Rania

Yet another amazing dining experience at Rania. This time, for Restaurant Week & as always, it was such a delight. Each of the courses offered were bursting with flavour and exquisite plating. There is literally no stone left unturned with the menu.The cocktail menu had evolved since my last visit a year ago, and yet again - all really great and served with style.The service is always amazing! And my visit during Restaurant Week was just as consistent and my friend and I felt very well attended. We were celebrating her birthday, so this made the celebrations that much more special. There's no doubt why Rania has received Michelin Star recognition for 2023 & 2024!! Top tier and delicious food, with an ornately decorated restaurant to match.

Was really excited for this meal, but it definitely fell short of my expectations. 1. Speed of service was very inconsistent. Some dishes came out as soon as I took the last bite of the previous course, and others took 10-15 min to come out after I finished a course. This makes for an unpleasant dining experience. 2. Flavors were okay -- lacking on a number of dishes. Some just felt dull and I wish there were more bold flavors. 3. Asked for coat check when I got to the table, not before at the host stand. Was kind of clunky and I felt like I was going to hit another dining guest with my coat when they asked for it. 4. Naan was flavorless, this was really disappointing. The main course was very good and the quail egg course was tasty, but they doesn't make up for the rest of these items.

Really close to five stars - I'd say 4.5. I first learned about Rania from a Yelp event, right before they earned their Michelin star. After they earned their Michelin star, I was eager to return and decided to check them out for Restaurant Week ($55 for three-course dinner; $95 for five-course tasting menu).I made a reservation on OpenTable in advance. When I checked in, I was the first person in my party to arrive, so they directed me to sit at the bar. The bartender greeted me immediately and offered me a glass of water while I waited. I also perused the cocktail menu, and she was helpful with describing some drinks that caught my eye. The cocktails here are a real showstopper ~ they are sure to dazzle.Once the full party arrived, we were escorted to the main dining area which was cozy and elegant. They offered to check our coats and my chair even had a fancy pull-out shelf to hold my bag.Service was welcoming at first but later fizzled out (but only slightly). The waiter walked us through the menu and informed us about the five-course chef tasting menu that was also being offered. While I was tempted to go for the five-course menu, I opted to experience the three-course dinner first. He also checked if there were any food allergies to be aware of.Before the first course was brought out, we were treated to an amuse-bouche. It was a lovely little warm bite with salmon roe, and surely whet our appetites for the rest of the evening.The three-course dinner was plentiful! I was expecting teeny, tiny portions for dinner, but I was pleasantly surprised by the size of each course. Some restaurants will cut corners and/or portions for their restaurant week offerings, but I felt like Rania still provided us with a good representation of their traditional restaurant experience. Presentation for all dishes was exquisite. The pacing of the meal was good, and servers gave detailed explanations of each dish as they were presented. Plates were also cleared promptly. My only note is that drink refills could have been more attentive.For my first course, I had the Murukku Chaat and enjoyed the contrasting textures of the crunchy chip base, creamy yogurt + white pea ragda, and sweet and tart fresh pomegranate seeds. I selected the lamb shank for my main. It was a hunky piece of meat and it was fall-off-the-bone. The lamb shank was topped with fried shallots to give it a bit of crunch (I'm all for texture). I also tried the butter chicken entree, which featured grilled chicken thighs in a cashew makhani sauce. Believe me when I say that chicken was expertly cooked! The grill gave the chicken a smoky barbecue flavor, which showcased Rania's modern take on Indian food. Our meal also included a smoky black daal, basmati rice, and a small bread basket of naan and roti to complement the meal. It was a whole spread!For dessert, I selected the Mishti Doi, which the waiter described as a sweet, almost caramel-like dessert. I didn't get essence of caramel at all, but I still enjoyed the dessert. It was more like a yogurt mousse in my opinion, featuring seasonal citrus (grapefruit and mandarin oranges). It also came with a delightful lemon meringue type cracker/bark which I found super innovative. I also tried the caramelized pineapple dessert which came with a masala chai ice cream. I liked how the masala chai flavor was present but not overpowering, and the dessert was topped with a jaggery crumble to give it that extra bit of texture ~ it's a home run!Rania continues to impress me with its flavors and thoughtfulness. You can trust the Michelin Guide for Rania - this is high quality cooking.

