(EDIT 5/24/08: Swagat has closed and a new restaurant is taking the place)

Introduction

Swagat, Located at 303 1st Street in Downtown Roanoke (Ph 342-4887)

Located at 303 1st Street in downtown Roanoke (at the corner of 1st Street and Kirk Avenue), Swagat serves up authentic Indian dishes in a classy dining environment.

The restaurant features a number of entrees with chicken, steak, and seafood, and a full bar with a rather extensive wine selection.

Many menu items make up a buffet, which is offered every day of the week during lunchtime hours. Also, the entire menu is available for takeout.

What I Ordered

Chicken Tikka Masala with Naan at Swagat

On the recommendation of a friend, I tried the Chicken Tikka Masala. This meal consists of roasted chicken breasts chopped up into bite-size pieces, then placed in a pot and simmered while immersed in a tomato and cream sauce. White rice is also included and acts as a bed for the chicken and sauce.

I typically avoid tomatoes themselves, but the sauce in this instance is quite good. It actually reminded me of a tomato paste, or some kind of all-natural and organic ketchup.

I also ordered some Naan (a traditional Indian bread) and a Mango Lassi (not shown), which is very good and resembles a smoothie.

Other Specialties

Swagat offers several entrees with chicken, steak, seafood, and even vegan and vegetarian options. For a complete menu list, descriptions, and some pictures of the meals, you may visit the Swagat website or go to their directory of menu items.

In A Nutshell

I had never experienced authentic Indian cuisine, and overall have good things to say afterwards. The dining environment was classy, and the service friendly and prompt. If you’re looking for something a little bit new and different in terms of international cuisine, I highly recommend visiting Swagat.

Noke Novelties are interesting aspects, picturesque moments, and other quaint nuances of or about the Roanoke area.

The Unmistakable Tanglewood Mall Sign Along Electric Road

Ever since I can remember the local landmark of the Tanglewood Mall sign has stood in the parking lot of southwest Roanoke County’s premier shopping location. And I think that aside from some relatively minor cosmetic updates to do with the logo, the overall structure has changed very little over the years.

I first remember seeing it as a child, the sign was definitely overwhelming in it’s stately shape and, well, just really cool to watch. The continuously changing messages on display, though paltry by today’s technology, seemed futuristic some 15 years ago.

I best associate the sign with the Brendle’s store that used to be located in the southern corner of the mall. My family would often go there to shop and I remember the diamond that acted as the apostrophe in the store name.

I suppose that, arguably, Valley View is Roanoke’s biggest and most populated mall, but I’ve always been a little bit more partial to Tanglewood. And I think the nostalgia of this sign influences my thoughts.

Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

In the midst and middle of development along Brandon Avenue, vast open land remains just that. In recent years, the stretch of Brandon Avenue between Mudlick and Deyerle Roads has seen a number of homes built and maintained by Brandon Oaks, and a pair of ice cream shops opened. In contrast, an area in the middle is filled with several acres of open, beautiful land of rolling hills with a modest pond and accompanying weeping willow trees.

Commercialism hasn’t set in here despite other nearby intrusions, and the land shows no signs of giving in anytime soon. Have you ever wondered when, or if, it might give in?

Open, Cattle-less Farmland Seen Along Brandon Avenue Throughout Much of the 3000 Block

There’s also a couple distinguishing markers along this stretch of Brandon Avenue that I never even knew existed.

Let’s explore:

When traveling west, towards Salem, along Brandon Avenue (shortly before the intersection with Peters Creek Road) and looking to the left it’s difficult to overlook the vast simplicity of open land. Acres upon acres of cattle-less farmland, seemingly unchanged since the early days of Roanoke.

Wooden Fence That Faces Brandon Avenue

A rugged wooden fence with 4 horizontal links borders the land facing the road, and continues the entire length save for one small section.

Along this section, the wooden fence is replaced by a cement wall which acts a guardrail.

It’s here, just off the road, beyond and over the sidewalk and rail, that a small pond is present. The pond is also given away by its perimeter array of weeping willow trees.

