mmm-yoso!!! is the blog about food and Cathy is here again today. I have been having strange food cravings this summer. I vacillate between Indian and Mediterranean food. Some days I want both. Little did I know that this new restaurant was opening… Special thanks to Kirk for the title. It is descriptive.
Hi. So, anyhow, it’s Thursday at 4 a.m.
I go outside to get the paper. 
Say good morning to Fricassee, the cottontail who seems to be living in my front yard, and start to read.
I get to the "East County Dining" section.
"Himalayan Cuisine.
Indian and Italian Food.
"
huh??!!?
You know, the coffee wasn’t ready yet. I started thinking to myself "so this is why you can’t win at Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit…you know nothing of geography"…
There I was thinking Italy and India were, like, two continents apart. How can these two types of food and cooking possibly be served in the same restaurant?
We had to. Oh, yes we had to. The place smells heavenly when you walk in the door.
Meat samosa ($1.62).
Crust was excellent. Meat and fillings (celery, peas, carrots)fresh. Not very spicy. Unfortunately my least favorite item, but not bad.
The three item combo – choose from what was on the steam tray ($7.99) Chicken tikka masala-excellent. Spicy chicken curry-nice heat and still the ability to taste all flavors. Turmeric, cumin, onion, cinnamon and ginger stood out, but there were more.
A lot of chicken meat in both. Excellent basmati rice.
The third item was meat lasagna-excellent. Cheesy as well as meaty with a good tomato sauce. There is a photo of the intact samosa.
The three item combination comes with rice and fresh made naan. Fresh made.
Cheese calzone ($5.99)
Whatever oven they use to make the naan, they use for the pizza and calzone. The crust is sweet, crunchy and chewy. The fillings are cheeses (Mozzarella, ricotta and parmesan) fresh made, tomato-y sauce. There is a meat lover and pepperoni calzone available as well-same price. 
Chicken biyrani ($6.99).
Really really good, fresh made (not on the steam tray). Buttery (with ghee) rice, nice heat level, at least three chicken thighs.
Shown with the naan and raita (yogurt sauce-with cucumbers and carrots).
The owners are very nice, friendly, efficient and professional. The seating area is small (6 booths, 3 tables). They make both cuisines quite well. The website states they are trying to make healthy foods and touts the benefits of the Indian spices, as well as the healthy aspects of the Italian foods and the many vegetarian products available.
The food is extremely fresh and high quality and plentiful. It’s in East County-close to home and my cravings!
Himalayan Cuisine-Indian and Italian food 7918 El Cajon Boulevard, #P (between the 99cent Only store and Burlington Coat Factory) La Mesa 91941 (619)461-2503 M-Sat 11-9, Sun 11-7
website The website has coupons!