Photo by Kaitlyn Winston
Savory meat pies, often called samosas, are a popular dish from India to the Middle East and into Africa. During my travels, I've found some of the best samosas, oddly, in London. Richmond's don't quite live up to those — yet. But there are some tasty specimens to be found around town. You can also hit up the Festival of India ( thefestivalofindia.org ) on Sept. 29 and 30 for one-stop tasting.
Anokha
A denser crust and rich curry flavor make Anokha's veggie samosas ($5 for two) distinctive and perfect to pair with a large, ice-cold bottle of Taj Mahal beer. 4015 Lauderdale Drive, 360-8686
India K'Raja
Ground turkey fills the meat samosa ($6 for two) at one of RVA's older Indian restaurants. It's richly spiced with a crispy crust, and you can easily cut the heat with a tamarind dipping sauce (commonly referred to by Westerners as "the brown sauce"). 9051 W. Broad St., 965-6345
Jerusalem
Soft, yeasty dough makes up the preferred crust for the house pies at Jerusalem ($6 for four small pies). Fragrant beef, spinach or cheese are options for fillings, all served with a minty yogurt dipping sauce. Order extras, as these will go fast once they hit the table. 106 N. Seventh St., 771-1665
Goree
Featuring West African cuisine, Goree African Restaurant offers the largest pie, called a fataya ($5 for two). Filled with vegetables, beef or salmon, these tend to be drier with a more earthy flavor. Still, they're worth trying either in-house or to take home for a late-night snack. 1823 E. Main St., 269-5379
Indian Pastry House
A tender, flaky pastry made in-house is the hallmark of this amazing vegetable samosa. Combine it with a gentle heat in the vegetable and potato filling and the low price ($2 for two), and you have the first of many reasons to stop at this amazing little bakery. 3409 Old Parham Road, 322-5751
