Tara's Himalayan Cuisine

Nestled behind blue twinkle lights, and a white gate vaguely representing the outline of Mount Everest, lives a darling little restaurant, named Tara's Himalyan Cuisine. This hole in the wall may be small in scale, but it's food and hospitality are in fact a reflection of the grand mountain it pays homage to. A new aquantaince suggested it to me just last week. We had been discussing travel, and both agreed our favorite part of globe trotting was the gastronimic adventure to be found in each locale. This quickly led to a lively repartee, as we exchanged recommendations for favorite local eats. I offered up an Italian spot in Culver City, and she shot back with one of her favorite's--Tara's Himalayan Cuisine. It wasn't on my food radar. When I asked where it was, she told me it was on Venice, near Overland. My brow furrowed as I tried to place it. I thought I'd familiarized myself with all the good places within a five minute radius of my house. Apparently I'd missed this one. She gushed over the saag, claiming it superior. Before parting, she made me promise to pay the restaurant a visit very soon. Two days later, I did just that.

Tara's on Venice Blvd. 

Sunday evening last, I easily convinced my boyfriend Will, to dine at Tara's. He was game, as he always is. After driving around the block a few times to find parking, we made our way to the front entrance, only to discover that there is actually parking behind the building (mental note for next time). It's a wonder I'd never noticed the place on the dozens of trips I take down Venice Boulevard in any given month. The facade donned happy twinkle lights, colorful flags and a bright neon sign, letting us know they were OPEN. We were welcomed by an outdoor dining patio in the front, which is protected from the busy street by the Everst gate and a row of mature potted trees. It was far too chilly to sit outside that Sunday, but it was easy to imagine sipping on Chiya (Nepali tea) there on a warmer evening.

One of the first things I look for before entering a new restaurant, is the food facility rating. I mentioned this to Will as we walked towardTara's, and he laughed at me, completely aware of my germ phobias, and completley prepared to eat elsewhere should the rating be a "B" or God forbid, a "C." Lucky for me, Tara's is an "A." Having put this concern behind me, I was keen to peruse the menu and begin eating. No reservation was necessary, but for a Sunday evening the restaurant was filled with regulars, eager to stave off the bitter Los Angeles winter, with a steaming plate of Thakali chicken. The decor in Tara's is understated, but certainly inviting. Dim candle light and paper lanterns create a warm glow off the pale yellow walls. Red tablecloths are topped with glass, under which are displayed posters of Mount Everest, reduntant in their obviousness. They could however serve as a last resort of amusement, should you find yourself on an uninsipring first or second date. A series of archways open onto a modest corridor, housing serving stations and separating the dining room from the kitchen.

Chicken Saag

Right away, my nose recognized spicy garam masala and ginger. I couldn't help stealing quick glances at what people had ordered, as we were guided by a charming waitress to a table in the middle of the room. Menu in hand, I caught Will smiling at me. He knew how excited I was about the discovery of a new restuarant. Tara's serves up things like Black Magic Soup, which is made with black lentils and spices. Manang Chilly (notice chili is spelled with a "y") is Yak meat stewed with onions, garlic, tomatoes ginger, bell peppers and green chilies. Dishes you'd expect to find in an Indian restaurant also make their way onto the program--aloo gobi and chicken masala, to name a few. Since my gal pal had raved about the saag, I settled on Chicken Saag. Saag is a spinach puree traditionally containing some other ingredient, like cheese or potatoes. In this case it was a green, velvety blanket for tender chicken. Will chose the Chicken Thakali. Thakali is best described as a Nepalese style curry. To satisfy my thirst, I opted for Mango Lassi, a yogurt milk shake flavored with mango puree.

I'm a fairly intuitive person. So, as we waited for our meals to arrive, I took note of just how at ease all the customers seemed. It was as though Tara herself had personally invited each person, saying, "Hey, why don't you come over for dinner on Sunday? I'm just cooking up a few things. There's plenty to share." Supporting this theory was Tara's appearance on the dining room floor. She casually made her way to each of the tables, lingering to chat and making sure everyone was taken care of. A large party near the front corner of the room had a baby in their group. Tara scooped the chubby boy into her arms and planted kisses all over his pink face. She cooed, and he smiled, instantly at ease. I thought she might come over to our table next, and begin knitting me a sweater, but she didn't.

Naan Bread

When the food finally arrived, I was pleased as punch. In addition to our main courses, I'd also ordered us naan and roti--breads typically found in this region of the world. Bread is usually my favorite part of a meal. It was piping hot, chewy, and perfect for dipping into the luscious sauces set before us. I thought the saag was quite good. The chicken managed to stay tender, but overall it could've benefited from a bit of salt. Otherwise, the dish was satisfying and seemingly healthy. Will's Thakali was tasty as well. The spices lacked the intensity of what most people expect to find in a curry. This was a much milder, softer version of its Inidan cousin. Nevertheless, it pleased the palate. And based on the fervor with which Will finished his food, and some of mine, I would say it went over pretty well. My mango lassi was gorgeous! I'd enjoyed the food and the atmosphere enough that evening, that I brought my best friend to try it with me two days later. She thought it was terrific, but also noted that salt was missing from the chicken masala. The aloo gobi however, was perefection. The cauliflower had caramelized just so, and the spices were spot on. We devoured everything, which is certainly a good indication of our experience at Tara's.

I can confidently recommend Tara's Himalayan Cuisine to anyone who desires the exotic flavors of Nepal, blended with the familiar feeling of being at home. This jewel of a place sparkles brightly along an unremarkable stretch on Venice Blvd.
Tara's Himalayan Cuisine, 10855 Venice Blvd, LA 90034 (310) 836-9696
http://www.katmandukitchen.com/index.html