Daru

Daru is a new Indian restaurant and cocktail bar located just off the H Street NE corridor that opened during the middle of the pandemic.  Adjusting a few times from a bar only, to delivery only, to now a full scale restaurant, the food has some familiar and inventive dishes that will awaken your palate.

We went for dinner on this pretty Fall evening and were seated indoors.  Though we arrived just before 6pm, the restaurant quickly filled up all seats inside, at the bar, and out on the patio.  To start, we shared the Chicken Tikka Tacos stuffed with tandoori chicken, red chili, sour cream, and red cabbage.  The chicken spice had a nice subtle kick and overall these were a great bite.

We also shared a vegetarian favorite - Baigan Paneer Bhurji.  Eggplant layered with scrambled paneer and topped with Granny Smith apples, surmac, and chaat masala.  This dish screamed Fall and I liked the sweetness from the apples.

For his main, Keith ordered the Lasooni Lamb Chops.  Heavily seasoned with black garlic, pink peppercorn, and Dahli yogurt the chops were chewy and crispy at the same time.  They were served with some roasted potatoes and asparagus.

I ordered the Wild Mushroom Biriyani studded with cremini and shiitake, apricots, and seasoned with mace.  I loved the dough top, so when you cut into it like a pot pie, the rice releases all the steam and the fragrance hits your face like a warm hug.  It was served with a seasonal raita, tonight with bright pomegranate seeds.  This dish was generously portioned - enough for me to share with Keith and even take some home. 

Overall, service was great, very attentive, and the food was fresh and flavorful.  The cocktails are highbrow akin to Columbia Room, where the co-owners once worked.

Total Rating: 3.78

Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 4.5