My dear readers, you may (or may not) be excited to hear that Dan and I are finally homeowners! After weeks of exploring over 60 houses, we found a gorgeous home in Silver Spring that even includes a spacious tree house (Dan wishfully calls the tree house the “in-law suite”; I call it by it’s true name, “the dog house.”) The moment the movers finished bringing in all our boxes, we immediately rolled up our sleeves and got down and dirty to accomplish the most important task facing all new homeowners: Explore the local food scene! Hand-in-hand, we skipped down the tree-lined lane to Downtown Silver Spring. A bird or two may have sung along side us during our journey, but we were thankfully not pooped on. The fates smiled down upon us that glorious day.

Atmosphere: Ghar-E-Kabab is located in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring, right across the street from the Washington Sports Club. When you get to that corner, you may always have to fight the internal fight of food versus exercise. Needless to say, the victor was unambiguously clear for us. We headed straight for the food. The interior of the restaurant is small but cozy and sophisticated. Simple decor and candle-lit tables lend an air of class. As the restaurant is popular, more tables are squeezed into the space than would fit comfortably, but you are definitely not in a sardine-zone; you are more in a pickle-zone, where if you turn around, there’s a pickle right next to you, but you still have some of that delicious dill brine separating you from the other pickles. It’s a great place to bring someone on a casual date.

Food: The food at Ghar-E-Kabab is Nepalese Indian. You’ll find some unusual Nepalese dishes among the appetizers, such as the Momo (Nepalese dumplings with a nutty and slightly sour dipping sauce) and Cho-e-la, a boneless duck marinated in Nepalese spices then baked in a clay oven. We got both of these appetizers and were absolutely delighted! If you’ve never had Nepalese before, definitely order these dishes when you’re here. What about the entrees, you ask? Well, the Nepalese influence is evident in every delectable bite. Instead of the heavy creams and butter usually found in Indian dishes, Ghar-E-Kebab’s dishes are flavored with olive oil and fresh spices, so you can indulge in your favorite Indian dish without feeling like you have to run out to the gym across the street. Every familiar Indian dish like Chicken-Tikka-Masala and Chana-Masala have slimmed down and spiced up for incredible flavors that pop in the mouth. Dan and I usually share our dishes, but by the time I looked up from my own dish, Dan had wiped his clean with a piece of garlic naan.

Locally grown organic produce are used for the dishes, the chicken is free-range, the wine is made from organic grapes, the yogurt is home-made, and the take-out containers are all bio-degradable. A place where you can indulge in decadent Indian food but still feel light and green?  What more can you ask for?

Service:  The service at Ghar-E-Kabab is warm and friendly.  The owners and staff clearly love their restaurant and are proud of their offerings, and it shows.  Our waiter, beaming with pride, described in detail the Nepalese style of cooking and their commitment to being environmentally friendly and bringing fresh local ingredients to the table.  Every aspect of the restaurant, from the decor to the dishes to the service is executed with utmost care, and it was a true pleasure to dine in this positive atmosphere.  An extra bonus was finding out that our waiter is actually one of our new neighbors!  What a deeeelicious neighborhood.  We’ve definitely chosen our home well.

Summary:  Ghar-E-Kabab offers a healthy twist to traditional Indian food.  The Nepalese influence is subtle but intriguing and very flattering to my belly.  With it’s cozy interior and fabulous service, and of course it’s delicious dishes, Ghar-E-Kabab is a winner.  I’ve been there twice already, and I’m actually taking my friends there this Friday.  Now if only I can make it across the street to the gym as often as this…

Restaurant information:

• Address: 944 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring MD-20910, Map of 944 Wayne Ave Silver Spring, MD 20910-4428, US
• Phone: 301 587 4427
• Fax : 301 5874428
• Website: www.gharekabab.com
• Email: info@gharekabab.com
• Price Range: Appetizers between $4 - $6, Entrees between $9 - $20.