Outstanding Indian cuisine. The drinks were great. We had the roast sweet potato appetizer. Chicken biryani and the lamb chops. The palak paneer and garden naan bread were amazing.
Excellent food and service. The Chicken Tikka Masala sauce was thick, fragrant, and perfectly spiced for me. The lunch portion was very generous. A bit pricey if you're on a budget.
Lamb ghee & snapper entrée was good. Sweet potato starter was not as exciting I think it need a size of sauces and those dots of sauce on the plate are not enough. Rice puffs starter was good though.
Modern take on traditional Indian food. Very flavorful and fragrant.
I've had the pleasure of dining at Kismet many times over the past couple of months since its recent opening. To say it is the best Indian food I've ever had is an understatement. Despite never having traveled to India, I can say with a certain level of confidence that what they serve is likely as authentic as you can get in the western hemisphere.I was told by the wonderful staff of Kismet that they make their own spice blends from fresh herbs and spices. As an avid at-home chef, I thought I knew what cumin, cardamom, Garam Masala, and coriander tasted like - and much to my surprise, everything I thought about those spices was tossed out the window. Nothing beats fresh, and unlike those dried spices you pick up at your local grocery chain, the blends Kismet makes have flavor you never knew existed.In addition to flavor, the preparation of their food is nothing short of perfection - it's apparent that their chef(s) and kitchen staff are passionate about their profession. The meat dishes are so tender they could be cut in half with the side of a wall, and the vegetable dishes maintain their texture. Despite Indian cuisine typically looking like baby food, Kismet dresses their dishes up to look as appetizing as they taste. And don't even get me started on the naan!The atmosphere is lovely, with a step in a more modern direction rather then traditional. The staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. Don't let the prices fool you, not only is it worth it, the majority of the dishes are absolutely massive - my wife and I can barely manage to split a single entree. If you enjoy flavor, spice, and everything nice - Kismet is the place to go.The only negative I can think of is that after eating at Kismet, Indian food that's seasoned with the bulk case of Kirkland brand curry powder from Costco just won't cut it anymore.
Great addition to Alex food scene. Lamb Ghee, Palek Paneer we’re excellent. Chicken Biryani was best tasted anywhere in DC metro.
Food, drinks, presentation, service... All outstanding! Will definitely go back. The aroma of spices is also wonderful.
Good service. Pleasantly surprised by the ice cream. Love the meatballs - spicy! Pulled chicken was good. Was there for restaurant week.
My wife and I went to Kismet for the first time last night--one of the coldest nights of the winter so far. We were richly rewarded for venturing out on such a cold night. We are both big fans of Indian food, but this is food, not just Indian food, with simply exquisite and refined tastes--so different from any restaurant we have experienced in a long time. The spices used are not what Americans see on a regular basis, but as used by this chef, they are delicious and memorable. We have added a new and exciting restaurant to our Old Town Alex rotation. 5 STARS indeed. Rick & S
Delicious cocktails for sophisticated palates. The aroma and flavors are heavenly and perfectly spiced. Nice atmosphere. Great service. The vegan options are exceptional, but would like to see more vegan selection. 5 stars on the yummy meter.