CHIReview
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Vajra
Included In
Currently only offering carryout and delivery
Checking out a new restaurant is a lot like going on a first date. You start sizing up the potential right away: Will it be a one-time hookup? A three month-er until you find a better option? It depends on what you’re looking for, and small details like if they’re wearing an ankle bracelet. But if you’re in the market for a new favorite Indian restaurant, Vajra in West Town could be the one.
At least that’s what you’ll start to think when you walk in. Not just because it looks nice and smells good, though both of these things are true. It’s because Vajra just has great energy. It’s busy and upbeat, and everyone seems to be having a good time. All of that’s definitely promising, but the main reason to see a future with this place is because of the delicious food.
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Like any good long-term relationship, Vajra keeps things fresh by having a menu with a sh*tload of variety. You’ll find a reliable favorite like tikka masala (the equivalent to watching Netflix on the couch together), along with a lobster Malabar curry that’s more fancy-dinner-where-you-decide-to-actually-valet. There are casual street foods like samosa chaat (crushed samosa mixed with yogurt, chutneys, sev, papadum, and pomegranate seeds), and less common things like tandoori venison and gruyere-filled naan. Vajra is the right balance between predictable and interesting - which ultimately is what we want out of any partnership potentially involving a shared streaming account.
Great cocktails also make this place an LTR contender, and your server will help you decide by letting you know things like the smoke-infused soju cocktail complements the toasted spices in the Madras curry. But similar to what you discovered during that summer dating the architectural tour guide, nothing is perfect. A meal here gets expensive (entrees aren’t huge and range from $15 -$35). And sometimes the curries are missing the heat we’re looking for. But when you’re in the mood for more spice, you can have a casual fling with take-out from The Spice Room. Vajra won’t care.
Like finding out that your date volunteers at The Anti-Cruelty Society and hates Tom Hanks movies as much as you do, we find another layer to appreciate every time we go to Vajra. It might be getting paneer-stuffed bell peppers instead of tandoori mahi-mahi one visit, a new great cocktail the next, or the overall realization that no matter what we order, we always really like being there. Which, ultimately, is all we’re really looking for.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Samosa Chaat
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Heritage Goat
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Lobster Malabar Curry
Tikka Masala
Madras Curry
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Cashew Shahi Korma
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Baingan Bharta
First Class Momo Cha
photo credit: Sandy Noto