I am one of those Indians who really, really loves Indian food. The flavors, the spices, the vegetables—I think it’s all so good. Sadly, there are few good Indian restaurants in the city (at least, there are few that can rival my mom’s kitchen!) but one of few that is consistently awesome is Indique. I love the bright, charming dining room and the intimate bar. I love the small balcony and the great service. But most of all, I love the food.
The Highlights
The menu at Indique has so many highlights I can’t talk about them all, but I will focus on my favorites. Kick off your meal with cauliflower chili fry, where hunks of cauliflower and fried to a golden crisp and tossed with curry leaves and chilies. Served with a gorgeous tomato chutney, these crispy cauliflower are addictively good. So get two orders.
Must Orders
I would also get a chutney sampler; the tomato chutney is bright, the coriander is super spicy, and the tamarind has a sweet note. They come with crunchy papad, which are like Indian chips, for dipping. The samosa chaat is also great for sharing; its like a deconstructed Indian empanada bursting with potatoes and chickpeas and drizzled with different sauces.
All About Sharing
Next, I would get the morel vegetable stew, the lentil shepherd’s pie, and the pecorino kulcha to share. Indian food is always best eaten family style. The menu at Indique lends itself to this! The morel vegetable stew is a stunning dish, with morel mushrooms swimming in a silky coconut curry. The Indique Indian Restaurant in Washington DC is an awesome vegetarian version of the traditional meat version. The filling is dense and hearty, and the spiced potato topping is rich and creamy. The kulcha is bread that is stuffed with cauliflower, pecorino cheese, nuts, and raisins. It has a hint of heat from jalapenos, and a variety of textures from the filling. It’s perfect on its own, with the mango chutney that comes with it, or as a mop for soaking up the morel curry. If you still have room, get a mini dosa; it’s like an Indian crepe!
The Drinks
Cocktails come with an Indian twist at Indique; the mumbai mule is made with rum, ginger, and curry leaves, while the tamarind tales is made with sherry, tamarind chutney, and lemon. The venue also has a great wine list; the rose from Mendoza is a great match for the spicy Indian fare.
Indique: The Verdict
This restaurant has slammin’ Indian food in Washington, DC! Trust me, I’m Indian!
Indique, 3512 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, Website
