Tikka — Restaurant in Washington

First time here, I ordered the lunch meat sampler. Chicken/lamb. I arrived at the opening, 11:30am. Courteous service without competition. The staff was still prepping for the lunch rush.

Typical eating would be clockwise around the platter, but I used the rice as a base.

The salad was a nice mix of greens with a good dressing. The samosas were pea heavy (from looking) but I didn't taste them, just the sugary starches. The palak paneer was delicious, as was the butter chicken, both eaten over a fluffy rice.

The lamb itself was a bit dry, but not noticable in the sauce unless dissected. The chana masala (garbanzo) was also very nice, but I personally prefer other foods over beans.

The rice pudding was a subtle sweetness, not heavy, and very good. I usually avoid bread, but tried the naan which had a thin crispiness to the bottom and was very nice.

So far, my first food run here was very good, and I look forward to another trip and getting more into the menu. It was dine in, without take out. Based on the photo, you might see the container cost might parallel the meal cost.

A restroom trip revealed 2 gender neutral single occupancy restrooms for use in clean shape... Down the hall.

For whiskey/bourbon drinkers, there's a small but nice selection of rares available. I remember Macallan.

I say it's worth checking out if you like the cuisine. On the sampler, it's 3-4 pieces of protein per, so maybe 5-6 oz protein with the paneer/panir.

My only concern was One staff member who was away from the customers and the food prep was congested. In my book they should go home for the day or wear a mask. I plan to share my feelings with the restaurant and I encourage everyone to do the same thing no matter what restaurant they're at.

Subject to change on...

This used to be a Nepali restaurant, which has since been transformed into Tikka with a new owner & chef. From the outside, it looks modest, but once you step inside, you’re immediately impressed by the transformation. The brightly colored yet elegantly designed interiors, along with a beautiful cocktail bar and high chairs, create a welcoming atmosphere. We decided to try the high chairs and started off with their happy hour cocktails, which were reasonably discounted. I went for the Mystic Paan, and my husband ordered the Masala Mojito. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Mystic Paan, which was bursting with flavors without being overpowering. The Mojito was equally impressive and is definitely a must-try. We followed these with a few more cocktails and appetizers. I particularly loved the spinach balls, tossed in a sweet and spicy Manchurian sauce – the combination really worked. We also ordered the Achaari Paneer, which was excellent.

For entrees, we ordered from the chef’s special menu, and I would highly recommend starting here if it’s your first time. We chose the Kashmiri Dhum Aloo, which was served with a creamy sauce and was absolutely amazing. The highlight of the meal, and something I saved for last, was the Jackfruit Biryani (we are vegetarian and have had this dish many times). This was one of the best Jackfruit Biryanis we’ve ever had. I’m not sure how the chef prepared the jackfruit, but it was incredibly moist and tender, literally melting in my mouth. A must-try on the menu.

Lastly, we ended our meal with a crème brûlée malai kulfi, which was the perfect finishing touch to an already...

"Wow, just wow! I had the most incredible dining experience at Tikka Restaurant. The moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a cozy atmosphere that immediately made us feel at home.

The service was top-notch - our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal.

Now, onto the food... OH. MY. GOD. We ordered the momos (Nepali dumplings) as an appetizer, and they were hands down the best I've ever had - tender, flavorful, and perfectly spiced.

For our main courses, we tried Goat Curry and chicken curry, both of which were cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The basmati rice and naan bread were also perfectly cooked and complemented the dishes beautifully.

We finished off the meal with a delicious complimentary dessert, which was sweet, creamy, and utterly divine.

Overall, I'm so impressed with Tikka Restaurant and can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious dishes! If you're a fan of Indian or Nepali cuisine, or just looking for a fantastic dining experience, look no further - this place is a MUST-VISIT!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Price: Very reasonable

Service: Exceptional

Food: Outstanding

Ambiance: Cozy and inviting

Will I return?...