Spice X-ing in Rockville, MD

Last Sunday, the Brigade ventured out to Rockville Town Center in Maryland for some spicy Indian food. We took the metro since our chariot is currently parked in upstate New York, and Adam, who has our other chariot, was sick.

A picture pointing at the sign is one of the Rules. And no re-takes. That rule is for me.

Spice X-ing was a little different than our usual outings. For one, it was metro accessible (although so was delicious, delicious Nava Thai in Wheaton), and two, we had a Capitol Deal coupon to offset some of the costs. This is also one of the few places where we've had some disagreement. Julia and I both thought the food was delicious and worth the trip, but Marta thought is was only ok and overpriced. The rice was flavorless, which, as a good Latin girl, she was bothered by.

We started with a samosa and dosa, which we all agreed were very good.

I cannot keep my hands off the food long enough to take the picture.

For one of our entrees, we ordered the balchao shrimp laced with chilies, which had been highlighted as one of the dishes that incorporates elements from other cultures, in this case Portugal. Our server also recommended it. The sauce it came in was very tasty and nicely spiced, but the shrimp were a little chewy and overcooked. At $17, we agreed the dish did not fit with the ethos of the CESDB. Our other entree was lamb roganjosh, also recommended by our server.We had garlic naan, which was wonderful, and regular naan, which was fine. There was also a creamed spinach side, which I very much enjoyed, but which Marta* and Julia both found to be an odd addition. Julia is connoisseur of Indian food, having been to the country multiple times, so we trust her judgment.

Also, there was cabbage taking up space on our plates. Less cabbage, more spicy lamb!

Tom really liked this place, although his review is pretty focused on his server, Blessing Jasi, who we unfortunately did not have. The decor of the restaurant is really lovely, with bright contrasting colors, stone columns, and nice seating. Overall, if you're in or near Rockville, this is a recommend, but probably not worth taking the metro all the way out like we did. Oh, and coupons always help.

What's next? Marta suggests Tavira, a Portuguese and Mediterranean restaurant in Chevy Chase, which we just bought a groupon for. I would like to eat German donor kebab out of a 6x8 metal shack in Leesburg, and Julia proposes that we have an urban dining outing to Negril for some delicious Jamaican food. Adam wants to class up the Brigade with his groupon to Kushi, a Japanese izakaya and sushi bar which he recently reviewed.

Other suggestions?

*Marta says she didn't find the spinach odd, but rather the fact that it had corn in it.