IT takes a lot to get the D’Angers north of the river, but Himalayan Nepalese in Mosman Park is well worth the trip.

The restaurant’s standout dish is their momos.

The just-chewy dumplings ($14) were full of spicy flavours, including cashew nuts, and the plum dipping sauce was great.

We were dining with muso mate Les, and his wife Robbie, before his gig at Mojos’ open mic night.

His pre-performance jitters were contagious and everyone was ravenous as we prepared to order an impressive list of entrees.

Coupled with an ambitious mains order, our uber-helpful waiter suggested we stick to the momo and vegetable pakoras ($8), which turned out to be good advice.

Flatter than usual, the pakoras were wonderfully crisp and delicious.

Les ordered the goat curry ($22.50) for mains.

He said the traditional Nepalese dish, redolent of onion and tomato, was spicy and hot.

“It’s very tender and just fell off the bone,” he opined.

Hailing from the hills, Robbie’s a fan of Indian paneer (cheese) and went for the chilli version ($16 entree).

The diced, baked ricotta was fried with onion and capsicum, and accompanied by a house-made tomato sauce with traces of chilli and soy.

“You guys really do have the best food down this way,” Robbie said after the first mouthful.

D’Angerous Dave and I ordered the machha ko tandruk (fish curry $21.50).

The firm flesh was perfectly cooked and smothered in a rich tomato and onion sauce.

The jhogi ($6.50), a Nepalese version of fried rice, had a delicate mix of peas, cumin seeds and saffron.

Our mates had to head off to the gig, but Dave and I enjoyed a rato mohan ($8.50), Nepalese for gulab jamun, and a gajar ko haluwa (carrot halva $8.50). Both were divine.

And we also loved the swamp rock played by the Stone Frogs – otherwise known as Les and Shane – at Mojo’s later that night.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Himalayan Nepalese
634 Stirling Highway,
Mosman Park
6161 2290
open 7 days 5–10pm