Les Momos

Gravityhypernova

4.0

First time having momos that were not Tibetan. Nepalese-Indian recipes were really good; I would say my favourite by far was the delicious chicken makhni (pictured). The sauce was a balanced savoury-spicy-creamy flavour that was leaning towards the tandoori flavours rather than standard butter chicken. The texture of the dumpling was also interesting, I was told it was steamed but the sauce on top of them seemed like they maybe finished it in the oven. I thought these were excellent & will return for this specifically.

We got butter chicken momos at the end of the meal. They were a bit too heavy after the steamed darjeeling & dehli dumplings, which were both lighter in overall flavours but tasted fresh.

I used the Spectra app for a discount on all-you-can-eat steamed dumplings & may have only saved a few dollars because two trays were very filling. My dining partner & I ordered four flavours to maximize what we tried, but agreed that a fifth tray would have been excessive. I noted only after we left that the Spectra ticket said'gratuity included', but I don't mind that I tipped anyway because Les Momos surpassed expectations, & because they advertise that the dumplings are made-to-order fresh, & were never frozen. Bonus: I think all of the varieties are available as vegetarian, & the chicken is halal.

Our server was gracious & kind despite dealing with our large group & then a rush that filled the place.

Atmosphere wise, the place was clean & modern, but seemed to lack much in decoration or'character'. It's bright & more of a quick service feeling place for casual dining. The music was a bit random & changed to talk radio at one point.

I noticed they used generative AI for their sidewalk sign & menu, or I'd give five stars. The sidewalk version had many obvious text distortions, especially in the drinks like the'CHOCOLATE SHANE' &'STAMBERRY SHANE','MABALA LINE SOOAL', &'COLD COPNEE' to name a few. (pic attached) I did not try any beverages on this visit.

The menu also does not give any description or hint at what the differences between the momo types are. There is also a chili pepper icon beside every item, but I think it's just a nonsensical bullet point graphic rather than an indication of spiciness, as some varieties were truly not spicy at all (& I don't say that just cuz I am Asian).

Presuming they don't intend to only want Indian/Nepali customers who are already familiar with most items, adding explanations + visuals would be appreciated & help the server not have to try to explain repeatedly to every newcomer. I overhead one diner asking the server to recommend something spicy & more saucy. Google also says'makhni' is synonymous with butter chicken, but the two were distinctly different.

Hand-made (as opposed to factory/frozen) dumplings being marketed with shortcuts like AI design gives contradictory signals of quality. If they feel like hiring a designer/photographer, I might be interested in working with them if this signage was just a temporary measure for their opening.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised & look forward to returning with friends: but if I had not been invited to try, I would have probably skipped Les Momos if I had randomly passed by & seen the sidewalk menu, as it would have given doubts about quality or the'from scratch' claim.

TJ

5.0

If you enjoy flavorful indian cuisine you wont be disappointed when visiting Les Momos. On my visit I tried 4 different varieties of momos, & the chicken afgani momos are probably the best thing I've eaten this year. Tender chicken & vegetables, full of curry flavors, wrapped in a crispy fried crust, & covered in a white cashew sauce & herb garnish. Absolutely delicious.

The service was pleasant, & the staff took the time to explain the dishes to us & was mindful about allergies. Expect to spend 20$-50$ per person after taxes & tip depending on how hungry you are.

I went for a Tuesday lunch when the restaurant was at its slowest. The restaurant dining room is nothing special to look at, though the chairs are quite nice & comfortable.