Spice 6 Modern Indian Restaurant to open in Bethesda

Spice 6 Modern Indian will open this Spring at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The local chain has locations in Hyattsville and Vienna. Like so many twists on Chipotle, the fast casual Spice 6 will allow you to customize kebab plates, rice bowls, wraps, curries, naan pizzas and salads. Their menu will accommodate vegan, halal and gluten-free diets.

The dishes at Spice 6 are devised by the Katmandu-born Chef Upendra Thapaliya. There, he was executive chef at the five-star Shangri-La hotel, where his cuisine won many prestigious awards. One could argue even Chipotle can't claim those kind of credentials, so it sounds like a very promising addition to the mall.

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN NOW SERVING BEER AND WINE (PHOTO)

Bethesda Curry Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant on Cordell Avenue, is now serving beer, wine and sparkling wine. The restaurant recently received its liquor license from Montgomery County, and is now able to sell adult beverages.

Bethesda Curry Kitchen

4860 Cordell Avenue

(301) 656-0062

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN OPENS (PHOTOS)

Here's a new place to try for lunch today: Bethesda Curry Kitchen has opened at 4860 Cordell Avenue. You can see the menu here.

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN OPENING SOON (PHOTOS)

Bethesda Curry Kitchen hopes to open "by first weekend of February," owner and chef Anil Kumar said via email. In the meantime, you can check out the menu here.

MIRCH MASALA INDIAN GRILL REOPENS IN NEW BETHESDA LOCATION AT MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTOS)

The latest move in the Westfield Montgomery Mall food court is the successful relocation of Mirch Masala Indian Grill. It is now open.

This game of musical chairs is necessary to accomodate a major expansion of the mall's food court and movie theater, currently underway.

KADHAI ADDS OUTDOOR SEATING IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Kadhai, an Indian restaurant on Norfolk Avenue, has added outdoor seating.  It's interesting to note that the table settings are equivalent to fine dining indoors.

Instead of the typical outdoor patio chairs and hard tables, Kadhai is offering plush chairs and white tablecloths.

Let's hope for good weather sometime this week so you can try out the fancy furnishings (and the food) on Bethesda's newest patio.

HAANDI REOPENS IN NEW BETHESDA LOCATION (PHOTOS)

Haandi has reopened on Norfolk Avenue after a long closure and move from its former Fairmont Avenue home.  The Indian restaurant is a favorite among locals, and the new spot was once home to Uptown Deli.

HAANDI BETHESDA TO OPEN AT THE END OF FEBRUARY (PHOTOS) - EXCLUSIVE!

Haandi, the much-missed Indian restaurant, will reopen in its new Bethesda location at the end of February.

This was confirmed by an employee at Haandi's Virginia location last evening.

Also last evening, the restaurant removed the paper from its windows that look out onto Norfolk Avenue. Revealed were the new interior design, bar area and gleaming kitchen door. Only about 9-10 days to go!

HAANDI LIGHTS ON, BUT STILL WORK TO BE DONE BEFORE OPENING (PHOTO)

"The lights are on, but nobody's home."

The story was something like that last night at the new location of Haandi in Bethesda, on Norfolk Avenue.  A popular Indian restaurant, Haandi was forced to relocate because its previous home, a Fairmont Avenue shopping center, is being demolished.

Some lights were on, but as you can see from these photos, the grand opening won't be immediate.  There still appears to be work to do on the interior.  The old Uptown Deli stencils remain on the windows, as well.

Readers often ask about the status of Haandi, so I thought I would post this update.  Don't expect an opening this weekend, but at least we are getting some light at the end of the tunnel, and the restaurant is making progress towards opening.

HAANDI RESTAURANT COMING SOON SIGN POSTED AT NEW BETHESDA LOCATION (PHOTO)

INDIAN RESTAURANT

ON SCHEDULE FOR

WINTER OPENING

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Haandi, a much-loved Bethesda Indian restaurant booted out of its Fairmont Avenue home to make way for a new building, is on schedule to reopen this winter.

