Catherine Whyte visits Esher's favourite Nepalese restaurant Sherpa Kitchen, where readers can get a 15 percent discount!
Kids just love to ask questions. Almost as soon as we arrived at Sherpa Kitchen, the well-loved Nepalese restaurant in Esher, the eldest of my two children demanded to know what a Sherpa was.
“Well…” I began, poised to educate them about the achievements of Tenzing Norgay and the heroics of Surrey’s own George Mallory, when – as children are wont to do – they changed the subject.
Children may be flighty, but the discerning diners of Esher most definitely are not: in its fourteen year tenure, Sherpa Kitchen has trod a steady path to keep its place as a firm local favourite. On the night we went, it was well stocked with those out to enjoy a convivial meal with friends and family.
It looks tiny from the outside but expands unexpectedly to reveal a downstairs bar and waiting area as well as a galleried seating area. The décor is very agreeable: it feels as though you are sitting in someone’s newly painted conservatory peppered with paper scrolls, plants and Nepalese nik-naks.
Regulars at Sherpa Kitchen will tell you that the restaurant’s best-loved dishes include its Momos (steam cooked pork dumplings), Teeli See (belly of pork marinated in cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric and fresh chilli) and Rara chicken (barbequed chicken in a mild tomato and cream sauce topped with almonds).
However, we went for a more traditional spread of dishes commonly found in Nepal accompanied by a dish of Moola Achar (spicy white radish pickles) and a plate of the most amazing Rashilo Bhat (rice cooked with bay leaves and cardamom). Needless to say, it was all tip top, as was the service. One of the waitresses spent a while chatting to the children and she even went the extra mile to persuade the chef to make me a cup of masala chai, which wasn’t on the menu.
For all their loyal customer support, great food and service, the Sherpa Kitchen team are keen to expand their lunchtime trade. Esher business people take note: the set lunchtime menu (12-2.30pm) is priced at £9.95 and includes
a main, rice or naan and a small beer or wine.
Elmbridge and Kingston Magazine readers can also benefit from a 15% discount on evening meals from Sun to Thurs by simply showing a copy of this review. Valid until May 31.
