Where does Indian cuisine currently rank on the ethnic food popularity scale?  10-15 years ago, wasn’t Indian food hotter than it is today? And I don’t mean spicier. For whatever reason, has Indian been supplanted by more “trendy” ethnic cuisines like Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Thai and Japanese?

I’m as guilty as anyone of looking past Indian. It’s been ages since I’ve gone out for it. I guess I just forgot. So when my friend Melissa suggested Passage to India while we were driving to Bethesda last weekend, it was like a light bulb went off in my head: Ohh yeaah, Indian! I love Indian! Great idea!

Passage to India reminded me of what I enjoy so much about the food: the complex flavors, exciting chutneys, delicate Basmati rice, and of course, naan.

We went “belt buckle” on this meal; yup, the buckle required loosening after dinner.

This was an assortment of vegetable fritters, which we dipped into three different chutneys.

A first for both of us — not the samosas themselves, which we’ve all had before, but samosas prepared with a yogurt sauce and served over pillowy chickpeas.

That was damn good. I could have eaten just the samosas and naan and been set for the night.

Ahh, garlic naan.

Melissa’s saag paneer was creamy, intensely spinach-y and practically begged to be scooped into with a big hunk of naan.

My dish was also green — fish moilee curry.

Delicate white fish swimming in a curry of herbs. Just a kaleidoscope of mellow flavors.

We shuffled out of the restaurant with smiles on our faces and fully engorged bellies. “I’d definitely go here again!” we both agreed.

Indian food…long time no see.  It’s about time we were reacquainted.

Passage to India
4931 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD
301-656-3373