Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Press
There were forty-three titles up for grabs at the inaugural Asian Restaurant Awards, the event showcased a culinary kaleidoscope, encompassing everything from Best New Indian Restaurants to the crème de la crème of Fine Dining and Front of House.
Last night, the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin witnessed the sensational spectacle of the inaugural Asian Restaurant Awards, a night of culinary celebration attended by over two hundred guests.
Asheesh Dewan of the Jaipur Group, reigning over Jaipur Dalkey, Jaipur Malahide, Ananda Dundrum, and Chakra Greystones, emerged as the triumphant recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, securing his place in the pantheon of Irish Asian cuisine.
The masterminds behind this gastronomic gala are former restaurateur and hospitality consultant Paul O’Connor and esteemed food writer and journalist Suzanne Campbell. Together they have crafted the Asian Restaurant Awards to spotlight the continually burgeoning Asian culinary scene in Ireland. Following their success with the Irish Food Writing Awards in 2021, the duo aimed to laud and lavish praise upon the diverse cuisines, remarkable restaurants, and gifted chefs who have seasoned Ireland’s culinary landscape in the most delectable manner.
The competing restaurants hailed from all over the Island of Ireland. The nominees represented cusine from China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Paul shared his enthusiasm: “Having been involved with Asian food businesses for many years, the community was continually asking me to host something to celebrate Asian food in Ireland. So this restaurant week and awards celebrate the varied cuisines and culture of India and countries in this region.”
Here are the full list of Dublin winners:
🍛 Best New Indian Restaurant, Dublin: 🏆 Taza, Raheny
🍛 Best New Nepalese Restaurant: 🏆 Everest, Clongriffin
🍛 Best Early Evening Menu, Dublin: 🏆 Khushee, Sandymount
🍛 Best Casual Restaurant, Dublin: 🏆 Zouq, Clonsilla
🍛 Best Street Food, Dublin: 🏆 Delhi to Dublin
🍛 Best Neighborhood Restaurant, Dublin: 🏆 Jaipur, Malahide
🍛 Best Front of House, Dublin: 🏆 Vermillion, Terenure
🍛 Best Front of House, Leinster: 🏆 Daata, Bray
🍛 Best Fine Dining, Dublin: 🏏 Ananda, Dundrum
🍛 Best Fine Dining, Leinster: 🏏 Chakra, Greystones
🍱 Best New Dim Sum, Dublin: 🍣 Lucky Tortoise, Temple Bar
🍱 Best Dim Sum Restaurant, Dublin: 🍣 Bites by Kwanghi, Dublin Docklands
🍣 Best Japanese Restaurant, Dublin: 🍱 Okky, Aungier St
🍛 Best Cocktail Experience South East Asian: 🏆 Saba, Baggot Street
🍛 Best Front of House South East Asian, Dublin: 🏆 Siam Thai, Dundrum
🍛 Best South East Asian Takeaway: 🏆 Saba to Go, Rathgar
🍛 Best South East Asian Restaurant: 🏆 Nightmarket, Ranelagh
🍛 Best Indian Takeaway, Dublin: 🏆 Masala, Killiney
🍛 Best Children’s Menu, Dublin: 🏆 Taza, Artane
🍛 Best Nepalese Restaurant, Dublin: 🏆 Kathmandu Kitchen, Dame Street
🍛 Best Neighborhood Chef, Dublin: 🏆 Joginder Singh, Spice Village, Terenure
🍷 Best Wine Experience, Dublin: 🍴 Ruchii, Blackrock
🍸 Best Indian Restaurant Cocktail Experience: 🍴 Kinara Kitchen, Ranelagh
🧔 Best Restaurant Manager, Dublin: 🍴 Talha Pasha, Kinara Kitchen
🍽️ Diner’s Choice Restaurant: 🍴 Daata, Bray
🥡 Best Chinese Restaurant: 🍴 Big Fan, Dublin
👨🍳 Best Chef, Dublin: 🍴 Santosh Thomas, 3 Leaves, Blackrock
🍛 Best Indian Restaurant, Dublin: 🏏 Daata, Glastule
🌟 Outstanding Achievement Award: 🏅 Asheesh Dewan
These sizzling awards, founded by Suzanne Campbell and Paul O’Connor, were made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Cobra beer, Asia Market, FBD Hotels, The Chai People, Postree, Ballygowan, and Whelehan’s Wines.
Elsewhere on Char: One of Everything at Big Fan