Kerala Kitchen - Dublin, Ireland

Do you remember that moment in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy steps out of the black-and-white into a technicolor world of bright lights and beautiful blooms onto a road of golden bricks?

That's what our last meal in Dublin was like - the food at Kerala, for the first time since entering Europe, makes me feel alive.  

FIL goes for a coconut curry chicken concoction - I think it was their special. It has a bright, almost tangy notes with an uplifting finish, almost fruity with fabulously flavorful bone-in meat. 

Even the House Black Dal is thick and hearty with smooth, warm spices.

My Lamb Chettinad is just incredible. A full game, peppery curry, bold and spicy with a bit of coconut to keep it smooth. 

My kids can't say enough about the bread. There's not a single piece of naan uneaten, and even the roti is happily noshed by a kid that won't try anything new. 

The food is delicious, and the restaurant itself is also just so beautiful. The dining room is done in a rustic farmhouse style, with long tables and bench seats, perfect for a family to sit and share. If a random pick is this good, I can't wait to see what Dublin's "best" restaurants are like next time.