Rasika

I cannot recommend Rasika highly enough. Every time I come here, I leave amazed that they were able to shatter my expectations.
Jeremy, the bartender, is not only a gentleman/​scholar, but also a damn fine mixologist, making drinks the way they should be done. Be confident to leave your fate in his hands, and he’ll do you right. I told him I liked classic drinks, and he prepared me some variation on an old fashioned that will keep me coming back.
And I haven’t even begun to talk about the food. My first trip, I was largely ignorant to Indian food, and asked the waiter to simply bring things out until we were full (an expensive way to dine, I know, but It was a date, and I was trying to impress). Wow. The problem with starting with the best is that nothing else compares. That night, I was blown away by the meal, but now 2 years later, I can still say Rasika is the best.
Shut up and take my money.

This is probably the best Indian food I’ve had in the the States! You will be pleased with the dishes that your server recommends if this is your first time. We had the spinach salad that everyone has mentioned in their reviews – JUST ORDER IT!!! I wish we hadn’t shared! It was the best thing ever. This is great place for a pre-​theater dinner. They are fast and will ask if you’re going to a show. They get it. The service is very good.
I hope to return on my next trip to DC.

My coworkers and I were leaving the hotel on the way back to the airport and wanted a quick bite to eat. We found this place because of the distance from our hotel and the great reviews I read from Unilocal.
I previously had another Indian restaurant a few days back, so I’m basing my review in comparison to the previous place.
Rasika is nice and fancy. We weren’t dressed up, so I felt a bit underdressed walking in, but wasn’t intimidated by any means. The front staff were very friendly and checked in our suitcases to enjoy our dinner without having them surrounding us.
We sat down right away, without a reservation. Sadly, the friendliness of the staff didn’t last long as our waiter just wasn’t friendly or helpful at all. I’m not sure if there was a language barrier present or if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but I just didn’t get good vibes from him. He rushed us to order, didn’t explain the menu when we asked him questions, and acted as if we didn’t deserve his proper service.
I order the vegetarian entrée with a side of garlic naan. It was good and different. The food? 4 stars. It kept me full for quite some time afterwards, so that’s a good thing; however, the thing that I will remember from this place is the service.
Will I go back? Honestly, I’m not too sure. The food was good, a bit overpriced for my liking, but the service was something I’d like to see improved before I were to consider going back and spending that much money.

Had a very satisfying experience here several months ago. Three of us had the tasting menu with pairings. Probably the least favorite course of the night for all of us was the assortment of curries at the end, which felt relatively uninspired and too easily comparable to our standard curry favorites at other locations. The pairings were very impressive, and the service did not disappoint. I found the décor to be tackier than expected, but perhaps a bit ironically that should have been expected. Definitely worth a try. Note that some of the dishes may be too spicy for those sensitive to heat.

Truth be told, I’m not a fan of Indian food. Something about the traditional spices used makes me a bit sensitive. Trust me, I’ve scolded my taste buds, but what can one do…
That being said, this was one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever been to, and I’m not being paid! It has made me appreciate fine Indian cooking and possibly opened up my taste bud-​world to try more Indian food. That is not an easy change my friends, but Rasika was totally worth it.

Let me start this review off with a tip for restaurants, yes the food quality matters, but so does customer service.
I went here yesterday, and everything was amazing! i got the Chicken Biryani. It came in a dome, with a bread baked over the top. The bread mixed in with the chicken was amazing! It was warm, and fluffy, and soft.
Fast forward to today. I ordered the same thing again, and it came out and all I had was just chicken an rice. No bread and no cucumber sauce like the day before. I mentioned it to the staff and they were confused as to what I was talking about. After showing them the picture, they said that the bread was for presentation purposes only and for dine in guests. Well i am glad that I paid $ 20 to only receive half of what is advertised. $ 20 for a lunch meal, and I could not even get a piece of bread. Its my first experience with Indian Cuisine and I will not be returning to this establishment to continue.

Rasika is probably our favorite restaurant right now. Hubby and I had been to the West End location and he had been to the Penn Quarter location a few times for lunch with coworkers. We had dinner last night and it was perfect.
We had a reservation for 8, and we arrived a few minutes early. We were seated at 8:15. The hostesses could see we were getting antsy and apologized profusely for not having a table ready. They told us they would make it up to us. Shortly after we were sat our waiter brought out a complimentary appetizer — sev batata puri. It was so delicious, and something we wouldn’t have thought to order. We were pleased.
I had the chicken green masala (amazing and a good slow burn) and hubby had the chicken tikka masala. We split gobhi mattar. I had the champagne cocktail which complimented all the flavors of our meal perfectly. My husband enjoyed some of the Indian single malts.
Overall it was a wonderful experience. After dining at both Rasika restaurants, I prefer this location. Our waiter was so knowledgeable and friendly. 5 stars all around.

