Aatish

609 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003 202-544 0931

Description: CAPITOL HILL. A self-proclaimed Pakistani restaurant, this cozy eatery (whose name means "volcano") offers cuisine with a decidedly Indian flair. Its hallmark is food prepared in the clay tandoori oven. Lamb and chicken cooked this way are made succulent and tender, bearing the reddish hue characteristic of tandoori cooking. Aside from these dishes, you can also opt for a spicy vindaloo or lamb karahi, full of vegetables and rich seasonings. With all the thick sauces, you'll do well to sample the range of breads, from classic nan to onion kulcha. A delicious taste of the sub-continent.
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Afghan

2700 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22301 703-548-0022

Description: For a taste of Afghan cuisine, consider this great, unimposing restaurant. A plain exterior opens into a friendly, upbeat atmosphere, and long, family-style tables perfectly accommodate crowds. Bread alone is worth a visit ­ light, airy, and delivered from the clay oven to your table in loaves as big as manhole covers. Juicy kebabs and Afghan-style turnovers called bulanee offer excellent options, and the house specialty is aushak ­ light dumplings (with your choice of filling) topped with mint and yogurt. Casual attire.
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Bombay Bistro

3570 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 703-359-5810

Description: FAIRFAX. The menu stretches on and on at Bombay Bistro, making it an ideal choice for aficionados or newcomers who want to sample Indian cuisine. The serene, attractive dining room is adorned with Indian art and textiles; a lovely outdoor section is available as well. Tandoori dishes, a house specialty, include chicken, shrimp, fish, and lamb, well-seasoned and served with fresh nan bread. A potent lamb vindaloo and spicy curries test the palates of heat-seekers, and plenty of vegetarian options can also be had. The vast lunch buffet offers the best of everything for one low price.
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Bombay Club

815 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 302, Washington, DC 20006 202-659-3727

Description: DOWNTOWN. This little-known find is one of the top places in town for flavorful Indian cuisine, and its location near the White House means it typically crawls with staffers and political types. Reportedly a favorite of the Clintons during his time in office, the refined, palm-dotted dining room is a combination of British and Indian styles. But the food is authentic Indian all the way, with skillfully prepared tandoori dishes, lamb in saffron with yogurt and spices, and a fantastic array of curries. Vegetarians and carnivores will both be satisfied. Just don't miss the naan, a flavorful, soft bread that's a Bombay Club specialty. Business casual dress. Reservations recommended. METRO: Farragut West
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Bombay Curry Co.

3110 Mt. Vernon Ave, The Calvert Building, Alexandria, VA 22305 703-836-6363

Description: ALEXANDRIA. This cosmopolitan Indian restaurant is known for its great buffet specials and four-alarm vindaloo dishes. Surroundings are casual and simple, but the food is complex and full of flavor. Try flaming-hot tandoori chicken wings and some of the most tongue-tingling curries in town. Even the presumably mild butter chicken has a pungent, spicy kick. A perennially good bet is the chef's special, which changes each week based on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Not for the faint of heart. Casual attire.
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Bombay Palace

2020 K St NW, Washington, DC 20036-1806 202-331-4200

Description: DOWNTOWN. One of DC's first restaurants to offer upscale ethnic cuisine, Bombay Palace continues to exude elegance and traditional style. Popular for power lunches with bankers and lawyer-types, the menu is classic and perfectly executed. Try spicy madras chicken, crispy tandoori prawns, lamb curry, and fish in coconut milk with mustard seed. Slightly more minimal in decor than other Indian restaurants in the area, the place also offers impeccable service and an authentic, varied menu. Reservations recommended; business casual or business attire. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Faryab

4917 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-951-3484

Description: BETHESDA. Named for a province in northern Afghanistan, this Middle Eastern restaurant caters to meat lovers and vegetarians with its lamb, chicken, beef, kebabs, and vegetables. Start with turnovers of either scallions and herbs (bulanee) or beef and potatoes. You'll also be enticed by challaw kadu (sauteed pumpkin with yogurt sauce) and badenjan (eggplant stew). Linen-covered tables and photos from the Middle East help set the scene. Casual dress.
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Haandi

