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    The Essence

    4.7 (24 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Jstn J.

    Butter chicken and garlic naan very flavorful Today's visit Lamb biriyani. Customer service is great, very respectful. This is a Take Out spot!!!

    Chicken Tikka Masala
    Rachel B.

    DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and skip the fast food and give your taste buds what the deserve. First of all, I love Indian food but I usually have to travel farrrrrr out to get quality. I've tried several Indian restaurants in DC and it seemed like it was missing something. I could have cried *literally* tasting this food and getting the authenticity that I've had to travel 40 miles for. And it's in my BACK YARD! So the details .. this is not a sit down restaurant. Take out only. So either enjoy your food in the car, or visit a park nearby and enjoy if you're traveling here. The inside was clean and the automatics from the cooking were to die for. We ordered two types of wings, butter chicken, chicken tiki masala, roti and two types of naan (one recommended by the cashier). The cashier was sweet. We ordered in person and waited. The wait was approximately 20 mins. I wasn't upset, I know quality takes time and I didn't want to rush. The only thing I will say is, I wish I would have tasted my naan in the car while it was piping hot. Everything else was IMPECCABLE. I've traveled around the world for spices and flavors and let me tell you something, I could kiss the cook! THEY GOT IT RIGHT! Flavor, seasoning, savory balance, fresh herbs.... Man I might go again today. Lastly, it was affordable. Nowhere can you find tasty affordable food! Please visit these kind people! And skip the nasty Carryout and drive throughs. I PROMISE it's worth it.

    Mango Habanero Wings 10pcs
    Arren J.

    Place is a hidden gem. Wings to die for no matter what flavor you get. Looking forward to trying new things !

    True Opinion B.

    Excuse the photo ive already started eating it, but this place is good. From the employees being nice and respectful to the food being more than exceptional . This here is the Shrimp Biryani you can get it mild or spicy and it comes with nuts, but i have a nut allergy so they can do it without nuts as well. Their wings is good as well. Its Good to have a unique tasting restaurant in the District Heights area thats not trash food or any ole fast food restaurant . Go check them out !

    Shrimp Saag & Garlic Naan
    Ranielle W.

    Authenticity delicious, always delivered hot and great portions love that they aren't all the way across town or deep in VA or MD somewhere

    Fried chicken sandwich

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    3 months ago

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    27 days ago

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    8 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    So good! I've eaten there so many times. The Naan is wonderful. I also love the Mango Lasi drink. The family is very friendly as well

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    1 year ago

    Food is very good there. I love the curry saag. This is the 1st time I've seen a Indian Carry-Out

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Fresh, delicious food every time! Spot is small, staff is very nice. Highly recommend the Magic Mango , and Tandoori (spicy) wings

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    1 year ago

    Chicken burger is a must for adding something different to your palate. Service is always great!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Ask the Community - The Essence

    Review Highlights - The Essence

    I ordered the Indian pepper wings and butter chicken both medium spiced and some garlic naan and a mango lassi.

    $16.25 Butter Chicken

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    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Palak chat ($10)

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen

    4.5(80 reviews)
    5.6 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    Jab We Met remains a must try in DC Indian cuisine!…read more If you're on date night, catching up with friends, in a group or just looking for tasty take out, Jab We Met checks all the boxes. Lively atmosphere, with modern decor and great music at all times. Best of all the food is ever evolving with Indian favorites and inventive new plates!

    This place is a solid high 3*, but I bumped it up to 4* because they have good customer service,…read moreoffer a lunch special, happy hour, and discounts on dinner during the week and takeout. Considering there is a 5* Indian restaurant across the street, it is difficult to not compare this restaurant to it. Jab We Met has your customary authentic Indian cuisine, however, in typical American fashion some of the flavor and heat is dialed down or inconsistent. The first time I visited, I was left wanting more in the flavor department. I asked for spicy, and although what I received would be considered spicy to some, it wasn't nearly as spicy as I expected for Indian cuisine. The depth of flavor can be inconsistent, although for American standards it is perfect. What I've experienced with some Indian restaurants is the flavor level depends on how close the batch is to almost empty. I've experienced some restaurants stretch their gravies by adding stock/water. Jab We Met seems to take pride in serving consistent gravy texture and consistency. The customer service is always good. The inside has an upscale decor, fitting for Capitol Hill and not your traditional Indian restaurant. There is a full size bar and window seating.The lunch special is perhaps the best value here. I'll continue to visit.

    Photos
    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Great interior

    Great interior

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Basmati rice i believe

    Basmati rice i believe

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen

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    Rasika - Garlic Naan

    Rasika

    4.2(4.1k reviews)
    7.2 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    What an awesome restaurant... the food is absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered was…read moredelicious. 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.

