Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Restaurant

What’s in a name you might well ask? Well it was the quirky hot hot name of the Chilli Banana that drew me across the Liffey from Dun Laoghaire to investigate this Thai restaurant. I loved my first visit with friends who were up from Cork for the weekend and, ever since, the Chilli Banana has been a stop off point for the O’Sullivan’s if coming from Dublin Airport for a good reliable Thai meal. Located on the main Upper Drumcondra Road in a group of shops and close to its sister restaurant Il Corvo – I am not sure if the Chilli Banana is on Bertie Ahern’s visiting list for interesting grub after a pint in Fagan’s – Bertie likes nice food – if not let me tell you Bertie – it should be! They also do great takeaways. The Chilli Banana has recently been refurbished. I have always liked the shape and atmosphere of this restaurant but now they have added smokey mirrors along behind the banquette seating areas, the whole layout lends itself to a buzz. There is an excellent selection of well priced starters and interesting hot sour Thai soups in or around the €5.75/€7 mark – apart from Tom Yum Poh-Tack at €8.95 – Fisherman soup - which is almost a meal in itself with a combination of tiger prawn, squid, mussel, fish ball, crab stick in spicy and sour soup with mushrooms, lemongrass, chilli, spices and herbs. However, that explained, back to starters in general. They do all the popular Thai starters – and more - such as Gay Satay – skewered chicken with peanut sauce; Spicy Thai fish cakes with sweet chilli sauce – we all love those! There is also Goog Hom Pa – Tiger prawns marinated in Thai herbs, wrapped in filo pastry, served with chilli sauce. Tao Hoo Tod are cubes of tofu deep fried until golden and served with a cooling cucumber peanut suace, whilst Peek Kai Sawt Sai Thwt are chicken wings stuffed with minced pork, glass noodles, black mushrooms and garlic, coriander, black pepper and spices, served with a garlic chilli diip. You can also get a combination platter for two people at €18 which gives a good variety of spring rolls, chicken satay, prawns in filo, pork ribs, golden wanton and spicy port toast served with plum and chilli sauce. There is an enormous selection and range of main courses starting at €15.50. We always like to get a variety of dishes and share to experience all the different flavours and textures associated with Thai food. Ped Pad Khing are slices of roast duck with fresh ginger, garlic, onions, spring onion, black mushrooms, and mixed peppers whilst Ped Ma Karm is spiced crispy roast duck on crispy noodles served with a gorgeous sweet sour tamarindsauce. I also like Penang style curries which have a light aromatic flavour and coconut milk. They do one at the Chilli Banana with beef, peanuts, and Thai herbs which is delicious. Another favourite is Nua Gra Ta which are thinly sliced pieces of fillet of beef stir fryed with fresh garlic, mushrooms, chillies, and basil leaves. There is lots of seafood too at Chilli Banana. Pla Cod Nung Se Ew is steamed fillet of cod topped with ginger, spring onions, fresh chilli garlic, celery and light soy sauce. A nice thing to do too if you have a few people, or indeed just as a nice dish for oneself, is to order a whole sea bass, Pla Kaphong Nung Se-Ew, for the centre of the table or as the final dish. Nobody cooks seabass like the Chinese or Asian chefs. It is steamed whole with soy bean, ginger, spring onion, fresh chilli, garlic, celery and soya sauce. If you have a sweet tooth you can follow up with sticky toffee pudding or Pang Ho Khuay – warm sweet crepes filled with fresh sliced bananas tossed in lemon juice and golden syrup – served with cream to really finish you off. They have a good wine list with a House Selection starting at €21.50 and with plenty from which to choose under €30. They also do cocktails so you can kick off or finish up with Singapore Gin Sling, Long Island Iced Tea or Sex on the Beach – whatever is your choice. There is also an excellent Early Bird Menu €19.95/€24.95 available Monday to Friday between 5pm – 7 pm with tables to be vacated by 8.20 pm. They also do a main course special with a glass of house wine and tea or coffee for €20.95. So chilli up to the Chilli Banana.

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