It has been almost 10 years since I called DC home, and by chance was able to stop into Rasaka for dinner without a reservation. Shhh… Don’t tell the locals!
Atlanta is where I call home, and home to many amazing restaurants. DC is another ballpark when it comes to ethnic food. I can’t tell you that I have ever had great Indian food in Atlanta, and even would have considered it to be outside my pallet. Rasaka has changed my life.
We ended a happy hour and needed dinner after 8:30. We pulled up Unilocal and couldn’t help ourselves but to walk the few blocks and attempt to get dinner. The two of us walked up and didn’t think we had a shot because the place was packed! Without hesitation we were seated at an intimate table for 2. Score!
We immediately ordered drinks and asked our server for suggestions. The Palak Chaat was incredible. Seriously I want it right now as I type. I could have eaten the whole thing by myself but I had to share. We also ordered the mango shrimp. Phenomenal.
For dinner I had a shrimp dish that wasn’t on the website menu. It had a coconut cream and the shrimp were gigantic.
Honestly I loved the atmosphere, food and service. People the next day couldn’t believe we were able to walk in and hands down eat at the best Indian restaurant in the city. We were so lucky! It deserves more than 5 stars.

Wish I would’ve taken pictures, but we devoured everything before I thought to get my phone out. WHAT A MEAL!
Rasika is a truly refined experience, while still holding strong to traditional Indian flavors. When you walk in, you’re not hit with the super strong curry smell you often get at Indian restaurants– it’s just a delicate, pleasant, delicious aroma that welcomes you in.
The food is all very creative in flavor combinations. I love that the spice, savory, sweet, and sour all finds a wonderful balance in each dish.
MUST ORDER: the naan (duh)… Garlic is our favorite but truffle is also great. The palak chaat (fried spinach) — so light and delicious! And the lamb is amazing too. Honestly, everything is– even the drinks.
The service is always wonderful, too… It’s a big contributor to the smooth, elevated/​classy but classic ambiance. Make sure to make a reservation or arrive early– wait times can be impossible!

All I have to say is this place was amazing. We ordered the crispy spinach, chicken tikka, and chicken biryani. It was all delicious, and I have no complaints. Also are waiter was great.

Im a little torn between 3 and 4 stars with Rasika. It really depends on what you order.
Word of the wise: in a fusion Indian restaurant, make sure you order their fusion experimental dishes (since that’s their forte) and not the «typical» Indian dishes (not their forte).
We got the paalak chaat and it was really good as most of the reviews here can vouch for. I got the black cod and it was very nicely done but if you’re looking for Indian flavor or spices or anything beyond the subtlest flavor of your whole life, run don’t walk to Kalpasi. There was nothing «Indian» about the black cod. The paalak chaat was maybe 30% Indian, the apple Jelebi w/​cardamom ice cream was 40% Indian, the black cod, more like 1% Indian and 99% «other» (I sound like a bloody DNA test here). But there’s nothing wrong with that. Like I said, these were the best dishes of the night. Now let’s talk about the failures: my poor parents decided to «Indian it up» and go for some vegetable korma, a baingan dish, vegetable pulao, and gajar halwa… They were all like baby food– no flavor whatsoever. So know how to play the fusion game. Your stomach will thank you for it.

Pre-​Birthday Celebration got off to a start with this spot. I’ve been wanting to try Rasika for a while and celebrating my bday was a perfect opportunity to visit. I’m not sure if they take reservations as we had to wait almost 60 minutes to get seated.
Our waiter came fairly quickly to get our drink order and I almost instantly knew what I wanted after a few questions. I went with the 4 course dinner option. You get an appetizer and dessert and for your entrée you get two meats and 3 vegetables. It was perfect as I was able to try various dishes instead of just one menu item. I really enjoyed my entire meal. Everything was delicious. I’m not sure if the 4-​course dinner option is every changing, I know it’s the best bang for you buck with the quantity and selection.

