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As a Leo, my self proclaimed nickname is Queen. Very fitting, I know! So of course, when it came time to celebrate my birthday, I had to dine somewhere fit for royalty. Enter Royal Taj.

Technically, Royal Taj is in Columbia, Maryland, but it’s Baltimore adjacent, so I’m counting it! After spending the summer exploring restaurants, events, art, music, and culture throughout Baltimore, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than with one of my favorite cuisines: Indian food.

The outside of Royal Taj already set the tone for what we were about to experience. It looked like a decadent oasis, and once we stepped inside, the dining room immediately gave me the feeling that I had entered somewhere special. The lighting was dim and warm, the walls were covered in gold accents, and everything felt luxurious. Even the chairs looked like something you would find in a palace. The entire restaurant had a very royal feeling, which was perfect because, well, I am the Queen!

But what really stood out to me was the hospitality. The staff didn’t just make us feel like royalty; they made us feel like family. Everyone was so kind and attentive throughout the evening, making sure our orders were correct and that we were enjoying ourselves. The owner came to our table multiple times throughout the night to check on us, and once he found out it was my birthday, he brought us complimentary champagne and other drinks to celebrate. I had a TIME!

The owner even introduced us to his son, who was helping out at the restaurant for the summer. He told us that he likes taking his son to different hotels throughout Baltimore, including the Pendry, to give him different life experiences. I thought that was really cool because he wasn’t just teaching his son about the family business; he was intentionally exposing him to different environments and experiences. Even the little things made the night feel special. When it was time for my birthday cake, the staff cut it for me and made sure everything was taken care of. At that point, I really felt like I was being celebrated rather than simply dining at a restaurant. There was so much care put into the experience, and that is something I will always remember.

Now let’s get into the food because Indian food has always been one of my favorite cuisines, so I already knew I was going to have a good time. The dishes are served family-style and everything comes with rice, so we were able to order different dishes and share everything around the table. Of course, I had to order one of my favorites: lamb tikka masala. It came with my choice of naan, and naturally I chose garlic naan. Then they brought out the mango chutney.

WHAT?!

I had never heard of mango chutney, let alone putting it on my naan before, but when I tell you that combination was divine, I mean it! I am STILL thinking about it as I write this. The sweet mango chutney with the garlic naan was so good that I could have eaten that combination by itself. And to make it even funnier, my best friend’s name is Chutney, so the whole thing felt very fitting. The food was delicious, but the experience as a whole is what made Royal Taj stand out to me. I love when a restaurant gives you more than a meal. The atmosphere, the hospitality, the conversations, and the little unexpected moments all become part of the memory. I already know I will be talking about this restaurant for a long time because we enjoyed ourselves THAT much.

And while Royal Taj is technically outside of Baltimore, I wanted to include it because it represents something I have learned throughout this entire summer of exploring the area: experiencing different cultures doesn’t always mean getting on a plane and traveling somewhere far away. Sometimes you can find those experiences right here in our own backyard.

Indian food is a part of the cultural experience that Baltimore and the surrounding area have to offer, and Royal Taj gave me the opportunity to celebrate my birthday while experiencing a cuisine and atmosphere that I already love. It also reminded me how diverse the Baltimore area really is. You can spend one weekend listening to Baltimore club music, another weekend digging through vinyl records, and another sitting down to a beautiful Indian dinner. There is always something different to experience. That’s really what I wanted Signed, A Baltimore Native to show.

I wanted to explore my city intentionally and highlight the things that make it special. There are restaurants, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, events, cultural experiences, and people who are actively creating beautiful memories here. And what better way to end my summer of exploring Baltimore than celebrating my birthday feeling like royalty? Royal Taj definitely understood the assignment.

Until next time,

Signed, A Baltimore Native