REVIEW: Bangladesh comes to Guernsey

Saturday 25 February 2023

In the latest edition of Connect, our food reviewer, Harry Smiles, tried out Dhaka, a brand new asian restaurant.

Many Sarnians shed a tear when news of Le Petit Café and Bistro's imminent closure came through late last year. But in the blink of an eye a new establishment has stepped up to the plate in the prime St. Peter Port location.

To my knowledge Dhaka is the first Bangladeshi centric restaurant locally, or at least the only one waving the green and red flag at the time of writing.

This may come as a great disappointment to fans of Haute Cuisine, but Harry Smiles is always hungry for something new.

It would be remiss of me to not mention the fantastic Dhaka décor (trademark pending). Where the colours of the tricolore once reigned have been replaced with vibrant and bright floral and Asian designs. Far from being gaudy, the designers have struck the right blend of pop and purpose.

Ornamental tiffin tins, flowery teapots and garlands fill out the space, as well as countless plants along the rafters. The centrepiece of a table on what appears to be some kind of colourful rickshaw is a highlight. 

But decorations are always second to the grub in this critics’ humble opinion…. 

First up was Murgi Rezala. Marinated roast chicken swimming in an aromatic coconut and turmeric sauce, set the tone of what turned out to be a great meal. 

The accompanying rice was light, fragrant, and beautifully cooked, and was a fine match for the tender chicken which literally fell off the bone.

Another corker was the Murgi Biryani; chicken drumsticks with a similar sauce, a healthy portion of rice and a rogue boiled egg.

It was really well balanced, enough spice to leave a delicious long-lasting taste in your mouth, but calm enough so you can appreciate the taste. There was nothing complicated about this dish, just as it should be.

The final main dish was Gorur Tehari - a sauceless beef shoulder and rice dish but served with an incredibly fresh and tangy salad. Unfortunately, the beef was slightly overcooked to my liking, but the salad more than made up for any lack of moisture. 

A side of creamy and authentic dahl also hit the spot. Perfectly seasoned and also finding the right balance of spice. My dining partner remarked that it was the best version of the dish they have ever tried in the west.

Nothing consumed was riddled with grease and felt healthier than other regional options. A tick for those watching their waistline. You look around the cozy space, wanting to try out what everyone else is eating.

VERDICT

Friendly staff, fast service, delicious food, and an authentic atmosphere to boot were a recipe for success.

If you’re going to do anything in 2023, support local and visit this quirky new spot. I certainly plan to regularly.

This review was first published in the current edition of CONNECT magazine, Express' sister publication.

The online version of CONNECT magazine can be read HERE.