Rania's been on my list for a year now, and today I finally got to try it with a friend during their Restaurant Week (January 2025), which was 55 per person for three courses: first, main, and dessert. The service was mindful of our eating pace, and we spent about 90 minutes there.THIS IS NOT A LASSI - 15I don't normally order drinks, but the cute wolf on the cup caught my eye. I love blackberry-flavored foods, so I knew I'd enjoy this spirit-free drink. The yogurt was extremely creamy and paired well with the tangy, earthy flavors of the goat milk kefir. The honey and coconut cream were nice touches of flavor.Before we got our food, we got an amuse-bouche (little complimentary bite). I couldn't quite hear our server while he was explaining, but he mentioned it was potato-based. It had a crispy fried coating, topped with salmon roe (?), flower petals and a light green sauce. It was savory and tasty, a nice little preview.FIRST: LAMB SEEKH KEBAB, CHICKPEA CHEELA, BAINGAN BHARTAThe presentation of this appetizer reminded me of a taco. The lamb seekh kebab, baingan bharta (eggplant mash with spices), garnish and creamy cucumbers and onions lounged on top of the chickpea cheela (a vegan chickpea flour pancake). The kebab had a nice charred flavor, mixed with fresh vegetables and garnish and savory, smoky flavors of the baingan bharta. There was also cilantro in the dish, which I didn't love, but I was able to overlook it by focusing on the other flavors. However, the chickpea cheela was pretty soggy, soaking everything up like a sponge, which wasn't the most pleasant handheld food experience.We were served a side of basmati rice, topped with some garnish (didn't catch what they said), smoked black dal, and garlic naan with our mains. The rice was enhanced by the garnish, enjoyed with my entree. The smoked black dal was one of my favorites -- creamy and flavorful, and I love the gritty texture of black lentils. The naan was thin and crispy, but not particularly special. I wish it was thicker and fluffier, so it could soak up the food I ate with it. At the end, we left a good amount of the black dal behind because we didn't have enough carbs.MAIN: BUTTER CHICKEN, GRILLED THIGHS, CASHEW MAKHANIThe curry had a savory base, with a hint of spice and nuttiness from the cashews and a subtle sweetness from the tomatoes. However, I didn't like the pairing of the curry with the chicken thigh. While the exterior had a nice char and the meat itself was incredibly tender, it didn't absorb the curry well. Personally, I prefer white meat in curries because its slightly drier texture soaks up the sauce better, and if prepared well, it stays juicy. Additionally, the charred flavors overshadowed the taste of the curry, which I didn't like. DESSERT: CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE, MASALA CHAI ICE CREAM, JAGGERY CRUMBLEAfter all the savory options, I was looking forward to a light dessert to end the meal. The pineapple was juicy and tangy, and caramelizing it was a brilliant touch. The masala chai ice cream was smooth and delicious, and the jaggery crumble added a nice crunch. A solid dessert option!The food at Rania was elevated and upscale, quite different from the homey, comforting dishes I'm used to at other Indian restaurants. The food was flavorful and worth trying, but I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon.

5 stars for an excellent Michelin star Indian restaurant.Whenever I have friends visiting town who want to go to a Michelin star restaurant without spending Michelin star money, I take them to Rania. Located on 11th Street in Chinatown (near Latham & Watkins for my fellow attorneys), I have booked several dinners at this spot same day, but there have been occasions where getting a seat can be tough. Fortunately, on those few times, the bar at Rania is absolutely stunning with tons of seating, a real sleek look, and really friendly bartenders. Even if I have a reservation, I'll often start off my night with a drink from this bar.When my reservation is ready, I head on back to the dining area which has a cool New York classy type of look. We then grab a seat and get presented with the tasting menu. The way it works is you get four courses for $90. I usually get the shrimp appetizer (a little spicy, but manageable), whatever the waiter recommends as my two entrees (the lamb and oyster dishes have been great for the first entree, while the short rib and other lamb are good for the second entree), and then a chocolate tart for dessert. The food doesn't always come out super fast (so be aware if you need to catch a movie/play), but the pacing is generally pretty good.Overall, Rania provides an outstanding Michelin star-level Indian experience. The cool venue and tasty/well-priced menu makes for an excellent night on the town.

All around amazing experience, I do recommend the Chefs tasting menu and a few cocktails! One of my favorite michelin experiences so far!They were able to accommodate my fiancé's vegetarian preference, and every dish was phenomenal, each dish was uniquely full of flavor and an experience within themselves.The cocktails are all pretty elaborate for the most part, arriving at your table in some special way.The restaurant has a nice relaxing atmosphere, and the service was impeccable.

