By Slate Lambert

When you drive down West Broad Street near Scott’s Addition, you are lured into Lemon Cuisine of India, as the smell of curry and other spices fills the air. The restaurant, located at 3215 West Broad Street, is a staple for fans of Indian cuisine in Richmond. After being introduced to the restaurant by my father, Mike Lambert, when I was 11, I have fallen in love and become a frequent customer. The mouthwatering bursts of flavor within every dish never fail to satisfy and keep people coming back.

Lemon Cuisine of India on West Broad. Photo credit: Lemon Cuisine of India.

As you first enter the restaurant, you are immersed in Indian culture; the vibrant Indian music and the quality service make for a pleasant environment. You are never forgotten by the wait staff, often only being able to take one sip from your water before it is refilled. The service, coupled with the fast turnaround on orders, makes for a seamless experience many consumers desire. 

The best time to visit Lemon is during lunch, according to my dad, who thinks “it’s amazing all the time, but the best time to go is lunch; you get a lot more for half the price.” He is right. The lunch menu is much cheaper than the dinner menu. With each meal on the lunch menu, you receive a salad or soup, your entree, and a traditional Indian dessert. This bang for your buck special draws a good lunch crowd; however, Lemon is rarely too crowded.  

My dad is often accompanied by his good friend Mike Oristian, who adds that “Lemon’s food is terrific, and the service is quick and polite during the lunch hour rush.”

When I visit Lemon, my usual order is the chicken tikka masala (medium hot) and, of course, naan, which is Indian flatbread. As part of the lunch special, you are given the choice between soup and salad; I always get the soup. The soup I find them serving most often is a tomato bisque.

Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Mike Lambert.

Chicken tikka masala is described on the Lemon menu as “tandoori chicken tikka in an aromatic tomato-based makhani sauce finished with fresh ground spices & cream, gluten-free,” However, I would describe it as a delicacy. The smooth tomato-based sauce pairs perfectly with the naan and make cleaning your plate a breeze. 

Once you finish your entree, your table is cleared and you are brought a traditional Indian dessert. My personal favorite of these desserts is the gulab jamun, which is essentially a fried donut hole soaked in a sugary syrup. 

Lemon has somewhat of a cult following among the Richmond community, who say once you go you can’t stop coming back. One of those is Charlie Nanavati (‘23). Nanavati is part Indian and has an Indian grandfather, so he has been exposed to lots of traditional Indian food and culture. He says, “The restaurant has a very nice interior, overall a good authentic Indian experience.” He also had very strong feelings about the Mango Lassi, which he claims is “bussin’ respectfully.” 

Lemon’s interior. Photo credit: Lemon Cuisine of India.

The love for Lemon expands well beyond the student body with The Match’s very own advisor (and Upper School English teacher) Vlastik Svab enjoying the restaurant. When asked about the restaurant, Svab responded with, “I love Indian cuisine, and Lemon is one of the best in the Richmond area. The food is delicious, with just the right amount of spice.”

Lemon is Richmond’s own slice of Indian culture that has helped many, like me, learn to enjoy other cultures. This reason and, of course, the flavorful cuisine is what makes Lemon one of my favorite restaurants in town.