Lelin Pokhrel
Sous Chef
Introducing Lelin, whose culinary journey began in the vibrant streets of Kathmandu, Nepal. Growing up in a community where food was woven into the fabric of daily life, Lelin was captivated by the aromas and flavours of traditional dishes from a young age. Inspired by his father, an exceptional cook who instilled in him a deep love for the culinary arts, Lelin carried forward this cherished dream, transforming it into a thriving career in Australia.
Upon moving to Brisbane, Lelin immersed himself in the city’s dynamic food scene, drawn particularly to the bold and rich traditions of Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine. Starting as a kitchen hand at a renowned Spanish restaurant, he quickly climbed the ranks, mastering the art of paella, tapas, and the MIBRASA Chargrill Oven under the guidance of seasoned chefs.
In his role as Sous Chef at Moda, Lelin brings a unique blend of Nepalese and Mediterranean flavours to the table, creating fusion dishes that have become favourites among our guests. His innovative approach reflects his deep respect for both his Nepalese heritage and the Mediterranean traditions he has embraced, resulting in a culinary style that is as creative as it is flavourful.
Lelin’s journey from Kathmandu to Brisbane is a testament to his dedication and passion for the culinary arts. He continues to push boundaries, infusing his dishes with the vibrant spices and techniques that have defined his career, while honouring the dream that started it all.
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Moda Restaurant
The Barracks, 61 Petrie Terrace
Brisbane QLD 4000Tuesday 4:30pm till late & Wednesday to Saturday 1130 till late
- More reviewsLindsay Agnew4 years agoCould it get much better. What a superb celebration of passion and food. Ranee and Javier and the team serving up a wonderful selection of tastes. Matched wine was a bonus. Food with passion - great afternoon. Thank you !kirsty keable4 years agoMy sister and I really enjoyed our lunch at Moda before going to the cinema. I have been yo Moda several times before and the food is always delicious. We particularly enjoyed the Victorian asparagus with hazelnuts and quail eggs and the market fish with fennel salad. Lovely service as always! Will definitely be back again.Apple Azzle4 years agoI tried Moda's tapas banquet @ $59 menu a month ago, which was my first review of their restaurant, and it was great. It was a great dining experience, so much so that I wanted to try the other types of banquets that they offer. So last week, I tried Javier's table experience @ $99 menu. Honestly, I was disappointed that out of the 7 tapas for the $99 menu, only 2 were different. The rest of the dish was the very same thing served to us when we ordered the $59, even the 3 types of desserts were the same, but the taste of the dishes are still phenomenal ❤️. For both times, I ate there at dinner, so I think maybe it will be different at lunchtime… I headed back there yesterday during lunch, and every dish served was different. We also got to choose our dessert, which was nice ☺️. Overall, they still deserve more than 5 stars… For the unique taste of food, beautiful presentation, and good portion size. But I would also just go for the $59 menu as there is not much difference from the $99.JR Kiwi4 years agoBest lay back tapas restaurant in Brisbane. Staff are so welcoming and fun. Food is delicious as we grazed slowly through most of the menu for a very long lunch before Origin game 3. Love the location and the excellent service. Have found this little gem near Caxton Street. We have been back every time we have been for the Magic Round or a game in Suncorp Stadium since we found this restaurant in 2020.Frances Simonov4 years agoWe visited Moda restaurant for the first time and we were pleasantly surprised how wonderful everything was. The service was excellent as were the flavours of each dish. We had the banquet meal, which included 6 Tapes of the Chef's choice. One of the meals was a lamb roast which was very tender and tasty. My husband and I would highly recommend it and we would definitely return again. Steve and FrancesSamantha Avery4 years agoLovely building with a great atmosphere and charm. Location was easy to find and parking was simple and close. Staff were very warm and friendly. A few drink orders mixed up, but the food was fantastic and plenty of it. We sat at the Chef's table with our party of 12 and enjoyed the Premium Javier's table experience. So much food - but the real stand outs for me was the Artichoke soup and the tomahawk steak - absolutely delicious. Thank you all at Moda for an unforgettable experience.E Douglas4 years agoWe went there for my birthday dinner. Beautiful food. Really wonderful with a variety that would suit anyone. All delicious. Very good service. And of course the Spanish wines were perfect. I recommend just getting by the glass so you can try different ones. We look forward to going there again.Sionnan Gresham4 years agoExcellent food and