The joy of a surprise discovery!

Discovering delicious food gems is one of life’s little pleasures, especially if you weren’t looking for it.

Just last week, during my travels to county Offaly, I found myself in the charming confines of a Birr hotel. With three nights ahead, the prospect of dining exclusively in the hotel didn't quite excite me.

Therefore, like any modern traveller, I turned to Google in search of local dining options. The offerings were sparse, save for one intriguing suggestion—an eatery operating solely from Thursday to Sunday.

Despite it being a Wednesday, I opted against another night in the hotel and instead embarked on a pre-dinner stroll. Pure luck rewarded my curiosity when I stumbled upon Sanjay's Kitchen, a hidden gem nestled slightly off the beaten path.

The interior was calm in soft blue tones with some Indian touches in form of textile hangings and wall decorations while Indian music was just audible providing a harmonious backdrop. The menu reads like a typical Indian food offerings but with some nice surprises and twists.

My palate danced with delight as I indulged in their spin on the classic samosa—a crisp pastry enveloping a fragrant spinach filling, adorned with a trio of tantalizing sauces one more delicious than the other.

For the main course, I surrendered to the allure of paneer makhani—a sumptuous blend of Indian pressed cheese bathed in a velvety tomato sauce infused with fenugreek, bursting with robust flavours. The cheese was soft, yet chewy and took on the flavours of the sauce like a match made in heaven.

I wish I had ordered naan bread to spoon up all the sauce but I wanted to leave space in my greedy tummy for dessert.

I was going to choose the rose petal créme brulée from their regular menu but before I could place the order, the waiter told me about the rice pudding evening special. I was set on the crème brulee but when the chef came out overhearing our conversation, he explained to me that it was his own version of rice pudding.

What I got was a delicately crafted rice pudding, flawlessly cooked to creamy perfection, with hints of coconut and cinnamon infusing each spoonful with a symphony of spice and fragrance.

It became apparent why Sanjay's Kitchen had garnered numerous accolades at the Irish Restaurant Awards, including one just the previous year.

Coming across Sanjey’s Kitchen proves a point that ‘not all who wander are lost’.

Birr wasn’t really on my radar for culinary delights and I normally wouldn’t consider traveling through the town but in future, it will be!