Everest Grill, which opened its original location in Kāneʻohe in January, just opened a second location. The Indian and Nepali restaurant opened on the second floor of Westridge Shopping Center; the eatery is in the former space of Jessica’s Kitchen (which is now in Kapolei).
According to business owner Atam Shahi, the ‘Aiea location about the same size as the Kāneʻohe eatery.
“Kāneʻohe is a little bigger,” he says. “The layout is the same (as when Jessica’s Kitchen was here); we just had to decorate (the interior).”
This location’s menu is mostly the same as the one at the Kāneʻohe restaurant, but the ‘Aiea store has a few exclusive dishes. ‘Aiea exclusives include dal soup (lentil soup served with rice), chicken seekh kebab (minced chicken skewers) and chicken chili. The latter features a sweet and sour curry with bell peppers and onions, according to Shahi.
“The dal soup is a more popular soup in India,” he explains. “The chicken chili is popular in Nepal.”
The menu features a variety of momo (steamed or fried dumplings) and appetizers; tandoor and grill specials; chicken, lamb, shrimp and vegetarian curries; housemade naan breads and desserts.
Popular starters include chicken chili momo ($14.99) and chicken steamed momo ($13.99).
“The chicken chili momo is deep-fried momo tossed in chili sauce with bell peppers and onions,” Shahi says.
He says the eatery’s samosa chaat ($10.99) — crushed samosas (fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes) layered with chutneys and chickpeas — is another customer favorite
“We smash the samosa and chickpeas, and garnish it with green chutney, tamarind chutney, some tomato chutney, yogurt sauce and onions,” Shahi says.
The ‘Aiea location’s chicken seekh kebab comes out on a sizzling platter, and is served with a green chutney sauce for dipping, according to Shahi. Other popular dishes from the Kaneohe location include tandoori chicken ($19.99), chicken Malai tikka ($20.99), shrimp coconut curry ($20.99), mixed vegetable curry ($16.99) and saag paneer ($17.99); the latter is a vegetarian curry made with spinach.
“The tandoori chicken is like chicken marinated overnight in yogurt and spices,” Shahi says. “The chicken Malai tikka is chicken thigh meat marinated in heavy cream and other spices.
He notes that while chicken tikka masala ($19.99) and butter chicken ($19.99) are bestsellers, he always recommends Dhaniya chicken curry ($19.99), which is a classic dish with lots of cilantro.
“It’s a cilantro-based curry with tomato sauce; it’s a more authentic Nepali dish,” he explains. “I always recommend Dhaniya chicken, and everybody likes it.”
He explains that biryani features basmati rice cooked with spices and gravy, with a choice of meat or vegetables.
“It comes with veggie, chicken, lamb or shrimp; chicken and lamb are the most popular,” Shahi says.
The eatery’s housemade naan is available a la carte; bestsellers include garlic naan ($4.99) and garlic cheese naan ($6.99), according to Shahi.
“Our onion kulcha ($6.99) is also good,” he says. “It’s like onion stuffed inside of the naan bread.”
Diners can finish their meals with desserts like mango or pista kulfi ($5.99 each) — housemade mango and pistachio ice cream, respectively — or drinks like mango lassi ($4.99).
During its soft opening, the eatery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CONTACT
Everest Grill
98-150 Kaonohi St. Ste. B-213, ‘Aiea
808-600-5200
Instagram: @everestgrill
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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