4904 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-718-0121

Description: BETHESDA. Accented with Indian artwork, this restaurant offers zesty cuisine from the northern part of the sub-continent. Tandoori chicken, baked in the traditional clay oven, attracts a cast of regulars who can't get enough of the spice-infused meat. They also dig into earthy curries and chunky rice biryanis, mopping up sauce and renegade morsels with hearty flatbread. Chicken cooked with coriander and green chilies satisfies those who appreciate a little fire, and vegetarians are pleased by a variety of meatless entrees.
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Heritage India

1337 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-331-1414

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. This restaurant serves traditional Indian dishes, including curries, samosas, and tandoori chicken, but it also presents innovative items that spice up the menu a bit. Try any of the homemade breads available or squid served with coconut and a splash of lemon and tomato. The simple, welcoming interior features interesting prints and large windows that brighten cream-colored walls. Smart casual dress. Reservations necessary.
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Heritage India - Glover Park

2400 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-333-3120

Description: GLOVER PARK. This restaurant serves traditional Indian dishes, including curries, samosas, and tandoori chicken, but it also presents innovative items that spice up the menu a bit. Try any of the homemade breads available or squid served with coconut and a splash of lemon and tomato. The simple, welcoming interior features interesting prints and large windows that brighten cream-colored walls. Smart casual dress. Reservations necessary.
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IndeBleu

707 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-333-2538

Description: DOWNTOWN. Posh IndeBlue wins high marks from scenesters for the bold Franco-Indian fare served in its restaurant. Downstairs is a suave lounge where the well-heeled clientele settle into sexy furniture and enjoy Beluga caviar and foie gras along with their glass of pinot or an expertly-mixed cocktail. Wednesday through Saturday nights, the lounge also hosts some of the capital city's top DJs, who add to the cosmopolitan atmosphere with their hand-picked selections of world beats. Neat to note: IndeBlue's cocktail menu is designed to resemble a Metro map. METRO: Gallery Place/Chinatown
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Indique

3512-14 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 202-244-6600

Description: CLEVELAND PARK. Ambience and a wide selection of dishes set Indique apart from other eateries with similar cuisine. This restaurant's two-story entrance hall features a lovely bay window and fancy chandelier. The second dining level is open to the hall, providing a pleasant view from above. The menu is arranged to accommodate your hunger-if you want just a bite, the first dish offerings are perfect. Otherwise dig into one of the main courses, which include Tandoor grilled meat, lamb and chicken curry dishes, and Indique Platters such as Chicken Chettinad, Lamb Shank Bhuna, and Shrimp and Scallop Masala. A pre-theater menu provides a starter, main course, and dessert in a timely manner. METRO: Cleveland Park
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Jaipur

9401 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22031 703-766-1111

Description: FAIRFAX. This Indian restaurant is authentically decorated in shades of pink, traditional colors for the city in Rajasthan for which the restaurant is named. A welcoming, elegant ambiance sets the scene for a wealth of Northern Indian dishes and a terrific lunch buffet. The menu includes both lamb and chicken dishes, along with vegetarian fare. Start with a deep-fried appetizer, and then consider chicken and lamb malabari or sautéed shrimp. Smart casual attire.
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Passage to India

4931 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-656-3373

Description: BETHESDA. Past this restaurant's lovely pressed-tin door, you'll discover an Indian paradise. The charming interior is adorned with photographs, maps, and Indian arts and crafts. Casual yet upscale, it's also an ideal, exotic stop for a special night out. Northern Indian cuisine is a specialty, and vegetarian dishes are common. An especially appetizing one is palak makai, a delicious spinach and corn dish. Smart casual dress.
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Rasika

633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004 202-637-1222

Description: DOWNTOWN. Authentically gourmet takes on sigiri, tandoori and tawa dishes have enabled this elegant Penn Quarter establishment to capture a fair amount of popular and critical praise. All the attention is justly earned, too, starting with a smart, suave decor that features rich colors, imported fabrics and chandeliers. And the fare ­ for example, Lamb Dahiwala, Dum Ha Duck, Tandoori Trout ­ truly captivates the senses. The restaurant offers multiple settings, including a community table, a formal dining room, a lounge area, and a showcase kitchen. METRO: Archives/Navy Memorial; China Town/Gallery Place
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