New Restaurant Offers Indian and Nepalese Food in West Columbia

While east Columbia boasts popular Indian restaurants like Royal Taj and House of India, getting a curry fix can be difficult on the west side.

That changed last month when Curry and Kabob opened in Wilde Lake Village Center on March 15. Located next to The Melting Pot and Bagel Bin, the restaurant offers both Indian and Nepalese cuisine.

"We've been doing well," said owner Chandra Chhantyal on Wednesday, about the restaurant's first 15 days in business.

Business is likely to pick up soon. On Wednesday local food blog HowChow published a review saying, "it's a talented kitchen in a personable restaurant."

The restaurant offers Indian signatures like chicken tikka masala ($14.95), lamb curry ($15.95), and garlic naan ($3.50); but also offers Nepalese dishes you can't find anywhere else in Columbia such as goat curry with bones ($16.95) and dhajara aalu, which is dry radish and potatoes cooked in Nepalese spices ($11.95).

"Go for the new stuff like goat curries and Nepalese vegetables," wrote HowChow, "but be confident that you can order from a full Indian menu like samosas, curries and tandoori specials."

Chhantyal said this is his third restaurant. He first opened an Indian restaurant in Towson in 2003, but sold it in 2006. He also operates Long Reach Pizza and Indian Food on Cloudleap Court in Columbia. That restaurant has been called a "hidden gem" on Yelp and is currently rated at 4.5 stars by six reviewers.

Chhantyal said he and his partner, Om Tulachan, opened the restaurant in Wilde Lake Village Center because there were currently no Indian restaurants open in west Columbia.

"Now they don't have to drive all the way to the east side of Columbia," said Chhantyal. "We have a combination of two foods to try."

He also said the development proposed in Downtown Columbia and Wilde Lake Village center will be "good for business."

The restaurant offers a lunch buffet for $9.99, as well as delivery and take-out. Chhantyal said they'll deliver anywhere within five or six miles of the restaurant. They are also offering 10 percent off dine-in and 15 percent off takeout currently as opening specials.

Chhantyal said he and his partner were looking for three to four years to find a location for their restaurant, before finally settling on Wilde Lake Village Center.

"Howard County is a good county, with good schools for kids," said Chhantyal. "That's why we're here."

Information:

• Hours: M-F 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sat - Sun 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• 10451 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia
• currykabobrestaurant.com

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