Lehja

Whenever I tell people Lehja is my favorite Richmond Indian restaurant, their response is usually “what’s that?” Perhaps it’s because it’s out in the distant land of Short Pump. Most people think about The Boathouse or…shudder…The Cheesecake Factory when they think of the open-air mall.

Nothing against Cheesecake Factory, but Lehja is the GOAT. Dim lighting, beaded curtains, and vintage Bollywood posters set the scene—as does the fragrant aroma of spices. I usually ride solo when I eat there, so I opt to eat at the bar. They’re known for their extensive wine selection, though I’m not big on wine so I ordered their chai which was flavorful, spicy, and comforting.

There are several great appetizers on the menu. You can’t go wrong with the Chaat Du Jour or the Coconut Curry Scallops. When it comes to your entree, I highly suggest ordering one of their more inventive contemporary dishes. You can get butter chicken or biryani at basically any Indian restaurant, right? I love their Duck à la Pondicherry, a spicy pulled duck dish, and their Paneer-Asparagus Lazzatdar, an incredibly vibrant curry dish with asparagus and cubes of paneer cheese. The menu is a bit on the pricier side, but nothing crazy, especially when you take into account how large the portions are. I’ll probably be eating the rest of that paneer-asparagus dish for the next week. There are plenty of great dishes under $20 on the menu, so it’s very possible to have a nice meal there without breaking the bank.

I had a bit of my entree, and then got the rest packed up. I always leave room for dessert. That came in the form of pistachio kulfi, which is like ice cream but denser and creamier. It was so refreshing after curry, and the flavors of pistachio and cardamom were subtle and delicious.

It’s probably a good thing Lehja is tucked away in Short Pump. If it was any closer, I’d spend way too much of my money there ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