By Serena Brown
Richmond is the capital of Virginia and attracts five million visitors each year. What draws tourists is the variety and abundance of things to see and do. The Lewis Ginter Botanica Garden has more than 50 acres of gardens for plant and flower lovers. Animal lovers will find the Metro Richmond Zoo appealing, especially when they take in the aerial views while riding the Safari Sky ride and carousel lift. All the sightseeing will make you hungry. You can satisfy your taste buds with a trip to one of Richmond's Indian restaurants.
India K'Raja
India K'Raja opened in Richmond in 1995, and was voted one of the area's best restaurants in 2003 through 2005, and 2008. Menu items on the lunch buffet include mango soup, vegetable pakora, chicken jalfrezi and goat curry. Dinner items include appetizers such as tandoori shrimp, salads, soups and entrees such as lamb rangeela and coconut shrimp noodles. India K'Raja's beverage selection includes sodas, non-alcoholic drinks such as a mango milkshake, Indian and domestic beer and wine. It also serves exotic drinks such as a rum and almond mixture known as Himalayan Breeze. India K'Raja is open seven days a week and accepts major credit cards but not personal checks. The restaurant delivers and caters. It is near attractions such as the Meadow Farm Museum where you can see costumed interpreters show what life was like when the farm was operational in the 1860's.
India K'Raja
9051 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23294
(804) 965-6345
indiakraja.com
Farouk's House of India
Farouk's House of India has been serving Northwest Indian cuisine to diners in Richmond for more than 30 years. They serve appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and vegetable meals. You can try the vegetarian aloo gobi which is made with potatoes and cauliflower, but for more spice you might get the very hot vindaloo which is made with a special sauce. This dish can be prepared with just vegetables, shrimp or meat. Finish your meal with a tasty Indian dessert like mango kulfi which is ice cream with almonds, mango pulp, rose flavoring and pistachio. The restaurant is open seven days a week, includes a lunch buffet and will cater. While in the area, check out the Three Lakes Nature Center to see regional reptiles, fish and amphibians.
Farouk's House of India
3033 W. Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 355-0378
faroukshouseofindia.com
Malabar Indian Cuisine
Malabar Indian Cuisine serves a variety of dishes from different regions of India. Southern Indian vegetable dishes include masala dosas which has spiced potatoes and curry leaves. North Indian dishes include palak paneer which is spinach cooked with chunks of cheese. The restaurant offers a variety of beverages including domestic and Indian beer, and wine from South African, South America and New Zealand. Malabar Indian Cuisine will be a nice place to eat after a visit to the Maymont Nature and Visitor Center where you can see wildlife, gardens and nature exhibits.
Malabar Indian Cuisine
3456 Lauderdale Drive
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 364-7077
malabarindiancuisine.com
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About the Author:
Serena Brown is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in communication. She has more than 17 years experience and has written for the MS Press newspaper and a variety of private clients.
