Morgan C.
Yelp
We Yelpers love to throw the term "hidden gem" around on this site, but Jewel of Himalaya is a restaurant that certainly is worthy of the moniker. Tucked away in a low key looking plaza off of a main road in Yorktown Heights, Jewel of Himalaya brings authentic Nepalese cuisine to those who are "in the know" regarding this awesome little eatery. And when I say little, I mean it. There's only about 10-12 tables in the whole place, plus limited seating at the small bar. It can get crowded, especially between 7-9 PM, so be prepared to wait. However, you'll have plenty to look at while you do, as the waiting area is decked out with snazzy cultural memorabilia and unique artwork that's as interesting as it is beautiful. In fact, the whole vibe here matches that theme - it's upscale, with white tablecloths and candlelight at every table, but casual enough for a decent weeknight meal or meetup with friends. It's also super clean and well maintained throughout.
Once you sit down, take a look at the menu, which offers a dizzying array of cuisine. While you're deciding what to order, snack on the complimentary poppadom bread with two dipping sauces: a spicy onion based one, and a sweet vinegar based one. I loved the vinegar one, and even asked for extra to douse the rest of my food in. This was our first visit, and I had to try everything! We started off with the Veggie Pakora, fried morsels of goodness that are free courtesy of the Yelp Check In Offer (never have I been happier to be a Yelper! :), and the steamed Chicken Momos, the Nepalese answer to dumplings, which come piping hot in their own little steamer basket! So cute, and very flavorful! The momos also come with homemade dipping sauces - a spicy (!!!) red sauce and a milder orange sauce. Both were tasty, and I ended up using most of the portion for the momos! The only sad trombone of the meal was the Thukpa Soup, and I was especially bummed since this is probably my favorite Nepalese dish after sampling some at Lhasa in New York City. The noodles weren't homemade even though the menu said they were, and I wasn't crazy about the flavor of the broth. There was just too much going on for my tastes. Oh well. However, the other appetizers were excellent! I can't believe we had room for the Chicken Tikka, which arrived on a sizzling platter of veggies. All eyes in the restaurant turned to our table as the plate was put down, and I was impressed with the presentation and the flavor of the dish. The chicken was super tender, marinated in yogurt and Indian spices, and then cooked on skewers in a tandoor oven, and the Basmati rice it was served with added a nice bite of savoriness to round out the meal. Needless to say, we skipped dessert, although I heard good things about the mango kulfi. Next time!
We also got the chance to meet the owner, and it was evident how much pride and hard work he puts into his restaurant and also the excellent customer service he provides for the guests. It was a wonderful moment of serendipity to find this hidden "Jewel" in Yorktown Heights, and I look forward to coming back again next time I'm in town!