Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine spices up local restaurant options
It’s easy to miss the rather unassuming exterior of Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine– other than an inconspicuous banner hung over the old Pasta and Pizza sign, there are no signs that a new business has been opened. However, the food, with its complex spices and exotic ingredients, is anything but simple and unassuming.
Tara’s is a newly opened Nepalese restaurant in the Trader Joe’s shopping complex. It is located in the corner of the complex next to Fitness 19. The restaurant is run by Tara and her family, who also own two other very successful locations.
When you enter the restaurant, it is immediately evident that you are in a family run establishment. Tara, her husband, and her son, Pradeep Gurung, junior, all work at the restaurant.
I walked into the restaurant and was eagerly greeted by the family and the staff. The homey atmosphere continues into the restaurant itself, which is cozy, quiet and decorated with bright and friendly yellows and greens.
The food itself takes inspiration from both Tibetan and Indian cuisines, but with a twist of their own special Nepalese spices. Some iconic Nepalese dishes featured on the menu include Momos, a type of dumpling, and dal-bhat-tarkari. Gurung particularly recommends the chicken chow mein and the momos.
I ordered a potato curry, noodle soup, naan, and momos. Since the restaurant serves a lot of Indian and Nepalese, there is a plethora of vegetarian and vegan options, which I greatly appreciated. While all the items I ordered were good, my favorite by far was the potato curry. The Nepalese spices perfectly complemented the potatoes; they were just spicy and savory enough without being overwhelming. It reminded me of breakfast potatoes on steroids.
I definitely recommend Tara’s as an off campus spot for lunch. It is easy to access, especially for those who cannot drive, and has great food.
The convenience, incredible food and warm, friendly service make Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine a great addition to local restaurants and a great place to diversify and try Nepalese cuisine.