service. Staff were very friendly and accommodating and the food was delicious with almost no wait time. The chef took the time to introduce himself and step us through the various dishes. Highly recommend and will be definitely going back.Andre Werror4 years agoMy girlfriend and I had a great experience dining at Moda Restaurant. We had the $74pp Moda Tapas Banquet and every dish including dessert was delicious. It was a busy Friday night but service was excellent and very fast. The waiter was very friendly. The experience was even greater being able to sit by the kitchen and being served by Chef Javier himself. He was very kind and we appreciated how he took the time to serve us each dish as well as explain each element. We appreciate how special he made us feel. We will certainly be back sometime soon and will be recommending this restaurant to family and friends!D T4 years agoWonderful staff, fabulous food, great atmosphere. Couldn't ask for anything more! We enjoyed the luscious banquet which was ample food and great value. It enabled us to sample most of the menu, so now I know exactly what I want to order next time - well at least I've narrowed it down to half a dozen or so dishes! Thank you very much to the brilliant servers who were attentive and charming - you all helped make it a delightful evening. We look forward to our next visit.Angela Dahl5 years agoI recently held my 50th birthday at Moda and it truly was a unique, personal and intimate experience. My guests loved the atmosphere (private dining room), food and the two staff members (Cristian & Mathilde) who personally looked after us. The Chef (Josh) did a wonderful job of preparing the Javier's Table Experience menu and the wines were paired well with the courses. The Events Manager (Juliette) was thorough and patient with my requests. Regular communication (both personal and via email) and attention to detail resulted in my night being a special one. It was a huge success! Thank you Moda team! xxBernard Shen5 years agoEnjoyed a Friday lunch for a company function and the venue, staff and food was exceptional. There was about 20 of us and were well looked after with some delicious food and wine. Definately worth a return trip!Kenny Liao5 years agoI’ve been to a few Spanish restaurants in Brisbane. This one is just okay but the decorations in the restaurant are greatNerida Hillstone5 years agoLoved our dinner at Moda! The service and friendly staff were phenomenal. We had the Javier’s table experience and it did not disappoint. The vegetables tasted like they were true backyard vegetables - soo tasty. Everything we tried was such a delicious combination. The location was great too. We could park and not worry about getting into the city. Lastly what a treat to be personally thanked by the head chef himself on our way out. Thanks for an amazing experience!!Goodie Foodie5 years agoExcellent food and brilliant service. No complaints I can think of whatsoever. Open kitchen. You can watch the chefs prepare and cook the dishes. Huge selection of wine & alcoholic beverages. There's also a bar if you only want to drink & perhaps have tapas. The restaurant changes their menu quite regularly & seasonally. It's made with love and passion. Very busy and recommend making a booking just in case as there are huge gatherings & parties there regularly. Staff are amazing and they keep checking and ensuring we are happy with our meals and if there is anything you need they are more than happy to accommodate. Parking is super convenient too. Free 2 hour parking in the complex - little shopping mall. So much more convenient than when there were in the city hub near the Botanical Gardens. opposite the hotel I cannot remember the name.Chloe Hitchen5 years agoCame in for dinner on a Tuesday night, and the food, vibe and service was simply amazing. We had 6 tapas to share in-between 3 of us and every dish was well presented and mouth watering. We were recommended a Spanish wine that went perfectly with our food. The staff were all super friendly. I highly recommend. We will be back.brett campbell5 years agoWe found this place by accident and is now our favourite restaurant. The staff are fantastic and the service is exceptional. Francois is delightful and so warn and welcoming. We were honoured to sit up at the chefs table and spoke with Javier, who was more than happy to have a chat and explain his dishes. It was quite a cultural experience. Could not recommend this place more!!!Kris V5 years agoGreat tapas! We got the banquet option and every dish was amazing. They wouldn’t have been dishes we ordered, so it was a good way to explore different dishes. They also catered for my one vegetarian friend very easily. Would highly recommend and definitely go again!Tish G5 years agoLove it. Service has always been excellent and I never get to try everything I want. I haven't loved every dish and there are dishes I have tried and wouldn't order again, but honestly I think that has just come down to taste. I am unlikely to find any high quality restaurant