Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine
Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine offers authentic Indian food. Photo by Jessa Pease.
Vijay Peter wanted to give people more than just good food in his restaurant. He wanted to share a cultural experience with them.
You can’t help but take in the strong smells of garlic and curry sauce within the bright green walls at Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine. They make you feel close to the heart of India, even though the restaurant is right off U.S. 280.
Bay Leaf’s menu has something for everyone, from people who have never tried Indian food to those who grew up in the country. For novices, Peter suggests Chicken Tikka Masala, chicken roasted in a clay oven and then folded into a creamy sauce, or Tandoori Chicken, which is marinated in yogurt and spices then grilled in a clay oven. For those more familiar with the fare, Goat Kadahi Halal Meat, goat cooked in fried onion sauce, bell peppers and spices, could be the perfect dish. The restaurant also offers Indian culinary staples such as naan, teardrop-shaped bread cooked in a clay oven, and chicken curry.
Indian food has a unique taste because of the heavy use of spices mixed with creamy sauces. Many dishes are cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor, and a variety of different meats are used, including goat, lamb and chicken.
Peter was very familiar with Indian cuisine by the time he opened Bay Leaf. He worked in the restaurant business for eight years, managing different restaurants before he decided that it was time to begin working for himself. He opened Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine early this year.
When choosing a location for the restaurant, Peter knew he wanted to be in an area where people were interested in trying Indian food. The 280 corridor proved to be perfect place.
“People here are open to multicultural cuisine,” he said. “People want to learn new things, and I like to introduce Indian culture and cuisine to them.”
Peter has big plans for the future of his business.
“We want to grow and serve more authentic food with a different variety,” he said. He also plans on expanding the catering side of Bay Leaf.
Bay Leaf plans not to lose the heart of their business through growth, though. The employees and owners plan to continue to help their customers learn more about Indian culture, whether it’s through the food, service or atmosphere.
