Papaya - Thai Cuisine In The Heart Of Dublin

TT - What To Do In Dublin - May 2003, Volume 4, Issue 29

Papaya was recent rather surprising find, in that it is handily located within a few paces of two of my favourite watering holes, Doheny & Nesbitt's and The Ely Wine Bar. In general I'm not a big fan of basement restaurants, not that I am immune to the advantages of some judicious subterranean lighting, but they have a tendency to be just a little too murky for even my taste.

This restaurant opened recently and takes over the space previously occupied by Snipes restaurant.

A large fireplace at the top of the dining room houses a gas fire that provides a homely feel. The menu offers a small but well chosen selection of delectable Thai dishes from mild to spicy, but nothing to blow your head off. The ingredients are very fresh and service impeccable. There is good value for money also with the average main course costing about €8.50 (excluding rice).

Papaya combines fantastic food and friendly service with a menu that won't break the bank. ~

This is a little restaurant that we discovered by accident one evening as we drove past and caught a glimpse of its colourful but tiny sign blowing in the breeze.

I've just finished reading an article about Ireland's first celebrity chef, Sean Kinsella, that brought back memories. His restaurant, The Mirabeau, was in its heyday at much the same time as mine, Armstrong's Barn, was. It turns out that much of the grief that caused him to close up shop was pretty similar to what I was subjected to.