A new Indian restaurant, Taj Palace, has opened across from the Capitol complex on Walnut Street, in the former home of Violets/Italian-American Club/Sophia-405 Jazz. Hopefully I'll get a chance to give it a try next week, but signs advertise buffet-style options for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, in addition to a regular menu. Taj Palace 403 Walnut St. Harrisburg, PA 717-236-3980 See the City's news release below. EWS INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED City of Harrisburg King City Government Center Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678 Telephone: 717.255.3040 FOR IMMEDIATE USE 9 May 2008 NEW ‘TAJ PALACE INDIAN CUISINE’ RESTAURANT OPENS IN THE CITY Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the new Taj Palace Indian Cuisine restaurant located at 403 Walnut Street in the downtown. Reed said the Taj Palace restaurant is owned and operated by Anjum Mohamed. Mohamed is a first-time business owner who was born and raised in Bombay, India. Mohamed has hired the renowned B. Javaid as the restaurant’s head chef. Javaid has experience in international cuisine that includes work in restaurants in Saudi Arabia, London, Houston, TX and Orlando, FL. The Mayor said the Taj Palace restaurant specializes in North Indian cuisine and features such specialty menu items as Mango Chicken, Seekh Kebabs, Chicken Dhansak, Lamb Madras, Shrimp Balti, Bombay Aloo and Taj Palace Biryani. Accommodations can easily be made for those requesting vegetarian cuisine or other special requests. Reed said the new restaurant represents six new jobs. He said the staff is very familiar with the specifics of fine Indian dining and is willing to share that expertise with those that may not be familiar with North Indian cuisine. He said the restaurant’s atmosphere is quiet and comfortable and that the restaurant can accommodate large parties when needed. "We are pleased to welcome Anjum Mohamed and the Taj Palace restaurant to the City," said Reed. "The continued growth and appeal of the restaurants in downtown Harrisburg and throughout the City depend upon offering a great variety in good dining options, and the Taj Palace restaurant certainly reflects a unique and distinctive culinary experience for diners in this region." Reed said the Taj Palace restaurant offers a lunch buffet on Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. He said dinner is offered on Monday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Brunch buffets are available on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and a dinner buffet is available on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Reservations can be made and orders placed by calling (717) 236-3980 or by faxing (717) 236-0575.