Merzi, Merzi Me !
I had about an hour to kill before the play at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in the Penn Quarter district of DC was to begin. I was starving, but knew I wouldn’t have time for a “sit-down” meal. I also knew that I was tired of fast food and figured I’d probably have to settle for a sandwich somewhere.
Turning the corner onto 7th Street, I only had to walk a few yards before noticing a sign that said “Merzi.” I thought, “What is this, some kind of French/Italian fusion?” A closer look at the window menu showed that I had stumbled upon the perfect place for my needs (good food, served quickly, but not “fast” food). Indian “inspired” cuisine. Healthy, wholesome , fast and relatively cheap—I’m in!
“Merzi” means “Choice”, according to the website. I hope they won’t be offended by my comparison to Chipotle, but it is very much the same idea. You start at one end of the counter with a “base.” I chose Naan bread for mine, which was put into the bottom of a bowl. From there, you add potatoes and chick peas and stuff. If you’re a meat eater like me, you move on to your choice of chicken, lamb, shrimp or beef. I chose beef—the only non-Indian part of my meal, and then topped it off with a mild sauce and yogurt. Add Samosas for 1.99 and you’re all set. If you’re counting calories, they have a quick and easy way to calculate and, once again, choose, how low you wanna go.
The food was absolutely delicious. I’m a weenie when it comes to spiciness, so I was happy to see choices for different levels of spice. The meat was tender and flavorful, the diced potatoes provided a good texture and the portion was hearty. There was no line when I entered, so my entire trip from line to table was just minutes. A nice window seat provided ample people-watching opportunities while eating.
The only disappointment was a “Mango Fantango” drink, made from mangoes and hormone free milk. It looked beautiful in the cooler, but was rather bland—tasting much more like milk than mango. A minor quibble, over all.
I’ve decided to make Merzi my regular stop when I’m in the area—no matter how much time I have to spare.
For a look at their menu and more details, visit: http://www.merzi.com
Have Merzi. Often.