Washington, D.C. - October 28, 2009

Spice Jonze

Masala Art Restaurant Opens

You can go from posh to sporty to scary in the blink of an eye.

But when it comes to cooking, you’re no spice girl (cardam-what?).

Let Masala Art lead the way. The Tenleytown restaurant makes over traditional Indian dishes by highlighting unique spices (vetiver, amchoor powder) from the country’s northern regions.

Sit below artsy photos of carved Hindi reliefs while you taste specialty-spiced tawa (griddle) items, potatoes with dried pomegranate seeds (a welcome relief from soupy curries), and adraki lamb chops marinated and sauteed in pungent ginger. Even the naan’s kicked up with cilantro and black rock salt.

Desserts have zig-a-zig, too, with dishes like homey milk custard with edible silver.

It’s something you’ll really, really want.

Masala Art, 4441 Wisconsin Avenue NW, at Albemarle Street (202-362-4441).

  Delivery, Sunday Lunch