Featured: Jalsa Indian Kitchen

Update: Soft opening will be Thursday, July 11!

A new Indian restaurant is about to open in Somerdale that is unlike any other Indian restaurant in South Jersey. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of great Indian restaurants in our region, however, this one will stand out for its incredible fine dining offering – modern Indian food, incredible decor, and an immersion into Indian culture like nowhere else. It’s a feast for the eyes as much as the palate!

Jalsa Indian Restaurant is located at 711 Evesham Road, Suite #12 in the CooperTowne Shopping Center, near the Cinemark movie theater just off the White Horse Pike with parking for over 2000 cars. You can enjoy movies and Indian dinner. An opening date has not been firmly set, but it will be sometime in July.

The Jalsa experience will be the ultimate sensory exploration. The interior with its striking colors, textures, and visuals will provide a stimulating dining experience unlike anywhere else.

Everywhere you look, you will be rewarded with something unique and interesting to look at – from the 25-foot-wide digital screen (such as you would see in New York’s Times Square) on the wall, to the custom Rajasthani chandeliers imported from India to the huge murals on the walls – it’s truly astonishing how much thought went into every detail of this stunning restaurant. So much eye candy!

Huge wooden wall decorations imported and crafted by local artists in India, can be seen throughout. Even restrooms have a royal chandelier and cultural touch in every corner!

They wanted to create a space unlike anywhere else that provides an unforgettable, highly curated dining experience. When you dine at Jalsa, you will feel like you are instantly transported to India. The restaurant itself is quite large – over 7,600 square feet! The Hi-Tech commercial kitchen alone is over 2,000 square feet, including an air conditioning system built inside the kitchen hood for the comfort of the chefs.

They spared no expense in making sure that the restaurant is not only visually dazzling in the front of the house, but the back of house runs at maximum smoothness, for the best possible experience. The innovative refrigeration system is one of the most elaborately designed I have ever seen in a commercial kitchen; the detailed organization of ingredients will ensure ease of inventory and proper usage. The attention to detail here is beyond impressive!

The restaurant, which seats up to 100 people in the front of the building, will be open for lunch and dinner. It will also be available to rent for private parties or corporate events for up to 115 people in a separate “Taj Mahal Room” at the rear. The latter will have all the technology to accommodate any needs, too, including a PA system, another very large TV, and customizable lighting. A soundproof partition wall can divide the party room.

Executive chefs from Mumbai, Dubai and Delhi will offer “new Indian” cuisine featuring modern interpretations of classic Indian dishes. While the menu is still being finalized, rest assured there will be something for everyone to enjoy based on various tastes and preferences. But here is a preview of what will be offered on the menu:

• Tender lamb chops seared in a clay oven, marinated with red chili and sprinkled with garam masala, a special Rogan Josh seasoning glaze, and paired with pickled Sirka onions, slow roasted sesame baby potatoes, and a mint and pomegranate dip.
• Tandoori Paneer Tikka, made by marinating paneer Indian cheese in a blend of seasonings and yogurt, then roasting it to perfection in a tandoor. The marinade ingredients include cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper and garam masala. Served hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
• Delhi-style Chicken Curry, made with tender boneless chicken stewed in a tomato-based sauce seasoned with aromatic curry powder spices and flavors are a delight to the senses. Delicious with fresh naan and basmati rice.

In summary, this new Indian restaurant in South Jersey will be a captivating celebration of the vibrant culture of India. Fine Indian cuisine combined with a magnificent contemporary dining space, will inspire you to return again and again to Jalsa.

The website is currently under construction, but all will be revealed soon, including the final menu, reservation system, and other information. The photos in this article are meant to tease and entice, but many more details and photos will be release prior to opening.

Don’t be surprised to see this restaurant on “Best of” lists in the future. Stay tuned for the opening date. You will not want to miss going to this Indian restaurant!