Anokha: A Little Indian Genius In Short Pump
Starting with dinner and rounding out several lunch visits, I have yet to have a bad meal at Anokha. Settled into the Shoppes at Westgate, the joint’s exterior is less than welcoming. Its entrance reminds me a bit of a CVS Pharmacy.
Once inside, the interior is a bit bar-pick-up-jointy. While all this may add some cheesiness to the dining experience, the food is spectacular.
If you are there for dinner, go with the lasooni ghobi for an appetizer. Delightful gems of cauliflower (I know, many people find cauliflower to be “scary”) in a light tomato garlic sauce make a fantastic entrance. Typically, the majority of lasooni/lasuni are garlic-based. However, Anokha adds a bit of acid by virtue of tomato to their take on gobi excellence. I loved the samosas (potato and pea fritters) and the potato kebab, but the ghobi just outshone the others.
For your entrees, I would be remiss not to suggest the tandoor chicken tikka. Smelling slightly smoky (most likely a result of its clay oven cooking), it is tender, a smidgen spicy and irresistibly succulent. Another dish not be missed is the channa masala (for you vegetarians). Large pieces of potatoes and a healthy addition of chickpeas covered in a creamy punjabi sauce, this is exceeding similar to an aloo chole (a common Indian street food). The punjabi sauce consists of a zippy mixture of tomato, butter, yogurt and a hint of cream. Served with a fragrant rice, you end up with a dish both hearty and comforting.
For lunch, do not expect a typical (all the yellow food in stainless steel) buffet Indian place. This is a delicious sit-down Indian lunch place. You can get the above tandoor chicken; delicious and a hefty portion. Or, you could go in another direction and get the aloo ghobi (again, with the cauliflower). Heavy-handed with the curry, the potato and cauliflower mixture is spectacular. A little lighter on the tumeric than other richmond versions of this dish, it also is creamier (and not so mustardy colored). With some spice, it is delicious every time I go to Anokha.
A couple of other suggestions for when you head over to get your Indian on are to definitely get some naan. Any variation they offer is lovely. I prefer the uncovered “plain”. Get extra. If they have a special soup, get it. If it includes lentils, get it to eat there and then get some to go (get some naan to-go as well).
Loading ...
I agree with this review. Anokha has great food and reasonably priced. Their lunch is a great price in a nice atmosphere.
My husband and I love Anokha's food. Their food is consistently delicious! We've dined here for lunch, dinner and have placed orders to go. Out of town guests now come back and ask for Anokha! Lunch is a good value with salad, naan, your main dish and dessert. My favorite item on the lunch menu is the chicken patia. My husband and eight year old daughter love the chicken tikka masala.
I agree with everything as well. I think their food is the best Indian food I've had in Richmond. I think that the atmosphere is rather quaint; it doesn't remind me, as the reviewer said, of a "CVS" at all! The only complaint I would make is that the place is very small, and that my fiance and I were seated literally right next to another couple. The table was a tiny two top.
I have to add my commendation for Anokha after having had lunch there yesterday for the first time. I thought it was beautiful inside with relaxing music playing — a quiet little oasis in the middle of Short Pump's hustle and bustle. I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, and my friend had the Tandoori Platter. Both came with soup or salad, bread (naan), Basmati rice, a side dish (lentils), and dessert. Our total bill for lunch was only $21, which is a great value for a sit-down restaurant that offered a complete meal. It was our first experience with Indian cuisine, and we will definitely go back. Loved it!
My experience was fantastic. Definitely some of the best Indian food I have tasted. My wife had palak paneer (spinach and cheese), which was exquisite. Delightfully, creamy with a mild curry flavor. I had the lamb rogan josh. The flavors were amazing–a complex juxtaposition of lamb, kashmiri mirch, and other typical spices. n nAs for the decor, I thought it was a breath of fresh air. The bold colors and dark woods balanced the white linens beautifully, to create a modern and elegant but relaxed dining experience. What came to mind in the presentation and ambiance is Indian haute-cuisine. n nI would definitely go again.