RESTAURANT REVIEW - EASTERN VALUE EATERIES
Tuesday 26 June 2012
There is a lot of good value to be had out there on the general eatery scene if you look around. I don’t mean the Internet ‘cheap deals’, which are often not that cheap in the end. The greater value, however, does tend to be in Dublin, a factor that isn’t digested too well when I am about the country and say so! ‘Dublin has a much higher footfall,” I am told. That may be true but rents and expenses are also higher and people will go out to eat if there is value.
We had great value recently in very simple surroundings in the very heart of Dublin – in fact could you be more in the heart of Dublin than Moore Street! Once pretty well the sole domain of Dublin’ street traders, led by the famous flower and fruit selling Rosie, Queen of Moore Street, it is now a multicultural shopping street with everything from Polish and Russian food to Chinese, Asian and Indian restaurants.
We were on ‘a passage to India’ of sorts heading for Vicky Mehta’s ‘Delhi O Deli’ which does delicious aromatic vegetarian street food at knockdown prices €2.95 - €5.95. Best described as a simple no frills canteen kitchen type of place, the welcome is warm, and there are Pakoras and Bhajis, Tokri Chaats and Papri Chats, Bhel Puris and Aloo Tikkis by the score. South Indian dishes feature too along with Kebabs, Parantha and Naan Breads, and delicious chutneys. However, what must be one of the best value lunches in Dublin is Delhi O’Deli’s ‘Daily Fiver’ – a buffet offering 5 different vegetarian curry dishes for €5.99. You can only fill up your plate once, no sharing allowed, but you can pile it high and it is delicious. Dishes are changed every day so there is always variety. We hit them on a Saturday and, me being me, had a bit of everything – Punjabi Choley, Gobi Aaloo, Shahi Paneer, Begen Ka Bherta and Makhani Daal – a combination of lentils, Paneer cheese, potato, cauliflower, chickpeas, in wonderful aromatic sauces. The Maharajah of Monkstown was more circumspect with a fab Samosa with Chole (€2.99). A Fresh Mango Shake was (€2) and we wallowed in three delicious and different Indian desserts - Gulab Jamum (€1.99) – heavenly syrup laden balls of delight, Ras Malai (€1.99) – a traditional reduced milk dessert - and Moong Dal Halwa (€2.49) - divine. I can understand the Brit’s reluctance to depart the India Raj– it was the grub and lovely mannerly people that kept them there! Delhi O’Deli open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. perfect for breakfast, lunch or early dinner. By the way, they also do catering and have special stalls to bring to your event.
Another spot offering excellent value is the funky new Wall & Keogh Tea Shop on South Richmond Street at Portobello. Oliver T. Cunningham’s hip little spot has the most amazing range of 150 specialty loose leaf teas displayed in glass jars with alluring names from ‘Put the Cat Out’ to ‘Silk Road’, ‘China Jasmine with Flowers to Think Tango. The great deal on offer here is that with any pot of organic tea you can have 9 pieces of Sushi for just €8.50 served up beautifully. ‘Moroccan Dusk ‘ tea was as glorious as it sounds with the Spicy Kimchi sushi deal. Sir had a similar deal with a ‘Gourmet Bauru Sandwich’ of roasted ham, white cheese, and pickle sauce, with Elixir of Youth tea, at €7.50 and a slice of gluten free banana cake (€3.50). You could make this a great little local stop off.
Kappa Ya, a Japanese eatery in Galway, is another real little gem. Here we kicked off by sharing cracking fresh seafood sushi (€7.20) with sushi ginger (€00.50c) followed by Teriyaki Chicken-Don with Japanese scrambled eggs and fine beans (€11) for Sir. Deep-fried baby potato and tofu salad (€9.50) for me was also fab. Gives you great ideas! I had a good glass of Pinot Blanc (€8) whilst Sir had two bottles of Kirin Ichiban Japanese Beer (€4 ea).
Go East for value!
Delhi O’Deli,
12 Moore Street,
Dublin. 1.
Tel: (01) 872-9129
Wall & Keogh,
45 South Richmond Street,
Portobello,
Dublin. 2.
Tel: (01) 475-9052
Kappa Ya,
4 Middle Street,
Galway.
Co. Galway.
Tel: (091) 865930
FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT ON JUNE 24 2012