Let's hear it for Mao! (Cafe Mao)

Member Name: orlaith

Product:	Cafe Mao
Date:	07/12/01 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good food, buzzy atmosphere, good value

Disadvantages: doesn't take reservations

Cafe Mao's eclectic mix of Thai, Indonesian and other oriental cuisines is exciting and considering Asian is the cuisine du jour - surprisingly affordable.
It is possible for two people to have a three-course meal in the evening with a bottle of wine (or a couple of oriental beers) and still have change from £50. For those of us without expense accounts or limitless disposable incomes this is the restaurant to go to. Judging by the queues on weekend nights (Mao does not accept reservations), many people know this already.

The decor is trendily minimalist and the staff are efficient and friendly. I would recommend the Chilli Squid (£5.75) as a starter. The squid was pleasantly chewy in a light, non-greasy batter accompanied by a chilli oil dip. My favourite main course at Cafe Mao is Nasi Goreng (£7.95) - an Indonesian fried rice dish with chicken satay, shrimps, fried egg and cabbage. You might expect this dish to be bland but the chilli paste (which is conveniently left on the side so you can make the dish as hot as you dare) add zest. All dishes have a chilli guide so you can only blame yourself if whatever you ordered is too spicy for your taste. The Thai Chicken Curry (£8.95) is a subtly flavoured dish, ideal for awkward partners with unadventurous taste buds. This will cause even the most stubborn steak-and-chips man to revise his opinion of 'foreign grub'.
With our meal we had a few Kirin beers, which really complemented the food. Strangely enough, considering his obstinate resistance to any food he did not like as a child, Ronan never objects to sampling foreign beers!
After the palate-warming starter and entree Mao's selection of ice cream (£3.25) as he succinctly observed, 'really hit the spot'.

Dublin needs more restaurants like Cafe Mao - reasonably priced with a lively ambience and unpretentious food.

Summary: