Aarathi

Reviewed by David Dorsen

The biryanis and tandoori meats at this Indian kitchen are a bargain.

Aarathi

409 Maple Avenue E.
Vienna, VA
Phone: 703.938.0100

Cuisines:
Pan-Asian, Indian

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Vienna/Fairfax-GMU

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
N/A

Reservations:
Recommended

Best Dishes
Chicken chat; tandoori chicken wings; bhajia; tandoori chicken, lamb, and shrimp; lamb, chicken, shrimp, or vegetable biryani; Prawns Bhuna; rice pudding; gulab jamun.

Price Details:
Appetizers, $.99 to $4.99; Entrees, $5.99 to $12.99. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet, $6.95.


At this attractive and very good Indian restaurant, prices are low: Nothing is above $12, and most dishes are under $10; vegetarian curries are about $7.

Good appetizers include chicken chat, a blend of chicken strips and vegetables, served cold; tandoori chicken wings; and bhajia, crushed vegetables dipped in a flour batter and deep-fried. A quartet of appetizers can be sampled for $4.99.

The tandoori main courses--chicken, lamb, and shrimp--are very good, as are the biryanis of lamb, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables in saffron basmati rice with plenty of cooked onions. There are curries of chicken, lamb, and vegetables, plus beef, which is not always available.

A special treat is the Prawns Bhuna, large shrimp sautéed in butter with herbs, green peppers, onions, and tomato. Want a bargain for dessert? Try the Indian rice pudding garnished with nuts or the deep-fried dry-milk balls soaked in honey syrup and served warm. The price? Just 99 cents.