Jaipur Restaurant (Dalkey)

Proprietor

Address

Contact

Description

Restaurant Critics believe it or not are human and have to have a few places where they can go for a quiet bite to eat without the restaurateur and chef going into a tizz wazz when they arrive or alternatively thinking that every time they appear means they are going to feature them in the newspaper! One of my very favourite places to go when I am off duty with my friends and family is Jaipur Indian Restaurant in Dalkey, Co.Dublin. Dalkey is an affluent seaside village which down through the years has been popular with Celebreties, Rock Stars, Actors, Singers, Writers, visiting firemen who can move around the restaurants and bars without being bothered by anyone. During my very many visits to Jaipur in Dalkey, I have been sitting close to Bono and Ali, Robbie Keane, Jonathan Rys Myers, Hugh Leonard, Neil Jordan, Sinead O’Connor, so if you fancy a bit of celebrity spotting as well as really great Indian food, then this is your destination. Perhaps what the celebreties like too is the laid back informal atmosphere of Jaipur. It is not overly elaborate, just a very relaxed spot on the Main Street. Owned by Asheesh Dewan, who apart from the Jaipur Group of restaurants, also owns Ananda in Dundrum and Chakra in Greystones, it is managed by one of the nicest people Jayraj Poojary – known as Poojary and the terrific Chef is Kuldip Kumar. There will always be around a dozen deliciously aromatic and interesting starters. Tandoori spiced quail is with grilled shitake, pear and baby spinach, dressed with a smoked tamarind emulsion. Jumbo prawns are marinated in Indian spices and herbs and served with peach chutney. Barbary duck breast is with clove and cinnamon, drizzled with fig and passion fruit chutney. Amritsari Seekh Kebab has hand pounded lamb mince flavoured with cloves and caramom served with coriander and mint pesto. I rather like a simple dish called Paneer Aloo Bukhara Seekh which is fresh cottage cheese and wild plum rolls skewered and served with a tomato fondue. Another simple favourite of Brendan’s is Aloo Methi Ki Tikki which is potato and fenugreek cakes served with date and orange chutney. A great way to try various items is Jaipur Jugalbandi an assortment of tandorri prawns, chicken, lamb and fish. Mains are equally interesting and I could probably claim to have tried them all! Goan Crab Curry has crab claws simmered in smooth coconut and chilli masala paste whilst Jhinga Malai Curry has jumbo prawns in onion and coconut sauce with saffron threads. They also do a very nice curry with monkfish which has been marinated with turmeric and rock salt and cooked with tomatoes and fenugreek seeds. Barbary duck breast is simmered in a chilli, cinnamon, coconut vinegar and palm sugar finished with plum tomatoes. One of my favourites is Jardaloo Ma Gosht which is a a Parsee style spiced lamb stew with sweet caramelised apricots and crisp shredded potatoes – another is Pardah Biryani which is chicken or lamb cooked with sweet spices, onions and Basmati rice. If you want something really hot try Duck Vindaloo. One of my friends always has Nalli Gosht which is slow roasted, falling of the bone, tender lamb shank in a spiced sauce flavoured with hand pounded aromatic sauces. They also have delicious vegetarian dishes – stirfried organic okra with cumin and mango, cottage cheese dumplings stewed in tomato and cashew sauce, smoked organic aubergine crush……. They have a great Early Bird Menu and a Tasting Menu. Chef Kuldips desserts are an artform…..I will leave it at that.