CURRY PLACE SILVER SPRING — Restaurant in Maryland

I arrived at the recently-opened Curry Place in White Oak at 12:15 on a Wednesday, to try their daily Lunch Buffet. I had just done some grocery shopping at the next-door Giant. A well-dressed host graciously escorted me to a table. I ordered their ‘Classic Gin Martini with Olives’ from their Full Bar. It stood tall among martinis I have had, both in quality and quantity. The 4 tiny olives at the end were surprisingly piquant/spicy/scrumptious. The ambiance was very amenable. Soft Indian/Eastern music, but you had to listen for it. A row of tables along one wall were occupied by about 25 diners. There seemed to be several separate groups, perhaps ‘going-out-to-lunch-clubs,’ or book clubs. They conversed actively among themselves, but so quietly that I could hardly hear them; as if they were in a library setting. The number of such groups could increase as this restaurant becomes better known. I would look forward to that as a sign of greater involvement by my local community. I started with the enticingly paper-thin Pappadams with classical condiments. I loved the green one, with its bold cilantro taste. The Goat Curry had generous tender chunks of meat in a well-flavored brown gravy. There were several chicken choices, including classic Tandoori. I especially enjoyed the one labeled ‘Special Staff Curry Chicken.’ There was also ‘Black Pepper Chicken.’ It looked like it indeed had a lot of black pepper, but upon tasting it; it was exactly the right amount. I enjoy ‘Hot and Spicy’ as much as the next person. However, I have concluded that it is best to have both the ‘Spice’ and the ‘Hot’ determined by a cook who knows how to make a delicious dish. As I grazed through these dishes, I realized that each one had distinct characteristics; with respect to the spices that were chosen, and the resulting ‘heat.’ Not one dish resembled another in this. Whomever was preparing them knew exactly what each dish required so as to adhere to Indian tradition. There were several vegetarian choices, that looked good. There was an outstanding Dal, that went very well with the rice choices at the end of the table. There were also excellent sauced noodles, there. I don’t recall encountering noodles in an Indian restaurant. These were very good. Then there was the Naan, that was delivered to my table. It was a generous basket of Naan wedges, that were so piping hot that I had to be careful when picking up the first one. They were redolent with butter and garlic. I have never had better Naan. There was a separate Dessert Table. For several reasons, I never indulge in desserts. I assume they were good, but others will have to adjudicate. The check I received for the Buffet Lunch and a cocktail was of such a modest amount, that I gave a generous tip...

You know you’ve seen it, when you walk into the average Indian restaurant they have that traditional look, traditional sounds, and yes, even traditional tastes and aromas. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But that’s not what you will encounter at The Curry Place. As they themselves have said, their restaurant puts a different, contemporary spin, or interpretation, to classic North Indian dishes! Consider this: though it’s set in the White Oak Shopping Center, your run of the mill shopping strip mall, there’s nothing run of the mill about The Curry Place! As you enter through the door, you encounter a beautiful glass waterfall structure that creates a separation from the storefront, providing an oasis away from view and creates a comfortable friendly ambience that is simple, yet welcoming!

I know you’ll agree that they deserve the recognition they have received for their outstanding Indian cuisine, the service that’s nothing less than excellent, their staff as friendly and inviting the first time you meet them as though they’ve known you for years!

I can tell you, and you’ll know as soon as you take that first bite, they only use the freshest ingredients, and the best spices that highlight but never overpower the taste from start to finish. I know this is as important to you as it is to me, and it’s one of the reasons why I go back, over and over! Nothing artificial here...nothing “canned” so to speak, just right from the garden to the pan to the plate!

And nothing proves this better than it coming from others! I mean, you can check online, and you’ll see that, again and again, people continue to provide honest, raving 5-star reviews! Some of them from fellow professionals in the same industry as The Curry Place!

I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with The Curry Place! If it’s not “love at first sight” when you walk into the simple elegance of styles, smells and sounds found within this oasis of North India, it will be “love won over” because of the service that excels, the food that scintillates and satisfies (I know your taste buds are aching for this), and the ambience that soothes and invites you to just linger, not wanting to leave.

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As a vegetarian, dining out can sometimes be a challenge—especially when menus are limited or unclear about ingredients. But this restaurant truly exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I opened the menu, I was impressed by the variety and thoughtfulness of their vegetarian offerings. There was no sense of being limited to just one or two token options—instead, there was a whole range of flavorful, creative, and satisfying dishes to choose from.

What really stood out to me was how clearly they labeled everything. Vegan items were marked just as clearly as vegetarian ones, which made ordering so easy and stress-free. There was no need to ask a bunch of questions or worry about hidden ingredients—I could just relax and enjoy the experience.

The food itself was absolutely delicious. Each dish I tried was full of flavor and made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. It’s obvious that the kitchen puts real care into crafting meals that are both healthy and indulgent. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or just someone who enjoys good food, this place is a gem.

I’ll definitely be coming back—and recommending it to friends! It’s rare to find a restaurant that gets it so right for...