We got the goat cheese kulcha which was the best among all that we ordered. I was really looking forward to the chicken malai tikka and that was undercooked. The spicy reshmi kebab was ok, The mint chutney was too spicy for me. The Amritsari kulcha was good. Kesar Kulfi which we received free of charge as they brought us the kulchas much later than they got the kebabs– was good not great.
The service was good.

I definitely felt like this place is worth the hype.
We tried several items on the menu, with the waiters recommendations in mind.
The good: Standouts for me was the palat chaak (fried spinach salad). I have never had anything like this before, and I really enjoyed this as an appetizer. The sea bass was also a really tastey appetizer– but mind you they flavour the fish heavily, so if you aren’t into the spices, I would skip this (or even the restaurant in general). The raita was also very good and came in large portions.
The bad: For me the chicken briyani was a flop. It was basically Unmarinated chicken with half a handful of rice– not what I expected. We also had to wait for a while for our food– waiter apologized for some sort of mix up in the kitchen, which I appreciated.

Believe the hype! Rasika is date-​worthy, swoon-​worthy, special occasion-​worthy, and worthy of some of your hard-​earned money for a one-​of-​a-​kind Indian cuisine and culture experience. With the backbone of great chefs and an awesome menu, bolstered by a wonderful and well-​trained service team, along with a cozy, romantic, elegant atmosphere, Rasika is definitely worth a visit.
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation — Rasika is packed, and for good reason. Even if your table is not available immediately upon arrival, you must stop at the bar for a cocktail from their talented mixologists. These aren’t your normal, run-​of-​the-​mill bartenders. These guys are going to give you some major shade if you ask for a vodka cran, but if you tell them what kind of stuff you like, they’ll whip up a custom cocktail worthy of the best speakeasy. It goes without saying, then, that the wine list is top-​notch and the servers are pretty close to sommeliers.
You’re going to be seated (hopefully at the nice window-​facing tables) and you’re going to receive a menu that will overwhelm you, not only with its myriad options, but with its descriptions. This is where your waiter will be a huge asset in helping you to narrow down what you really want, but no matter what, do begin your night with an order of naan — their $ 8 bread basket is a great start.
The entrees are definitely large enough to enjoy or to share, so if you’re lucky enough to be on a triple-​date like I was, there will be plenty of food to pass around, from small plates to entrees. The «Tawa-​Griddle» options are more or less «tapas» or small sides, and I recommend the Cauliflower Bezule and the Eggplant Tawa Baingan. There are also some great Vegetarian-​section items that can be ordered as side dishes and should not be overlooked by the carnivores. The Malai Palak (spinach), Cucumber Raita, and Dal Makhani (lentil) must be considered to accompany your entrees.
In terms of entrees, there’s something for everyone. Curry or not, spicy or not, red meat or not, and plenty of choice. Obviously, the Chicken Tikka Masala is a classic that must be ordered, along with the Dhaba Gosht (lamb), Duck Vindaloo, and Mixed Grill (salmon, chicken, and seekh kebab). Totally suffering from analysis paralysis? Throw it all to the wind and order either the four-​course grand tasting menu or the six-​course chef’s tasting menu. Oh, and don’t forget to order rice! The basmati and lemon cashew are both out of this world!

We discovered this incredibly wonderful restaurant using Unilocal Monocle, and it reminds me to mention that Monocle needs to be FRONT & CENTER on the Unilocal app!
YES! You NEED to eat here! All the hype is well-​deserved! Every item we tried was exceptional. The Palak Chaat is a MUST. Then you need to just explore everything else — but fair warning — it might take more than one stop into this delightful DC restaurant!
We tried everything from cauliflower to lamb to beans to chicken… we enjoyed the unique palette of each dish. Now, I want Indian food like this all the time.
I cannot stop thinking about Rasika…
Nope — still thinking about Rasika.
(Two days later)
Yep. Still thinking about this fabulous meal.
…try it. You’re going to enjoy!

