Ananda, arguably one of the best restaurants I have ever experienced

I have eaten some fabulous meals all over the world: from a holes in the wall in Amsterdam, to fine dining with an interesting take on classics in the US.  I take food pretty seriously. When we travel the first thing I do is check out the food scene.  I find out where the local chefs eat, and I GO TO THERE! My husband and I love trying the local specialties from the best (not necessarily nicest or most famous) places in the area.  Some of my favorite meals were in India, and while I am not an expert on Indian cuisine, I think having visited five times does give me a little street credit.  This is not a sponsored post, though many months ago I did a review that was sponsored.  This post may contain affiliate links, and here is a link to my updated privacy policy.

Ananda is hands down one of the best restaurants I have ever experienced.

From the brothers that opened the Ambassador Dining Room in Baltimore, Ananda is their newest fine dining Indian venture.  Every detail is gorgeous: the fireplaces, the wallpaper, the bookcase niches, to the bar top.  It. Is. Stunning.  (FYI it is rated 4.5 stars on Zagat and here is a link to a review from the Washingtonian.)

Not only is it stunning, but it is the perfect place for a date night.  

To be honest, my husband and I are hard pressed to go anywhere else.  Admittedly, it is very conveniently located and close to us, but when we have an occasion (or a date night) we usually choose Ananda.  

The daily happy hour is SO good.

Every day from 4-6 (except Monday when they are closed), Ananda features a lengthy menu including appetizers and drinks. Here is a link to that menu.  One of our favorite things to do is to get a sitter for an hour, go sit at the bar, share some appetizers (and perhaps and adult beverage if we are feeling spunky), and talk about the kids.  I highly recommend the Kerala cake, the Parinda (pictured) and the Masala fries.

The food is outstanding.

We have eaten at Ananda a lot.  a lot a lot.  I even hosted my husbands PhD party there.  I have to tell you that I have never had a bad meal.  Never.  Nothing is ever under or overdone.  (Here is a link to the menu). The attention to detail is astonishing.  Binda Singh, one of the brothers who created Ananda, lives nearby and raises eggs for the restaurant.  He and I have had many conversations about the importance of quality ingredients, and Binda has focused on lots of organic, local, and sustainable options on the menu.

The service is even better.

You barely leave your seat to use the restroom when someone comes, refolds your napkin, and places it neatly on the table.  If I even think about wanting more water, there is someone else there filling it.  One of the best aspects is that most of the employees are family or long term.  I have seen many of those faces since Ananda opened, and I love that.  Have I mentioned that they are great with kids too?

Ananda is located at 7421 Maple Lawn BLVD, Fulton MD 20759.  It is open from Tuesday to Thursday 11:30-10.  Friday and Saturday 11:30-11, and Sunday from 11-10.

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