My awesome neighbour Annie got in touch recently to recommend a Malaysian restaurant in Dublin’s Docklands:
My boyfriend and I had a meal recently in Swai, a Malaysian restaurant, located in North Wall in the Docklands area. The restaurant itself is in one of those glass bubble units perched just beside the promenade on the north banks of the Liffey. Looking into the bubble from outside, Swai looks quite upmarket and features cream leather seating, nicely starched serviettes, and exotic orchids on the bar counter. We were therefore very pleasantly surprised to see that they were offering a very reasonable Set Menu from 5 p.m. to 10p.m. which costs €20 and comprises a starter, main course with a glass of wine followed by a cup of tea or coffee or ice cream!
A taste of Malaysia at Swai
My boyfriend doesn’t drink wine and I am a vegetarian so we are quite an awkward couple when it comes to set menus. We were so impressed when he was offered a Tiger beer instead of a glass of wine and I was offered my choice of vegetarian mains as well as a veggie version of the Tom Yom soup to start. The starters were delicious, we can vouch for the Tom Yom soup and the chicken satay skewers. For mains, my boyfriend had roast duck and I had a veggie version of the Malay Mee Gioreng (minus the seafood). This had a very fresh, healthy feel – not a hint of any nasty MSGs! The duck, too, was tender and fell off the bone.
It’s a bit much to expect €20 to cover starters, mains, a glass of wine AND a dessert but Swai’s option to have plain ice-cream instead of tea and coffee is very welcome for the more savoury than sweet types who just want something simple after a delicious meal. My boyfriend had the ice-cream – nicely presented and simple. I opted for a cup of tea. I was really impressed with the presentation – a beautifully elegant white pot of tea with matching sugar bowl and jug which made me feel I was having more than just a cuppa.
The staff were very friendly and wondered if we were going to The Point afterwards. We weren’t but everyone else in the place was evidently, and they left en masse at about 7 45 p.m. leaving us to sit alone and enjoy the view of the Liffey with more wine and Tiger beer.