Peaceful Pond as Seen Veering Over the Siderail

As I approached and looked over the rail and down into the water, a small splash startled me. Then, I figured the origin of the splash was equally startled by my appearance. A few moments later, the head of a turtle popped up from beneath the murky water and peeked out.

Turtle Resting on a Cement Ledge

My eyes returned to the turtle’s previous location on dry land and another companion turtle was still there, perched upon a cement ledge. Motionless it stood and I gathered it had a short distance to travel, and all day to get there.

I smiled and continued on my way, there’s still a bit more to see before this adventure ends.

Lee Highway Marker on Brandon Avenue

Along the second half of the journey two distinct historical markers were revealed, both of which I never knew existed.

Shortly after walking by the intersection with Peters Creek Road Extension, I arrived at the first marker.

It was made of decorative stone, which was set above eye level on the bank and at the side of the road. The surrounding flowerbed had yet to bloom for the season.

Upon the stone is inscribed a message that reads:

LEE HIGHWAY
ERECTED IN HONOR OF ROBERT E. LEE
BY WILLIAMS WATTS CHAPTER ROANOKE VA.
SOUTHERN CROSS CHAPTER SALEM VA.
ROANOKE CHAPTER ROANOKE VA.
THE UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY
1928

A short distance further is another marker of historical significance, I believe referring to a section of land which is now part of Brandon Oaks property.

Adjacent to this marker is a raised patch of clear ground, which I assume to be the original church’s foundation that the marker references.

This marker reads:

K 76
OLD LUTHERAN CHURCH
TRADITION HAS IT THAT THE CHURCH NEAR BY WAS BUILT WHERE MORAVIAN AND LUTHERAN MISSIONARIES PREACHED SOON AFTER THE REVOLUTION. HERE, IN 1796, LUTERHANS HELD SERVICES AND, A LITTLE LATER, ORGANIZED THEIR FIRST CONGREGATION IN THIS SECTION. IN 1828, THE LUTERHAN SYNOD OF NORTH CAROLINA MET HERE AND CONSECRATED THE CHURCH

I stood and stared for a minute at the marker before letting this journey come to an end. And as I walked back the way I came to the starting point, I looked over and the turtle was still in the same spot, enjoying the sunshine of an early April day.

Noke Novelties are interesting aspects, picturesque moments, and other quaint nuances of or about the Roanoke area.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about a historic stone marker that was placed along Ferdinand Avenue. I had seen that particular marker on numerous occasions but never bothered to check it out. I travel this route heading to work nearly everyday and have for a couple years.

Historic Stone Marker at the Intersection of Ferdinand Avenue and Riverland Blvd

But, I had missed, and never even noticed until the other day, another stone marker that is placed in a median at the intersection of Ferdinand Avenue and Riverside Blvd.

If you travel this road even occasionally, perhaps you have overlooked this rather distinct historic marker also.

Well, that’s why Noke News is here! Let’s check it out:

This stone reads:

THIS TABLET MARKS AN INDIAN TRAIL FROM A TORTERAS VILLAGE IN THE FORK OF ROANOKE RIVER AND TINKER CREEK, JOINING THE INDIAN WARRIOR’S TRAIL, THE GREAT PATH, WHICH PASSED THROUGH BUFORD’S GAP, THE BIG LICK, NOW A PART OF ROANOKE CITY, AND ON WESTWARD THROUGH CUMBERLAND GAP

Once again, I’m at a loss for words. However, I can’t help but on some level take comfort in the history that is Roanoke.

On a lighter note, the tablet reminds me of a short story…

I was in elementary school at Penn Forest and as part of a history lesson we were taught about Roanoke’s previous informal name, Big Lick. And for fun as an entire grade we voted whether or not we would prefer the name of this city to remain Roanoke, or be changed back to Big Lick. Well, yours truly was one I think of only two or three students total to vote for Big Lick!

I was just a kid then, but sometimes it really doesn’t seem like all that long ago.