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Merzi is now open. Think Chipotle with good, fast Indian food. The Penn Quarter restaurant sits at 415 7th street, NW.

Think Chipotle… but Indian food instead of Mexican. In fact, Merzi Founder and CEO Kaz even compared his vision to that of Chipotle’s, but his goals are quite lofty in that he hopes Merzi will make Indian food accessible to the masses and

A delicious addition has been made to the Washington restaurant scene.Merzi, in Penn Quarter is open for business offering a convenient, healthy and tasty choice of Indian inspired food.

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A whiff of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, and your nose knows it’s Christmastime. So, be sure to spice up your holiday meals, advises Qaiser “Kaz” Kazmi, the CEO and dish designer at Merzi (415 7th St. NW), a new Indian-influenced Penn Quarter restaurant

As an American, I like having choices. Isn’t what this country is built on? And that, my friends, is why Merzi, the new Indian joint in Penn Quarter, is brilliant.

Merzi is a revolutionary new take on Indian food: simple plates bursting with brilliant flavors. Merzi, which means “choice” in Hindi, offers new interpretations of classic Indian dishes in a contemporary setting. The food is healthy and fresh, to order is effortless, and the taste, inspired. Experience a food revolution at Merzi this month!

Last Tuesday the new fast casual Indian food concept Merzi opened doors. With an estimated 350 customers the first day the restaurant sold out of food well before I dropped by at 7pm to give it a try.

Merzi, which means “choice” in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi, stays true to its name. Guests can pick and choose what they want with their oven-baked naan or basmati rice, for around $8 a meal. Think Chipotle.

At a preview dinner Tuesday night, the similarities to Chipotle were striking. As you enter Merzi, on the far wall is a placard that lists four bases: oven-baked naan roll, rice bowl, chaat, and salad – the Indian versions of Chipotle’s base orders: fajita, burrito fajita, burrito bowl, taco, and salad.