Downtown Astorias culinary scene just got a little spicier.

The long-awaited Himani Indian Cuisine opened Wednesday, bringing the Kancharla familys curries, tandoori oven specialties and Sunday Market favorites to everyone six days a week.

The restaurant is at 1044 Marine Drive, a large space the family has been working to renovate for months. Now, the dining room has more than a dozen tables, three cozy booths and warm, elegant furnishings.

The kitchen will be run by co-owner Manirao Kancharla. She and her husband, co-owner Kruparao Kancharla, are looking forward to seeing their son, William Kancharla, run the new dining room.

The family has lived in the area for 18 years, and owns and operates four adult foster care homes in the area. They originally came to the U.S. from the Guntur region in the southwestern part of India, where food is a bit different than in other parts of the country.

On Tuesday night, the Kancharlas invited family and friends to sample vegetable pakoras, tandoori chicken, aloo gobi (cauliflower and potatoes with ginger, tomatoes and spices), chicken makhani (chicken with cream and tomatoes) and naan (flat bread baked in a clay oven). An extensive menu includes more than a dozen vegetarian curries, as well as chicken, lamb and seafood curries. 

Several southern Indian specialties like masala dosa, a crepe stuffed with potato masala curry are on the menu.

Entrees range from $9 to $16 and at lunch, a $10 buffet option will be available.

The family will still operate their Sunday Market booth, and the restaurant will be closed that day.