Woodlands

Well, we’re all s-o-l as the Gaithersburg location is no more. D’oh.

[original review 2004-11-18]

I finally gave in to the temptation to give Woodlands a slight bump upwards, because the lunch buffet in Gaithersburg is such a ridiculously good deal, it’s worth highlighting. For the same price as dozens of lousy Indian buffets in the area, you not only get a very tasty vegetarian buffet selection, but they’ll bring you a dosa, and the wait staff _still_ makes sure you’re satisfied. Really, this is easily one of the best lunch deals in the area.

Alas, you’re still shit-outta-luck in Fairfax.

[original review 04-02-28]

Actually, the Gaithersburg location is also vastly superior to the Fairfax location. It makes you wonder if they’re even related. Fairfax features a ho-hum atmosphere, indifferent service, and somewhat oily preparation. You’d think it was a college dive, except that there’s no college (come to think about it, that explains a lot about Udupi Palace’s atmosphere!) Gaithersburg’s menu is more extensive, service is considerably more attentive, and it looks like a proper restaurant. So I’m basing my review on G’burg, even though I’ve taken many more meals at the Fairfax branch.

It’s a lot closer to Udupi Palace in quality than I’d have thought, although it lacks Udupi’s extensive selection of sweets. Iddlys, rasa vada, and dosai...all good. The dosa filling could be more flavorful though, and I wouldn’t mind if they kicked up their spices a notch. All in all, a pretty good south Indian joint, though.

-dave

Very good at the Langley Park location; I’ve been much less impressed by the Fairfax branch, although it’s about the best South Indian you’ll find in northern Virginia. I always recommend the paper dosai to first-timers, because its presentation is exceptional. You’ll see.

Anyway, this is tasty, wholesome, and surprisingly inexpensive food, and one of my top choices for vegetarians.

The Langley Park location is noticeably better than the Fairfax one. The service was attentive rather than invisible, the food tasted better, and while it is still primarily a family restaurant, the children were much better behaved. And my opinion is that the Langley Park location is better than Udupi Palace. Except, of course, for the fact that they are both buried in langley park.

Now I’m craving butter masala dosai.