The Everest

Reasonably priced Indian/​Nepalese restaurant in Ballina town. Tasty food but very slow service. Mainly because there was only one waiter serving on the Thursday we went (July 2014). This is probably not unusual as Indian restaurants do typically try and manage restaurants on a shoestring and service is never ever their strong point.
But, like I said, tasty enough food. Just don’t go with expectations that it will be anything like what you would get in any big British city and you will not be disappointed.

I’ve always heard the European Indian food is excellent, particularly in England and in Belgium. I know I’m not in either, but I’m not too far away. A co-​worker recommended this as the best spot in town for Indian, so we stopped by for a little change of pace. I had definitely read reviews elsewhere that said it was bland inside, no atmosphere, but good food. I didn’t get that — it looks a lot like most Indian restaurants I’ve been to, with decorated walls, woodwork, etc. It wasn’t extravagant or over the top, but it’s certainly not bland.
My vegetable pakora were good, needing no additional seasoning. They even included broccoli, which is a bit new for me, but wasn’t bad. Then for my standard Indian try-​out dish — the lamb vindaloo. I figured… I’m in Ireland, right? If the lamb and potato aren’t good, what will be? And I was rewarded. My vindaloo had a lot of heat, but not too much, lots of very tender, tasty lamb, great tomato flavor (more than I am used to, but it’s not unwelcome). The only misstep here is the lack of nice chunks of potato. I think there was a little in the broth, but not the nice big pieces I’m used to.
We also ordered plain and cheese naan — I only had the cheese, but I am sorry to report that the cheese is not your standard white paneer pieces, but more of a yellow cheddar variety. That’s…just not right. It makes the naan too greasy and heavy, which is a shame, because the plain didn’t look nearly as heavy, and the food in general lacked the puddle of oil that some Indian food has.
Others reported their mixed grill was very good, but the lamb korma was rather bland — some of the worst he’d had, in fact. So I’m saying this is a generous four based on excellent lamb vindaloo. So, this is a case of knowing what you should order — skip that korma.
This is listed as the sister restaurant of another spot in Westport, and they were doing a brisk takeout business. There were also customers in this evening who clearly had been before — when they ordered «the usual» it wasn’t just their drinks, it was the entire meal! I don’t even know if my parents can do this at Mi Lupita in St. Louis…