You’ve all read about my visits to Kaiser Lashkari’s little restaurant in a strip mall off of busy Interstate 59; Himalaya is one of my favorite restaurants in Houston, and if I don’t have my fix of saag paneer and masala fried chicken — not to mention chicken hara masala, goat biryani, and chicken fried steak — at least once every three weeks or so, the withdrawal symptoms get bad. The saag paneer is, bar none, the best I’ve had anywhere, including versions served to me in several cities in India and any number cooked by Indian mothers. Himalaya is on The Brockhaus’ Top Restaurants in the World List, and is nearer the top of that roster than it is the bottom. It is the real thing.
National Public Radio has now joined the Himalaya bandwagon, and on Sunday morning aired a visit by Lulu Garcia-Vavarro to the restaurant. If you have not had the pleasure of tasting Kaiser’s food or hearing him hold forth on food and business and life, give the NPR segment a listen by clicking here. Then, take a drive to the Hillcroft area and sit down to some of the best food in Texas. Tell Kaiser I sent you. (And if you don’t know, Himalaya is BYOB, so chill some Riesling and make it a feast.)
It was also featured in the opening sequence of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown episode on Houston.
I have eaten there three times now and was very disappointed each time. There are hundreds of better places than this in Houston. Food portions are small, service surly amd food very bland. Who is writing this nonsense about it being good? How much did he pay you? This is not the first time he has gotten good nation wide press that is completely undeserved.
Hello, Roger, and thanks for reading and leaving your comment. I cannot speak to your three bad experiences, but I can tell you that I ate at Himalaya last night, and save for one dish, it was, as usual, an excellent meal, full of flavor and nuance. We had the saag paneer and the Paratha-Dilla (with lamb). Oh so good. As to your question about receiving payment, no, I can assure you I do not. If you would like to try the restaurant again, get in touch with me here and I would be happy to go with you.