where I like everything. I have always found the meals to be a little adventure and even when they are not my kind of flavour I enjoy discovering what the kitchen is delivering. Service always top notch and can recommend the early sitting from 4.30pm as obviously the more attention that can be afforded to you, the better your experience will be.Krysten Rosso5 years agoBeautiful food and awesome service. We enjoyed the 6 tapas banquet and every dish was delicious. They catered so well for dietary requirements without question. Service was very attentive and our server in particular was a standout. Will definitely be back, so many other dishes to try!Ant Man5 years agoPhenomenal experience. Top notch food, atmosphere, and wait staff. Have been here multiple times, and every time is an amazing experience all around. I always take my friends here, as the food is always superb. Definitely a lifetime customer .The ambiance is very welcoming and François is always charming and on point ! while Chef Javier works his magic his open front kitchen. It's simply amazing to watch how they create all their dishes in view for all to see. The wine list wide and extensive while the deserts are delicious and out of this world. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and make great recommendations. Love this place and will continue to visit.William Grant5 years agoDinned at Moda Tapas recently and what a great experience. We decided on the 6 Tapas Banquet, and it was a great choice. The service provided by Trent and the crew was first rate. Will defiantly be visiting again on our next trip to Brisbane.Viola Ge5 years agoJust paid a visit here. It is such a unique experience! Firstly, 5 star plus service. High quality service even for busy Friday peak hours. The food is delicious and very unique. You can really tell the chef paid loads of effort on the details for each dish. For example, the octopus salad was served with persimmon(right on season) plus multiple herbs and leaves, every taste is different! Little quail egg on top of the black pudding was cooked perfectly - the yolk is precisely jelly-like texture, neither liquid-ish nor firm. The marshmallow in the dessert is far more than a piece of fluffy sugar- with crispy caramel on top and layers of flavours inside. The wine / beer list are amazing too, such a nice combination of Australian and International products. I must admit tapas/Spanish is not our regular choice of dining. But we will definitely visit again and again.Peter Akers6 years agoWow. Currently enjoying a wine dinner here. Wow. Wonderful food matched with some great wines from around the world. Just wonderful. Went to Moda for a Greg Cooley wine lunch. About 50 people. Had a really wonderful time. Food was spectular, great service, in an interestingly restored old building. Greg's wines are terrific and were well matched to the food.T6 years agoWe had dinner here and the experience was the type you would want everywhere you go. Francois greeted us at the door with a beaming smile and you could tell he was genuinely happy to welcome us into his restaurant. Service: Exceptional, warming, and professional. The staff made us feel so welcome. They explained all the dishes including drinks in detail and they always had smiles in their faces. Ambience... 👌 Food: Compliments to the chefs! Delightful, delicious, elegant, full of flavour, all round sensational. Could not criticise a single part of it. Thank you to everyone who made our experience a pleasant one!Kelly Taggart6 years agoWe booked a table of 10 and chose the Javier's banquet option - food was absolutely outstanding and very generous serving size. We were a tricky group with a few food allergies too, and they were so accommodating. The service was impeccable. I've since gone back with a smaller group and the service and food again were faultless. I would absolutely recommend!
Andres Fernandez6 years agoSpotless service! Trent was a true legend with detailed explanations of our dishes (did the 55 set menu) and had the right drink to suggest for every stage of the meal. Keen to be back and explore the rest of the menu. Drinks list could be a bit more comprehensive, to the level of the food offer.
Miller Russell6 years agoA beautiful contemporary open space with an open style kitchen. Sophisticated but warm and inviting. Javier’s tapas for lunch was the perfect choice for us, 6 tapas fresh tasty well balanced food with an obvious focus on sourcing high quality produce. Service professional and attentive, we thoroughly enjoyed the full experience.
Roxana Schreiber6 years agoThe food was fresh and refreshing. The award winning chefs gave a home-made feeling using the best quality ingredients. The restaurant also offers various types of drinks, they serve one of the best wines in the region. Excellent for gluten free food for people with coeliac disease. Thee service was of very high quality. Friendly and efficient. Because of the brilliant atmosphere and delicious food service, I highly recommend going to the Moda restaurant.
