Chirag Prajapati’s dream of one day owning a restaurant came true when Namaste The Royal Taste of India opened at 234 D Street in Blaine in December 2023. Prajapati has now opened another restaurant in Bellingham after increased demand for its authentic flavors.
“I had a dream when I was nine years old to open a restaurant,” Prajapati said. “I came to Blaine to drop somebody off to visit Canada and I saw the for sale sign here.”
After growing up in Ahmedabad in western India, Prajapati moved to the U.S. in 2010, first landing in New York, but eventually heading west to escape the cold winters. In Seattle, he worked as a laborer and at a gas station.
Once he acquired some construction skills, Prajapati started his own construction business and began saving to fulfill his childhood dream of owning a restaurant.
“I wanted to open a restaurant in Lake Sammamish but they didn’t give me a spot because I didn’t have experience,” Prajapati. “That was a very tough time.”
Namaste serves Indian favorites such as butter chicken, korma, biryani and curries. Chef Arul Sebastian, or “Anna,” is the one who makes Namaste taste so good, Prajapati said.
“Everybody loves the food,” Prajapati said. “People drive half an hour to come to eat because they can’t find any good Indian food.”
Prajapati emphasized that his group is what makes the restaurant special. He said Jasmine Johnson played an important role in helping establish the menu when the restaurant first opened.
“Without them, I’m nothing,” Prajapati said. “It’s hard to find people like that.”
Namaste’s second location opened its doors in downtown Bellingham on December 18, exactly a year after it opened the Blaine restaurant. Prajapati saw demand for a Bellingham location after customers had told him they traveled up to Blaine just to eat at Namaste.
But Blaine’s location is still a priority for Prajapati and his staff, he said.
“I want to have a restaurant where friends and family come together,” Prajapati said. “That’s why my plan is to make a restaurant, not a fast food business.”
Restaurant recommendation: Prajapati recommends readers try the new chicken methi curry or chicken saag curry.
This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here