Rania - an incredible restaurant in Penn Quarter and one of three Indian food starred Michelins in the United States. They live up to the hype! We joined for lunch during restaurant week, where Rania featured gorgeous dishes, eclectic spices, and wonderful service. Our server was extremely hospitable and the rest of the staff were equally welcoming. We loved the crispy pork belly & caramelized pineapple. Although the presentation was whimsical, I don't think the cocktails were that special. But, to be clear, they were still tasty. Overall, we had an incredible experience and look forward to coming back for the full tasting menu experience.

Ragz and I did a special date night here and I have nothing but good things to say, honestly. We were a little surprised that the place was sort of empty-ish on a Friday night when I expected to be super busy. Ragz had reservations, but it made me a little nervous about what to expect, especially knowing we'd be dropping a pretty penny on our meal.I started with their "This is not Lassi", while Ragz stuck to his usual McCallan 18 for drinks. I really enjoyed the drink and the mug it was served in. I also tried the Lavender Fizz but didn't enjoy as much.For starters, we shared the aloo chaat and the shrimp dish - both phenomenal. I highly recommend these. For the second course, we opted for the beetroot dish and the lamb cheela. I wasn't sure how goat cheese would go with an Indian flavor profile, but it honestly was delicious. Hubby loved his lamb cheela too. For the third course, I asked for the salmon but realized quickly that the dish was way too fishy with me. Our server was nice enough to quickly replace it with the paneer dish. It was an amazing dish and I am so glad I asked to change it. It was the softest paneer I have ever had, and this dish alone made me want to give the place 5-stars! Ragz had the lamb shoulder and loved it too.For dessert, we had the chocolate tart and the shrikhand mousse - both excellent dishes with the perfect balances of indian and western flavors. Kudos to their pastry chef for these amazing desserts.Overall, the experience was great for our food and drinks. Ambiance was okay - I had sort of expected something a little more intimate. The service was good, not outstanding. All that being said, the food alone deserves those 5 stars! Highly recommend for date night!

Service and ambiance were great! The prix fixe menu is 3 courses and dessert. I chose the shrimp koliwada, Chana masala panisse, lamb shoulder rogan Josh, and kesari mango. I also shared the Layla and Manjun cocktail with a friend since it's recommended for two people.The cocktail was so delicious! It's two drinks, one with vodka, sparkling rose and cherry puree and the other is saffron gin with roasted pineapple. The gin based one was my favorite of the two. So smooth and tasted sweet and delicious.The shrimp koliwada was my favorite of the night. The shrimp was crispy and so flavorful, with a really good sauce at the bottom. Everything else was ok for me. The Chana masala felt like it was missing some spice. The lamb shoulder rogan Josh was bland, but the pieces were very tender. The kesari mango was good, but didn't stand out as an amazing dessert. They also provided garlic naan, plain naan, rice and dal for the table. Out of everything I really only felt the cocktail and first course stood out to me. It also took a while to get each course served to us. By the time we finished we had been dining for 3+ hours due to the amount of time it took to receive each course.

This is Michelin star stop #60 for me, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Just a forewarning, parking in this area is difficult and we opted for the garage parking across the street as we were a bit rushed to head to the reservation.We opted for the tasting menu which featured the following items: chala masala panisse, coconut murruku, shiso chaat, Prince Edward Island Oysters, nargisi kofta, lobster momo w/ caviar, lamb belly kabob, fennel granita, hay aged duck, apple tart, chocolate tart, shrikhand mousse, and the keasari mango dessert.I was impressed as Rania provides a nouveau interpretation to Indian cuisine, as opposed to the heavy curries and meats that you normally find in Indian restaurants. The textural components of each dish offered light, airy, crispy, crunchy, and tender notes throughout the duration of the tasting menu. The two main proteins served (lamb belly and hay aged duck) were perfectly executed, moist, and succulent. The duck was accompanied by naan, rice, and another curry-like accoutrement. The service was also excellent, with a constant stream of new plates, silverware, and table cleanings.Finally, the desserts were all excellent and not overly sweet, which is seen in traditional desserts like gulab jamun. I particularly enjoyed the textural contrasts in both the mousse and mango desserts. The apple and chocolate tarts were also executed very well and enjoyable.If you are looking for a nouveau Indian dining concept with a nice touch of refinement, definitely head to Rania. Solid establishment.