Sunday, December 25, 2022

Dinner at Rania in Washington DC Downtown: Innovative Indian Cuisine and Excellent Wines, USA/ India/ Germany


Triggered by a review of Tom Sietsema in the Washington Post, Annette, Maureen, Fuad and I had dinner at Rania in Washington DC downtown. 
 
The food was innovative and the 19-page wine list amazing, ranging from decent enty-level wines to premium wines from all major wine regions. 
 
2 of us had the 4-course menu and 2 of us the 3-course menu.
 
We had 2 bottles, a German Pinot Noir from Weingut Ziereisen, an non-mainstream producer highly regarded by German wine afficiniados but hard to find in the USA and a traditional Chianti Classico. 
 
The restaurant was full with young to middle age people. You saw very few white shirts and ties.

Rania

We are excited to welcome you to Rania, DC's newest, hottest destination for modern Indian food. Tom Sietsema has called our food "some of the most inspired Indian cooking in DC." Here at Rania, we offer homage to the time-honored traditions, rich flavors, and spices of India in an intimate, luxurious setting. We look forward to sharing our vision with you!

Choose between our sophisticated, highly acclaimed 3 or 4-course prix-fixe menu, or a flexible à la carte option (note: à la carte available for dinner Tuesday through Thursday, and Friday & Saturday after 9 PM)

Led by Executive Chef Chetan Shetty—formerly of the critically acclaimed Indian Accent in New York and Delhi (#22 on the prestigious 2022 Asia’s 50 Best list)—RANIA will introduce our guests to a new and unexpected approach to Indian cuisine.

Eater Washington DC

Much of India’s rich history can be observed through the lens of regional cuisine. Influenced by nine major religions, a range of geographic landscapes, trade routes, and colonization, there’s more to India than vindaloo and naan (although those dishes are undeniably popular for good reason). The D.C. area is a hub for Indian immigrants, with many choosing to share their memories and family recipes in professional kitchens.

From nationally lauded, modernized fine dining venues to fast-casual counters, here are over a dozen reliable destinations for Indian food around D.C.

Rania

The palace-like Penn Quarter space that formerly housed Punjab grill reopened this spring as a luxe new Indian restaurant called Rania, which means “Queen” in Hindi and Sanskrit. Chef Chetan Shetty, who recently cooked at acclaimed New Delhi restaurant Indian Accent, guides diners through a multi-course dinner of inventive Indian cuisine that goes way beyond the expected (as in dishes like braised lamb shank accented with spinach, coconut foam, ghoda masala spice blend, and mustard frills). Prix-fixe menus of three ($75) or four courses ($90) join an a la carte menu at the restaurant’s Sundowner Bar.

Rania offers guests the option between a 3 or 4-course prix-fixe menu OR an à la carte menu. The prix-fixe menu is available for either 3 courses ($75) or 4 courses ($95), with the option to add wine pairings and cocktails as desired. The à la carte menu will be available Tuesdays thru Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays after 9 pm. The à la carte menu will not apply to our special holiday menus. vv




 
 
Dinner
 
2 of us had the 4-course menu and 2 of us the 3-course menu.

Amuse bouche

Fennel and mango chutney

 
Second
 
Chana masala panisse
 
Green garlic chutney, tomato tukku, shishito peppers

Amritsari hollandaise, moringa podi and finger lime

Red onion laccha, buttermilk mousse


Third

Saffron nihari, charred brassica, pickled mustard


Salli aloo, masala egg

 
Bread


Fennel granita

Masala chai ice cream


The Wines
 
We had 2 bottles, a German Pinot Noir from Weingut Ziereisen, an non-mainstream producer highly regarded by German wine afficiniados but hard to find in the USA and a traditional Chianti Classico. 
 

 
Weingut Ziereisen, Baden, Germany

Weingut Ziereisen
16 hectares
45% Spätburgunder, 25% Gutedel

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