Almost every adventure sport-person in California knows highway 395. Winding its way along the sheer eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada mountains, 395 is home to some of the state’s most severe scenery. Attesting to the area’s geological prowess, a mere 85 miles separates the contiguous 48’s highest point (Mt. Whitney at 14,494 ft/4418 m) from the lowest point (Badwater, Death Valley at 282 ft/86 m below sea level) — and the 395 cuts right between the two. But as always with NKRH, the big question is “where to eat?”
Save it for Bishop. Last major stop from the South before hitting Mammoth Mountain, Bishop boasts two unlikely places in particular: India Palace (Indian, duh) and Imperial Gourmet (Chinese). Both sit at the rear of a minimall at 395 and Yaney St., and both boast large veggie-friendly sections of the menu. The produce at Imperial Gourmet is crisp (who knew fresh gai lan was so easy to score 200 miles from absolutely anything?) and the cooking at India Palace is straight homemade (I swear they put the lentils on the stove the second I ordered the dal). I’d go on, but let’s just say these two can hold their own against any Indian or Chinese restaurant in New York or the Bay Area. That’s a feat in itself for a couple of family-run stops in the beautiful middle of nowhere.
Imperial Gourmet is at 785 N. Main St, ste K in Bishop, CA. 760-872-1144
India Palace is at 787 N. Main St, ste D in Bishop, CA. 760-873-7000. Closed Tuesday.
Thanks to Yummy 4 My Tummy for this broccoli shot from Jasmine Seafood in San Diego (oops, I forgot to take a camera to Bishop).
And don’t forget to bread up at legendary Eric Schat’s Bakery before you head home from your adventures. This Dutch 395 stalwart claims to be home of the “original sheepherder bread” but the real treat is the jalapeño cheese bread–an absolute adventure all to itself.
