Woodlands Restaurant
Woodlands restaurant serves an entirely vegetarian menu, although it is remarkably varied. You can try uthappam, Indian-style pancakes, plain or topped with tomatoes, peas, onions, hot chile peppers or even shredded coconut. If you're a curry fan, there are nearly 20 to choose from, starring veggies ranging from the plain potato to the unexpected okra. There is even a kids menu featuring items such as the ever-popular iddly, (steamed rice and lentil cakes), puri bhaji (fried bread with mashed potatoes) and masala dosai (a fried rice pancake with a spiced potato filling).
Woodlands does not have a liquor license, so if you were hoping for an ice-cold Kingfisher to wash down your chili pakora, you're out of luck. What you can get, though, is a delicious milkshake known as a falooda, flavored with rose syrup and topped with a sprinkling of nuts. Other beverages include lassi, mango lassi, Indian tea and Indian coffee.
Woodlands Langley Park
8046 New Hampshire Avenue
Langley Park, MD 20783
(301) 434-4202
woodlandsrestaurants.com
Tiffin: The Indian Kitchen
Although the exterior of Tiffin is somewhat unprepossessing, located in a strip mall on University Boulevard, inside is a different story. This restaurant is definitely upscale-white tablecloths, crystal, lovely decor and a really attentive waitstaff. The food, while somewhat pricier than in other local Indian restaurants, is nevertheless well worth the trip. The naan, tandoori roti, poori, chapathy and other breads are particular standouts, as they are baked right on site and delivered fresh from the oven to your plate. The chicken tikka is a customer favorite, and the goat curry is sure to please the more adventurous palate. Vegetarian entrees are plentiful, and include a tandoori veggie platter, baigan bharta (roast eggplant) and chole peshawari (curried chickpeas and potatoes). Desserts include Indian ice cream that comes in mango, vanilla and pista (pistachio) as well as falooda malai kulfi, an almond ice cream served with rice noodles.
Tiffin: The Indian Kitchen
1341 University Boulevard East
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 434-9200
tiffinrestaurant.com
Tabeer Restaurant
The cuisine at Tabeer is actually Pakistani, but if you love Indian food, chances are you'll enjoy Pakistani cooking as well. Pakistani food is actually quite similar to Indian cuisine, featuring similar styles of curry and masalas (spice mixtures), but the spices have somewhat of a Middle Eastern influence due to Pakistan's proximity to Iran.
The appetizers at Tabeer feature pakoras, samosas (veggie, chicken or beef) and kebabs, grill items include chicken and beef tikka, lamb chops and shish kebab, and curries range from the familiar chicken korma and kofta curry (meatballs) to the more unusual liver masala and brain masala (featuring your choice of goat or lamb brains cooked with tomatoes, onions, coriander, ginger and chiles). If you really want to experience Pakistani cooking at its finest, try one of the specialties from "Four Provinces of Pakistan" featuring regional delicacies from Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. Weekend specials that require a little extra prep time include nihari and haleem (beef dishes marinated overnight) and paya (marinated lamb feet). Although the vegetarian selections are not as extensive as at some Indian restaurants, a daily vegetarian special is available, as well as a selection of vegetable and lentil curries.
Tabeer Restaurant
1401 University Boulevard
Hyattsville, MD 20879
(301) 434-0051
mytabeer.com
