Comforting flavors, warm hospitality at Himalayan Kitchen
The Sherpas have opened several restaurants in and around Sonoma, and in 2023, they opened Himalayan Kitchen in San Rafael. Originally from Nepal, they have brought their warm hospitality and food expertise to our area much to our benefit. Their newest restaurant is tucked into the far corner of the Montecito shopping center.
You know how some people just immediately engage with you? That's what we felt with the server, Wangchhe Sherpa, who approached our table.
The restaurant's co-owner was warm, welcoming and knowledgeable. We settled into our table and explored the menus. In addition to the regular menu, there's a special lunch menu and another lunch menu especially for students — San Rafael High School is right across the street — offering a healthy, balanced meal for just under $11.
Beer and wine Yes
Yes
Yes
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Free lot
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. daily
Prices: $3 to $24.95
Reservations: Call
Summary: A cozy restaurant with comforting flavors and a sweet dose of hospitality.
The beverage menu offered several thoughtfully chosen wines. It was easy to find a wine that would go well with the flavors
of the food. I chose the 2022 Oak Farm Vineyards Lodi Albarino ($12 a glass, $44 a bottle). The bright citrus flavors and balanced acidity were great accompaniments to the food. There are also a few beers on the list including one from Nepal, Mustang ($11). Other beers
run $6 to $11 a bottle.
The spacious dining room with its dark wood floors and wide-spaced wooden tables is simply and pleasantly decorated with leafy fresh plants, photographs and two large screens projecting lovely Himalayan travelogues.
Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan and India share space and culinary influences in the Himalayan region. At Himalayan Kitchen, the most evident connections on the menu are between Nepal and India.
Two fat Samosa cones ($8.95) were served with both mint and tamarind chutneys. Those two chutneys are served with finger foods like samosas and pakoras. Their sweet acidity enhanced the fried appetizers — just dip and eat.
The Samosas were stuffed with deeply seasoned mashed potatoes with tiny cubes of potatoes, too. They are not spicy. The seasonings are complex and enticing, and the crust was firm yet flaky and crunchy. Everything at Himalayan Kitchen is house-made and these were delicious as were the Vegetable Pakoras ($6.95). There are many styles of these fritters found throughout the region. The ones we tasted here were well-seasoned, thick and a bit dense.