From Maharaja to Kamal Palace
by Tara Nelson

The former Maharaja Indian restaurant has new owners and a new name. Billa and Kim Singh, of Bellingham, bought the restaurant last November and changed its name to Kamal Palace.

Singh, who had spent several years in California working for IBM as a computer chip technician and then operating a liquor store in Reno, decided he didn’t want his children to grow up around prostitution and gambling. So, in November of 2005, Singh and his wife packed their bags and moved to Whatcom County.

Singh said they had traveled through Bellingham several times while visiting family in Vancouver, B.C. and grew to love the area because of it’s natural beauty and friendly community. They also thought Whatcom County would be a better place to raise their children, Manroop, 11, and Navroop, 4.

“ We were on our way to visit family in Vancouver and we stopped to eat something at Maharaja,” he said. “The owner said he was selling it and after I talked to my wife, she agreed. Indian culture is very family oriented. We don’t like gambling or prostitution and I didn’t want my kids to grow up around those things.”

Singh, who has a master of arts degree in history from Lyalpur Khalsa College in Jalandher, India, said although he is new to the restaurant business, he thinks Indian food will become more popular in Whatcom County as more residents become willing to try it.

“ I think people love Indian food because the flavors are well rounded,” he said. “My kids eat at McDonald’s but I only eat Indian food. I love it; it’s my food.”

Customers to Kamal Palace can expect the standard Indian favorites such as Chicken Tikka Masala, pieces of white meat chicken simmered in a rich, tangy tomato sauce made from yogurt, tomato paste, heavy cream, ginger and Indian spices -- a dish rumored to be the national dish of England; the Saag Paneer, or cubes of homemade buttermilk cheese cooked in a thick, savory spinach sauce; and the tandoori barbequed chicken, or whole pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt, paprika and other spices and baked in a traditional clay oven.

In addition, Singh has also added a few other dishes including Pav Bhaji, cauliflower, peas, carrots, tomatoes, beans and onions cooked with Indian spices and smashed in the traditional Bombay style and served with a buttered, toasted roll; the Aloo Chole, potatoes simmered with whole chick peas, onions, tomatoes, spices and garnished with cilantro; and the Tandoori Shrimp Masala, or bright red tandoori shrimp simmered in a rich tomato sauce and garnished with cilantro ($11.95).

This reporter’s favorites were the Gosht Tikka Saagwala, tender chunks of lamb simmered in a velvety rich spinach sauce similar to the Saag Paneer; and the Shahi Navratan Korma, a slightly sweet mix nine vegetables including potatoes, carrots, peas, green and lima beans and broccoli sautéed with ginger, garlic, onion and cooked in a tomato cream sauce with pistachio nuts, raisins and coconut ($8.95). No Indian meal, however, is complete without fragrant basmati rice ($2) and naan ($2.25), a large triangle shaped piece of unleavened bread that arrives hot and loaded with or without lots of chopped garlic, butter and cilantro. Never mind the crispy dark blisters - those are a result of throwing slabs of dough onto the wall of a 400-degree tandoori oven and make for a puffy interior and crispy outside.

For an appetizer, try the vegetable samosas ($2.95), two deep fried Indian pastries stuffed with a mildly spiced potato and peas, served hot with a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce and refreshing mint chutney; or the vegetable pakoras, crispy hot potato and onion fritters made with chick pea batter ($3.25).

The paneer pakoras made with a low-fat buttermilk cheese were also delicious and came served with tamarind sauce and mint chutney ($3.95); as was the Aloo Tikki Chat, a cool and refreshing mix of spicy potato fritters tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce ($4.25).

Beginners to Indian food, may want to choose one of the sampler plates in vegetarian or non-vegetarian varieties ($13.95 and up). Each dinner includes a variety of entrees (your choice) as well as a samosa, coffee or tea, and naan. The daily lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is also a great way to sample a variety of dishes without much commitment ($6.95).

Kamal Palace is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. They can be reached by calling (360)647-1598.

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(3-27-2006)

Tara Nelson, of Bellingham, Wash., is a reporter for The Northern Light newspaper in Blaine, Wash., and a freelance writer. She is a graduate of Western Washington University's journalism program and enjoys cooking in her spare time. Tara can be reached by emailing tara@tasteofwhatcom.com.

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