The owner of Short Pump's acclaimed Lehja restaurant is expanding into Chesterfield County, with Sunny Baweja preparing to open Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine at Westchester Commons in Midlothian. The new spot will focus on cuisine from the Punjab region of northern India, according to Richmond BizSense, and carry a sizable wine list of its own, though not quite on the scale of its sister restaurant.
Baweja leased a 2,400-square-foot end-cap space at 15816 WC Main St., a storefront previously occupied by a Rusty Taco location, according to Richmond BizSense. Tashan, which translates to “swag” from Hindi, will be a sister restaurant to Lehja, with menu details still being worked out. Baweja said he's offering lunch and dinner at the new spot, and that Lehja will remain open as usual.
From Short Pump Favorite To A Second Location
Baweja opened Lehja in Short Pump Town Center back in 2010, after working in the restaurant industry for about a decade. Over the years, the Indian spot grew to have a dedicated local following and picked up a handful of James Beard Award nominations, per WTVR.
Baweja had actually considered opening a second restaurant before the COVID-19 pandemic ended those plans. He said opening a second restaurant has been a challenge, and that he waits until he feels an area truly needs and demands a given concept before pulling the trigger. Part of what pushed him toward Midlothian, as reported by Richmond BizSense, was watching customers from neighborhoods like Hallsley and Salisbury constantly order delivery from Lehja during the pandemic.
A Smaller Wine List, But Still A Priority
Tashan is planned to carry a sizable wine menu of its own, though the report notes it won't be as extensive as the one at Lehja, which counts hundreds of bottles in its cellar. Baweja said he's pushing to have Tashan open sometime this fall. Alex Wotring, David Crawford and Kevin South represented the landlord, while Trey Blankinship of Segall Group represented Baweja, according to the same report.
A Grace Street Building Still Looking For Tenants
Baweja and Lehja business partner Ashok Arora are also sitting on a separate property: a restaurant building near VCU that the pair purchased last year. Richmond BizSense previously reported that the two bought the building at 415 W. Grace St. for $950,000. Rather than planning a concept of their own there, the duo is in continuing discussions with prospective tenants, with the space currently available for lease.
