Ridgewood's Kailash: An Indian Delight Close to Home

Kailash, which symbolizes a sacred place in the Hindu consciousness, is located in the heart of downtown Ridgewood and it is hard to miss, these days as the chefs built an enormous igloo-styled palace in front of the restaurant.

Passersby cannot miss the snow sculpture, an evolving project.  People stop to take pictures in front of the igloo, as well as taking refuge in its cave-like interior on blustery days.

It is much more enjoyable to step inside the warm and inviting restaurant where you will be treated to more wonderful sights and sounds. Original paintings adorn red walls where fanciful arches and cutouts lend to the charm of an actual Indian palace. Sculptural art in metals and gold add to the richness of the atmosphere. Tables with
crisp white lines are spaced far enough apart that diners can carry conversations in normal tones.

Our waiter for the evening was Manager Chinnappan, a tall, young gentleman dressed in black and white, with a black bowtie.  

Many around us brought bottles of wine, which were opened and poured professionally. Most of the diners were regulars who seemed to order their favorite dishes such as Tandoori Chicken ($15) or Shrimp Curry ($17). Kailash has also been known to treat customers to a soup or appetizer to sample which is really fun!

Kailash is best known for regional favorites—Chicken/Lamb/Shrimp Tikka Masala ($15 plus $2 extra for extra large shrimp), cooked in Tandoor and pan finished in a heavenly tomato, garlic, creamy sauce. The favorite appetizer is Manchurian ($8) spiced with green chiles and chile powder with/Chicken or Colliflower , dipped in a light batter and fried, tossed with a tomato, onion and garlic sauce, favorite drinks
Mango Lassi ($4), a creamy yogurt and mango blend, and Chai ($4), a creamy hot, spiced tea, desserts—Mango Cheesecake and Banana Halwa (a banana wrapped in a sweet skin).

Owner Vinnay Vittal was on hand to answer questions about the food. A local resident, Vittal graduated from Don Bosco High School and CW Post College.  He started working in the kitchen when he was a young boy, learning from his father and uncle, who have since retired.

Vittal’s mother is a physician working on a new line of heart-healthy dishes. Kailish’s chefs are trained at the Culinary School in India and are well versed in traditional foods from the North, which has more of a dairy influence and the East and South, which use more coconut milk.

The Mixed Appetizer Platter ($9) is a very good way to try many dishes at one time and for a very reasonable price.  Vegetable Pakoras (assorted vegetables lightly battered and fried), Murgh Tikka (marinated chicken skewered and grilled in Tandoor Oven), Sheek Kabob (Mildly spiced ground lamb, skewered and grilled in Tandoor Oven), and Onion Pakora (lightly battered and fried to perfection).  This is
enough to share with up to four for an appetizer, or 1-2 for dinner, depending on what else is ordered.

An all-time favorite is Naan—freshly made Indian Bread.  Garlic Naan ($4) is light and garlicky while theBombay Naan ($5) is more substantial as it is stuffed with Mozzarella and chedder cheeses and seasoned with fresh cilantro, red and green peppers and red onions. Children especially enjoy Naans as most are not at all spicy.

The food at Kailash is mild and wonderful, but chefs are at the ready to fire up the heat if a customer wishes. There are several other Indian restaurants in the area, all sampled more than once by this author and her ethnic food loving family-however this restaurant serves the quality of food one would expect to find in a far more
expensive place in the city.  The service is always excellent and meals are consistently fresh, hot and served beautifully.

Kailash, located at 22 Oak St., Ridgewood, is open Tuesdays through Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. for dinner. Closed Mondays. Reservations accepted, families welcome. Private Parties and takeout available.