The Indian subcontinent is a giant piece of naan that drifted slowly through the ocean before slamming its flavors into Eurasia. Align your face's tectonic plates to give the continent a nibble in return with today's deal: for $12, you get $25 worth of Indian fare and drinks at Royal India Cuisine, located near the corner of Ninth Street and J Street downtown. Today's Groupon cannot be used for the lunch buffet.

The pots-and-pans pilots in Royal India's kitchen skillfully mix savory spices and fresh ingredients to concoct authentic Indian dishes that burst with flavor and variety. Launch your taste buds' trip to India by pitching a tent of garlic naan ($2.25) over a toasty sleeping bag of veggie samosa, stuffed with potatoes and princess-identifying peas ($3.50). A cavalcade of delectable curries like the rogan josh (lamb curry, $12.95) and the boneless-chicken murgh curry ($11.95) are a boon for touring tongues, while specialized seafaring folk can sailor-dive into the tandoori prawns ($14.95). Delicate seasonings adorn the creamed lentil of each dal makhni ($8.25), a prudent choice for leaf-lusters.

Warm butter-cream walls encase Royal India Cuisine's elegant dining room, where black-linen-cloaked tables offset scarlet-fanned napkins, brilliantly saturated sustenance, and responsibly flossed smiles. An attentive staff weaves through the tables to make sure that everyone feels as taken care of as a stork on Mother's Day.

Reviews

Royal India Cuisine has a four-star average from Yelpers, and 88% of nine Urbanspooners like it:

• I live in the Bay Area where there is an Indian Restaurant every other block... I'm no expert, but this was some of The Best Indian food i have EVER had! – phoeniX C., Yelp
• One thing i look for is spice in my food. I definitely found it at this place in of their dishes.. along with a side of hot paste special request. I am a fan now and wouldnt mind returning to this place if i was ever in the area again with a craving for indian food. – Chris D., Yelp