Lunch at Delhi Dhaba

Arlington, VA

8 November 2003

Pam was in town on a business trip.  Ambika and Kamala Joshee and Nancy and Rob Dolce also lived in the area, so we decided to try to get together for a meal on Saturday afternoon.  But where?  Well, after about 24 hours of web searching/brainstorming, we opted for an Indian restaurant that was relatively centrally located to everyone and close to Metro station.  The Delhi Dhaba Indian Cafe in Arlington can only be described as a modest but quaint little restaurant with Indian cuisine.  On a 5-star scale, it would be a stretch to give a star – well, if I were in a generous mood I suppose I’d give it a star and a half.  And it must be said, that in spite of my initial fears, at least I didn’t get sick.  The prices were reasonable for good, not-so-great, food and the beer in the self-serve fridge was very nice.  Though we parked in an alley in the back (customers only), the Delhi Dhaba is in a good neighborhood.  It just doesn’t try to pretend that it’s something other than simple and “down-to-earth”.  The meager staff makes it a “self-service” sort of place.  No one will greet you at the door, and no sign tells you of this; sooner or later and figure it out for yourself that if there’s an empty table and you want it – take it.  Eventually, you get tired of looking at the Indian pop singers/dancers gyrating on the television monitors, and you will wander over to the buffet and tell the three servers sitting there what it is you would like to eat, pay for the food, and take your tray to your table.  And you are allowed to walk over to the water filters for a refill as many times as you like to go with your dal bhat.   As always, it’s the people you share a meal with that make it worthwhile.   Jeff 

Nancy Dolce and Pam Engler reunited after all these years.

Kamala Joshee and Nancy reunited after a long time, too.

Ambika Joshee and Rob Dolce get reacquainted.

The Delhi Dhaba is “self service”

Nancy and Pam discuss recent events.

Pam describes the California fires near her home.

A fun time was had by all

- and no one had to cook!