Forest Hills Connection || News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood

Covering Forest Hills, Van Ness, North Cleveland Park and Wakefield

  • About Us
    • About Forest Hills Connection
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Donate
      • Donate & Subscribe
      • “Scoop the Poop” Signs
  • Classifieds
  • News
    • ANC 3F
    • Business
      • Business in Brief
      • Out to Eat
      • Shop & Eat Local
    • Getting Around
      • Metrobus and Rail
      • Pedestrian Updates
    • Elections
    • Main Street
    • Neighborhood in the News
    • Opinion
    • Parks and Streams
    • Real Estate
    • UDC
  • Style
    • Food
      • Farmers Market Finds
    • History
    • Meet the Neighbors
    • Neighbors Recommend
    • Services
    • Things To Do
      • Local Attractions
    • Travel
    • Featured Photos
  • Home Front
    • High-Rise Life
    • In the Garden
    • In the Kitchen
  • Backyard Nature
    • Local Wildlife
    • Wildlife Photos
  • Kids & Pets
    • At School
    • At Play
    • Kids Write
    • Pets
  • Calendar

Laliguras Spices Up Van Ness

June 18, 2014 by FHC

by Mary Beth Ray
ANC 3F03 commissioner and chair, Van Ness Vision Committee

Don’t let the drab Van Ness exterior fool you. Inside what must be one of the ugliest buildings in Washington, Laliguras Indian & Nepali Bistro will surround you with warm, vibrant colors, rich scents of India and Nepal, and cheerful, friendly service.

Laliguras2The freshly-painted claret red walls and bright, cozy pillows set the stage for the colorful meal to follow. My husband Sheldon and I arrived without a reservation last Friday night about 8 p.m., and plenty of tables were available. When word gets out about their good food, and when their liquor license comes through, that might change!

We started with Masala papads (papadams), a favorite from our years of eating Indian in Hong Kong. They were fresh, crisp, colorful and tasty, topped with onion, cilantro, tomato, and a delicious spicy garnish (guessing chat masala, but could also have been a combination of cumin and chili powder).

We ordered our three favorite Indian dishes: Baigan barta, Kashmiri lamb curry (similar to mutton roghanjosh), and Masala dahl. All three were delicious and enough to encourage us to return for more, and to branch out and try some of the other tempting offerings. The Baigan barta, an eggplant and tomato puree, was probably the spiciest of the three, enough to satisfy Sheldon’s asbestos taste buds, but not so spicy that I ran for more water. The lamb curry was nicely flavored, and while the meat was lean, it could have been more tender. I love it when the meat sort of falls apart in my mouth, and this was not quite there yet. Perhaps a longer, slower heat process? The yellow dahl, Sheldon’s favorite dish, was mushy and flavorful, just right.

Mary Beth and Sheldon Ray enjoying their meal at Laliguras.

Mary Beth and Sheldon Ray enjoying their meal at Laliguras.

We’re eager to try lots of other items on the menu – in particular the chicken tikka, the various Tandoori offerings, and the naan and other breads. We want to try the Nepali dishes as well. The chefs, two of whom are Nepali, have strong Washington pedigrees, having worked at Heritage India, Rasika, and the iconic Polo India Club.

Advertisement

In short, Laliguras is something of a metaphor for Van Ness right now – unattractive on the outside, warm, colorful and interesting on the inside, and a harbinger of great things to come!

Our dinner, including one appetizer, three main dishes to share, and a bottle of sparkling water, came to $47 without tip. Lunch prices are even more reasonable, with specials as low as $7. Laliguras will deliver for free, and it will do take out at lunch. Laliguras Indian & Nepali Bistro is at 4221-B Connecticut Avenue NW, (202) 735-5097. It’s open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. Its website is laligurasdc.com.

Forest Hills Connection is produced by volunteers, and supported by you. We appreciate your support – financial and otherwise. Here’s how to donate.

Filed Under: Food, News, Out to eat, Shop & Eat Local

Comments

  1. Leslie R. Malone says

    June 18, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Dined there this week and it was delicious. A welcome addition to the neighborhood.

  2. Gabe Fineman says

    July 2, 2014 at 9:16 am

    I have had lunch there about five times and found everything very good, The naan (bread) is especially good and always piping hot. The service is great with quick water refills. It is a wonderful addition to our neighborhood.

  3. Mary Beth Ray says

    August 9, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    News flash! Laliguras is now serving wine and beer! We enjoyed another delicious meal there tonight, welcomed by the always-cheerful Dawa, and his staff. Everything was spot-on– dahl, baigan barta, chicken tikka, onion kulcha and masala pappadams. Invite your friends and neighbors– this is one of our Van Ness hidden gems!

About Forest Hills Connection

  • Who we are
  • How to advertise
  • How to donate
  • How to submit a story idea
  • Contact us
  • Tweets by foresthillsnews

    Subscribe to Our Blog

    Receive an email alert whenever we publish a new article.

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Arrives in your inbox around mid-month.


    Newsletter Archive         

    Connect With Us!

    Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on RSS

    Local Links

    • Schools, Services and More
    • Restaurants

    Latest Comments

    • Green Eyeshades on Snags for DC seniors scheduling first Covid vaccines include a clunky web portal, and at one vaccination center, more appointments than doses
    • Paul E Harrison on History: Who was Melvin C. Hazen?
    • Barbara Kraft on Local family medicine and urgent care chain opening a Van Ness location
    • Green Eyeshades on Snags for DC seniors scheduling first Covid vaccines include a clunky web portal, and at one vaccination center, more appointments than doses
    • FHC on Local family medicine and urgent care chain opening a Van Ness location

    Archives

    About Forest Hills Connection | About Forest Hills Neighborhood Alliance | Who We Are | Contributors
    Submissions Policy | Contact | Advertise | Donate
    © Forest Hills Connection | Site by: VanStudios