If you grant yourself the pleasure of dining in the Thai Orchid restaurant in Westmoreland Street, Central Dublin, you will end up by thanking God for one of the most ravishing elements of His creative genius – taste buds. The substance for nurturing the body is in the food, but the joy resides in the sauces. They may even surpass the gladness of heart imparted by the “new wines” from the wineries of Australia and South Africa, although in this restaurant Thai beer is equally popular. It is often beer for the guys and wine for the gals.
Food presentation, which is a practised art in The Orchid, allows patrons to determine the size of the portions they put on their warmed plates and also facilitates sharing which is the extra dimension maximising the pleasure of eating in oriental houses, especially when there is a menu worth sharing. Tastiness, which includes the mild or spicy aspects, reigns mainly in the sauces. There are 10 main course chicken dishes, but the crispy strips are a mouth-watering manifestation of Thai cuisine, and, of course, enhanced by the sauces especially sweet and sour. Rice is basic, but in catering for a wide range of tastes, potatoes and peanuts are available with chicken curry. Noodles too. While chicken enjoys perennial appeal, the Orchid proffers recommended duck dishes.
The Roast Duck enjoys the diversity of the choice of three sauces, such as honey, ginger and tamarind, and sweet and sour. Inevitably, spicy curry duck tops the list.
Beef enjoys a significant place on the menu as does fish and seafood. Pork is not neglected and vegetarian dishes are far from being overlooked.
In this restaurant, choice is meaningful. There are dozens of dishes from which to select. If you are a die-hard traditionalist you can order a Weeping Tiger. A what? Actually it is a char grilled eight ounce steak which has been marinated Thai style and is served on a sizzling plate. Sizzlers have the habit of uplifting the dining-out experience.
The Thai Orchid, which enjoys a prime Temple Bar location at the entrance to Fleet Street, is no newcomer to the scene. Currently it is celebrating its 10th year and joins its achievement to the success of Temple Bar as a major international socialising tourist focal point. The restaurant is the only Thai establishment in Temple Bar and its dedicated commitment to authentic Thai cuisine is revealed in its employment of three native-born Thai chefs.
The location of the Thai Orchid is the ultimate in convenience terms for visitors to Dublin. Its adjacency to so many of the city’s landmarks means it is within walking distance of the more significant iconic sites, thus avoiding the necessity to take a taxi. Virtually next door to the historic bank of Ireland, it is diagonally opposite the Westin Hotel and a stone’s throw from Trinity College, a 400-year old educational establishment which houses the famed Book of Kells. From the woman’s point of view Dublin’s two main retail precincts are within a casual stroll – Grafton Street to the south and Henry Street area to the north. The linking O’Connell Bridge is only yards away from the Orchid – maybe 100 paces. For the pleasure seekers, the pubs and nightclubs of Temple Bar form the Thai Orchid’s enchanting hinterland. For motorists, secure parking is available, two minutes away in Fleet Street.
The Thai Orchid is open for lunch Monday to Friday and to facilitate preferences, an Early Bird menu is available. Dinner is provided on a seven-night basis. Prices are reasonable and the service always efficient and unfailingly courteous.
|
