Dakshin (Photo courtesy of Dakshin)
Last weekend, thanks to a competition run via the IFBA, myself and three other food bloggers were treated to a complimentary meal at Saji Mathai’s (Jaipur, Ananda) latest venture, Dakshin in Donnybrook.
Myself, Aoife from My Adventures in Veg, David from Kitchen 72 and John from The Navigatourist met upstairs in the space above Kiely’s Pub in Donnybrook, greeted by Saji himself and brought to our table wherein a veritable feast was gradually laid before our eyes.
Thaali (Photo courtesy of Dakshin)
We ordered a sharing platter between us three carnivores while Aoife ordered the Aloo Bonda spiced potato cakes.
Our shared platter was a foursome of spicy and fresh prawn, chicken and lamb and an Aloo Bonda sitting atop deliciously bright sauces. Super tasty at €12.00 on the menu.
Aoife’s veggie starter was the Aloo Bonda served with cocount and tamarind chutney (€ 6.50).
However, Saji clearly didn’t feel we were getting enough from his starter menu, and an extra few dishes arrived at our table. We had a second serving platter – which we were glad of as there may have been a fight – as well as AMAZING lamb cutlets (€8.50) and the shish-styled lamb koftas with pickled vegetables.
Although my main of Keema Mutter – pounded lamb mince braised with green peas, cherry tomatoes and baby spinach (€16.00)…
Keema Mutter
Cheese and Chilli naan (€2.75)
Garlic, onion and coriander naan (€2.50)
(Photo courtesy of Dakshin)
….and David’s Nariyal Erichi Varuval – simmered lamb shank Goan style with star anise and green chilli, finished with cocum (€17.00) were both delicious, it was Aoife and John’s Thaalis which really stole the show.
Although the accompaniments were delicious, the most interesting part of the South Indian version is the accompanying bread, called Dosa. Made from ground lentils and ground rice, the resulting flour creates a crepe like texture with an almost sour taste. It’s thin and crispy, leaving it a very easy target to munch on at the end of the meal when you really should stop but you just don’t want to.
Aoife went for the Dakshin Shakahari Thaali, the vegetarian version which consisted of curried vegetables, daal, crispy curried onions and a green curry, alonside the rice and green lentils topped off with the Dosa (€18.00).
John’s Dakshin Mahsahari Thaali was, as the menu says, “a perfect way to experience a complete South Indian meal” through a selection of lamb, chicken, seafood, greens and lentils, served with rice and Dosa (€21.00).
After all of that, we were too stuffed for dessert.
We started off early, sitting down to dinner at 5.30, and by the time we left at 7.30, the place was beginning to fill up. Even though it has only been opened since the 15th of December, chances are the locals are already wise to the culinary treasures to be found in Dakshin. If they haven’t, they are sure to cotton on soon.
As you can see from the prices quoted above, it’s far from astronomically expensive and there’s an Early Bird Menu between 5 and 7pm for €18.00 with a wide variety of choice – although, sadly, no Thaali.
Definitely check it out, if you’re looking for an extra-special Southern Indian experience at a reasonable price in the D4 area and beyond.
And make sure you try the Thaali!
A big thank you to the IFBA and Sinead Ryan for sorting this out, and to Saji Mathai and his team for looking after our party so exceptionally well.
22-24 Donnybrook Road
Dublin 4
For reservations contact info@dakshin.ie or 01-2028182/ 2028183
Below are a few photos courtesy of Dakshin to whet your appetite even further.
Categories: Blog Trips
February 9, 2011 at 8:03 am
So jealous! That all looks and sounds amazing.
February 9, 2011 at 10:13 am
It was really delicious, definitely going back for more!
February 9, 2011 at 10:12 am
Mmmmmmmm.
Looks great! I WANT TO GO TO THERE.
February 9, 2011 at 10:14 am
Don’t worry Niall, you can come with me next time
February 9, 2011 at 11:25 am
Wow. I’m totally on that Thaali buzz, that’s my kind of eating.
Wasn’t expected cheese and chilli naan, is that some kind of Irish/Indian fusion?
Definitely going to try that place some time.
February 9, 2011 at 11:32 am
The Thaali was great, I’ll definitely be ordering that on my next visit. The cheese and chilli naan was genius, and you’re totally right, it felt like an Irish/Indian fusion. Something you might invent at 3am after a night on the town! Worked extremely well in the early evening too, it turns out
We should check it out sometime soon!
February 9, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Yum! Dosa flatbreads…and thaali…wish Dakshin was a little closer to Cork! Might have to experiment with the chilli/cheese naan breads at home.
February 9, 2011 at 3:30 pm
The Dosa were the biggest find of the night for me, as well as David and John. Aoife had tried and loved them before so she gave us a little history along with Dakshin’s staff. So good!
And the cheese and chilli naan worked super well!
February 9, 2011 at 8:52 pm
I love Dosa! yummy. That place looks great – wold love to try it soon, sounds nice to have meet the man himself and hear the history
February 10, 2011 at 10:12 am
Dosas are so brilliant, I’m so glad to have discovered them. I’ll definitely be going back to Dakshin, and I also want to try Saji’s other place Ananda which is apparently AMAZING. Yum!
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February 16, 2011 at 1:48 am
Had a small get together with the friends in dakshin donny brook,place was the right choice, had a great time, staffs were very welcoming and friendly , service was excellent, no space for any complain, food was very delicious, well presented and aesthetically served, obove all the bill was within my budget, very happy in this recession time. I would recommend dinning in dakshin worth it, u will never regret, trust me. Julie Tony
February 16, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Thanks for your comment Julie – Dakshin is indeed a great spot!