    Rasika: The Crown Jewel of D.C. Dining…read more When Ashok Bajaj opened Rasika in Penn Quarter in 2005, he didn't just open a restaurant--he revolutionized how the nation's capital views modern Indian cuisine. Two decades later, it remains an absolute powerhouse and a masterclass in culinary consistency. The Accolades Rasika's trophy case is legendary. Chef Vikram Sunderam secured a prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, and the restaurant has consistently retained a top-tier spot on The Washington Post's 100 Very Best Restaurants list. It's the kind of place that effortlessly balances critical acclaim with a fiercely loyal local following, famously serving as a birthday hotspot for President Obama and a staple for D.C.'s culinary elite. The Menu While the iconic Palak Chaat gets plenty of well-deserved press, the true depth of the kitchen shines brightest in their classic entrees and customizable heat profiles. The Lamb Shank: A definitive triumph of slow-cooked execution. The meat is spectacularly tender, effortlessly falling away from the bone at the mere suggestion of a fork. Infused with a rich, aromatic blend of saffron and roasted coconut, the sauce achieves a profound depth of flavor that is both deeply comforting and complex. Saag Paneer (Malai Palak): Rasika's take on this classic elevates standard creamed spinach to an art form. The spinach retains a vibrant, fresh green character, expertly laced with garlic, onions, and green chilies. The paneer cubes are beautifully delicate, acting as the perfect velvety vehicle for the impeccably spiced greens. The House-Made Hot Sauce: For those who appreciate true heat, Rasika offers an exceptional house-made hot sauce that is cooked to order. Rather than just dumping standard chili oil on top, the kitchen freshly fires up this blend to your exact specifications, seamlessly integrating a fiery punch into your dishes without sacrificing an ounce of the underlying flavor profile. The Verdict Rasika isn't just a great Indian restaurant; it is one of the finest dining institutions in Washington, D.C. Whether you are a regular or a first-timer, the flawless execution of the lamb shank, the sophisticated balance of the saag paneer, and the tailored precision of their custom-cooked hot sauce make every meal feel like an event.

    Photos
    Rasika - Inside

    Inside

    Rasika - Mango shrimp

    Mango shrimp

    Rasika - Dal Makhni

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    Dal Makhni

    Spice Street

    Spice Street

    4.4(183 reviews)
    11.9 mi

    The food at Spice Street is amazing with so much variety, and I can highly recommend their service…read moreas well. We were able to snag a table for Valentine's Day evening on their website and they did NOT overbook - we were seated within 5 mins. of arriving. Service was prompt and attentive without being intrusive. The cocktails were innovative and delicious; we loved the jalapeño passion fruit cocktail (spicy!) and the ginger mojito. We were very hungry but decided on 4 smaller plates, which was exactly the right amount of food. Highly recommend their Crab Kathi Roll appetizer, the Crispy Spinach with Dates, the Chicken Cafreal and the Eggplant Fritters - although the mild spicing and flavor of the eggplant was outshone by the other robustly flavored items; still tasty though. Service was friendly and crisp and the pricing was very economical especially considering the variety and quality of the food and beverage. A 5-Star keeper!!

    The service and the Brussels sprouts were the best part of the meal…read more The servers were very attentive and kind. The Brussels sprouts chat was so good! Roasted to perfection and paired well with the chutneys. I also ordered the lamb vindaloo and it was lack luster to me. The lamb chunks were good, but the sauce lacked spice even though I asked for spicy. My friend got the garlic naan and I tasted it. I wasn't a fan of the taste or texture. The restaurant itself is cute and cozy!

    Photos
    Spice Street
    Spice Street
    Spice Street - Mango Lassi

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    Mango Lassi

    Indigo - Samosas

    Indigo

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    6.5 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast
    $$

    The food was incredible and delicious. service is great, food is taken to you except for utensils…read morefound at the front of the restaurant. All-together we had a great time and the ambiance of the area was wonderful, there was also many heaters to keep us warm. Keep it up indigo, great work tonight! -MG food reveiws

    Tried this spot out over some of my older favorites nearby. The food was good not great, with…read moresmaller portions than average for this type of food. I have a lot of favorite Indian spots and for the price and weird 'service' of this one.. it's a no for me on coming back. This was overpriced Indian food, served in to-go containers with Chipotle skimpy serving sizes you can't change or customize. So its missing the only redeemable factors of that style of restaurant. Y'all it was $20 for my veggie "platter". It's half two types of BEANS+ a veggie and some rice. MINI ROTI SEPARATE $2 (as disappointing as when tortilla chips+ salsa are a paid for thing, and not just on the table) Vegetarian is typically the cheapest option on the menu considering sourcing especially compared to meat. Yet the veggie options were no better than my attempt of Indian food at home, as a non-indian person lol. My family liked their entrees okay, butter chicken -$19, and lamb curry-$23 being the best option besides the 2pc Paneer Pakora-$8 appetizer. Gotta go up to grab your utensils or a lid which is fine, with luke warm water being the only self serve option here. So yay $4 regular drinks. I was unimpressed by their QR code 'service' only though and it stuck out to me. You order your food through a QR like many restaurants do, they bring you the food and then never come back to your table again. Not even if you place another order through the QR, we had to go find someone up front and see what was up. Could not order from the Bar menu QR either. On a Wednesday not a weekend thats pretty wild? I would not call any of it service. This form of ordering was set up with a good idea, and executed poorly. I know we have the money to go out to eat and that its a privilege to get to enjoy that- so damn it I want the money to be well spent!!! With Inflation that is a factor I'm looking at, and I believe the average customer is too. This restaurant needs to pick a lane, if it's going to be to-go style there better be some food to go with?? Not sure how Id leave the place with any food if this is whats given.

    Photos
    Indigo
    Indigo - Paradise Platter and Chicken Tikka Masala

    Paradise Platter and Chicken Tikka Masala

    Indigo - Indigo Outdoor Dining

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    Indigo Outdoor Dining

    The Essence - desserts - Updated July 2026

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