Husband and wife team, Shakura and Nur Zayed, opened a restaurant called Atithi, a few months ago. Located at 70 Moraga Way, they serve Bangladeshi cuisine. Chef Shakura is pictured here with the entrée, Goat Rezala.
When Shakura and Nur Zayed opened Atithi, they had one mission – to bring a tasteful and authentic fusion of Bangladeshi and California cuisine to Orinda. Now, after just a few months, their restaurant is a local favorite.
With not a lot of Bangladeshi restaurants in the Bay Area, the couple felt there was a niche available in the crowded restaurant market, and since Shakura’s mother, Khurshida Chowdhury, is known for her home-style, healthy cooking, opening a family restaurant was a perfect fit.
“When I came to the United States in 2014 and met my son-in-law, after trying my food, he thought this is the culture California is missing and we should let others explore authentic Banga food,” said Chowdhury.
She added, “Growing up with a big family, taking care of four brothers and their kids, I am accustomed to cooking.”
However, Nur said opening the restaurant was not without obstacles.
“The first month was very challenging as new restaurants and food were unfamiliar to some,” he said. “However, we had an article in the East Bay Times in October that changed things.
“People often expect authentic Indian food,” he said, but there are differences in the two cuisines. “Even though there are some similarities, Bangladeshi food uses a variety of spices and uses beef widely.”
Atithi also has a selection of tandoori dishes, vegetarian options and seafood, with an emphasis on healthy eating.
The Zayeds took over the Anya’s Kitchen location in September and changed the name in October.
The restaurant’s name, Atithi, means “guest” in Bengali. In Bangladesh culture, having guests in your house is a gift from god. Consequently, it’s important to treat your guests well by serving food and showing hospitality.
With 15 years of experience in the industry, the Zayed family knows the importance of locally-sourced ingredients, working closely with local farms and artisans and using locally-grown produce. Handcrafted spices from Bangladesh are crucial to the Atithi menu, which features Beef Tahri (biryani rice and braised beef), creamy Goat Rezala and Coconut Chicken Korma.
For both takeout and eat-in, Orinda has embraced Atithi. Shakura said, “Overall, guests love the food and hospitality.”
All meats used have been certified by the Halal Food Standard Alliance of America and are collected from local ranches and hatcheries.
Catering is available and orders can be placed online at atithiorinda.com or by calling 925.257.7021. Their prices range from $10-20 and the restaurant is located at 70 Moraga Way.
