रैथाने । Raithaane — Restaurant in Lalitpur Metropolitan City

Ok let me start with their menu because it is their menu that made me search their new location and take a detour Northward from Pulchowk although I and my 2 French clients were supposed to head towards Patan Durbar Square. Having a lunch at one of restaurants there would have been more reasonable. I repeat, it was their menu that made me track their new address in the residential area of Kupondole.

5 years back visiting their place for the first time, I was really impressed by their menu that had two novelties: a fusion of Western and Nepali cusine, for example the delicious Juju dhau pie and the inclusion of typical Nepali recipies from across the country that were unknown to many Nepalis, even the well traveled ones, a perfect example being Kanchemba - the buckwheat fries of Thakali people, whom generally people associate with their typical Dal Bhat.

Their co-owner, a young and jovial French woman is really amiable and gives out friendly vibes. Despite being in the rush she took out some time to explain to us about her professional journey in Nepal, her idea of the business and about her special menu.

Regarding other aspects of the restaurant the young staff are polite and friendly, the service was a bit late that day but there was also a wedding reception that, according to the owner, was the first time they were handling; food was okay, fish soup that I ordered was great but the croque monsieur, according to one of my clients, was just so-so. One thing I would have loved is that they mentioned the fresh apricot juice they offered contain added sugar as some people don't take or avoid refined sugar.

All in all a great environment, ambiance, service, hospitality and especially, the menu. Highly recommended...

Raithane was a rare but a wonderful find for me. And, a perfect first post for my Insta-blog.

Opened somewhere 6 months ago amidst the small alleys of Saugal, Patan and on a premise of "bahal" of rather old Newari Building- this venture opens up a rich and wide array of Nepalese ethnic food- encompassing a rich ethnic diversity of Nepalese food culture. It promises to acknowledge Nepalese of their rich food culture which otherwise is lost in availability of fast food momos and stereotypical food menus. The underused grains and Nepalese produce which adorn the Nepalese kitchen of Tharus, Rai, Limbus, Thakalis, Tamang, Sherpa among many add up to the menu of Raithane. Here, the remoteness of Far-West, the hardships of Farmers from hilly and Himalayas equally find place through the servings of its diverse menu.

Raithane in short is an innovation, inspiration and discovery in itself. In Picture: Chamre and Yanben-Faksa, a food from Rai-Limbu Community.

How to get there: a straight drive from Bal-kumari will take You to Saugal where You can find it. Or Past the Himalayan Java in Patan Durbar Square you will reach Saugal and take a left turn there.

Parking: Roadside Parking or Park at Himalayan Java Parking lot.

Price Value: Reasonably...

This is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants and possibly the best restaurant in Kathmandu. There is nothing else in town doing anything at this level, serving regional Nepali dishes which you won't find at typical restaurants, with a menu that changes seasonally and highlights high quality local ingredients. We've been three times so far and will definitely be back as it is the sort of place where you want to try the whole menu, and I wish we would be in town longer to try the summer menu. As a vegetarian some of my favorite dishes have been the potato dumpling soup called rildok, the potato pancake called rikikur served with a really delicious buttermilk dip, and the mushroom curry, made with the most delicious mountain mushrooms and served with buckwheat flatbread. All of the desserts have been great but the yogurt pie with a tsampa (roasted barley flour) crust is really exceptional and I hope to try their other pies as well. There are still many dishes I want to try, including the international section of the menu where they make global comfort foods with local twists. It is also a nice, clean space with friendly service. Don't miss this when you're...