Ever since I found out that I had gotten a job in Chinatown, I had been waiting for that magical day when I could expense a work-​related lunch at nearby Rasika — because hell no was I spending that much money on lunch on my personal dime. That hotly anticipated day finally arrived yesterday when I was given the responsibility to take two summer interns out to a welcome lunch. RASIKA TIME! The lunch crowd was suited-​up fancy people who were probably taking out their summer interns to a welcome lunch too.
We started with the oft-​recommended Palak Chaat, which is crispy spinach, yogurt tamarind, and date chutney ($ 10), and is addictive /​salty /​crunchy like Pringles. It was painful for me to share this with three others, so next time I may even just order two and make it my entrée. We also split the Avocado Banana Chaat ($ 9), which likewise was covered by date chutney and was too altogether mushy for my liking, but I guess I should’ve known what the texture would be like based on, well, my entire life experience of enjoying avocados and bananas. Lastly, we had the ragda patties, which were delicious spiced potato patties, but I’d skip them next time because I’d rather use my carb points on naan and rice instead of potatoes.
For my entrée, I ordered the Red Snapper ($ 20), which is not for the faint of heart; I kept having to dab my running nose due to the peri-​peri spice. The fish was pan-​fried and covered in a tomato-​based sauce swimming with tiny shrimp. I hadn’t realized from the menu description that the shrimp would be so tiny; otherwise I wouldn’t have ordered it because there’s something about miniscule shrimp that make my skin crawl. Maybe because they remind me of my college bout with head lice? Anyway, my favorite part of the dish was the fluffy masala bhaat, or spiced yellow rice — so good.
The service was beyond. When the tall waiter noticed me taking a photo of my fish, he kindly offered to take a bird’s eye photo of the dishes on our table. Awww! Also, I forgot to take a copy of my receipt for work expense purposes, and the staff were so swift and courteous in printing me another copy.

I’ve wanted to try this place for a long time and glad we had a chance to dine there for lunch. The restaurant is very nicely decorated and has a modern feel to it. The service we received was great. Our waiter was very professional and attentive. We started with the champagne cocktail — this had Prosecco, Ginger Syrup and Candied Ginger. I really enjoyed this drink. I could of drank three more.
For appetizers, I highly recommend starting with the Palak Chaat. Yes, I think it’s worth the hype and it is one of their signature dishes. I mixed all the ingredients together, and I thought the execution of the dish as spot on. Also, we really enjoyed the Tawa Baingan– eggplant with spiced potato. Not only does it look like art, but it tasted divine although a little sweet. The Cauliflower Bezule was good. It was perfectly fried and had a good taste to it.
For entrees, I had the Chicken Tikka Masala. Again, this is what they are known for. It was a spicy dish and the flavor and sauce was really good. Much better then your typical dish found at your local Indian restaurants in the burbs. However, the chicken meat was a bit dry. I thought it should of been more moist. My brother ordered the Tandoori lamb chops — now, this was a great dish. I never tasted lamb like this. It was so tender and didn’t taste like game meat. A must is the garlic naan — probably one of the best naan we’ve had.
For dessert, we tried the Apple Jalebi with cardamom ice cream. I really liked this dessert. We also tried the mango tart — that was a big disappointment. It’s not like your typical tart — our waiter saw we didn’t like it and didn’t charge us for it. That was nice of him.
I do want to try their black cod and Chicken Makhani (butter chicken) the next time I dine there. Hopefully I’ll be back again soon instead of waiting for years.

Considering how great the food was, and consequently highly acclaimed and popular it is, we thought this place was an absolute bargain.
Seems you can’t go wrong, but here’s a play-​by-​play of what we got on a Thursday evening.
Palak chat was about as excellent as everyone says. If you’ve ever tried to make kale chips or crispy spinach you know how hard it is to get greens to just the right amount of crispness. More oily than was expected but sooooo tasty.
The eggplant with peanut sauce was really fantastic, especially as a pairing with the palak chat. It was perfectly cooked and smooth, and had a really subtle almost smokey flavor.
Chicken tikka masala was delicious. Not too tomato-​ey, quite spicy. Chicken was tender.
Garlic naan was good — crispy on one side, soft on the other — chewy throughout. Didn’t taste very strongly of garlic.
The broccoli polynar with coconut shavings was boring to write home about — would get a different veggie dish.
Service was very good. Highly professional, although we had to remind them to bring our naan out.
If you want a reasonable reservation, look at least a few weeks in advance. See you there!

— Short Synopsis —
A nice, upscale Indian restaurant with some amazing dishes! The black cod is a spectacular fish dish.
— Detailed Review —
The décor and ambiance is definitely upscale feel to it. People also seemed to be dressed nicely for this place. It was crowded and the wait was going to be more than half an hour, but I was able to find seating at the bar within a minute or two. After talking with the bartender, getting recommendations, and checking Unilocal (of course), I decided to go with the black cod and palak chaat.
The black cod is one of the best cod I have ever had! The flavor was excellent. It reminded of a sweet miso with hints of another subtle ingredient. Definitely my highlight of the night. I would highly recommend it.
The fried spinach (palak chaat) was out of this world as well. I didn’t know spinach could taste like that. It was almost like spinach chips with a sweet and savory sauce. The flavor combination and texture contrast was amazing. It was definitely a unique dish and a must try
I also wanted some naan and went with the truffle naan. The truffle naan was also delicious! The truffle flavor was definitely prominent in the naan.
Of course, having nice food in an upscale environment comes with a decent price, but it is well worth it in my opinion. I look forward to any opportunity to come back to Rasika.

