When it comes to ordering an Indian takeaway or going out for a sit down meal, everyone certainly has their favourite. Many of us can reel off our go-to dishes and we all know a place we think does it best.
But it’s always a good idea to try something new. So, when we were invited to Everest Kitchen in Saltash to try out some dishes after its most recent five star food hygiene rating, it was an offer we couldn’t pass up.
The family-run restaurant, tucked away on the town’s Lower Fore Street, was opened five years ago by brothers Mutki Kharel and Lokendra Khadka. It specialises in authentic Nepalese and Indian food which is freshly prepared each day.
Since opening, Mutki and his team have created a reputation for having consistently exceptional food and customer service. Everest Kitchen has garnered hundreds of five star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, with many praising it for its friendly staff and delicious dishes.
When we arrived at 6pm on a Friday night, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff and were quickly seated at our table. Lokendra, who goes by his nickname Lucky, came over to introduce himself - as he did with all of his customers - and informed us that he would be our waiter for the evening.
The great thing about Everest Kitchen is it offers a lot more choice than your classic Indian hits. Yes, you can get your traditional tikka masala, vindaloo or jalfrezi but there’s also a whole host of dishes to explore.
The menu itself is extensive, featuring a range of classic and specialty dishes, with the option to choose from chicken, lamb, prawn, duck, or vegetables. It was so extensive in fact, my companion and I spent a good while trying to decide what to order.
Lucky was keen to offer his recommendations but we eventually agreed on the mixed starter - a combination of lamb tikka, chicken tikka and sheek kebab - whilst we pondered our mains. While waiting for our first course, we picked at some tasty poppadoms which came with dips and chutneys while enjoying a glass of coke and diet coke.
A short while later, Lucky brought over our starter, along with a complementary side of chicken pakora, and took our orders for our main dishes. I have to throw it out there and say the mixed starter was some of the tastiest food we’d ever tried.
The meat was perfectly tender and bursting with an infusion of flavours that made us want to savour each bite. My fellow diner couldn’t stop raving about it and we knew we were in for a treat with the rest of our meal having been off to such a good start.
The pakora was also a treat as the deep fried batter was light and crispy and not too doughy or overpowering. Like the mixed starter, it had a good mix of flavour and seasoning which left us wanting more.
As we tucked into our starters, we were able to fully soak up our surroundings. While on the smaller side of restaurants, the decor at Everest Kitchen creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you go to enjoy a freshly cooked meal with family or friends.
It was fairly quiet when we arrived but as soon as we were seated, the tables around us quickly filled up. Meals were also frequently bagged up to be collected and delivered to those waiting for the treat of a Friday night takeaway.
Many of the customers seemed to be frequent visitors as Lucky and the rest of the team greeted them by name and engaged in friendly conversation.
Our main meals soon arrived and we were excited to try them. I ordered the Nepal lamb - cooked with coconut, almond, butter, honey, mango and a touch of cream - with a shared side of mushroom rice, sag aloo and peshwari naan bread. The dish was cooked beautifully, with tender lamb and a sweet and creamy sauce.
My companion also thoroughly enjoyed the bulsan salmon which was cooked with coconut, almond in a creamy sauce, onion and mixed peppers. She said the fish was extremely fresh and tasty with a good combination of flavours.
As an addition to our already big order, Lucky brought over a complementary king prawn dish. Despite struggling to eat it all, we soldiered on and were left feeling very full and content.
Dessert was the last thing on our minds by the end of the meal but Lucky suggested we tried the matka kulfi - a traditional Indian ice cream with pistachios, saffron sauce and chopped almonds. It was unlike anything else I have tried before with the sweet and aromatic tones of the saffron being the stand out flavour.
During our meal, Mutki came over to introduce himself having been our chef for the evening. He explained that they have a strong ethos of using only the freshest and finest ingredients, regardless of rising costs. He also said honest feedback from customers is very important to them as they always strive to be better.
While the family lives over the border in Plymouth, they try their best to serve the community in Saltash by regularly donating food to the local food bank, giving vouchers to schools in the area and sponsoring the women’s football club.
It was clear that the restaurant is not just a business to them, it’s a place to meet new people, support their community and showcase their excellent food. So, if you’re a local living in Saltash or you’re considering making a trip to try out a new restaurant, I would highly recommend a visit to Everest Kitchen.
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