Ever since I lived with a dear Indian family in Windhoek, Namibia in 1995, I have been completely smitten with Indian cuisine! Not only did they open their home to me, but the Kannan's shared their love, their prayer, and their delicious meals! I was young, it was my first time ever flying, and there I was, with my first teaching job in Namibia, Africa. My colleagues were all much more seasoned than I was and every one of them took me under their wing! Sri and I connected immediately, and when I needed a place to stay, she and her family cared for me like I was their own. Up until that point, Italian food was firmly at the top of my list! Nothing could get in the way of my love for Italian! It was number 1! Period! Then, I sat down for my first meal with Sri and her family and every one of my senses were introduced to something new, exciting, fresh, fragrant, wildly surprising, unapologetically hot, and SCRUMPTIOUS!!!! For the love of Indian how did you make this!!! I was not too bright because I ended up just eating there and never getting a chance to ask Sri if she could show me some recipes. Or maybe I asked and she said, "get out of the kitchen." Another common bond with Indian's and Italian's. Every morning I would open up the cupboard where she kept all of the spices and take a huge whifffff!!! Every morning she'd roll her eyes at me. Little did I know I would be very particular about finding Indian places to eat from that point forward! Soooooo, another thing to LOVE about Houston (on my quest to find as many things to love as possible to cure my homesickness), is HIMALAYA!!
Himalaya Restaurant
6652 Southwest Fwy
Houston, TX 77074
Chef Kaiser Lashkari and his staff have been serving Houston's favorite Indian & Pakistani food for decades!
A classic, quaint spot! When I walk in, I take a big whiffff and smile!!! So many well deserved accolades.
If you look closely, many dishes are endorsed by the late, great Anthony Bourdain and also Andrew Zimmerman! Both, my kind of guys!!
So, before I show some more awesome pictures, I decided to plan a date night for me & Lars because he always plans them. Well, we both love Indian! Lars has been to India numerous times to provide surgeries to kids so he is also in the know on the real deal. Well, when we pulled up, it was one of few times I saw him show some excitement. He had actually been to Himalaya years ago and knows how much Houstonian's love it!
As soon as we walked in - ahhhhh!!! There's nothing like it! It smelled so delicious! The curry! The fresh ingredients! The love! Well, there is something like it, it's like walking into a kitchen with sauce on the stove and pasta rolled out on the table. They're the same, just different. This cuddly guy with semi-long hair in a chef coat was bopping about from table to table. Staff busy taking care of everyone. Packed. Lars began deciding what to order and I suggested it was too much for just us two. I lost. Then, here comes Chef Lashkari! Right up to our table he greets us with a warmth that made me feel I've known him my whole life. Lars starts telling him what he wanted, and Chef interrupts, "...you're going to spoil your appetite, let me order for you...." That was that. My hero! That’s when Lars said, “…he’s very soup kitchen guy.” That Seinfeld reference cracked me up. ”Yup! No wonder I like him!” I responded. Okay..... so first comes the garlic naan!!! (pause to drool over picture below.....) Yes, the biryani is gorgeous too! It is one of the favorites here! I could live my whole life and never perfect rice like this! I love you saffron!
Biryani & garlic naan! Look at all of those herbs!! Perfection!
Chicken Hará Marsala (Hyderabadi) - Okay, of course this is Bourdain approved - it is something out of this universe. You should hurry and go have this dish quickly! I wake up at night dreaming of the flavors. Little did I know, I would be back 4 more times including the very next day!!
Okay, so then Lars and I are about to leave and I couldn't help myself, I had to thank him for the delicious offering's and give him a hug. He and his wife were gracious enough to allow a photo op! :)
The very next day, it just worked out that my Level One improv class were going to meet for a farewell meal. One of the classmates suggested Himalaya! I had no problem showing my face again. And again. And again. Shortly after my second visit, Chef Lashkari invited me to lunch. Since then, I have stopped a few more times for a solo lunch because it is just a beautiful taste of everything! And, of course, to be in this environment where it feels like you're in the home of a wonderful Indian-Pakistani cook. Well, because you are! I have yet to order something off of the menu. He won't let me. Before filming episode 2 of "The Great Minnesota Recipe", I brought Chef some of my gnocchi with red sauce and meatballs. Pork free. Once again, food is our common bond.... (pictures below).
Just look at all of these delicious things to try! I love eating the green curry, lentils and rice as one bite! Oh my goodness I just sit by myself and smile at everyone after each taste!
Bringing Chef some all-beef meatballs & red sauce with homemade gnocchi. That's Amore'!
5 kisses to Chef Kaiser Lashkari and his staff at Himalaya!!
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