Cherylynn N.
Yelp
Perhaps it's just a yelp thing, a foodie thing, or just the obsessive nature of a Virgo but any review I post must accompany pictures. When ordering at a restaurant, I heavily rely on others' pictures so I want to be helpful to others too.
Taking food pics are easy with your SO or friends but with coworkers when you're trying to keep your Yelping on the DL? Not so much.
I usually get the ( o_O ) look while they're probably silently cursing in their heads: "We just came to eat and now you're f*ckin' embarrassing us trying to be a food photographer and sh*t"
Hey, at least I'm not asking them to hold the plate of food up while giving a cheesy thumbs. =D
Last week, I needed some alone time so I visited the newly opened Himalayan Pizza and Momo (HP&M) during my lunch break.
The Nepalese sister restaurant to Saffron Grill, HP&M serves Apps (samosas, chicken wings, etc), Momos (dumplings), Chow Mein, Thukpa (curry noodles), Curries, Himalayan-style (similar to Indian) and Standard Pizzas, Sandwiches, and Italian Pastas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friendly. Delivery available through UberEats.
Since it's in their name, I figure I better order both their specialties - Chicken Momo w/ tomato-garlic chutney (8 pc - $9.99) + Tandoori Chicken Pizza w/ tikka masala sauce, onions, basil (slice - $3.99): https://bit.ly/2q6sVGD.
Momos are like Chinese potstickers without the pan-fried bottoms and they're served with a tomato-garlic chutney. The momos were generously filled with a nicely spiced ground chicken mixture. It was flavorful on its own but the chutney added a nice tangy brightness. Since I also ordered a slice of pizza, I only ate two and brought the rest home. One of the kind staff gave me some tamarind and mint chutney with the momos to take home. I love bold flavors so the trio of chutneys (tomato, tamarind, and mint) gave the momos tasty, varying layers of savory sweet flavors.
I've had my fair share of Indian style pizzas but I'm often disappointed because the crust is so damn thick (I'm looking at you Zante's). Yea, I'm one of those who hate thick crust pizzas. It was love at first bite with the Tandoori Chicken Pizza. The combo of the tikka masala sauce with the melty cheese was sinfully delicious. The tandoori chicken was well-spiced and not dried out like how most white meat tandoori chicken can be. And, the crust? Thin, crispy, and chewy just the way I like it.
As soon as I returned to work, I showed my co-workers who loves Indian and Nepalese food a picture of my lunch and she said, "We MUST go back with you!"
See, food pics DO serve a purpose!
On my second visit, we ordered the Samosa Chaat: Spiced potato fried pastry w/ chana, yogurt, onion, chaat masala, mint & tamarind chutney ($6.99): https://bit.ly/2q9s4ny. If you're a texture wh*re like me, you will enjoy this app. The crunchy fried pastry with the soft potatoes and tender chana (chick peas), along with the creamy yogurt were super yummy especially with the pop of brightness from the mint and tamarind chutney.
For our main, we ordered a Small Tandoori Chicken Pizza w/ tikka masala sauce, onions, basil ($16.99): https://bit.ly/2GDSxoC. Almost as good as the first time I had it the week before but the sauce tasted different this time (like brown curry). It didn't taste like rich and tangy tikka masala sauce. Perhaps another sauce was used by accident? I guess, I'll have to visit again soon to make sure it was simply an error because seriously, it was love at first bite with this pizza.
We also ordered the Butter Chicken: Roasted dark chicken w/ butter, tomato cashew sauce ($13.99): https://bit.ly/2EnnkzP. If I had to describe this dish in one word: WOW!
The butter sauce was incredibly rich and velvety without being greasy because they use cashews. Y'all know how much I hate dry white meat so yay that they use roasted dark meat in this dish. It was uber tender and beautifully soaked up all that delicious sauce. Most definitely, in my Top 3 of Best Butter Chicken in SF along with Raavi (TL) and Cuisine of Nepal (Bernal Heights). Make sure to get a side of fluffy basmati rice to soak up all that saucy goodness.
Service is counter service but the staff is kind, deliver your order, and help clear your dishes so please tip accordingly. If you're ordering a whole pie, it does take at least 15 minutes so you want to call ahead to place your order to go.
The area is seedy but the restaurant itself is very clean with a handful of tables. Since it's across from UC Hastings and with a lot of government offices in the area, I imagine them getting really busy for lunch once more people find out about it so it's a good idea to come early for lunch.
You know how they say, the best ethnic food comes from the hood? Himalayan Pizza & Momo is no exception!