Discovering Daruma: A Japanese Culinary Journey in Dublin
In the heart of Dublin, Daruma promises a dining experience that brings the flavors of Japan to life. After reading countless great reviews, we couldn’t wait to see if this highly acclaimed restaurant would live up to the hype. Our visit was a blend of highs and lows, and here’s a detailed account of our experience.
The Ambiance and Service
Our evening at Daruma started on a positive note. We were seated at a cozy spot near the window, offering a pleasant view of the bustling street outside. A friendly staff member promptly greeted us, explained the menu concept, and took our orders. To our delight, we were served a complimentary seaweed salad as an appetizer, setting a good tone for the meal ahead.
The Wasabi Cocktail: A Mild Surprise
Intrigued by the unique offering, we decided to try one of their signature cocktails—the wasabi cocktail. While it was enjoyable, the expected wasabi kick was notably absent. The cocktail was refreshing but didn’t quite live up to its spicy name.
First Round of Food: Mixed Impressions
Given the small size of the tables, we opted to order a few items initially and planned to order more in a second round. Here’s a breakdown of what we tried
Daruma proudly claims to serve the highest quality wagyu, so we eagerly ordered the wagyu nigiri. Having experienced excellent wagyu before, we were disappointed. The wagyu nigiri was tough and required a lot of chewing, contrary to the melt-in-your-mouth texture we expected.
On a brighter note, the blue fin tuna nigiri was a delight. It was soft, fresh, and clearly of good quality, showcasing what Daruma is capable of when it comes to sushi.
We also ordered the ox tongue skewers, anticipating the unique texture and taste we have enjoyed at other restaurants. Unfortunately, the ox tongue at Daruma resembled stew meat, lacking the expected texture. While this could be a matter of personal preference, it didn’t meet our expectations.
The shio pork belly skewers were good, delivering a satisfying balance of flavors. The tare pork prawn enoki skewers, however, were just okay. Despite high expectations, they were not exceptional and fell short of being a standout dish.
Service Hiccups
After finishing our first round of food, we waited for 20 minutes to place additional orders. Despite our wait, no one came by to take our order for a second round. Frustrated by the delay, we ultimately decided to leave and head to another restaurant for our main courses.
Final Thoughts
The ambiance and initial service were welcoming, and certain dishes like the blue fin tuna nigiri stood out for their quality. However, other dishes, especially the wagyu nigiri and ox tongue skewers, failed to impress. The service inconsistency also impacted our overall experience.
While Daruma has potential, our visit did not align with the glowing reviews we had read. For the price range, we have enjoyed better food elsewhere in Dublin. If you decide to visit Daruma, go with tempered expectations and perhaps focus on their sushi offerings, which seem to be their strong suit.
Conclusion
Our visit to Daruma in Dublin was a mixed experience. While the restaurant shows promise with its ambiance and certain dishes, there are areas that need improvement, particularly in food preparation and service. We hope that Daruma can refine its offerings and service to truly live up to its reputation. Until then, it remains a place with potential but one that needs to elevate its execution to stand out in Dublin’s vibrant culinary scene.
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Review: 6.6/10
Price / Quality: 6 | Service: 6 | Atmosphere: 7.5 | Originality: 6 | Freshness: 7 | Choice: 7
