The Gurkha Lounge offering Nepalese cuisine in Chatham

A new restaurant serving Nepalese food has opened in Chatham with a menu that lets you ease into the cuisine from the south Asian country.

The Gurkha Lounge is a fusion of Canadian and Nepali tastes “that really reflects us, who we are,” said Dibesh Regmi, who operates the restaurant with his wife Subhana.

Dibesh Regmi said Nepalese food shares common spices with Indian food but also has spices unique to Nepal “to really set it apart from other cuisine.”

He said the Gurkha Lounge wants to introduce Nepalese food to guests, but also offer Canadian dishes.

Subhana Regmi, who describes herself as a “people person,” enjoys telling guests about the Nepali options on the menu.

“People mostly ask for momos,” she said.

Momos are a dumpling with both chicken and vegetable options.

Subhana Regmi said Mayor Darrin Canniff attended the restaurant’s grand opening and has been telling everyone how delicious their momos taste.

Another popular dish is dal bhat, which is staple food made of steamed rice and lentils.

“Dal bhat is our poutine,” Subhana Regmi said.

The Gurkha Lounge is located in a beautiful room on the second floor of the Everest Convention Centre, located at 250 National Rd., which the couple also runs.

There is a mix of tables and chairs along with sofas for guests.

“We want people to relax,” Dibesh Regmi said. “We don’t really want them to feel that they have come to a restaurant.

“We want to make them feel they are sitting in their living room having a conversation with their friends and family,” he said.

When it came to the naming the restaurant, Dibesh Regmi said the word Ghurkha has special meanings in Nepal.

He said it’s a word that gives respect to Nepalese soldiers who have fought in battles. He added it also refers to a beautiful location in the mountains.

“We just wanted to choose a name that represents Nepal.”

The restaurant is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 9 pm

Being located off the beaten path, Dibesh Regmi said the Gurkha Lounge is a destination, so he expects it will take a little time to build up a customer base.

“We’re pretty positive and confident we will do well in the long run,” he said. “We just have to be persistent and show the quality in service and food as we move along.”

For more information about the Gurkha Lounge called 519-355-0806 or go online to www.everestconventioncentre.ca.