I question a review by anyone on here, who gave this establishment less than 4 stars. The food is amazing and you get what you pay for, so be ready to drop $$ for the best Indian you can get in the DC area.
Tables are close together and you might feel squished, but he ambiance is great and so is the service.
Go on a week night (easier to get reservations) go with a big group, so that you can order everything in the menu.

Extremely flavorful food, yet the flavors do not necessarily compete with one another. The service is on point, the serving size (especially for their coursed meals) are large for the price I feel. I have eaten here 2x now and am always happy to go back. If you want to sit in the dining room though you will most likely need a reservation, but thankfully the bar area has tables as well where it’s first come first serve.

Some of the best Indian food I’ve had. Incredible service, quality and all around greatness. Normally a month wait, I walked right in and sat at the bar. So so so good.

This place is a cut above. No rsvtns might have been trouble, but open bar seating ensured me a table if I was able to beat the 6:30 crowds.
Service was great with very warm and very knowledgeable servers. Mine suggested the spinach appetizer and it was fantastic with cool texture (flash fried spinach) and a mix of spices and sweetness (yogurt) that blended beautifully in my mouth. I just couldn’t stop eating it.
I played it safe with Chicken Tikka Masala for my entrée and it did not disappoint.
Creamy, spicy and wonderfully balanced, I was wishing I hadn’t eaten all of my appetizer, but alas ran out of room.
Now a smart person would stop here but what review would be complete without a meal finisher. So, for you I went one more step. Masala chai tea. (Sorry, I’m on a diet so dessert is just out of the question.)
The perfect ending to a perfect meal. Light and spicy (sweeten to taste). If you like Indian, you will LOVE this place! I did!

Best upscale Indian restaurant on the East Coast! I tried Rasika upon recommendations from a work acquaintance and I’m so glad that I did. From the flavourful dishes to the impeccable service, Rasika is a fabulous choice for dining in DC.
During my latest visit, my party and I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Black Cod, Garlic Naan, and the Toffee Pudding. Each dish was distinct and memorable but the Toffee Pudding was in a league of its own because it was so incredibly balanced.
Overall, probably one of the best dinners I’ve ever had.

If you want the best India food on the east coast, this is where you go.
Service was friendly, informative, and prompt. Food was delicious, inventive, and the amount served was very generous proportions. The restaurant is nicely laid out, its clean, and trendy. I highly recommend taking out of town friends to this spot.
Try the fried spinach!

I wasn’t expecting to find this gem while on trip to Washington D.C. It was a surprise for our whole family to dine at such majestic chef. I started admiring this place right from this first visit. Being from India, and rating this place is truly an experience worth sharing.
First thing is first, make a reservation right up front way ahead of weeks if you want to enjoy the ultimate Indian flavors at the hand of the best Indian Chef. I would say each dish that we ordered for lunch were reordered and doubled our appetite to accommodate the amazing food. I never bothered to observe the noise level in the restaurant. Why would you bother about the noise level when your mind, heart and body is concentrating on the innovative food cooked by that amazing chef.
The palak chat is a meaningful appetizer, and it will make your stomach crave for more food. The deserts are must for Indian food. Once it was said that, without a desert, its never a complete meal. Try at least one dessert and I believe you would love the innovation. I would love to go to D. C to enjoy this food soon after writing this review.
Enjoy your meal like never before! I wish I had more stars.

We were seated at a table in the back, facing the chef who was preparing small dishes. It was a very cool touch to an overall good experience.
The food was great – high-​end Indian cuisine. I got an awesome chicken dish that came with some bits of foil (I’m still not sure what that is, but it was edible and cool). My boyfriend got a lamb dish, which was also amazing. I don’t think you can go wrong with this menu.
I don’t think DC has quite as many ethnic food options as some cities, but this place is always bumpin’. We went there without a reservation and it was not a good idea. Luckily, they were able to seat us at the back table – I forget what exactly they called it. maybe model table? Either way, it was a good dining experience overall. There is a chef’s tasting option, but we will save that for a day when we have a higher budget.
Cocktails are good – strong. Recommend for a date night.

