Last year's sudden vanishing act of acclaimed Vino Grigio followed way too hot-on-the-heels of 220 Western Avenue's previous tenant, Three Blocks Off.

Both restaurants offered upscale, more than decent dining options to Petalumans looking for an occasional alternative to bustling, nearby restaurant row.

And though it's highly likely that the timing of both of these unfortunate, failed businesses had much to do with their demise, some of the blame may well have been attributed to the three L's.

Yes, location, location, location - absolutely critical as we all know for making a go of it in today's economic climate. And yet, here comes a completely different approach to catering for today's more calculating customers. Giving them something other than what's on special in any number of neighboring cafes and fine dining establishments. In short, filling the gaping hole of what has been missing long-term from the menu selection in downtown Petaluma.

Himalayan food is particularly appealing in that it offers a richly diverse culinary heritage from the three South Asian neighboring countries of Nepal, Tibet and India. Along with tremendous Indian curries and nan, the Himalayan menu consists of loads of additional meat-free and Vegan dishes, aromatic nan breads, rice and zesty salads.

Though pricier than I'd anticipated, the quality of dishes served during a lunch-time girlfriend date this second week of the restaurant's opening, puts the Himalayan Kabob and Curry House on my 'hot' list for mid-day munchies.

Tables filled up fast, an encouraging sign for a previously troubled locale, showing that there's really no such thing as bad karma for commercial buildings. And once the wait staff have ironed out any reasonably anticipated, brand-new service kinks (no problem at all with the friendly lunch time service we experienced), Himalayan could well be the new big hit in town.

707 775 4717
707 775 4453 fax
www.himalayankabobandcurryhouse.com (newly registered, website in the works?)