Crossed Khukris Gurkha

"If you don 't know what Nepalese food is like, you are in for a treat! Imagine north Indian/Chinese food, but with a fresher taste and far less oil. A range of delicate herbs and spices, with superb quality meat, all form some of the tastiest food you can get! If you also add the range of breads, my favourite is arguably the best Lashun roti (Garlic naan bread) you will ever taste. I have been visiting the Crossed Khukris since it first opened in 1998 and regularly enjoy a monthly take-away. The refresh of the restaurant has given it a good update, made it more airy , lighter and even more comfortable. When you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by the friendly staff and the owner, all smartly dressed in traditional Nepalese costume. The choice of drinks either at the table or on the soft chairs by the bar. I recommend the Gurkha Beer (lager) that comes to you in a giant 660ml bottle, would love to get a case for home. There 's a range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. They even have Coca-cola in glass bottles. I have not seen that for years. They divide the menu vegetarian and non-vegetarian. I have tasted almost every one of the starters over the years. However, my favourites are the Momo (steamed dumplings) with a range of fillings. You dip them into sauces that take them to another level and Sandeko khasi, a Lamb dish of cooked over charcoal and marinated with sesame seeds, fresh chillies, coriander, onions, capsicums and spices. They serve it cold with sliced seared onions and fresh salad. My wife loves the Sandeko khasi, but has a passion for the Chilli Sausages. The range of main courses is really extensive. Again, if you are familiar with Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/Chinese food, you will be in Gastro-heaven with the choice here. I love the Lamb and beef (yes, they do beef in Nepal) curry. The range that the Crossed Khukris has on the menu is wide enough for you to eat there once a month for four years and never have the same dish twice! The specialities are wonderful, on this visit I had the Gurkha beef that is usually a very hot dish, however, I cannot manage it hot at present and they cooked it mild just for me. I also ordered boiled basmati rice and a garlic naan. The wife ordered chicken chowmein, but not the sort you get at a regular Chinese takeaway. It has a different noodle, with garlic, chilli, ginger, herbs and spices. It 's a very aromatic dish that comes out in a cloud of steam and fills the air with a pungent smell. She 's had the lamb and beef versions and orders it regularly. She loves the Chef 's special prawns too. A really unusual dish if you like shellfish. From sitting down to being presented with some complimentary papadams took only a few minutes. Our starters following inside a minute or two of our papadam 's being cleared away. As usual, we swapped halfway through. I wish Om would offer a mixed starter so we could have a little of each of our favourites. The restaurant was busy for a Friday night, where weekends are busier in the restaurant than in the week. Personally, I love eating there on a Thursday night. It 's busy, but not as much as the weekend. The main course took a few minutes from our starters being cleared away. We had already drank the very quaffable Gurkha beer and ordered some more. Service was fast and efficient. Our main meals came out and I think I 've found a new must have , in the milder Gurkha beef, it 's gorgeous! Fresh aroma of herbs wafted up from the plate, mouthwatering! The size of the meals on the monogrammed china fills the plate. The basmati rice was delicate and cooked to perfection and, being totally honest. You could just give me a plate of the Lashun roti (Garlic naan bread), I would be a happy man!!! It 's soft, with a texture within the bread where you get the flavours of sour yogurt and the buttery goodness rolling over your tongue, then bam! Soft garlic that doesn 't come with that harsh hot/bitter flavour you would normally associate with other garlic breads. Usual high standards, look forward to next months visit!"