Lehja's new Chesterfield sibling brings Punjabi flair to town
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Tashan should open this month. Image: Courtesy of Tashan
The owner of Lehja — one of Richmond's most acclaimed Indian restaurants — is opening a second spot, this time in Midlothian.
Why it matters: Chesterfield residents are in for a treat when Tashan Indian Kitchen opens, hopefully this month, owner Sunny Baweja tells Axios.
State of play: Baweja is preparing to open Tashan in the former Rusty Taco space in Westchester Commons, pending final inspections.
- Think of Tashan, which means "swag" in Punjabi, as Lehja's younger sibling, Baweja says, sharing about 65% to 70% of its menu but with a personality all its own.
- While Lehja serves cuisines from across India, Tashan will lean more heavily into dishes from Punjab, Baweja's home state.
On the menu: More chaats (Indian street-food snacks), Punjabi specialties and a few dishes you won't find at Lehja.
- Among them: Gosht Beliram, a goat dish named for the legendary royal chef of 19th-century Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Baweja says Tashan will be the only restaurant in North America serving it.
- Plus: Punjabi-style rara chicken curry and some street-food appetizers with Amul, a popular Indian cheese brand.
- To drink: A curated wine list of 70 to 100 bottles, plus beer and cocktails.
Fun fact: Baweja's 20-year-old son, Aryan, a VCU student, took the lead on designing the restaurant's interior.
- "He designed pretty much everything on his own," Baweja tells Axios.
The bottom line: More Indian food, more wine and a little more swag is coming to Chesterfield.