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The Himalayas RestaurantFrom the Top of World to the Tip of Your Taste BudsVeteran Chef Opens Indian/Nepali Eatery
The Himalayas Restaurant
Dishes like these and more -- authentic fare from India and Nepal -- are what you'll find at The Himalayas, a cheery new restaurant located amid the hustle and bustle of Sherwood Forest Boulevard. With plenty of flavor-packed selections and a vibe that's pleasing and calm, The Himalayas is a great stop for an affordable buffet lunch, a cozy dinner for two, or a night out with the family. Bhawan Thapa, a native of India who has cooked in restaurants in New York and Baton Rouge for the last 25 years, and business partner Shanti Karki, who hails from Katmandu, Nepal, know Baton Rougeans love to eat out and crave foods with big flavors. They've designed a comfortable atmosphere and a menu replete with classic selections from their native countries. If you have an adventurous palate, you'll be delighted with the exotic sauces and out-of-the-ordinary ingredients. After all, it's the only place in town where you'll find the foods of Nepal. Sample the dumplings, known as kothe, which feature either veggies or meat and are steamed, then pan-fried, to make them crisp. Got a hankering for rich, slow cooked sauces? Try any of pungent Indian curries. And if you're into vegetarian, you're in luck. Veggies, including asparagus, cauliflower, and even jack-fruit, occupy the starring role in a number of dishes. And if your taste buds are conservative, you won't be disappointed either. Like Cajun/Creole fare, the dishes from India and Nepal are well-seasoned, involved fresh ingredients, and are often accompanied by rice. Jambalaya lovers will make a natural jump to biriyani, an Indian dish that features nutty basmati rice cooked with tongue-tingling spices and veggies, chicken, lamb or shrimp. If you're into straightforward grilled meats, sample the juicy lamb kabobs. And everyone will love the simple chhwela, grilled chicken or lamb chunks garnished with the punchy flavors of lime, cilantro, fresh jalapeno and cumin.
Recently, Thapa and Karki rolled out additional menu items. They've added more specialties from Nepal, dishes that are generally lighter than their Indian counterparts. And, a children's menu features both chicken nuggets and fries, and healthier selections like grilled chicken or shrimp with rice. You won't find beef or pork anywhere on the menu, but there is no shortage of lamb, chicken, shrimp, fish, and vegetables.
The Himalayas is also happy to feature to go service for individuals and large groups. With friendly, attentive service, a relaxed quaint interior, and unique authentic fare, this new Baton Rouge restaurant is a must. Try it, and you'll be on top of the world.
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Start off with an order of pakora, crispy veggie or meat fritters served with dark, tangy tamarind sauce. Next, sink your teeth into meltaway tandoori chicken, marinated for 24 hours in spices and yogurt, then lowered into the fiery clay oven known as a tandoor. And for dessert, savor the cardamom-spiked fried balls of dough known as gulab jaamun as you sip rich, spiced Himalayan tea.
Committed to excellence, Chef Thapa makes his own fresh paneer, the mild cube-shaped cheese served with either delectable creamed spinach or with fresh green peas in rich tomato gravy. Thapa's wife accompanies him in the kitchen, and her specialty is the beloved naan, Indian flat bread made of wheat, milk, yeast and water and formed into perfect discs. The discs are thrown onto the side of the blistering tandoor oven where they become simultaneously crispy and chewy. They're removed, slathered with butter, then, mmmmm, brought to your table.
