Review: Govindas

After many a high brow and pretentious exchange with a vegetarian friend about the relevant merits of living a life minus the flesh of our fellow creatures, I decided to eat ‘healthy’ for a change in a highly recommended purveyor of vegetarian food. Govindas is located at 4 Aungier Street and Govindas-is owned and managed by a Hare Krishna devotee. The name Govinda means ‘protector of the cows’ to all you citizens of morondom out there. Guffaw!

Indeed vegetarianism is a natural outgrowth of the Hare Krishna philosophy of life, bluntly summarized as “friendliness to all living entities”. Dispense dear diners with any fancy notions of pigeon meat burgers, deep-fried panda spring rolls or ostrich egg soufflè. Throw off the cold, cynical, narrow mindedness of a meat eater and get some greens into you.

The sort of crowd that frequents Govindas are the standard ‘cool types’ that include students, bearded men, hippies, and guys that work in the Laser a few doors down. The layout is basic enough with uniform tables and chairs giving a very definite canteen feel about the place. Even with vulgar blue paint on one wall, religious iconography on another, it detracts little from the overall simple and pleasing aesthetics of the place.

The á la Carte menu lists the day’s offerings that include Moussaka, Veg ‘au’ Gratin, and Gauranga potatoes. I simply recommend the following: a bit of everything, ideally on the same small plate. There is something perversely satisfying about piling food high. Arming yourself with only a fork to get it in you as you cling desperately to the last screed of human dignity, it’s satisfying to know that it’s the cheapest main course option at €6.95.

Water is offered free of charge with every serving. Score! For those to whom water isn’t fancy enough, Govindas also has a rather nice selection of yogurt smoothies if liquidation and intermingling of yogurt and fruit is your bag.

All dishes are caffeine, garlic and mushroom free, stamping out any chance of hyper-activity, passion and ignorance. Take that mushrooms! Zany dietary injunctions aside, each recipe is simple in its parts and presentation but big on taste. There is a positive effusion of flavour garnered from traditional eastern and western ingredients that juxtapose each other to create dishes that leave a lasting satisfaction. If you’re intent on subjecting your body to more masochistic punishment, ask the friendly lady behind the counter to lob some Samosas (fried pastries with spicy pea filling) into the behemoth of culinary delights. Govindas serves simple and tasty vegetarian food at reasonable prices, plus its quick service makes it an ideal lunchtime spot for those students and hippies with very busy lives. Conor Henry