Finally made it!!! My sister and I have been itching to come here forever and we accomplished it! We made reservations for 6 and had a beautiful table perched in the front window!
Our server Gregory made excellent recommendations and was a seasoned pro and had a sense of humor to bat! He suggested we start with the famous Palak Chaat (a crispy baby spinach salad with yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney) which was exquisite. We also had the Papadums– (which looked more like Chex cereal than the plate sized giant fried puff you usually get at «Indian» restaurants) served with two chutneys: The coriander leaf chutney and the sweet tamarind chutney both of which were good.
Cocktail I tried the Shimla Orchard cocktail which I’ve learned is a tribute to the northern mountainous region of India. It had a nice apple richness comes from a house-​made gala apple shrub that is sweet and spicy. The punch comes from Old Overholt rye and Laird’s Jersey Lightning applejack which is similar to moonshine… As my niece said looking at me «you look like your on cloud 9!»
For entrée I got the Shrimp Malai which were about 5 – 6 large shrimp served in a yellow Coconut milk /​mustard oil /​bayleaf and was mouthwatering. I used my truffle nan to soup it up! My sister ordered the Red Snapper Reshad served with mini baby shrimp and a peri-​peri sauce! Medium Spice but very tasty! Hubby got the Mixed Grill!!!
No room leftover for desert we left happily pleased our quest was fulfilled!

We tried green chicken it was ok.
But the desert date pudding is simply awesome. Garlic naan is good too.
Serving was very good. staff were friendly and they suggested well.

I don’t generally like Indian restaurants (because I can make Indian food the way I like it, myself) but Rasika is actually quite good. I think for vegetarian food, the bump in quality is not necessarily worth the bump in price over your average Indian restaurant on the regular, but for a once-​in-​a-​while indulgence, it’s definitely good.
One thing I have historically really appreciated is that Ashok Bajaj’s restaurants do restaurant week right — you get an extensive set of options on the menu, and normal-​sized portions, and normal (which for Rasika means good) service, so you really are getting to experience the restaurant at a lower price point. However, the past few go-​rounds, they haven’t offered restaurant week for dinner, only weekday lunch — which means I likely won’t be able to go (because who has time for a 1.5 hour lunch break anymore?)

The entire meal was nothing short of excellent! It’s nice when a group of five people are all satisfied with every offering. Note: I’ve been told by multiple people that the D street location is much better than the West End location. Note 2: Take home any leftovers. The food is just as good if not better on day two.
Appetizers:
Ragda Patties –Spiced potato /​chick peas /​tamarind date /​mint chutney — 4 stars/​$ 8. This dish had a bit of a kick but it was not overwhelming.
Palak Chaat– Crispy baby spinach /​sweet yogurt /​tamarind /​date chutney — 5 stars/​$ 12. As mentioned in so many of the reviews, you will be hard pressed to find Palak Chaat of this caliber elsewhere. Get it while you can!
Entrees:
Red Snapper Reshad — Shrimps /​peri-​peri masala /​masala bhaat — 4 stars/​$ 22.
Tandoori Chicken Tikka — Chili /​garlic /​garam masala /​mint chutney — 5 stars/​$ 17
Black Cod — Fresh dill /​honey /​star anise /​red wine vinegar — 5 stars/​$ 28 — even better as leftovers on day two.
Chicken Biryani — Aromatic chicken /​basmati rice /​raita — 5 stars/​$ 18 — this dish was very aromatic.
Sides:
Malai Palak — Spinach /​garlic /​green chili /​onions — 4 stars/​$ 8
Lemon Cashew Nut Rice — 5 stars/​$ 4 — I loved the rice.
Gluten-​free pancake — 3 stars/​$ 3 — so nice that they offer this as an option. It’s a bit spongy though.
Garlic Naan with Herbs — 5 stars/​$ 3
Cucumber Raita — 5 stars/​$ 4 — the best I have ever had!
Dessert :
The dessert descriptions are not detailed so you will likely have to ask your server to describe the dish or else look at Unilocal photos. There were only two gluten free options — sorbet/​gelato or Bhapa Doi (you can ask your server for a gluten free version if necessary).
Chocolate Bhapa Doi — steamed yogurt, caramel ice cream, saffron rabdi — 4 stars/​$ 9 — this dessert seemed unique so I wanted to try it. They also were able to make it gluten free. I would probably not eat the main part of the dessert by itself but it was delicious when combined with the ice cream. It’s really just steamed yogurt put into a mold and sort of looks like the consistency of a gelatinous fruit cake, but it tastes far from a fruit cake.
Carrot Halwa — saffron sabayon, cardamom ice cream — 4 stars/​$ 9 — this dessert is made with carrots, milk, dried fruit, and nuts.
Gulab Jamun w cardamom ice cream — 4 stars/​$ 9 — this is basically an Indian version of a donut immersed in a sweet syrup.
Service:
Top notch! Service was quick. The server answered our many questions and nicely boxed up leftovers. It’s embarrassing how many tiny scraps we boxed, but we were not willing to let any of it go into the trash.
Prices:
Very reasonable!
I will be back! If I lived or worked near here, I would get to-​go orders constantly.

