Laxmi Konwar is amazed at the transformation her new restaurant has made from an old taxi shelter to a restaurant.
"You know, it was really on the verge of collapsing," said Konwar.
The new restaurant in downtown North Bay is at the former location of the Union Taxi stand.
"The building was really in bad shape," she admitted.
Konwar welcomed guests to "The Himalayan" as part of the grand opening of the Nepalese-style restaurant on Thursday afternoon.
Konwar operated the Himalayan Cafe at Jack Garland Airport. It was a success. In 2019, it was nominated for the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association’s Best Airport Restaurant Award.
However, when the pandemic hit, that halted their business.
That situation forced owners Konwar and Sujala Niroula to look at other options.
"After the pandemic, we were not sure if we really wanted to restart this business," admitted Konwar.
"It was tough finding any places with commercial kitchens and there were no places where we could restart. Thankfully Gary Gardiner and Vicky Paine-Mantha helped find this place for us downtown and that is how it became possible, otherwise, it would have been very difficult to restart."
Konwar is excited about the variety of successful restaurant businesses also operating downtown.
She hopes their unique cuisine will be a hit in downtown North Bay.
"We are dedicated to reviving the art of cooking with an emphasis on home-style preparation that prioritizes health and freshness," she stated.
"Our mission is to provide a genuine Nepali dining experience that not only delights the palate but also nourishes the body and soul. We use fresh, locally- sourced ingredients, free from artificial enhancers and colours, to ensure that every bite is a true reflection of Nepal's rich culinary heritage. Our traditional recipes have been passed on down through generations."
Konwar also hopes to hold cultural events at the restaurant including a home-style cooking community feast.
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