There is a traditional Nepalese fried bread called sel roti that I have been keen to try since reading about it. After scouring some of the local Nepalese restaurant menus, I found that Om Restaurant had it listed as a starter for a mere £1 a piece.
I periodically search online for “new restaurants [town name]”. This is rarely successful, but allows me to be filled with annoyance and exclaim “these are NOT NEW!” at the search results, so there is some benefit.
A while ago though, I struck gold, as a random link came up to a review of a not-that-new restaurant in Aldershot called Vintuna. They offer Newari and Nepalese dining, and as I’d never even heard of the former, I was very excited. Their website explains that Newari cuisine originates “from the Newar community of Nepal”, and listed some dishes I had not come across before.
I have known Chariya for a number of years, and her MasterChef UK 2023 win was richly deserved. Her drive, enthusiasm and expertise has always been amazing, plus she is annoyingly likeable for someone so gifted.
When I learned Chariya was opening her own restaurant in Alton (also home to her coffee shop Coffee Cherry), I was extremely excited and booked a slot as soon as I could.
Quite a few interesting little food places have sprung up in my local area over the last year or two.
If I were a better blogger I would have written about all my visits, accompanying the posts with a selection of artful photos, but I didn’t, so you’re out of luck!
That said, H and I did go to a place back in March (coughs apologetically), Gagan Chulo, that I wanted to write about.
If you want a delicious, cheap and occasionally gently amusing meal, I feel obligated to recommend The Gallery Restaurant in Farnborough.
