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Kathmandu Cafe – Asheville, North Carolina
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Kathmandu Cafe – Asheville, North Carolina

by jeffreyMarch 11, 2013

90 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC
Himalayan (Read: Indian)
$$ — Typical entrees $11.95 – $14.95

Kathmandu Cafe on Urbanspoon

For a whole town that feels like its full of failed climbers just stuck a little too long at base camp, where better to try than the restaurant that epitomizes the whole city of Asheville?
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Now, when they say Himalayan, just think Indian. Lots of rice, curry, lentils and great smelling, rich and pungent spices.
The colorful restaurant had some very low-key, chill theme music on in an effort to transport you to Nepal and, with the bright colored interior with a tall vaulted ceiling, I would say they get high marks on the atmosphere.
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They brought out the equivalent of chips and salsa with a very tasty and spicy “salsa” style sauce–just a little thicker/pastier.
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The special of the day was a GOAT CURRY ($17.99) served with rice, a side of sauteed greens (and, since we’re in Asheville it’s all “local, organic goat, spinach….rice… blah blah blah”). Sounding a bit exotic, I had no choice but to try it and was very impressed. Marinated then stewed for 10+ hours, they cook the traditionally tough dark meat down to the point of fall-off-the-bone tenderness.  I’d liken it to a pot roast and very similar to the Italian “osso buco” dish with its bone-in presentation. Either way, it’s a very rich, dense meal with a great curry flavor and a faint but hot spice. It was really a 5-star restaurant dish for a much better price.

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BOTTOM LINE: Kathmandu embodies everything Asheville — at least to an outsider. The prices are right, the atmosphere: relaxed and the food: excellent, making for a unique dining experience.
Posted In
North Carolina, Restaurant Reviews
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Asheville NC
About The Author
jeffrey