Rasika serves exquisite modern Indian food (Chef Vikram Sunderam won the prestigious James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic region, in 2014) in an intimate, soft-lit, shimmering champagne-hued setting, frequented by a who’s who in the capital and the world beyond. Its specialties are griddle, open barbecue, tandoori, and regional dishes; the palak chaat (crisped spinach in a yogurt sauce), black cod with honey, duck vindaloo, and the tandoori salmon are among the most popular items. Intrigued? Better get out your calendar. You can dine in the bar/lounge without advance reservations, but that, too, is usually pretty full—and the seating is too low for comfortable eating. Rasika has a sister in the West End, at 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW (www.rasikarestaurant.com/westend; tel. 202/466-2500), a larger location with a similar menu and just as popular as the Penn Quarter Rasika.
Washington, D.C.› Restaurant
Rasika
633 D St. NW (btw. 6th and 7th sts.)
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Downtown & Penn Quarter
Hours
Mon–Fri 11:30am–2:30pm; Mon–Thurs 5:30–10:30pm; Fri–Sat 5–11pm. Lounge stays open throughout the day serving light meals
Transportation
Metro: Archives–Navy Memorial or Gallery Place/Verizon Center (7th and F sts. exit)
Phone
202/637-1222
Prices
Main courses $17–$28; pre-theater menu $35
Cuisine Type
Indian
Web site
Rasika

Map
633 D St. NW Washington, D.C.Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.