11. American Tandoor
7943-B Tysons Corner Center, Tysons | 571-633-1820 | americantandoor.com
Before you dismiss going to a mall for brunch, consider this Indian-inflected take on the traditional buffet. Dosa waffles are made with lentils, which are undetectable, taste-wise, but lend a crispness to a dish that is too often indifferently prepared. Toppings include crushed berries and chocolate sauce. Shahi paneer, a staple in any house in northern India (the dish features cubes of pressed cottage cheese curdled with lime juice and yogurt), is enrobed in a smoky sauce flavored with cashews and fenugreek leaves. There’s also chicken tikka masala, pork vindaloo, rogan josh and, for dessert, a chocolate fountain for the kids and gulab jamun—fried dumplings soaked in a cardamom-flavored sugar syrup—for the grown-ups. Flea-market treasures from India adorn the walls and dangle from light fixtures; waiters pass samples of chicken pizza on naan crust and spicy kabobs wrapped in lettuce leaves. The whole effect is like having brunch at a friend’s house in New Delhi.
Associate editor Lisa Lednicer is co-author of Extreme Barbecue: Smokin’ Rigs and 100 Real Good Recipes.