Sunday, May 24, 2009

I typed this up a while ago and never posted, don't know why..! May be
I would know if I read it again - but I am busy today..! So, apologies
in advance!


We had another good reason to celebrate, so we decided to check out Eastern Sea Board.

So typical of me I left it till 3pm to reserve a table for the same
evening. The woman on phone started off stating they are really booked
out that night, and offered just two slots. One a decent slot and
another when A&Es starts filling up with drunks. We picked the
decent one, and strolled in just in time.

The restaurant is dimly lit around the entrance area, and as soon as
your eyes get used to the darkness, the controlled chaos wallops you
across the face. To the right there’s the main eating area where people
seems to be skinning their road kill, and to the left there’s drunken
people tripping over each bleeding from fist fights.

No, not really. It’s a bit noisy, but it’s manageable, unless you have
a headache, which I had. Anyway, the décor looked nice. Its has
semi-pub feel to it, but has a honest appearance too – may be it was a
tad bid cold, but may be that’s just the weather that evening. I not
the type of person who can take one glance at something and give public
seminars on what I saw, but we had plenty of time to take all this in
as we were left standing there for about three minutes. I won’t say we
were totally ignored intentionally, because most of the staff members
seems to be running in and out of the cash till to our left, holding
bits of paper and money, looking totally baffled by the technical
contraption in front of them, so I won’t blame them for failing to
notice us two indignant people by the door! Physiological Advantage
Easter Sea Board!

After another few more minutes of doing our best ‘sad doggy eyes’, they
did eventually took pity on us and guided us to a table near the drinks
counter side, and a warm and well spoken woman, who seems to run a lot
of the show there, came up to us and briefly apologized for the delay -
apparently they had a large birthday party dining going on and that is
keeping them on their toes. Explains the family road-kill feast that
was going on so.

I have to admit I am not as fit as I used to be (err, or when I used to
think I am), so I did find it rather tricky to get comfortable on those
high chairs – they had no footrests! We first got two single sheets
menus with an apology of printer running out of paper or something, and
within seconds, they found a few of those famous clipboard menus for
our reading pleasure!

We soon realised we are seated between two tables of old acquaintances.
I guess when the tables are close to the pub counter, people tend to
behave a bit like that too –they looked happy to meet, which they kept
reassuring every five minutes – no harm I suppose.. Except that now I
know where two of them work, that the woman to my left has a son who
moved to Australia and she is going to visit there and Toronto next
month to visit her daughter. Okay, lovely.. urgh.. Whatever! The only
plus side is that with the all the shouting around us, it wasn’t easy
to make ourselves heard to each other – which meant less talking –
which is not a bad thing I suppose since I was out there with my wife!

Wine list was nice, we picked some white, which turned out lovely and
mild, and not too expensive. They brought around some bread on
breadboard to the table – which was a class touch because it felt
really fresh and tasted pretty nice.

The starters arrived in good time, and it arrived well- read ‘a lot’.
Generous portion sizes seem to be their style at Eastern Sea Board.
Starter was yummy and left me half full, and the main dish (we had
picked steak) was perfect, and was nearly impossible to finish with the
generous massive side order portions. The food was well presented and
tasted lovely. We skipped dessert as we would have needed assistance to
help slide down from those highchairs..

On the side, we noticed we were being looked after by about three girls
– there were at least three attempts to take our order (one didn’t know
we just had our menus, the other got the order and the third didn’t
know we had ordered). And two attempts to get us order the dessert. And
three came around to see if we are all okay and if we need anything
else. I will never complain about too much care, but for their own
benefit, they might want to streamline this a bit – just the basics -
like assign a few tables to each, and have one senior person to get
feedback / build the rapport further etc.

Conclusion: Exactly opposite of my experience at Indus, which I
posted at the start of this thread (admittedly, that was a long time
ago). Tasty food, good quantity and not over-the-top prices (not cheap
either).

I still miss Lemongrass, but EasternSeaBoard does fill that gap – in their own way.
(An old review I posted on boards, 28th May 2008)

A few weeks ago, we had a small good news to celebrate and thought we
would check out the new Indian restaurant in Bryanstown Manor.

It was mid-week, rang around 2pm to booked table for 8:30pm, which was
'no problem' and the girl on phone was pleasant to deal with.


We strolled in around 8:28pm (we live nearby ),
and the place looks funky. Not your traditional dark, candle-lit Indian
restaurant at all. The place is done up nice and bright, very
contemporary, yet colorful. Trendy looking tables and chairs, cutlery
etc. Slightly louder than your typical Indian restaurant, probably due
to open kitchen (you see them cook, flames etc) but mostly due to the
typical bollywood music in sync with an LCD tv on the left of the bar
area. Overall, its not a bad place to be, so far.



As soon as we got there, we were asked to take a seat at the bar area.
There is a certain lack of communication from now on. We didn't know if
we were to be served here (all the normal tables looked busy) or if we
are just being asked to wait (they didn't ask!). Five minutes later
someone gave us the main menu (!) - again, not sure whats happening
there! Another couple came thru the door and were taken to a table. A
few turned up for take-aways and they were asked to wait at the bar
area next to us as well. Now I am getting really uncomfortable...



Okay, here we go - some one came around and took us to our table - by
the window. Nice touch. All forgiven. I don't know much about wines,
but the list was, lets say, average. We went for a white Italian
between us - €35 or so. Probably not the best decision of the day, but
ah well, no one else to blame here. Oh quick comment on the table,
cutlery, wine glasses, plates - all top notch - loving it!



We ordered startes (selection platter, €15) between us, and own main
courses (can't remember - approx €20 each). Starter turned up in a
large square china - and my jaw literally hit the floor well, no, it
actually hit the above mentioned funky table - there were two small
pieces of sausage, one prawn, two small pieces of chicken and a small
piece of something that I couldn't recognize. Bit of a bummer then...!
I couldn't comment on the quality - because it just wasn't enough for a
good bite! Bit of of a disappointment there for €15. That kinda set the
tone for rest of the evening to be honest!



Main dish was brought out in good time. Again, same story with
quantity. Large round china and the curry was not more than about four
teaspoons in the middle of the plate. It tasted okay, I have had
better, but my main gripe was about the quantity. A 6 year old would
probably eat more than that!



At this stage I was starting to wonder if the dessert might impact my
credit history, so we got ourself Magnums from nearby Crossroads for
the walk back!



Whats good: Decor. Location.

Whats bad: Eh... pfft! Do I look like Geri Halliwell or something?

Would I go back? Of course ... (NOT!)



Conclusion: The only good thing about Indus is that Lemongrass is nearby!



I love Indian food and really wanted Indus to be a good restaurant and
I think they can be - brings the prices down, increase the quantity and
quality! And oh, just explains things better too, please! Thank you
very much!