Alcove Restaurant, Richmond

Breads stuffed with chopped nuts and raisins slowly rise inside Alcove Restaurant’s clay oven—an essential tool in classic Indian cooking. The trusty kitchen appliance also helps chefs bring out the bold flavors of dishes including the tandoori chicken, which spends the previous night marinating in spices. While patrons clear plates of goat curry and basmati rice, they can feast their eyes on the wavy, textured art hanging on the walls, or the industrial light fixtures illuminating the marble-topped bar. To accommodate any dietary restrictions, Alcove's easy-to-read menu includes symbols that clearly indicate if items are vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or shellacked for display only.