Why go: An exurban eatery that neatly impersonates a downtown destination, complete with maître d’, gem-toned silk lampshades, and white china.
What to get: Masala dosa filled with spiced potatoes—a showstopper; peppery chicken chettinad, which tastes like a saucier precursor to Caribbean jerk; palak paneer, a stew of creamy spinach and cubes of house-made cheese; aloo gobhi, a fiery mix of potatoes and cauliflower; fruit jalebi, batter-fried slices of banana, pineapple, and apple with house-made ice cream.
Best for: Date night away from the kids—the serenity and pampering make it the perfect place to recharge your batteries.
Insider tip: The lunch buffet, an even bigger bargain, presents thoughtfully chosen, oft-replenished dishes.
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
See all Cheap Eats 2008 restaurants
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
