Lehja owner Baweja opens new restaurant concept in Midlothian
TL;DR: Sunny Baweja, owner of the acclaimed Lehja restaurant in Short Pump, is opening Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine in Midlothian this fall, focusing on cuisine from India's Punjab region.
Quick facts
- Who: Sunny Baweja, owner of Lehja restaurant; business partner Ashok Arora
- What: Opening Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine, a new Indian restaurant concept focused on Punjab cuisine
- When: Fall 2026
- Where: Westchester Commons, 15816 WC Main Street, Midlothian
The story
Sunny Baweja, owner of Lehja restaurant in Short Pump Town Center, is bringing a new Indian restaurant concept to Midlothian. Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine will occupy a 2,400-square-foot end cap at Westchester Commons in Midlothian, in the space previously held by Rusty Taco. The restaurant will focus on cuisine from the Punjab region of northern India and will offer both lunch and dinner service, targeting a fall 2026 opening.
Baweja has more than a decade of experience in the restaurant industry before opening Lehja in 2010. Lehja, known for its Indian cuisine and extensive wine cellar with hundreds of bottles, has developed a loyal local following and has received James Beard Award nominations. She operates the restaurant alongside business partner Ashok Arora, with whom she also purchased a Grace Street restaurant building near VCU in 2025 that is available for lease.
In discussing her approach to expanding her restaurant portfolio, Baweja outlined a deliberate philosophy about opening new locations. "To me, opening a restaurant, it's not just having a place. You need to have a reason why. It should have a theme behind it, and the area should need it and demand it. It should have its own soul. Until I feel it, I can't just open (one)," she said. This reflects her emphasis that a successful restaurant requires more than securing a location—it demands a compelling concept rooted in community needs and distinct identity.
Key players
- Sunny Baweja: Owner of Lehja restaurant in Short Pump; founder of new Tashan concept in Midlothian
- Ashok Arora: Business partner
Key dates
- Fall 2026: Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine targeted opening
Why it matters: The addition of Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine will expand dining options in Midlothian and bring the expertise of an established, locally recognized restaurant operator to the Westchester Commons area.
Places
Development timeline
- 2010Lehja opens in Short Pump Town Center: Sunny Baweja opens Lehja restaurant with Indian cuisine, extensive wine cellar, eventually earning James Beard Award nominations [source]
- 2025Baweja and Arora purchase Grace Street building: Sunny Baweja and business partner Ashok Arora purchase a restaurant building near VCU on Grace Street, made available for lease to prospective tenants [source]
- Fall 2026Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine opens: Tashan Indian Kitchen & Wine, focusing on Punjab region cuisine, targets opening in Midlothian's Westchester Commons with both lunch and dinner service [source]
Related links
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