A "Coming Soon" sign has just been posted at its new home, in the former Uptown Deli space at 7905 Norfolk Avenue.  The move isn't so bad, as the new location has far more foot traffic than that block of Fairmont ever did.

HAANDI ANNOUNCES "OUR LAST DAY" - BETHESDA RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

As we all know, Haandi is closing its doors temporarily, to make way for a new building at Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues.

The restaurant has now announced its "last day" will be September 2.

A sad Post-it Note added to sign at Haandi

If you want to be one of the last (or the last) to dine at Haandi's current location, you now know when to go.

It won't be too long before Haandi reopens at 7905 Norfolk Avenue this winter.

Where will you go for Indian food while Haandi is closed?

BETHESDA ROW

RESTAURANT WEEK

Inside the Menus:

TANDOORI NIGHTS

Love Indian food? Tandoori Nights is the place for you at Bethesda Row. Maybe you've walked past and noticed the warm and inviting decor. But it's the food that counts, right?

How good is Tandoori Nights? Don't take my word for it; just ask "Lauren H." on Yelp:

"Best. Indian. Food. Ever. And this is after I've eaten a meal at Rasika... I dream about this food at night."

Better than Rasika? How about that, Tom Sietsema?

Invite your DC friends to Tandoori Nights during Bethesda Row Restaurant Week through April 22!

LUNCH ($15)

Course 1:

--------------

Spicy Chicken Cucumber Salad (a cool and spicy combination of chicken, onions, peppers, tomato and a tangy lemon dressing)

OR

Vegetable or Chicken Biryani (a traditional Indian and Pakistani rice-based dish; a baked casserole of vegetables or chicken with basmati rice, saffron (expensive spice, as you know!), nuts and raisins)

Course 2:

--------------

Paneer Tikka Masala (a dish originating in Punjab, similar to Chicken Tikka Masala, but with chunks of Paneer cheese instead of meat)

OR

Chicken Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken)

Course 3:

--------------

Peach and Mango Sorbet

OR

Rasmalai (a.k.a. Ras Malai, cheese patties in sweetened milk with cardamom and rose water syrup; an Indian dessert delicacy)

DINNER ($30)

Course 1:

--------------

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

OR

Crunchy Shrimp Salad

OR

Kachumber Salad (a fresh tomato and onion salad)

OR

Mulligatawny Soup (a curry-flavored soup; known as "Pepper Water" in India, it is the result of the cuisinary clash of Indian and British chefs during the colonial era; split peas, vegetables in a chicken broth)

OR

Hariyali Chicken Soup (with spinach, herbs and a cilantro garnish)

OR

Aloo Chat Papdi (I think they mean Aloo Chaat Papdi or Papri; a crispy snack you might purchase from a roadside vendor in India)

OR

Chicken Tikka (boneless chicken breast cubes marinated in yogurt, getting the Big Finish in Tandoori's famous clay oven!)

OR

Masala Calamari

Course 2:

--------------

Chicken Tikka Masala (I hear a lot of people say this is their favorite; Barbecue Chicken cubes cooked with onion and bell peppers in tomato sauce)

OR

Paneer Makhani

OR

Fish Goani (a special recipe from the Portuguese Indian colony of Goa; filetted fish cooked in a "famous fiery sauce" - now there's an exotic dish)

OR

Daal Gosht (a lamb and lentil dish)

* Each entree comes with rice, raita (that's whipped yogurt with cucumbers, tomatoes and a light spice) and daal, and one of the house specialties, naan (bread in plain or garlic flavor)

Course 3:

--------------

Mango Creme Brulee

OR

Carrot Halwa (a traditional Punjabi dessert made with carrots, milk and cardamom)

We've reached the end! Stop by Tandoori Nights, where centuries of Indian tradition meet the upscale appointments you expect at Bethesda Row. And for only $15 or $30 through April 22!

Tandoori Nights, 7236 Woodmont Avenue. 301-656-4002.