Masala Story
Indian restaurant · Brookland ·
Authentic Indian cuisine, family-run with a lively bar scene
Authentic Indian cuisine, family-run with a lively bar scene
"I consider Masala Story to have the best butter chicken." - Adele Chapin
"This family-run restaurant offers a variety of Indian food including assorted biryani (bolstered by vegetables, chicken, or lamb), vegetarian fare (stewed mushroom and peas; eggplant; zesty spinach and potato), and meat dishes (butter chicken, curry goat, ground lamb). It also boasts a lively bar scene, pouring locally produced brews alongside mango lassis and chai teas." - Warren Rojas
"A new Brookland Indian restaurant run by family members formerly involved with Indigo, offering regional Indian dishes as a neighborhood dining option." - Warren Rojas
"In Brookland I found Masala Story — originally meant to be a second location of NoMa’s Indigo until a family falling-out ended the partnership — to be not a photocopy of Indigo but more of a Photoshopped version: enhanced, sharpened and sometimes even better. I tasted similarities in the stews, thaali platters and whole-wheat flatbreads, but the butter chicken here is creamier (which I prefer) and there’s a daily rotation of biryanis, including a chicken biryani that packs a lot of heat. There are more appetizers too, like amritsari fish, and the baingan bhartha is "silky and sweet," while the shahi paneer’s sweet tomato curry pleasantly reminded me of roasted pumpkin. What really separates Masala Story from Indigo is the space and its hospitality — there’s a full-service bar with draft beer, and co-owner Manish Berry is very hands-on, checking on diners and making suggestions." - Tierney Plumb
"Opened a month ago in Brookland at 3301 12th Street NE, this casual Indian eatery serves lamb curry and masala chai and was originally designed as an extension of NoMa favorite Indigo, though that plan unraveled last fall amid “insurmountable” problems between now-estranged family members. Masala Story is a completely separate entity from co-owner Manish Berry and features a fully stocked bar, assorted vegan and vegetarian options, and a long list of platters with sides like chickpeas and rice ($12 to $15). The colorful, modern space — brick, wood, and industrial accents, couches, and TVs — invites diners to stay a while. After four weeks of service customers praise the consistency and speed (lunch turnaround under 10 minutes), authenticity (tindura and biryani singled out and described as North Indian–style, fresh and flavorful), generous portions and delicious chicken, friendly staff even when busy, and a relaxed, well-decorated atmosphere that feels welcoming and reasonably priced to many regulars. Criticisms include a somewhat high price point for some and a widely panned naan described as dense, greasy and oddly gritty; a few also suggested showing sports on the bar TVs." - Tierney Plumb
