overall disappointing, though dessert made up for it (for the most part). We came here for dinner on a weeknight. We had a reservation and were promptly seated. Overall ambiance was nice and the service was great/attentive. Only service complaint was their butchering of the pronunciation of some of the dishes We had high expectations for the food based on the reviews and friends recommendations. We ordered palak chaat, mint chicken masala, paneer apricot kofta, sweet potato bharta, garlic naan and laccha parantha. Overall the food was ok, but disappointing given the expectation. The mint chicken masala had an unexpected spiciness. The naan and paratha portions were stingy (1 full piece for $6?) The rose rasmalai dessert saved the day. 10/10, would definitely recommend. Overall probably wouldn't come back read more
WOW. The moment you walk in the staff is quite attentive and provides excellent customer service. The restaurant is a great venue, with some private booths and a number of folks were there for business lunches. I shared appetizers with my friend and the palak and kebab were both amazing. I didn't know what to expect with the palak dish but both my friend and I were amazed by the flavors of the dish. The chicken tikka masala has an earthy sauce flavor which was nice. The mango dessert was not too sweet -- I believe the fried string was some sort of sugar? A little interesting to eat through but so good!! This is DC so street parking or wifhinf a 10-15 min walking distance from the DuPont and foggy bottom metro stations. read more
2 years ago
Rasika was chosen for Valentines day date night. I do not enjoy driving into the District of Columbia because of the traffic, lack of inexpensive parking. However, the food and service more than made up for the DC challenges. For Valentines day, there was a special menu , no placard. Absolutely wonderful. If you are in the DC area and enjoy Indian food, this is the place to stop into. We had reservations so upon arrival we were.peomptly seated. Prior to the appetizer we were given a small pre appetizer if you will Quite tasty, a bit of heat However it was totoned down with the sauce ..yogurt based. My favorite was the fried spinach...could have made a meal of that alone. The meal was paired with different wines with each course with the last glass being a bubbly. ... read more
We came here for my friend's birthday, and food was very mid. I expected a lot more from a higher end fancy place, but spices and taste palette was just really off. The lamb was gamey, and the samosas were too sweet. The best dishes were the crispy spinach and butter chicken, but that wasn't even the best I've had. Service was a little slow, and they kept adding cilantro to everything even though we asked for no cilantro. The duck was a bit undercooked, and it just felt a little chaotic service wise. They did provide a birthday freebie though. Lighting was dim and not good for photos. read more
6 months ago
The elegant dark interior of Rasika elevated our lunch, and we enjoyed the attentive and detailed service our waiter provided. Between the two of us, we ordered makhana kaju kofta, paneer mirch ka salan, roti, and mint paratha. All were good, except the mint paratha, which was great. read more
I've been pining to go to Rasika since I saw the Sweet Potato Samosas on a TV program a few years back and finally had the opportunity to go before visiting family in DC Thanksgiving week. We headed there directly from the airport, a reservation in hand and excited! It was everything we'd hoped for in terms of service, food quality and atmosphere. The place was packed around 6pm on a Wednesday...we were a little early for our reservation but they seated us right away. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and took very good care of us. The three of us (my wife and a teenager) all get the Vegetarian Tasting Menu which was a significant amount of food for the three of us. Everything was really good and beautifully presented. We especially liked the assortment of naan and the Dal sampler. (Especially especially the Dal Makhani.) Everyone got their own servings of each kind of Dal so we weren't all dipping into the same serving containers which was nice. The Sweet Potato Samosas were worth the trip to D.C. on their own. The dessert platter that came out as part of the tasting menu was out of control good and really gorgeous. There's so much more to try, especially for us vegetarians...we would definitely (DEFINITELY) come back and order more of what we had and some of the other (many) vegetarian options available. We were well fed and taken care of here. read more
2 years ago
Wow this place is incredible. High-end Indian restaurant. The food is so flavorful. I loved the black cod. Nice sized portion of fish, cooked perfectly. Not spicy. I also really enjoyed the warm black rice pudding - it was delectable. My dining partners also thoroughly enjoyed their meals, the eggplant and duck makhani being stand out favorites. Service was top notch. Definitely recommend reservations as this seems like a hot spot. Food tips: Black Cod, Warm Black Rice Pudding. read more
It would be very hard (in my opinion) not to love this place. Our service was impeccable! So kind, knowledgeable, attentive - and knew all about allergies and dietary restrictions (with a GF/Celiac menu!!!). Ambiance is obviously gorgeous, classy, and very clean. The food is absolutely delicious, as were our cocktails (very well made). I wish I lived a little bit closer so I could do take out - lol, but I'll just have to come out for an in person dinner which I absolutely will! Can't wait to return! read more
