J_Queck's Profile
iso great food in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Thanks for this tip on the guest house, I wasn't familiar with it but I'll definitely check it out over the next few days.
Regarding your other post above, I'm definitely becoming guilty of equating 'less bad than the other options' with 'great', or even 'good'...As noted, it wouldn't make my list back home, and you're right, would have a hard time staying in business.
Anyways, thanks again for the tip.
iso great food in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Missed this thread entirely until I saw today's activity, hopefully recommendations are still of some use to your friend... Kasturi and Bukhara are both solid recommendations, (haven't tried Dhansiri), and, sadly Lulubelle is spot on about food quality for most of the other restaurants here.
I just wanted to add a mention for Samdado, (House 27, Road 35, Gulshan 2), which does a generally decent job of its Japanese/Korean menu. It wouldn't make my list back home where I'm spoiled for really good Japanese, (I miss you Vancouver), but is a pleasant break from the other options in this city and has the added benefit of being one of the few places outside of the expat clubs and luxury hotels where you can enjoy a drink with dinner.
And thinking of luxury hotels, the Westin opened on Gulshan Ave. last summer and has a small cafe in the lobby that sells good bread (at high prices), also a nice treat if your friend is getting tired of the sugar-laden white loaves that abound here.
What's More Important: Being Good or Being Authentic?
Just want to second that authentic doesn't neccessarily equate with good, and that authentic is pretty hard to define.
That being said, a traditional dish or creative departure from the same, I'll be happy so long as it tastes good. I like my food too much to worry over whether it did or didn't follow some approved recipe or preparation before winding up on my plate.
Nepal Dining
Just returned from a week and a half in Kathmandu and found good food at the following places:
Krishnarpan at Dwarika's hotel was the definite highlight of the trip, set menu options of between 6 and 22 course Newari meals in a beautiful room. A bit of a splurge by local prices, but very much worth it. (We stayed at the hotel which was a treat in itself, but the fare served in the casual restaurant Toran was pretty hit and miss, although they have a very good noodle soup from a sherpa recipe). Good cocktails are available in the Fusion lounge supplied with a homemade and suprisingly light chanachur mix. Reservations are a definite for Krishnarpan.
I stumbled across a decent French cafe called Chez Caroline while strolling through the Baber Mahal Revisited complex. Well made food, they have a delicious star anise ice cream, a lengthy pastry menu and good sodas. The complex itself is a tranquil spot, a Rana era mansion converted into boutique shops worth checking out. The only downside is that it's a bit off the beaten track. (My wife and I tried to return to the cafe for a second meal on our last day but were stymied by maoist demonstrations in the neighbourhood).
One place that came highly reccommended, but we weren't able to find was Nepali Chulo on Durbar Margh, I'll be on the look out for it next time we visit. I'm still wistful thinking of it, especially as we ended up settling for fairly generic food at the Annapurna.
I had no real issues as to the safeness anywhere I ate, but I'm based in Dhaka currently and restaurant standards are pretty similar between the two cities. If you're in the mood for something comfortable and familiar, there are a number of western places in the Thamel district, mostly uninspired, although Kilroy's was decent.
J.
