Rasika West End

The strikingly modern decor combined with James Beard Award–winning chef Vikram Sunderam’s highly styled Indian cuisine is as heady as a spice market on Mars. From fragile Palak Chaat (flash-fried spinach laced with tamarind) to robust curries, airy breads and fragrant desserts, his menu seduces. The original location in the Penn Quarter is excellent too, but if you’re seeking privacy, try the larger West End location where private booths are styled like a 22nd-century maharajah’s palanquin. Both are popular among DC’s decision-makers.