Rasika: Flavors of India in Washington DC

Rasika, a restaurant in Washington DC offering the "flavors of India", has such an exalted reputation that I was surprised to find that it largely met my expectations.

I don't eat Indian food frequently, and most of what I've had in the past consists of curried, stewed meats and vegetables. What I liked about Rasika is that while the main entrees were in this style, they offered many complementary dishes with varying textures and flavors.

The chef is a culinary artist who starts from traditional Indian dishes, but then extends and builds upon that foundation in subtle and creative ways.

The Food
I found it difficult to decide what to order so I opted for the tasting menu, which was a 7-course meal with a bonus surprise from the chef. It wasn't cheap at about $50 but it was well worth it.


The first dish was one of my favorites, the Palak Chaat fried spinach. The spinach was delicately fried to a wispy crunchiness and offset with a spicy, sweet sauce and fresh diced onions.

Then came an unexpected off-menu surprise from the chef, a light crispy wafer made from noodles and topped with a sweet and sour sauce, cilantro, and some kind of chili. I'm not sure of everything that was in this concoction or its name, but it was delicious and gorgeously presented.


For what should have been the second course they brought out the Clams Caldine. The coconut, cilantro, and green chili broth was good, but not that unusual.


The main courses arrived next. The Chicken Makhani (broiled chicken with tomato and fenugreek) and Lamb Pista Korma (stewed with cashew nuts, pistachio, mace, and cardamom) were subtly different than the Indian food I'd had before. The sauce was smooth and slightly heavier in body, more like a bisque.


The artichoke hearts and mushrooms were a little more interesting, having a stronger flavor, as was the naan bread they brought out at this stage, which had just a hint of sourdough character.

But the true star of this part of the meal was the fried okra with mango powder. The okra was cooked to a perfect consistency, slightly firm and crispy without being dry, but the mango powder gave it this incredibly good tangy flavor.


Finally, the meal wrapped up with dessert, Apple Jalebi (beignet) and homemade cardamom ice cream. I loved the ice cream, which had a perfect blend of sweetness and asperity.



The Verdict
Rasika, rather than serving traditional Indian cuisine, is more inspired by it in the sense that I think it takes the ingredients from that region of the world and brings them together into a modern fusion.

The food is innovative and the most spectacular successes for me were the dishes that balanced diverse flavors and textures, such as the fried spinach or the okra with mango powder. This is Indian food with an artistic touch as prepared by Chef Vikram Sunderam.

Getting There
Rasika is in downtown DC near many of the attractions, including the US Capitol and the Smithsonian. The closest metro stop is Archives/Navy Memorial, and valet parking is supposedly available.

Rasika: Flavors of India
633 D Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 637-1222

Hours:

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm; Fri-Sat 5 am - 11 pm
Lounge and Bar: Mon-Thu 11:30am - 11 pm; Fri 11:30 am - Midnight; Sat 5 pm - Midnight