Managed to get last minute dinner reservations for a Sunday night, and the place was relatively busy around 8 pm. I did not read the fine print which said that they don't allow kids under the age of 8, so we were seated in their outside seating area, by their not so polite hostesses who need a class or two in hospitality or basic customer service. This was our only bad experience, which was turned around completely by our excellent waiter - Gustavo! We got straight to ordering which included Paneer Shashlik, Spicy Reshmi Kebab, and Ragda Pattice - all of which were really good. Our mains included their Chicken Biryani ($22) which was pretty basic. The chicken was extremely dry, and taste-wise was nothing spectacular. Gustavo went above and beyond to ensure we had a good time and was very friendly. We got a delicious dessert on the house as a sorry from Gustavo - which wasn't needed by much appreciated. Docking 1 star just for the bad experience we had during check-in. We felt there was a better way to handle it. read more
7 months ago
Last time i dined at Rasika was about 2 years ago and i remember it very fondly! Yesterday we went back and the food was still incredible, the Dal was very buttery, the nan was so soft and fresh and the chili honey scallops were the stand out dish of the night! They seemed to have changed duck vindaloo recipe to a more deconstructed version which was still good but i did prefer the older more traditional version better, the gravy felt heartier! Our server was wonderful and the food came out in really good time! The ambiance was also very nice for a date night so all in all it was a great night! read more
Had a truly incredible dinner here on a Sunday night (after making reservations). We had done the tasting menu in the past but didn't feel like we were hungry enough for multiple dishes so we chose our own (and so happy we did). We started with the palak chaat which is like a crispy spinach with tangy yogurt and tomato and onion salsa-like topping. SO, SO good absolutely recommend getting this especially since our server said this was the only place you could get it. We had the sweet potato samosas with that and while they were good, it was a LOT of sweet potato filling in the flaky phyllo pocket (first world problem), wish it was a little more proportionate. For entrees we were blown away by the chicken tikka masala and the chicken biryani with a side of roti. The tikka masala had a great depth of flavor, very comfort food. The rice in the chicken biryani was very carefully made and the presentation was a nice touch with a thin breading dome over it. read more
From the same people as Bindaas (allegedly according to their emails) comes Rasika. The Penn Quarter location was a short meander from Ford's Theater after A Christmas Carol and this was a meal well chosen. I can see why it's so highly rated. Cost is perfect for what you get and super reasonable for DC; the flavors are DIVINE and service is excellent. You cannot go wrong here. I'd list what our group got, but just listen to your heart. And, if you have a really good spice tolerance, I don't, get the Chicken Green Masala. read more
I've been craving Indian food for awhile and I heard this was Obama's favorite place in D.C. so I definitely needed to give this place a try! This place had the most delicious menu, beautiful ambiance, and amazing service. Keep in mind this is an Indian resturant so tons of spices will be used. Only saying this as the woman next to us dining repeatedly complained about too much spices being used. We ordered the 6 course tasting menu and had an absolute blast!! Our server was wonderful and was quick to replace forks & spoons, provided us with quick service and suggested a delicious rose tea! First course: delicious, surprised at the texture and flavor. Second course: my favorite! the palak chaat is insane. loved this dish the most! Third course: Delicious scallops, love the play on texture and flavor. Fourth course: Skewers, spicy, fragrant, tons of spices. Fifth course: Halibut, so flakey and fragrant, topped on a bed of spiced potato's. Delicious. Sixth course: 4 curries with mint naan & regular naan. Fired on real tandoori. Delicious, but I couldn't eat at this point due to so much food! The dessert was an amazing finish to our amazing tasting menu! Loved the ice cream, paired so well with the spices of the other desserts! Highly recommend this place! read more
4 months ago
8 months ago
Third time at Rasika last night and was by far the best. The crispy spinach app was awesome, red snapper excellent but a little spicy for me, but then had cardamom ice cream for dessert and might have been the best tasting ice cream I've ever had. Perfect way to balance the spicy entree. Highly recommend! read more
From Obama, to friends local to the area, to food influencers, Rasika is mentioned as one of the most notable Washington DC restaurants. So when we were in DC, we knew that's where we would go for dinner with some old friends. Not knowing what to expect when we got to the restaurant, I was surprised to find that there were white tablecloths and was a little nervous that we were not dressed up enough for the white tablecloth experience after coming straight from a full day of walking around museums. But, I sensed no judgement from the hostess. Nevertheless, the food we tried: 1. Palak Chaat (5/5) The unforgettable and highlight dish of the night was this "salad". The Palak Chaat is fried spinach, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, with a yogurt, tamarind, date chutney. This had so many contrasting flavors and textures and they all worked spectacularly together - sweet and sour, crispy yet soft. This is a