Zaika, Arlington

Vibrant murals—swirling with reds, blues, and yellows—blanket the walls and ceiling, plush banquettes flank glass coffee tables in an upscale bar area, and alternating mocha- and tan-hued wood panels cover the floor. The overt beauty of the upscale dining area is showcased on a smaller scale in golden cubes of housemade cheese that bob amid a pool of creamy tomato sauce in Tandoori Nights’ paneer makhani dish. Fresh out of a clay oven, a whole red snapper pops against the backdrop of its white plate. These Zagat-rated dishes (very good to excellent), along with chicken curries and rice speckled with dry fruits, flaunt bright hues worthy of the ubiquitous vivacity of the restaurant's decor and a peacock strutting down a catwalk.

Zaika (formerly Tandoori Nights) is part of the Indaze Group, which owns a few area restaurants. Anil Miglani started the group to spread goodwill through culinary adventures, and he calls upon his family's extensive background in the New Delhi restaurant scene to achieve that vision. However, Miglani's toolkit boasts more than just culinary utensils. He earned a master's degree in architecture in Oklahoma and cultivated a career in design before entering the cuisine business. It wouldn't be a stretch to call Tandoori Nights the exquisite fruition of Miglani's two passions.