New restaurant brings tastes of Nepal to Lexington with spice, and a buffet
As Lexington began to emerge as a foodie town, one of the bonuses was the addition of ethnic restaurants that offered cuisines previously unfamiliar to many Lexingtonians.
The city has long had Italian, Chinese and Mexican food outlets, but few others to tantalize palates more used to steak, fried chicken and seafood.
The next wave saw the addition of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants, and now it seems there’s no turning back.
Foodies can dine one night on French fare, the next on Peruvian or Brazilian favorites, and the next on Korean and Mongolian specialties.
Now they can add Nepali cuisine to the list, with the opening last September of Everest Nepalese & Indian Cuisine on Alexandria Drive in Gardenside.
Since then, it has been attracting diners who come initially for the Indian dishes, and come back for their Nepali counterparts.
What is Nepali cuisine like?
In truth, the cuisines of the two countries — situated in the shadows of the Himalayas, hence the name — have much in common.
“We do Tandoori chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, curry, biryani (a heavily spiced rice dish popular with Indian Muslims and Thupka (a Tibetan noodle soup popular with Tibetans, Indians and Nepalese – a vegetable version or one with chicken or shrimp added),” says Bishnu Bhandari, co-owner of Everest, along with Sameer Shrestha.
Bhandari says that these are the dishes Lexingtonians are probably most familiar with.
However, it’s clear that both men, natives of Nepal, are eager to bring the flavors of their homeland not just to the roughly 1,000 Nepalese living in Lexington, but to those who may never have had a chance to try it.
“Indian and Nepali food is very similar,” says Bhandari. “The main difference is that most Nepalese dishes are all protein with no saturated fats, therefore healthier.”
What is the restaurant like?
Entering the new restaurant, the first thing one sees is a large statue of the Buddha, the ascetic and religious teacher born in 564 B.C. in Lumbini Province which today straddles the Nepal/India border.
Once inside, the music resembles a soundtrack from a Bollywood movie. And that’s just fine with me, as nothing disappoints more than going to a Mexican, Jamaican, Italian or any other ethnic eatery, and having to listen to a generic playlist of pop tunes from Ed Sheeren, Lady Gaga or Taylor Swift.
Everest is intended to be a spot for cultural immersion, according to the owners, who hope to offer some type of program featuring Hindi/Nepali music and dance on a monthly basis.
It’s the diners, however, who are likely to be singing and dancing with joy over the complex flavors layered on their plates.
What is on the Everest Nepalese Indian restaurant menu?
For starters, opt for the Samosa Chaat, a tangy, spicy Indian street food. In case you haven’t tried it, it’s a fried pastry filled with chickpeas, sweet yogurt, tamarind and mint chutney.
Speaking of yogurt, they make their own here, and it’s well worth ordering – either in one of the dishes or on its own as a dessert.
Another good choice would be the MoMos, Nepali dumplings, steamed and offered with a variety of fillings – my favorite being the Chili MoMo (the dumpling is fried and sauteed with onions, and bell peppers tossed with chili garlic sauce.)
It can be had with chicken or vegetables, and can best be described as an explosion of flavors in the mouth.
All of this is a prelude to the main show which, for me, was the Newari Khaja, featuring Piroo aloo (boiled potatoes tossed with cumin seeds and a blend of spices), Chicken Choila (spicy grilled chicken tossed in fresh chopped ginger and garlic, coriander and toasted spices) served with beaten rice, achar (South Asian pickles) and Soybean Sandeko (a cold salad, again with a blend of spices.)
My favorite item on the platter was the unusual egg dish. They boil the egg first, add in mustard oil and spices and then fry it. Unusual, maybe; delicious, definitely.
Are you beginning to see a pattern here? Nepalese food is spicy, and as many of the spices used are not ones usually found in Western spice racks, it’s advisable to have a glass of water or two handy.
If you are unfamiliar with Nepalese cuisine and aren’t sure what to order, your best bet may be to go on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, as that’s when they offer a buffet featuring many of the most representative menu items.
Chicken Masala, along with saag, a spinach dish, rice, naan, a Samosa of peas and potatoes, and Pakora (onion, potato and spinach) are available each of the three days, while a selection of Chili MoMos are featured on Friday, a Tandoori special on Saturday and Goat Curry on Sunday.
If you are looking to expand your food palette and to try a cuisine you may have never had before, Everest Nepalese & Indian Cuisine provides an excellent opportunity.
Everest Nepalese & Indian Cuisine
Where: 1801 Alexandria Drive, #192
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m.
Call: 859-447-8080
Online: everestlex.com
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