
Known for its contemporary Indian cuisine, Bollywood Bistro is celebrating 13 years in business with a special limited-time dining experience.
In India, the number 13 is very lucky, said to bestow long life, peace, change, and good fortune; therefore, the restaurant is marking its very special anniversary year with The Lucky 13 Dining Experience, a 13-course dinner offered from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Thursday in October.
Hosted at its flagship location Fairfax with Executive Chef Sunil Bastola, the experience will be held a the restaurant’s communal table and capped at 10 diners, priced at $200 per person or $275 with specialty wine pairing.
“We love educating diners on Indian cuisine. The Lucky 13 Dining Experience gives me a chance to show off a wide array of dishes and gives the diner a chance to expand their horizons and explore the wide world of Indian cuisine,” said Bastola.
The Lucky 13 Dining Experience menu includes Masala Crab Ravioli, Koliwada Shrimp, Malai Duck Tikka, Crispy Lamb (julienne cut of lamb tossed in cilantro pesto), Aachari Chicken Tikka (pickled flavor chicken cubes grilled in a tandoor oven) Ajwaini Fish Kebab (carom seeds infused cod fillet), Chilly Chicken Momo, Mac ’n Cheese Samosa, Truffle Khichdi Arancini, Yogurt Kebab, Apricot Kofta, and Coconut kulfi.
With more than two decades of experience, Bastola has been recognized by numerous local media outlets for his comprehensive knowledge of contemporary Indian cuisine. Originally from Nepal, he grew up cooking with his mom and grandmother and worked in restaurants before and after immigrating to the DC area in 2001. In 2009, he teamed up with local hospitality executive, Pankaj Sharma to open Bollywood Bistro.
Diners attending The Lucky 13 Dining Experience will be among the first to see the Fairfax location’s remodeled and expanded space. Sharma and Bastola enlisted award-winning Fairfax-based design house Studio Ideya to create a clever, sophisticated yet comfortable space and large, flexible private event space inspired by 1970s Bollywood. The re-imagined dining room features a wall of giant sliding glass doors that allow the indoor dining space to transform into an extension of the terrace.