Passage to India - BethesdaExcellent Food at a Great PriceI love this little restaurant with its authentic decorations. The food is always excellent and the wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The brunch menu offered a taste of three appetizers, one main course and rice pudding dessert for $14.95. Wine and other drinks are separate. Conversation is comfortable and the restaurant is family friendly.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter than everThe kitchen has been very good for some time, but it was outstanding on this visit. We loved the flavors, yet could not identify the ingredients. It is always a good sign when no single herb or spice dominates. The wine selection, while limited, is well chosen and very reasonably priced.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMEasily, the best Indian RestaurantEasily, the best Indian Restaurant in DC (Rasika is up there too). The service is phenomenal and the food is always at the highest quality.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding creative IndianOutstanding creative Indian cuisine from the four regions of India. The chef has accommodated requests (for mild
dishes or less ghee). We have enjoyed many dinners there.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the elegant decor ofLoved the elegant decor of Passage to India. The food was very good, although on the expensive side compared to other Indian restauarants I've been too. Their week day lunch is a bargain, so I'll go back during a week day and save the weekend or evening for a special dinner. Our server, dressed in a suit, was professional and attentive.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been to Passage toI have been to Passage to India on many occasions over the years and have never been disappointed. The restaurant's breakout of dishes by region sets it apart from most Indian restaurants and the food is authentic, as attested to by an Indian colleague who ate there with me twice during a visit some time back and raves about it. Definitely a place to return to again and again.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu at Passage to IndiaThe menu at Passage to India is very unique in that all four regions, East, West, North and South, are represented. I usually order my same standard curries and Tikka Masala, palak paneer or some lentils, but at Passage to India, the menu really encouraged me to try something new. This may also be due in part to the combination platters that are available. My boyfriend and I ordered a vegetarian platter which allowed us to sample a variety of flavors. It came with salad and appetizers and a little dessert. It really could have been enough on its own, but we ordered a lamb dish as well. Truly excellent and I know we will visit again.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's in one of the more non-descripIt's in one of the more non-descript buildings in the older part of Bethesda's restaurant cluster, but this was some of the best Indian food I have had in some time. The menu is divided not just into appetizer/entree sections, but also geographically, so you can explore the cuisine of India's various regions. The appetizer, a medley of sweet potatoes and apples was delicately spiced. The lamb was perfectly cooked and the bread had just the right texture. Service was understated, but always timely.
My only complaint: tables against the wall are too close together, so if the adjacent table is engaged in a loud conversation, there's no way to avoid hearing it or having it distract from your own. That aside, a hearty recommendation.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLooking forward to next visitCan't say enough nice things about Passage to India. Went mid-week for dinner so not very busy, but food was amazing, wait staff knowledgable, friendly and efficient. Love Indian food as can share everything -- would recommend that you order fewer entrees than people as the 4 of us were overwhelmed with tasty options and had enough left over to feed another 2 or 3 people. (we had 3 starters / 4 mains / 2 sides / 2 naan)4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMwe always enjoy this restaurantwe always enjoy this restaurant when we are in Bethesda4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time there, there areFirst time there, there are many choices and vegan choices My BAINGAN BHARTA (Roasted eggplants with stewed onions and tomatoes) was a good vegetarian choice recommended by our waitress. My friend ordered the spicy FISH VENDIAM CURRY which had nice flavor. We love their breads - Roti and Garlic Nan were great. Services thtere were excellent. Definitely going back.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good food from acrossVery good food from across all of India's regions. Each main course comes with salad and rice so that's handy.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently very goodThe food was very good as usual, but the sauce for the mussels lacked the complex flavor that it had previously. The wine prices are very reasonable, with some excellent bottles priced at $40 or less.3/4/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently Very goodThe lentils, mussels, and scallops were all very well prepared. We especially like the sauce on the mussels. The does a very good job with balances strong spices so that no single one dominates. The wine list, while not extensive, is well chosen and very reasonably priced. There are only two wines priced at as much as $40 a bottle.2/6/2013 12:00:00 AMExtensive menu with dishesExtensive menu with dishes from several Indian regions, reasonable wine list, and good brewed coffee--the last not common in Indian restaurants.12/19/2012 12:00:00 AM