(annapurnacafe.com) – Capital Hill
How I heard of this place: I first heard of this place about four years ago when flipping through my first Entertainment Book. This is the first year I tried it, based on a recommendation and suggestion from my friend Dionne.
Type of cuisine: Nepalese and Tibetan food, with plenty of Indian options on the menu.
Ambiance: Remote, but colorful basement restaurant with low ceilings, no natural light and very dimly lit with candles and sparse ceiling lighting. Upon entering the entrance plaza welcomes you with chiffon fabric draped over the ceiling, photographs of the region (Annapurna). Decorated with trinkets, fabrics, photographs and painted posts likened to what you might find in Tibet, Nepal and India. The stairway down to the restaurant welcomes you to the cozy hole in the wall with space between tables to move around and friendly staff.
What I ordered: This time, I wanted something warm and creamy, that also included protein. I chose the Chicken Tikka Masala ($11.25) at 2.5 out of three stars, with basmati rice, infused with cardamom. One dining companion ordered the tandoori mixed platter ($11.95), which came with tender boneless cubes of chicken tikka, two pieces of tandoori chicken and pieces of lamb sheek kabab, as well as a side of basmati rice. Another dining companion ordered the same thing as the first time we tried Annapurna, the saag chana ($8.95), which is a vegan dish prepared with fresh spinach and tomatoes, cooked with chick peas and freshly ground spices, and also served with a side of basmati rice. Our fourth dining companion, new to the world of curries, wanted to get something that was more familiar and ordered the broccoli-chicken stir fry ($9.50), broccoli and breast of chicken sautéed with onions, carrots and Garlic sauce and a side of basmati rice. When it arrived, the dish looked like it contained tofu rather than chicken. Being unfamiliar with tofu, she did mention that it didn’t look or taste like chicken, but that was what she had ordered. When the bill came, we realized that, in fact, it had been tofu, but she was pleased with the flavor nonetheless.
What I loved: I loved the creamy curry, the tikka chicken – marinated and prepared in the tandoori before being submerged in the creamy cashew masala.
Why I loved it: I love the setting, very remote and hidden; almost uncertain as you walk through the door, around the corner and down the stairs. The servers are friendly and the food delicious.
Cost: Low for a large dinner (that can serve as two meals!). ($8-$12 per entree; vegetarian thali starting at $18)