Himalayas on the Bay will offer Nepali specialties like thali — a large plate offering a variety of curries, relishes and other side dishes centered around rice and lentils.
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The owner of an Indian restaurant called Hi Bombay, in Portland, is getting ready to open a new restaurant focusing on Nepali cuisine in South Portland's Knightville neighborhood.
Himalayas on the Bay will be in a 6,000-square-foot unit formerly occupied by a Mexican restaurant at 60 Ocean St., a seven-unit mixed-use building constructed in 2019.
Thomas Gadbois of F.O. Bailey Real Estate represented both the landlord and tenant in the transaction.
“I’m very pleased that this restaurant decided to open in Knightville, which is in dire need of more restaurants,” said Gadbois.
Career pivot
“I thought this place was perfect,” said Sachet Timilsina, who owns both restaurants with two partners.
A grand opening is scheduled for Aug. 15. But the partners have already been busy feeding folks, recently hosting as a free food sampling that drew about 200 people.
Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Timilsina worked in accounting for years in New Hampshire. Eight or nine years ago, he was visiting a friend in Portland and they ate at Hi Bombay.
“I thought, ‘This is a nice business.’ I didn’t know I would start a restaurant,” he said.
When the restaurant went on the market, Timilsina signed on as a partner to buy the business. A couple of years later, he decided to go all-in on the restaurant, left his position as senior accountant in New Hampshire and moved to Maine.
Nepali specialties
The partners wanted a second, larger venue, with the goal of expanding their menu to Nepali cuisine. Timilsina started looking around — with an eye toward high foot and traffic count and a certain vibe — and came upon 60 Ocean St. It was large enough to serve thalis — a Nepali specialty that offers a variety of curries, relishes and other side dishes centered around rice and lentils — which need bigger tables. Nepali drinks include a spiced milk tea called chai and the yogurt-based lassi.
Quite a bit of work has gone in to get it up and running. Eye-catching features are two large commissioned murals, one depicting the Himalayas and the other a lotus mandala. Installations included equipment and paint.
The project cost of about $60,000 is self-funded by the partners.
The staff will include some Hi Bombay employees who will transition to Himalayas on the Bay. Timilsina said he plans to work the bar — although also still works as an accountant during tax season.
