I hope all you Americans out there had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I certainly did, and I plan to write about it in more detail soon. I’m also basking in the glow of a particularly glorious college football win this past Saturday.
The week and weekend were all kinds of busy, so as usual I’m behind on posting. I’d really like to get to where I post three to four times per week instead of the one to two I’ve been averaging lately. But we’ll see how that goes. In the meantime, how about some foodie eye candy?
Aroma Indian Cuisine in Shirlington hosted its first media dinner this month to celebrate its updated winter menu created by executive Chef Madan Lal.
Indian food is one of my absolute favorite cuisines, so I was completely on board to try a few new twists on several Indian classics.
The restaurant is spacious while still maintaining a cozy vibe. The room where we dined is often used an entertainment space and can be rented out for private events. I enjoyed getting to know a group of local bloggers as we sipped on wine and waited for the food to start rolling out.
Vegetarian options are plentiful on the new menu. From left to right: Shahi Paneer (paneer is essentially homemade cottage cheese or cheese curd), Gobhi Masala (steamed cauliflower) Khatta Meetha Baingan (eggplant marinated in red wine) were highlighted during our meal.
But carnivores needn’t fear either. The chef’s goal in creating the new menu was to take common American ingredients like lobster and salmon and infuse them with exotic Indian spices. There are offerings from both land and sea to suit every palate.
From the top left, clockwise: Masala Lobster, Kandhari Lamb Chops, Salmon Puff Pastry, and Lemon Chicken Kabob.
We also sampled two soups, my favorite being a chicken and corn soup that would be perfect on a dreary, cold day like today.
Another exciting addition to Aroma’s new menu is an impressive array of beautiful desserts. These are not only available at the restaurant, but also as a catering option for weddings and parties.
Created by pastry chef Ravi Verma, these desserts are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the stomach. From left to right: Apple puff pastry, blueberry panna cotta, and bread pudding served in a chocolate cup. I highly suggest you save enough room to sample one or all of these.
The new menu will be available by the end of this month. Aroma also has a location in Lorton, Virginia. You can make reservations here or email contact@aromarestaurant.com to schedule a private event.
everything looks amazing! and now I must have indian food.
How was it meeting up with the other local bloggers? First time meeting them? And are they focused on blogging about the local D.C. food scene, as well?
It was fun! I recognized one couple from reading their blog and it was fun to hear the backgrounds of the different bloggers and how they got into it. I hope to have the opportunity to do this more in the future!