Diners who heed the adage "Don't judge a book by its cover" will be pleased with what they find behind the curtained door of House of India. In a strip mall on Snowden River Parkway, Columbia's newest Indian restaurant offers more than you might expect from its location.
Owners Naresh Khatri, Ranjeet Singh, Avtar Singh and Nirvail Singh (no relation) purchased the space formerly occupied by Kong's Chinese Restaurant in June.
"We had to remodel the whole restaurant," said Ranjeet Singh.
The new space includes an enlarged dining room and expanded kitchen. The dining room seats 55 and is decorated in soothing shades of green with dark wood accents. Ranjeet Singh said that the remodeling project ran right up until the day before the restaurant opened Sept. 15.
Ranjeet Singh is originally from Punjab, India. He said that all of the partners emigrated to the United States about 14 years ago. He owns another Indian restaurant, Kebab and Curry, in Reading, Pa.
Ranjeet Singh met Avtar Singh and Nirvail Singh in 1989 when all three men worked for an Indian restaurant in Morristown, N.J. Ranjeet Singh became acquainted with Naresh Khatri while both worked at Akbar Restaurant in Columbia.
House of India features a lunch buffet, seven days a week. During the week, the buffet includes four vegetarian entrees, two chicken dishes, Pulawo rice, soup, bread, dessert and a variety of condiments. On the weekend, the buffet is expanded to include lamb dishes and more desserts. The buffet costs $7.95, Monday through Friday and $8.95 on the weekend.
Ranjeet Singh said the buffet makes it possible for office workers to get a quick lunch and is a good introduction to Indian cuisine for the uninitiated. "People like to try a variety of Indian dishes," he said.
Many of the entrees, as well as a few of the restaurant's nine different types of bread, are prepared in a Tandoor - or clay oven, fired by charcoal.
Although the restaurant does not have a liquor license, diners are welcome to bring their own beer, wine or liquor.
House of India
Where: 9350 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia; 410-381-3844.
Hours: Lunch, 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; dinner, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Prices: Appetizers, $3.50 to $8.95; entrees, $7.95 to $29.95.
Credit cards: All major credit cards accepted.
