Bollywood Kitchen moved into the Vineyard Plaza recently, and the buzz was hotter than the curry. It quickly became a locals’ favorite, with customers raving about the authentic Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine.
The new restaurant is the creation of Tek KC, whose culinary passion was born in his youth while helping his parents prepare food for occasions like the Dussehra festival, when family and friends would visit from afar. (KC is the last name on his driver’s license, an anglicized abbreviation of a Nepali surname, Khatri Chhetri.)
KC moved to the United States in 2005 and worked in a restaurant called the Curry Hut in Chicago for three years before moving to the warmer weather of California to raise his family. While working at Kafal Indian restaurant in Santa Rosa, KC and his friend, Arjun KC (same last name, no close relation), saw a gap in the Healdsburg restaurant scene for authentic Indian cuisine.
Together, they opened Bollywood Kitchen in January 2023 with an emphasis on wholesome, homemade food. Healthy is on the menu, from their homespun spices to an assortment of ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom and cilantro-inspired delicacies. They then infuse these to fashion festive specialties like chicken tikka masala, lamb boti kebab and vegetable momo.
Chef Rajendra Lamichhane, also Nepali, welcomes off-the-menu requests and has an array of vegan and gluten-free selections available in addition to his tandoori and curry delicacies. Their menu starts with “mild in mind” for guests who want to enjoy the subtleties of this exceptional cuisine, while still reserving their palette for wine tasting. Lamichhane specializes in flavorfully seasoned dishes, only turning up the heat to the degree guests request it.
The restaurant serves a wide South Asian variety of dishes, paired with a selection of Sonoma County wines and brewed beverages, along with children’s favorites like mango lassi. They offer lunch and dinner options and cater to wine tasters with milder menu options. Menu items range from $12 to $25, with a children’s menu for $9, and takeout and catering also available.
Tek KC’s vision for Bollywood Kitchen is to provide nutritious cuisine made from scratch, where every dish is prepared fresh when ordered, and where every meal is made with the same heart today as his parents taught him to employ while he was growing up.
Bollywood Kitchen is located 1047 Vine St., Healdsburg. Reservations or takeout orders can be made at bollywoodkitchenca.com or by calling 707-395-0023. Open from 11am to 2:30pm, and 4:30 to 9pm, Wednesday through Monday.