reorder for sure. 2. Sweet Potato Samosa (3/5) These samosas differs from the traditional samosa, in that the dough is phyllo dough and it is presented like pouches. This dish comes with 3 pouches, each generously filled with a warm sweet potato filling and atop a cranberry chutney. Personally, I like the regular samosas more but it was nice to try this. 3. Tandoori Chicken Tikka (4/5) Chicken Tikka Masala is for the most part, always delicious. Rasika's version was good as well, but nothing stood out more than others I have had. 4. Shrimp Kerala Curry (4/5) This shrimp curry was thinner in texture than other curries and the shrimp were large. My partner ordered this since it had lentils. Flavors were good, but we both preferred the chicken tikka. We ordered naan and rice to pair with our dishes and those were good. Overall, great service, cozy interior, and great food. read more
1 month ago
11 months ago
Had a good dinner at Rasika - i would'nt say anything was so good that i was drooling (except maybe the date pudding was pretty unique) but everything was good. I do have to say that Rasika is an institution when it comes to dc but by now there are a lot more innovative or tastier restaurants around that rasika's food just does not come upto par (or at least what we ordered and ate). The mixed grill was good and so was the paneer shashlik (i liked the unique take on shashlik). The lamb kathi roll was a-ok and the date and toffee pudding was the star of the show. The palak chaat was yum but i have had comparable chaat at IndAroma as well, which is a casual indian eatery in NOVA. All in all, i can see why diners return to rasika due to its prestige and long-standing reputation in dc but maybe its time to add a bit of a spin to the menu and make it more innovative. read more
2 months ago
Friend of ours said that Rasika was their favorite Indian restaurant so we were very excited to try it. Our main server was very knowledgeable about the menu and answered all ingredient questions right away (vs going back and asking). Everyone else who came to the table to bring food, refill water, clear plates, or pack leftovers seemed to be very inexperienced with restaurant work. They dripped water on food while refilling cups, seemed very uncoordinated when bringing the food out, and didn't understand that nobody else wanted to pack leftovers. The food itself was hit or miss. The mixed drinks were just mediocre - too sweet so that you can't taste the alcohol. Of the starters, the palak chaat was fantastic, the banana avocado chaat was not good, and the papadums with the chutney dish felt stale and weren't crunchy. The mains were all very salty. The duck vindaloo almost tasted like marmite with how salty it was. Most everyone got dessert - the rice pudding was OK - wish the cardamom was mixed in rather separate as ice cream because the pudding didn't taste right. Overall, might come back if someone asked us for dinner. read more
Rasika is always top notch for service, accommodating and nice ambiance. Yiu really can't go wrong with the menu options once you know what you're in the mood for. The palak chaat (crispy spinach salad) is the best I've had yet in the area. The sweet potato puffs, and cauliflower appetizers are tasty and the cauliflower is the largest sharable app. My favorite dish is the back cod in the savory sauce. The lamb flavor rotates throughout the year. It's usually tender but the sauces typically seem to be a bit flat. Depending on the type more ginger, garlic or cardamom could add the layers and pop for the palette. The gulab jamun (two small donut balls in honey) with cardamom Gelato are very good but pricey for the portion. It seems like only two pieces are given to balance the baby scoop of Gelato. Most Indian restaurants provide more plus Pitango has Gelato next door. read more
The food here is amazing. You will definitely need to come back multiple times to try a piece of everything. Service is impeccable. Their restaurant always is busy but you still feel your waiter is attentive to all your needs. The ambiance is great for an early casino with family or colleagues. read more
Had a near perfect experience here. The food is exceptional, and the tasting menu is very thoughtfully crafted, especially when taken with the wine pairings. Prices were reasonable for DC, and our server did an excellent job. The only problem was that a few of the tastings took a bit of a while to get explanation. Part of this can be attributed to the business of the restaurant, but it's better to wait for food and know then just get food when you're doing a fairly heftily priced tasting menu with wine pairings. Most likely not that server's fault, but of the way the restaurant is run. We also get a little passive aggressiveness when we came in because we were 10 minutes early and didn't order drinks right away. The restaurant is a beautiful decor and these very ingenuities booths that keep the dining experience intimate without making you feel claustrophobic. read more
11 months ago
Excellent Indian food. But excellent service and a beautiful restaurant. Came here for dinner and I'm dining with someone that has allergies to gluten, dairy and egg. The menu is clearly marked which is really appreciated. With those allergies the options were still quite plentiful. We started with the Palak Chaat. This was excellent. Very flavorful even without the yogurt sauce. Would highly recommend. I went with the chicken tikka masala and it was delicious. Very rich and the chicken was very well cooked and still quite juicy. My table mate got the lemon cashew rice, gobhi mattar and mushroom mattar. Everything was quite good. I would say it all (except the rice) was about medium spice level. So if you're spice adverse be warned. The service was excellent and we would definitely come back. read more
