Everest on Grand in St. Paul

Eric Faust / Heavy Table
Eric Faust / Heavy Table

The heights of Nepal meet the prairies of Minnesota at Everest on Grand. If you are willing to wait for a table and it is in season you can taste yak cooked in a traditional tandoor ($19.95), a coal-heated oven that yields a high dry heat and imparts a smoky nuance that complements the marinade. The yak, when available, comes from Hoopers’ Christmas Tree Ranch in Cold Spring, MN. The combination of locally raised grass-fed yak and the traditional Nepali oven is a unique and pleasing collaboration.

Jena Modin
Jena Modin

Yak, lamb, chicken, and pork are all available roasted in the tandoor and served on a bed of green peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Proteins including shrimp, tilapia, and goat are available in other dishes. Distinctive ingredients such jack-fruit buds and paneer-style cheese also make appearances.

Momo, Nepali steamed dumplings (above), are available in full or half orders ($4.80 or $8), making them convenient as an appetizer or entrée. The dumplings come with a choice of meat, vegetables, herbs, spices, and dipping sauce.

Chai tea at Everest on Grand is unlike the rich, sweet 20-oz. caffeine buzz that you get at Starbucks. Served on a saucer with sugar on the side, their chai is called chiya ($3) — it consists of Assam breakfast tea brewed in water and milk, which allows the taste of the tea to shine through. The restaurant’s mango lassi ($4) is homemade yogurt blended with mango pulp and spice — the natural sweetness of the mango pureed to a silky consistency provides a refreshing break to the intense spice and curry of the tandoor-cooked meats.

Jena Modin
Jena Modin

Everest on Grand

Nepalese on Grand Ave
1278 Grand Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105
651.696.1666
OWNER:
Padam Sherma
HOURS:

Mon-Thu
Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm
Dinner 5pm-9pm
Fri 11:30am-10pm
Sat 11:30am-10pm
Sun  11:30am-9pm
BAR:
Bottled beer and wine.
ENTREE RANGE:
Lunch $8-12; Dinner $8-22


5 Comments

  1. HungryinSW

    I’ve always wanted to try this place, but have never just pulled over to stop in. Thanks for the info, now I really want to try it out. The idea of Yak has interested me ever since my first good goat experience. I’ll have to hit it on one of my more adventurous days.

  2. HazelStone

    I second the yak recommendation. This place is really great, though a tiny bit spendy for my budget. The lunch buffet is the perfect compromise.

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