A meal before a new beginning
The first time I stepped into The Verandah Kitchen, I was on the brink of a new beginning. It was the night before I moved into my freshman dorm at Hopkins — my last dinner with my family before settling into college life. My mom, dad and eight-year-old sister sat around a table in this cozy Indian restaurant. The aroma of spices wrapped around us in a familiar embrace.
That night, we feasted on basket chaat, a crispy potato nest filled with cool yogurt, sweet and spicy chutneys and crunchy toppings. The contrast of textures made every bite exciting. My sister giggled between sips of mango lassi, its sweetness a perfect counter to the fiery chili chicken my mom loved.
“Too spicy?” I asked as she frantically reached for another gulp.
She nodded, wide-eyed, as we all laughed.
Then came the paneer tikka masala — its rich, tomato-based gravy clinging to soft cubes of paneer. As we ate, we talked about my new life in college — dorm essentials, making friends, what to expect. I didn’t realize it then, but that meal, simple as it was, marked the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
A different visit, a different me
The only other time I visited Verandah Kitchen was this past weekend, two years later. Now a sophomore, college life no longer felt unfamiliar. I had my routines, my people, my own world in Baltimore. This time, I was on a date with my boyfriend. The restaurant felt the same — warm and inviting with the scent of sizzling spices — but I was different.
We started with a strawberry basil lemonade to share, bright and refreshing with layers of citrus and subtle herbal notes.
“We should’ve gotten two,” I said, stretching my straw deep into the ice for the last bits of flavor.
Then came the Amritsari fish fry — golden and crispy on the outside, flaky and tender within. Pickled onions and a squeeze of lime made every bite even better. But the real surprise was the yogurt mint chutney, which was creamy and cooling and a nod to raita. I scraped up every last bit.
The chicken karanji — small hand pies filled with delicately spiced minced chicken — were well-made but didn’t leave much of an impression. The crust was crisp, the filling warm, but the flavors lacked the boldness I expected.
The real star of the night was the chicken curry with basmati rice. One spoonful and I was transported — the thick, spiced gravy clinging to tender chicken tasted like home, like my mom’s curries on Sunday afternoons. To my delight, it was garnished with the same pickled onions I had loved from the fish. Their vinegary tang cut through the richness, adding a pop of brightness.
“My dad always makes the best pickled onions,” I said, stirring them into the sauce.
My boyfriend took a bite of the curry and immediately went in for another.
“This is incredible,” he said. “But go ahead, take all the pickled onions. I know you want them.”
I grinned, happily scooping them onto my plate.
Two visits, two very different moments in my life. Yet in both, The Verandah Kitchen offered something constant: food that felt like home.
COURTESY OF ADWITA SINHA
Read on for Sinha’s take on her favorite dishes, as well as her review of the hospitality and ambiance at Verandah Kitchen.
The space
Verandah Kitchen is located in a blue row house with a small patio at the entrance. Inside, the restaurant is compact, with limited seating and Indian-inspired decor — patterned cushions, colorful accents. The tables are set with coasters for water, and the noise level is moderate. Due to the limited seating, reservations are common.
The crowd
Unlike many Indian restaurants, the crowd wasn’t just Indian and was more diverse than expected. During happy hour, couples filled the tables, while single diners gathered at the bar. Families and groups of friends added to the lively yet relaxed vibe.
The bar
I didn’t try the alcohol, but the selection seemed varied, and the happy hour deal drew a crowd. The strawberry basil lemonade was a standout — bright, citrusy, and refreshing.
The bill
- Appetizers: $4–$16
- Entrées: $18–$25
- Drinks: $5–$40
- Desserts: $5–$8
- Portions: Moderate—not large but not too small.
- Gratuity: 20% automatically included.
What we liked
- Basket chaat – $11
- Mango lassi – $6
- Strawberry basil lemonade – $5
- Amritsari fish fry – $14
- Chicken curry with basmati rice – $21
