Rasika West End Restaurant | Washington D.C.

It is not easy to narrow down an order at the new Rasika West End.

Its celebrated chef, Vikram Sunderam, has assembled a wholly enticing menu that includes highlights from the original Rasika alongside dazzling newcomers. Plan to go many times, or use this primer to tackle some early hits.

Cocktail: Start with the Mohini ($12), which blends assam-tea-infused vodka with bitter Cocchi Americano, Bénédictine, cherry brandy and bitters.

Starter: Share an order of crab pepper masala ($12). The flaky, translucent phyllo layers separate puffs of lump crab meat spiced with black pepper and curry leaves.

Fish: Black cod ($26) has been one of Sunderam's star dishes from the start. At the new location, the chef adds tart tamarind to the marinade of curry leaves and mustard seeds.

Meat: Goat biryani ($20) is more like a gift than an entrée. The kitchen bakes the tender kid goat and basmati rice under a canopy of naan dough, which the staff breaks open tableside to release a plume of saffron and roasted meat.

Desserts: Still hungry? The thick, sticky date-toffee pudding ($9)–served with a generous covering of cinnamon caramel–would make the Brits jealous.

Rasika West End, 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW; 202-466-2500 or rasikarestaurant.com