I got a craving for Indian food a couple of weeks ago, and Jasper suggested a place by his work that he had been to before, so we hoofed over there despite the snow. Haandi is in a shopping center, next to a Giant grocery. It’s a tiny place, maybe 15 booths, with some traditional looking Indian designs including some interesting wall murals.

When talking about Indian food, I find that it is important to distinguish between spicy (hot) and spicy (flavorful), so I will make up a word for the latter – “spiceful”. We ordered some Tandoori murgh (chicken) for an appetizer. It’s marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked inside a big clay oven, and comes out this beautiful red color that I love. I have never been able to handle spicy food, and I was always afraid that the red color meant that it would be spicy and didn’t discover that it was not until a few years ago. Anyway, Haandi’s Tandoori chicken is really tender and flavorful with lots of smoke and paprika flavors. It comes on a platter with some big chunks of onion and green pepper. These were almost raw, so we basically ignored them.

For my main dish, I asked the waiter what I should order if I didn’t like spicy food, and he said Murgh Makhini without a second of hesitation. Jasper ordered his favorite: chicken Tikka Masala. The dishes were brought out in these really cool handled pots that looked little – but neither of us could finish! Murgh Makhini means butter chicken, it is creamy and flavorful with big chunks of chicken and tons of spices – but not spicy! This is probably the best Indian dish that I have ever had! Jasper’s Tikka Masala was really good too, “spiceful” and more tomato-y than creamy. He really loves spicy food, and usually Tikka Masala is really spicy – but not this time, which means that I got to try it! The dishes are served with rice, but it is a must to also order Naan bread (cooked on the side of the Tandoori ovens) – it was warm and pillowy, brushed with a little butter, just the way it should be! I always order a mango lassi (yogurt smoothie) when I eat Indian food – because it complements the spices, and cools and coats your mouth if the food is too spicy! The lassi at Haandi was very good – smooth and sweet with a little tang from the yogurt. I also ordered my favorite dessert – rice pudding. Haandi’s rice pudding has a lot of cinnamon and nutmeg and is very creamy – yum!

The prices are pretty good – $15 for an entree that is enough for 2 people – but all the extra accompaniments can add up (naan, raita, etc…). This is definitely the place to go for Indian food in Falls Church!

http://www.haandi.com

Bastille is set off of the beaten path in a largely industrial area of Alexandria. The restaurant itself, however, is warm, intimate, and bistro-like. They have a good wine list, including a large selection of reserves, imported and artisanal beers, and artisanal sodas.

The couple we came with had eaten there before and steered me towards the shrimp and calamari beignets – and rightly so. They were hot, crispy outside, tender chunks of seafood inside, and served with a sheep’s milk yogurt and harissa dip. Jasper had the organic chicken liver mousse with cranberry gelee, which was also very good.

As an entree, I had the bouillabaisse – made with big chunks of cod, shrimp, scallops, and mussels; hearty winter vegetables like carrots and parsnips; and a tomato broth. Jasper had perfectly seared scallops on a creamy black truffle risotto. Our companions had the salmon, and the hangar steak – served with bordelaise and a huge pile of fresh french fries.

We added a cheese course for an extra $12. I love all and any cheeses, but the highlights of this course were the house made spiced raisins and the Black Pepper d’Affinois cheese – a French double cream (like brie).

For dessert I had the ginger spice cake with vanilla mascarpone and spiced banana and raisin compote with crunchy walnuts. Jasper had the Valrhona chocolate pot de creme. Both were excellent. Our companions had the sweet potato crème caramel with cranberry compote and caramel corn.

After having just eaten at the French La Bergerie the night before, I would have to say that I vastly recommend Bastille as the better restaurant. I would definitely make the drive to Alexandria to eat here again.

http://www.bastillerestaurant.com

La Bergerie is an old world, old school, classic French restaurant. The main dining room looked lovely and comfortable with cushy booths and romantic chandeliers. We were sat in a nook off to the side, however, crammed with other tables and brightly lit. From what I could see of the decor from our location, it was old world with brick arches, brocade wall paper, and tapestry chairs. Our server was hurried (due to the rush of restaurant week, perhaps) but knowledgeable and friendly. He selected a wine for us based on our preferences. The wine list was extensive, of course, this being a French restaurant.

I was going to order the escargot, but the server steered me towards the fruits de mer au gratin, saying that we could get the escargot anytime and the fruits de mer was only for this week. The presentation was lovely, using a large sea shell as as bowl. The scallops, shrimp, and mussels were tender and served in a creamy mushroom bechamel sauce and topped with cheese. It was very good, but did taste somewhat like tuna helper – if tuna helper had gone to Henry Higgins and been taught to be more elegant. Jasper had a juicy venison sausage on a bed of perfectly cooked lentils with a red wine sauce.

I was confused and conflicted over my entree. The salmon was perfectly cooked and well flavored, but topped with a bizarre, dry, green patty that tasted somewhat like potatoes and herbs. It was served on top of a creamy polenta with a good texture, but way too much dried herb flavor. To one side there was a smear of some sort of non-flavorful sauce, to the other was a few random green beans which were perfectly cooked but under-seasoned. Jasper’s steak au poivre (his favorite dish) was well cooked, but not peppery enough for his tastes and the sauce was not creamy, as it should be. He also had a smattering of well cooked, unseasoned green beans. His “frittes” (french fries) however, were very good – thin and crispy and served with ketchup!

After a disappointing entree, I was floored by dessert. Jasper had a creme brulee and I’m sure it was very good, but I paid no notice because I had heaven in front of me in the form of a souffle. Airy and eggy and fluffy, served with the traditional Grand Marnier (this time mixed into a fantastic whipped cream) – what more could you ever want?!

La Bergerie is for lovers of the traditional. I expect the population most nights to be in the older age range. I would hope that on another, less busy, night that the atmosphere would be very romantic.

http://www.labergerie.com