Came here last weekend for my anniversary dinner and it was wonderful. I admit, I made my reservation two weeks in advance through open table. Our waiter was attentive and the food was delicious. Some of the wines were over priced, but that was to be expected.
We had the chicken masala and curry grouper both were flavorful and satisfying.

Indian cuisine is hands down my favorite ethnic food. I’ve been to many Indian restaurants all over the world and although, Rasika was the most expensive, it did not disappoint. This was the first Indian restaurant I have dined at with a tasting menu and my experience was a hit. The restaurant is upscale, beautiful, and romantic with dim lighting and shades of crimson and dark woods throughout the interior.
I’m all about the hole-​in-​the-​walls and buffets, but I was delighted to sample several quality items in one seating. The chicken tikka masala and lamb korma were amazing. Just merely thinking about those two dishes stimulates a Pavlovian response in me. I left full and satisfied. I will definitely return to Rasika the next time I’m in DC.
Bottom line: Come to Rasika for a sophisticated dining experience and scrumptious Indian cuisine.

It’s okay. The best thing is that fried goodness that is supposedly a salad of some sort. We came here on a Saturday night in a group of four and we did the tasting menu. The service was definitely good but that is it. The food is average otherwise. I would come back once more for the palak chaat (the fried goodness) but otherwise I think the twist on Indian food at this restaurant is a bit much and is overhyped. I definitely do not recommend the desserts here but I think that is an acquired taste. I have never been into Indian or Pakistani sweets so maybe it’s just me but take a look at my pictures in case you’re trying to decide between the desserts.
I think if you are in Washington, D. C, then you have to try this place at least once.
Beautiful décor of course and the ambiance is very romantic too.

I love Rasika. I love it so much that I find it hard to believe I’ve never reviewed it. Unilocal,are you eating my old reviews? Ok, so be it.
Let me count the ways I love Rasika:
1. Palak Chaat
2. Amazing waitstaff
3. Bindi Amchoor
4. Tandoori Chicken Tikka
5. Eggplant Chili Garlic
6. Uttapam
7. Sinful desserts
8. Dal Makhani
9. Lamb Rogan Josh
10. Tandoori Salmon
Was that enough? Ok, let me elaborate. First, make reservations. Make them early. This place fills up, reservations go fast, and the bar area (no reservations) is not that big.
Once you’ve got your seat, check out the menu, then immediately order the palak chaat. Did the other 8 billion reviews not convince you? Listen to them. Everyone loves this. Everyone! Crispy crunchy spinach covered in lick-​the-​spoon yogurt and tamarind sauces — eat it super fast, while it’s hot!
After your excellent decision to get palak chaat, pick any damn thing you want! You can’t go wrong. The tandoori salmon is fantastic, the chicken tikka is delicious, any lamb dish is delectable. Please do yourself a favor and get the Bhindi Amchoor — it’s okra. I hate okra. This is the best vegetable dish ever, even though it’s okra. Did I already say «lick the spoon»? This one is «scrape all the delicious tasty weird brown goop off the spoon and heap it on your little crispy un-​slimy pieces of okra». Yep, it’s that good.
If you somehow find yourself with enough room to have dessert, which never happens to me because I eat until I’m about to explode, please get dessert. The carrot halwa is so rich, and so yummy. Get that.
Now get yourself to Rasika, and thank me later.

