Chand Palace: Hearty Vegetarian Fare at One of Township's Oldest Indian Restaurants

looks like many Indian restaurants we’ve been to before. Rich colors of gold and pink cover the walls and tabletops. Insets of various Indian gods and goddesses line the walls looking down upon diners.

Even the buffet is set up like most found in other Indian establishments. Lots of chutneys, some unexpected like coconut, a favorite in South India. Sliced onions and cucumbers, raita, the cooling yogurt sauce. Amidst the  array of sauces and vegetables is some naan (bread), rice and even something called Masala Fry. But where is the chicken, lamb and other meat dishes usually found in Indian restaurants? In this case they’re nowhere to be found, since this is Chand Palace of Parsippany, a strictly vegetarian and vegan restaurant.

If the concern is that there won’t be enough to eat, however, fear not. Potatoes, rice and lentils come in many forms, including what looks like a hefty French fried potato, as well as a potato ball and a dosa which is a lentil crepe.  They are all delicious and satisfying.

Chand Palace has been on Littleton Road since 1989 when Devinder Singh (Dev) and his two brothers noticed the growing Indian population in the area. They already had a Chand Palace in Morristown which did serve meat but they gambled that “a lot of Indian families don’t eat meat so it made sense;” many Indian families are vegetarian and there was no strictly Indian vegetarian restaurant that they could dine at in the area.

They concentrate their efforts in Parsippany and have since closed the Morristown one (it’s now occupied by Caffe India and is no longer connected to them). The restaurant seats about 60 for lunch and dinner (except Tuesdays when they are closed.

They also operate a banquet hall and catering service in the same strip mall where Chand Palace is located where weddings and other special events can be held. The banquet hall can accommodate 250 people.

The way Singh looks at it, there is plenty of room to grow in the Parsippany area. “There used to be just one Indian grocery store in Parsippany; now there are three,” he says. He estimates there are five or six restaurants in the township as well.

The food at Chand Palace features specialties from both North and South India as well as certain Indo-Chinese fusion dishes. A la carte meals are offered as well as buffet service which ranges from $9.95 to $15.95.

On the Indo-Chinese fusion menu are appetizers like Gobhi (cauliflower) Manchurian and Spring Roll. Seasonings include ginger, garlic, spring onions and coriander. There are also Szechwan Noodles and Fried Rice and entrees such as Vegetable Manchurian, Chili Paneer (a cheese dish) and Mixed Vegetables in Szechwan Sauce.

At lunchtime, the crowd is heavily mixed between Indian residents and Americans who work in offices nearby. Between Americans who travel and are adventurous in their dining choices and those who count Indians as their workmates, the knowledge and enjoyment of Indian cuisine continues to grow. Creamy sauce made with tomato and yogurt is an easy new form of comfort food for Americans to experience.

Indian flat breads known as paratha, naan and kulcha are very tasty accompaniments for Americans embarking on a learning experience with Indian dishes.

While Singh, and his brothers Tony and Balwinder, do not spend time at the stove in the kitchen, the brothers learned the business by working in Indian restaurants as newcomers to the United States.

Singh now lives with his family in Roxbury and looks for the continued expansion of Indian life in America.

Chand Palace 257 Littleton Road Parsippany 973-334-5444 www.chandpalace.com BYO Major credit cards Lunch Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:30 to 2:30 p.m (closed Tuesday for lunch). Saturday 12:00 to 3 p.m. Dinner Sunday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 10:30 p.m.