Beneath its bronzed, crackling, crisped skin, the fish is cooked to moist and flaky perfection. Who could resist the day’s special when it’s a whole grilled flounder with mussels, accompanied by coconut rice and a hint of shrimp Creole? Compelling as it sounds, the sizzling casserole dish still exceeds expectations. Intriguing dishes explode with unexpected flavors. Surprises abound at this Modern Latin spot tucked away in Vienna’s Restaurant Row. When to dine here: Your group likes to share dishes and enjoys sampling international cuisine. See this: Bansari’s brick walls serve as a backdrop for the eclectic décor of crystal birdcages and turquoise leather banquettes with rustic wood and metal tables.Įat this: Gobi 65, hakka noodles, mango lassi It’s all more than enough to stand out from the crowded pack. Consider ordering creamy raita to cool and bread to scoop up the juices. The tender chunks of tandoori chicken arrive bathed in a smoky sauce, redolent with red chiles and garam masala.īe mindful that at Bansari, “medium spicy” is quite hot, and even “mild” dishes have a kick. Bathed in a sweet, salty sauce, it’s a lighter version of lo mein.Įven the tikka masala enjoys a nontraditional spin by folding achar pickles into the marinade before roasting. The nutty hakka noodles are interspersed with slivers of crisp green and red peppers, cabbage, carrots, and scallions. Sarin incorporates the region’s East Asian influences with Indo-Chinese dishes. Sarin deconstructs the typical samosa, instead building layers of potato pockets, showered with chickpeas, mint chutney, and tamarind sauce. His expertise is marked by his masterful blending of whole spices, and you can taste the freshness and pungency in every dish.Īmong the appetizers is a heaping bowl of fire engine–red cauliflower bathed in a silken chile sauce with mustard seeds for crunch: Gobi 65. A native of Rajasthan, Sarin is deft at cooking from a range of Indian regions.

Northern Virginia has an abundance of excellent Indian restaurants, but the ambrosial preparations created by chef Deepak Sarin make Bansari a standout. Amritsari tandoori chicken at Bansari Indian Cuisine (Photo by Alice Levitt) Bansari Indian Cuisine

Restaurants were reviewed by Olga Boikess, Ashley Davidson, Dawn Klavon, Alice Levitt, and Renee Sklarew. From Indian to Latin American, make the drive to Vienna for an unforgettable meal at one of these best restaurants. While the town is known for its stops along the W&OD trail, it is also home to plenty of world cuisines. Nestled just outside of Tysons lies the historic town of Vienna.

Vienna indian restaurant