A nice place for a night out. Overall friendly and knowledgeable staff. Being first time here, we ordered all their signature items - Palak Chaat (crispy baby spinach), Black Codfish, Saoji Lamb Shank , and the Chicken Masala. Quite a contrast between the Palak Chaat - a celebration of flavors, and the lamb shank - dull and heavy; one is a must. Felt a bit bloated after the meal. read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
This place does not disappoint! The service was NEXT LEVEL. Our server was professional, funny, and knowledgeable. This place is a vibe. It was welcoming and romantic for our date. The food... Wow! We had the Palak Chaat, Purple Potato Dosa, and Chicken Tikka Masala. Everything was outstanding but the the Palak Chaat really surprised me! Can't wait to go back! read more
My wife was excited to bring me to this establishment, one of her favorite restaurants in the city. And I wouldn't say I was skeptical, per se, because she has excellent taste. However, as an avid explorer of Indian cuisine, Rasika really had a high bar to meet. And it absolutely delivered. We began with spinach pakoras, which were about a delicious as such a dish could possibly be - crispy, slightly spicy, with a bit each of bitterness, salt, and tang. If salad were like this, I would eat much healthier. We (my wife and I and a friend) shared three entrees. My wife ordered her typical, chicken makhani. Tasting it, I understood why her standard for the dish (it is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate new Indian joints) is so high. It is full-bodied and meaty with big, bright flavors, the Platonic ideal of by which all other chicken makhanis should be measured. The mutual friend and I split a prawn vindaloo and black cod. The former was outstanding in its complexity - each bite was a fiery meditation on a half dozen wonderfully contrasting flavors. The black cod was exactly what it would have been: flaky, buttery, succulent goodness. Miscellaneous notes: service was great (friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt). And their alcoholic options were interesting, and included a surprisingly good Indian IPA (Rupee). read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
Some of the best Indian food I've had state side. The Palak Chaat is amazing--blew my colleagues mind--we ordered a second. Dal Makhani was great as well. Okra dish was okay and the Paneer was very good, but honestly the Palak Chaat steals the show. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Came to Rasika after seeing many positive reviews online and hearing that it's one of Obama's favorite restaurants. The dining experience at Rasika is upscale and very dimly lit, creating a cozy atmosphere. The spots at the bar filled up fast, so it's good to arrive early if you want a seat there. I would give it a 4.5 stars overall. This dish you order makes a difference. For basic things like butter chicken or tikka marsala, I think you could find cheaper and just as good elsewhere. The palak chaat was delicious. Crispy spinach with a perfect mix of tangy and sweet flavors made it the best dish we tried. As others have mentioned, the banana chaat was disappointing. It didn't have the same great taste as the other dishes. The samosas were tasty with just the right amount of spice. A great starter that set the tone for the rest of the meal. The kofta was our favorite entrée. Rich, flavorful, and cooked perfectly, it was the highlight of the meal. The naan is good but very thin, and you only get one small piece per side order, which costs $5-$7 each. It would be better if they gave you more for the price. read more
More info about Rasika
633 D St NW
Washington, DC 20004
Penn Quarter
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(202) 637-1222
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http://www.rasikarestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Rasika
Are the helpings decent sized and worth the prices? Or they small like at a lot of "fine dining" Indian places?
It's between small and medium size. Taste is worth the price but not the quantity.
Is this restaurant kid friendly (9 yr old) in terms of pacing and ambience or is it really just for adults? Is 1.5 hrs enough time for dinner here or longer?
During Covid, Rasika implemented a no kids (I believe under 8 or 9yo) policy. Not sure if that policy still exists but it's obvious they don't really care to have kids there. You can bring your kid (since he/she is of age) but by no means would I…
Can they make dishes that aren't spicy? I have allergy to spicy pepper (chili, jalapena, black, white pepper)
Yeah most dishes are not spicy
Are there many gluten free options? Are many of the protein dishes gluten free?
Don't see any GF options mentioned specifically in the menu.
Do they have Valet parking service?
They have valet parking but only in the evenings, and it is awkward to stop in the street given the location. There are, however, several parking garages in the vicinity so you can do whatever is most convenient for you.
What's the dress code here for dinner? Will I be able to get away with jeans and a nice top?
Yes, you'll find a mix of people in terms of dress code. Some dressed in suits and some in jeans.
Do they have free parking?
No have to find street parking around there and that can be a nightmare depending on the day and time.
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258 reviews that are not currently recommended
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