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.

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.

Several online reviewers of the restaurant praised the Daal Soup ($6.95). The texture was a surprise. It was lighter than expected and perfect for the beginning of the meal.

Nepalese Momos are dumplings, in this case, folded into crescents whose ridges reminded my dining companion of the ridges on the Great Wall of China. The steamed Chicken Momo ($13.95 for eight, $17.95 for 12) were plump and tender. The chicken seasons rather than dominates the vegetables in the filling. You can specify your spice level in these and other dishes on the menu. A pureed sauce of tomatoes, garlic, onion, ginger and spices was served with the dumplings. These were similar in texture to Chinese dumplings but the flavors are more exotic.

The curries come with a choice of basmati or brown rice or butter naan. We chose one of each.

Garlic and Cheese and Garlic Naan are also on the menu ($3.25 to $5.95).

A Nepalese curry, Kukhura Bhanta ($17.95), features chicken morsels with eggplant slowly cooked until very soft. The flavors of both permeated the rich, darkly seasoned sauce. It was so delicious scooped up in the supple naan.

One of our table’s favorite dishes, the Saag Paneer ($16.25), arrived on our table at the same time as the chicken and eggplant curry in the brass-handled bowls along with the rice, Lamb Kebab ($19.95) and basket of Naan. The photo I took of the table repleat with these plates was slightly obscured by the steam rising from the bowls. It was a very festive table.

Thin batons of fresh ginger garnished the dark greens of the Saag Paneer. Both the greens and the cubes of paneer have squeakiness about their texture that is fun to eat. Saag Paneer is one of my comfort foods.

Large chunks of the marinated and tandoori-cooked lamb were served on a sizzling-hot cast-iron skillet over a scattering of lightly cooked onions. The lamb had appealing flavors but the texture was rather tough.

The Carrot Pudding ($5.95) and Mango Ice Cream ($5.95) were a delicious ending to our meal. And yes, they are both made in house.

There is so much to choose from the menu at Himalayan Kitchen. Few restaurants in Marin offer such a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items. This restaurant’s hospitality extends to all who enter its doors.

Ann Walker is a freelance food writer. Email her with suggestions, comments and questions at [email protected].

Himalayan Kitchen

Address: 227 Third St., San Rafael

Phone: 415-526-3161

Website: himalayankitchenmarin.com

Cuisine: Himalayan

Noise level: Moderate

Seating: Tables

Liquor selection: Beer and wine

Gluten-free selections: Yes

Vegetarian selections: Yes

Vegan selections: Yes

Dog friendly: No

Parking: Free lot

Hours: 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.