Cafe of India - Neighborhood Indian on Wisconsin Avenue and Emory Place in Tenleytown

[Tweaked]

Snagged a Groupon for Cafe to India since it's in the hood and gave it a go on Friday. Strictly middle-of-the-pack Indian food, nice dining room for a small restaurant. Was hoping for more than we got flavor wise, several dishes were bland or not seasoned very well. We ordered:

Masala Dosa ($8) was not good. The dosa did not have that crispiness that a good dosa has and the potato filling was bland.

Paneer Pakora ($8) a generous plate of wedges of paneer in pakora batter and fried. went well with the dipping sauces. Overall solid.

Mini samosas (3 for $7) a decent samosa, but the filling was kinda bland (maybe it was a potato thing) could have used some more spicing.

Eggplant Bharta ($12) despite the peas (not listed on the menu) this was a good bharta with surprising heat.

Naan ($3) average at best. Didn't get that good crispy sear from the tandoor.

Mixed Pickle ($3) spicy...and tasty.

With Masala Art a 5 minute walk up the hill, don't see us going back to Cafe of India...but glad we gave them a try. Overall it was a pleasant dinner, just didn't reach the heights of other Indian restaurants in town.

[DonRocks]

Snagged a Groupon for Cafe to India since it's in the hood and gave it a go on Friday. Strictly middle-of-the-pack Indian food, nice dining room for a small restaurant. Was hoping for more than we got flavor wise, several dishes were bland or not seasoned very well.

I'd never been here before, but earlier this year I stopped in for the lunch buffet. Even as middle-of-the-pack Indian lunch buffets go, this was undistinguished. However, they do have some uncommon dishes on their regular dinner menu, at least in terms of what the dishes are called (sometimes these dishes are named after towns in India, and will have some subtle differences in spicing, or preparation - e.g., Ajwani Tilapia, Bhuna Lamb, Stuffed Capiscums, Pistawala Chicken - some of these I've never even heard of before although "Bhuna," for example, just means "stir-fry").

[ElGuapo]

Cafe of India's owner will open Spice Street in downtown Silver Spring this October:

https://www.sourceofthespring.com/business/spice-street-restaurant-hiring-planning-early-october-opening/

[ElGuapo]

Spice Street, a restaurant from the owner/operator of Café of India in the District of Columbia, will open for carryout and delivery next week, according to a post on the outlet’s Facebook page. The management is targeting a mid-week opening and will confirm the date on Monday.