Fab Indian food. Being ethnically Indian when people tell me it’s a great Indian restaurant in always skeptical because I have eaten authentic Indian food in jndia. This place was amazing. They have classic great dishes like ragra paddies and modern twists like their spinach chaat (truly lives up to its hype)!
I was a it turned off with the lady who sat us. She had a really bad attitude. Hopefully you’ll get the other maitre de !
Our server was so friendly and explained all the dishes so well.
We got the spinach chat. Uttapam. Ragra paddies (I would recommend all 3)
We also got the paneer shashlik which was so Delish it was a grilled chunk of paneer with bell peppers. So flavorful and great texture.
We also got the palak garlic naan and makhni dal!
Great great food!

I have been going here for years and the consistency has been on point! Not many places can boast that! I would advise making a reservation or getting here early to get a table… It’s very popular! The staff is friendly and very helpful if you have no idea what to get.
The food is sooo good. I just order a few dishes to start and keep ordering until satisfied. The fried spinach… Yum! The samosas… Yes! The lamb wrap — just get it!!! Naan… Yup! Check out the pics. Just ask for recommendations if the pictures don’t draw you in. Also ask about the spiciness of the dishes if that’s a concern… I like spicy… And they can do it!
So I’ll be coming back in the future… That’s a given!

I’ve been wanting to eat here for years, and I finally got the chance when my husband made reservations for our anniversary. I’ve heard nothing but good things, and I wasn’t sure if it’d really live up to all I’d heard.
It did, and more. This is one of the best meals I’ve had in the DC area. Ambiance was nice but not stuffy. Service was friendly and attentive, but not *too* attentive (it’s so annoying when someone comes by every two minutes to refill a cup of water I’ve take one sip from). And, most importantly, the food was incredible.
We got there before our reservation, so we sat in the bar and had drinks. I had a champagne cocktail (prosecco, candied ginger, ginger syrup), and my husband had a chili gin fizz (the gin was infused with green chili — cleared my stuffy nose right up).
Once we were seated, we ordered scallops rasam and palak chaat. The scallops were cooked perfectly in a lightly tangy, lightly sweet tamarind sauce. The palak chaat was the highlight of the meal. I can’t describe how good it was. It’s fried spinach with a yogurt/​tamarind chutney. It just melts in your mouth. And, strangely, tastes very little like spinach. This is a must-​try.
We also ordered the mixed grill, which is tandoori salmon, seekh kebab (a minced lamb sausage-​type deal) and narangi tikka (grilled chicken). Nicely cooked and very flavorful. I insisted on the duck vindaloo in a peri peri masala sauce. The duck was in bite-​sized pieces, along with tiny round potatoes and tangy little cherry tomatoes. It came with a red coconut rice, which I expected to be sweet, like regular coconut rice, but it was actually salty and sticky. I ended up liking it a lot, even though it wasn’t what I expected. We also got two veggie sides — gobhi mattar (cauliflower and peas) and dal. Both were good, but the dal was amazing. Normally I find dal kind of boring, but this sauce was almost like tikka masala. Rich and creamy, a good comfort food.
They knew it was our anniversary, and they brought out a surprise dessert on the house for us! It was homemade cardamom ice cream and gulab jamun. If you’ve never had it, they’re little balls of milk solids soaked in a sweet sauce. I’ve never liked them. They’re usually sickly sweet and a weird texture. These, however, were delightful! They had a rosewater sauce that was just the right amount of sweet and went perfectly with the ice cream.
The entire meal came to just over $ 100. Not a bad deal for a nice restaurant with incredible food.
I can’t wait to go back. This is definitely a place I’d take my out-​of-​town foodie friends to show off DC’s food scene.

I have been in an intense personal debate about what to rate Rasika but I think for right now it is a strong 3 that wants to become a 4 but would require another visit. To be honest that is partly my own fault as the decision to visit was made on a whine and I had not checked out Unilocal recommendations. I just did not know what to order. I did get to try the Palak Chaat and I have to agree that stuff is good and I found myself wondering where it has been hiding all my life. I also enjoyed the dessert I tried (the ice cream on sticks and covered in pistachios). So here was mistake, for my main dish I ordered the chicken tikka masala and was surprised to find I had heartburn which for me is really unusual.
I might go again depending on the wait and the group and if I do I will be more prepared to order and may find myself a fan, of course it would also help if someone else was paying, this place is pricy and nitpicky.

Muito boa comida, se não for o melhor, talvez esteja entre os cinco melhores indianos de WAS.
A sobremesa, a da foto que postei, é muito boa, mas eu recomendo o Gulab Jamun — um espetáculo da culinária indiana.