Lazeez brings modern, upscale Indian dining to Charlottesville's Downtown Mall (2024)

Puneet Kaushal wants you to know that not all Indian food has to be spicy, at least not all of his.

“Most people have the perspective in mind that when it comes to Indian food, they say it’s too spicy. This is not that. It’s about how you handle your spices and how you balance them properly,” Kaushal told The Daily Progress. “I know I cannot change all the perspectives, but I can at least try from my end.”

Diners will be able to put Kaushal’s skills to the test at Lazeez, his new restaurant on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, which opened its doors Friday night.

Lazeez, Hindi for “delicious” or “delightful,” is operating out of the former Red Pump Kitchen managed by the folks behind Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards until it shuttering at the end of January after struggling through the pandemic years. Red Pump Kitchen was known for its high-end Mediterranean and Italian offerings, and up until last week, Kaushal said the space at 401 E. Main St. was going to follow in Red Pump Kitchen’s footsteps with a focus on Italian dishes.

Kaushal, along with his business partner Goda Gurung, started the first Lazeez location in Richmond more than two years ago. They had their eyes on expanding into the Charlottesville market, but with “Terra,” more of an Italian-inspired steakhouse with a menu featuring broiled filet mignon and fettuccine alfredo.

The restaurant was set to open as Terra last week, until the two chefs began receiving feedback from residents and businesses that there was Italian food to spare in Charlottesville and the market for upscale, authentic Indian cuisine offered more potential.

“Somebody advised us, ‘Why not do the thing you already have? It’s going so well there, people love it,’” said Kaushal. “So we went ahead with Lazeez.”

“In this industry, we do what the people want you to do, so that’s why we changed it,” he added with a laugh.

Currently, there is one other Indian-style eatery downtown, Himalayan Fusion, just a couple blocks away from Lazeez. But that might not be the case for long.

Lazeez could soon have a monopoly on the downtown Indian market, seeing as Himalayan Fusion is up for sale, according to business broker Stu Rifkin, who told The Daily Progress Lazeez “has every chance of being successful” on the Mall.

Kaushal’s willingness to cater to the public’s palate is evident throughout Lazeez’s menu. The culinary array boasts both familiar Indian platters, such as biryanis, curries and chicken tikka masala, as well as dishes with more of a “modern flair” inspired by the head chef’s time spent cooking for hotels and cruise lines.

One of these creative entrées is the “Fragile Cashew Malai Kebab,” which Kaushal crafted years ago for his wife, also a chef, when they first began dating while working for Carnival Cruise Line. His wife hails from South America and long “hated” Indian food, according to Kaushal, but grew to love his unique takes on traditional Indian recipes.

“We have our own style of cooking here. We use the basic roots of the food,” said Kaushal. “We make sure it’s Indian food, but at the same time it’s modern, it’s some new things. I love presentations.”

Kaushal said he is looking forward to starting out as Lazeez’s head chef in Charlottesville, cooking some of his favorite items on the menu, including ghee lamb chops, chili garlic naan and tandoori chicken, which is made in the kitchen’s tandoor, a clay oven.

The Charlottesville Lazeez is smaller than its Richmond counterpart, with a little over 5,000 square feet. But Kaushal has worked to make the new space impressive, with updated hardwood floors, paint and kitchen equipment.

After opening its doors on Friday, the restaurant plans to provide only dinner service for the first week before extending its hours to include lunch from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the weekends. Lazeez will also have a full-service bar in the upcoming weeks once it receives an ABC license, though Kaushal said he is still in need of bartenders and servers.

The Charlottesville location may just be the beginning of the Lazeez franchise. Kaushal said he and his business partner have already discussed bringing their take on Indian cuisine to Virginia Beach and, possibly, Southwest Virginia.