Gorkha Palace has been a Northeast fixture for a decade. Co-owners Rashmi Bhattachan and Sarala Kattel are celebrating the restaurant’s big 1-0 this month by offering 20 percent off all takeout orders through September 13 and giving away a dozen $50 gift cards, plus a gift basket stuffed with local goodies (valued at $500). Then on Thursday, September 17, they’re donating the day’s proceeds to a local Black Lives Matter cause. (See Gorkha’s Instagram or Facebook page for details.)

Gorkha’s motto, “Atithidevo bhava,” means “treat guests as gods,” and they do — even in this era of pandemic weirdness. Hospitality is in Bhattachan’s blood. Her family ran a hotel in Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal, and her grandmother once cooked for the country’s king and queen.

Beyond the all-smiles vibes, we love that the food here is made from scratch using as many fresh, local, and organic ingredients as possible. (Gorkha’s feel-good list of suppliers includes Wild Idea Buffalo Company, Bushel Boy, Ferndale Market, and Fischer Family Farm.)

The team even grinds and mixes its spices in-house, including a signature panch phoran blend of black mustard, fenugreek, nigella, cumin, and fennel seed.

So what’s the thing to order? Bison-stuffed momos and the choyla dinner combo, dontcha know! The Nepalese-style bento box includes your choice of chargrilled tandoori chicken or lamb coated in a garlicky chili-ginger paste, aloo achar (a spicy pickled potato salad), bhatmas sadeko (soybean salad), daal, basmati rice, and a cooling cup of raita.

Chili-heads, take note: Gorkha Palace offers six spice levels, ranging from Minnesota mild to “Gorkha hot.” Choose wisely. Anything above a medium and your dragon breath may singe your eyebrows.

Gorkha Palace
23 4th St. NE, Minneapolis, MN; 612-886-3451.