FAQs

Hush – Where supper and storytelling meet

The Washington, DC restaurant scene sorely lacks the kind of authentic, filling, and unique meals that only home kitchens can provide. Hush wants to add spice, both literally and figuratively, to your DC dining experience. So I have opened my home to hungry, adventurous mouths. I will cook up Indian vegetarian meals, made from family recipes with generations of flavor. The meal will follow the religious food rules of the Jains. My mother is my guru and guide. The menus will vary by season, but you will not find most dishes in any restaurant.

But Hush is about more than home cooking. With every meal, I will tell the tale of its origins. This includes a tour of the typical Indian masala dabba (spice box), any religious or cultural history of the meal, and a special tasting of raw ingredients. I will even show you the art of eating with your hands.

At Hush, the cook and the company are not separated by a kitchen door. Questions are encouraged and sampling and peeking are allowed.

LOCATION

Hush is located a few blocks from U Street in northwest DC. There is limited street parking in front of the home, and the U Street/Cardozo metro is a short 5 minute walk away. Exact address, directions and menu will be emailed the morning of the supper.

THE MEAL

The food is predominately from the northwestern state of Gujarat. The religious food rules of the Jains will be observed in most dishes. All meals are vegetarian but include yogurt, milk and ghee (clarified butter). Yogurt, milk, ghee and most vegetables will be organic and local produce will be purchased when available. Hush uses the freshest ingredients possible. Please see the menu page for a full list, but each meal will include a cocktail, appetizers with chutney, two to three vegetables with bread, rice and dal, dessert, and masala chai. Wine and beer are BYOB.

THE DINERS

Hush seating is like a Hush meal – family style. There is a large table in the dining room that seats 12. Whether out with friends, on a date, alone on a Saturday night or traveling from a faraway land, please join us at the social table. As a guest said recently, “I arrived a stranger and left feeling like family.”

RESERVATIONS and DONATION

To make a reservation, go to Reserve and fill out a questionnaire for EACH member of your party.

Donations are cash only. Envelopes with each diner’s name will be passed around at the end of each meal. Minimum donation is $75.

STORYTELLING

Between courses, I will begin the storytelling with a Spice Tour of my masala dabba and a brief history, including meal origins, a story about my family, or religious significance of a particular dish. I end with Playing with Food, where several ingredients from the meal are offered for touching, tasting, and sniffing.

Fellow diners are invited to tell their own stories about meals, family history, or whatever they feel like sharing.