Amma's Vegetarian Kitchen in Vienna, VA

Amma's Vegetarian Kitchen has two locations in Vienna, VA and Georgetown. It specializes in dosa, south Indian crepes with savory fillings. The staple of the menu is masala dosa, which hang off the edges of Amma's styrofoam and paper plates and are served with a spicy sambar (soup) and delicious coconut chutney.



Amma's in Vienna has expanded significantly over the years, most recently upgrading its interior to gold, black, and avocado. As high energy dance music pumped in Amma's on this quiet afternoon, the restaurant seemed a lighting upgrade away from opening a dance club at night.



My other favorite menu items at Amma's include the Amma's Special (shown on top above), a sampler which includes indian breads, sambar, and other favorites including desert. And of course a mango lassi (yogurt drink) is an essential addition to any Indian meal.

Amma's is one of three surprisingly hip destinations in Vienna along with Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant and Jammin' Java.

Amma Vegetarian Kitchen
344-A Maple Ave East, Vienna VA 22180 (map)
703 938 5328 | www.image-in-asian.com/amma/

Saran Cuisine - Vegetarian Indian Restaurant in Arlington

Vegetarian Indian buffet? I'm so there.

Behind this humble exterior lies one of my favorite vegetarian Indian restaurants. Saran Cuisine (formerly Saran Foods) has undergone major remodeling in the past year, becoming a restaurant with servers and tableclothes rather than a cafe with disposable diningware. The upgrade may have changed the prices somewhat, but Saran is still very affordable.

The lunch buffet is my favorite. Everything is delicious and varies day-to-day. The buffet comes with fresh naan and is only seven dollars weekdays and eight dollars on weekends. (Warning: Saran is closed Mondays.) And did I mention everything's vegetarian?

Unfortunately, Saran Cuisine is a tough destination without a car. It's on Lee Highway (route 29) in a shabby but interesting strip mall, where you can find anything from super-cool Indian clothes and Bollywood DVDs to wholesale massage equipment and, apparently, all foods Halal.

Saran Cuisine
5157 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207 (map)
703 533 3600 | www.sarancuisine.com

Domku Scandinavian and Slavic Cafe in Petworth

I had no idea what to expect from Domku in Petworth, but I my experience there was fantastic.

I don't think I'd ever been to the Petworth neighborhood before going to Domku. On this beautiful spring afternoon, the area was really friendly and cute, so the ten minute walk to the restaurant from the Georgia Ave-Petwork Metro station (Green line) was enjoyable.

At the restaurant, I even found some delicious vegetarian food. Everything my group tried was excellent. Either we're brilliant at ordering food at a new and unusual restaurant, or Domku is just that good.

(Photo: Uncorrected from my Moto RAZR V3. Kinda shabby.)

Domku Bar & Cafe
821 Upshur St. NW, Washington, DC 20011 (map)
202 722 7475