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.
Aldershot’s historic connection with Gurkha soldiers has led to a large Nepalese community settling in the local area.
There have always been the odd few restaurants here extolling the virtues of Nepalese cuisine, but the increasing audience has seen a rise in outlets and the growth of a more specialist approach.
The other night we visited Nanglo (46 Grosvenor Road, Aldershot). Its website had talked of a menu containing 30 dishes from Nepal, and I was interested to see what new things there might be to try.
Toughness is not normally a positive term when associated with food. “Mmm, that was really tough…” is not a phrase you want to hear someone at the next table saying when you’re waiting for your food to arrive. Especially the “mmm” bit – that’s just odd.
I haven’t heard anyone say this, I should hasten to add. But if someone were to, it would probably be about something like biltong.
