Beyond Butter Chicken: Why Rutba’s Arrival in Chesterfield Feels Like More Than Just Another Restaurant Opening

Veteran Richmond restaurateurs Jassi Singh and Charanjeet Ghotra, renowned for Short Pump’s Anokha, have opened Rutba Indian Kitchen in Chesterfield’s Midlothian Village Square. This marks their deliberate first expansion into the county, leveraging decades of experience since starting in New York and Virginia Beach in the 1990s. Rutba reflects lessons from their successful Charlottesville spot, Kanak, featuring popular dishes like butter chicken alongside unique creations such as beetroot vegetarian kofta and paneer-stuffed bhatura bread.

Their proven, patient approach—only opening new ventures like this converted former Wendy’s once existing restaurants are stable—signals confidence in Chesterfield’s market. Offering a full sit-down experience with cocktails and entrees from $17-$25, Rutba transforms a fast-food site into a destination for thoughtful Indian cuisine. It significantly elevates local dining options, providing authentic, owner-driven flavors previously requiring a longer drive. This opening underscores the growing demand for sophisticated, non-chain ethnic dining experiences directly within Chesterfield’s evolving suburban landscape.

The transformation is striking: where drive-thru speakers once crackled with fast-food orders, the aroma of toasted cumin, ginger, and simmering spices now drifts from Rutba Indian Kitchen in Chesterfield’s Midlothian Village Square. This isn’t just a new Indian restaurant; it’s the carefully considered next chapter from the seasoned team behind Short Pump’s beloved Anokha. 

From Short Pump Staple to Chesterfield Charm 

Jassi Singh and Charanjeet Ghotra, names familiar to Richmond diners through their successful Anokha Unique Cuisine of India (open since 2008), quietly opened Rutba last month. Their journey, however, stretches back decades – cutting their teeth in New York and Virginia Beach kitchens in the 90s, building a mini-empire that includes two Charlottesville spots (Milan and Kanak Indian Kitchen). Rutba marks their first foray into Chesterfield, filling a 3,000-square-foot space they shrewdly acquired last year – the former shell of a Wendy’s. 

More Than Just a Replica: A Curated Culinary Experience 

While Rutba shares DNA with their Charlottesville hit, Kanak, Ghotra emphasizes it’s not a simple copy-paste. The menu carries over Kanak’s popular successes – expect impeccably executed classics like rich Butter Chicken, flaky Samosas, and succulent grilled Kebabs. But Rutba’s promise lies in showcasing the thoughtful innovation Singh and Ghotra have honed: 

• Vegetarian Depth: Dishes like Chukundari Kofta – delicate vegetarian “meatballs” crafted from earthy beetroots – challenge the notion that Indian vegetarian food is an afterthought. 

• Bread Innovation: The Paneer Bhatura exemplifies their creativity – a fluffy, deep-fried bread (bhatura) stuffed with spiced Indian cottage cheese (paneer), transforming a familiar element into a star attraction. 

• Refined Comfort: The ambiance, designed by Fultz & Singh Architects, represents a significant leap from its fast-food past. It’s a deliberate shift towards a comfortable, sit-down experience inviting diners to linger over a full cocktail menu, Indian beers, and wines alongside their meals (entrees ranging $17-$25). 

The “Why Now?” and the “Why Here?” 

What makes Rutba particularly noteworthy is the owners’ proven, deliberate approach. They aren’t franchisees chasing rapid expansion. Ghotra’s statement resonates: “If you can’t handle it properly, then there’s no point in opening then closing it, right?” Their pattern is clear: establish a restaurant (Milan in 2003, Anokha in 2008, Kanak in 2020), nurture it to stability, then consider the next carefully chosen venture. This 20+ year track record suggests Rutba isn’t a gamble, but a confident investment in Chesterfield’s evolving palate. 

The Ripple Effect: More Than Just Dinner 

Rutba’s arrival in Midlothian Village Square is a signal flare for Chesterfield’s dining scene. Nestled just a mile from Winterfield Crossing (recently welcoming Stella’s Grocery), it contributes to a growing corridor of diverse, non-chain culinary options. For residents tired of driving west or into the city for sophisticated ethnic cuisine, Rutba offers a significant upgrade close to home. It represents the maturing demand in the suburbs for authentic, owner-driven experiences that go beyond the predictable. 

The Takeaway: A Welcome Addition Built on Substance 

Rutba Indian Kitchen isn’t merely “Anokha’s sister restaurant in Chesterfield.” It’s the product of decades of experience, a specific culinary point of view refined at Kanak, and a patient, successful expansion strategy. It transforms a ubiquitous fast-food footprint into a destination for flavorful, thoughtful Indian cuisine – from crowd-pleasing classics to intriguing specialties like beetroot kofta and stuffed paneer bread. For Chesterfield, Rutba’s arrival feels less like an opening and more like the arrival of a seasoned player ready to enrich the local food landscape meaningfully. 

Rutba Indian Kitchen: 

13822 Village Place Dr, Midlothian, VA 23114 (Midlothian Village Square) 

Open 7 days for Lunch & Dinner.