Entrance was 5 Euro per person, ca. 5.62 USD.
Before the screening we went to have lunch at the Silk Road Café at the museum.
It serves Middle Eastern cuisine and is self-service.
There were a wide choice of vegetarian salads including Greek, chickpeas, tomato and cucumber and beetroot and watermelon to name just a few.
Hot dishes included filo pastry filled with cheese, stuffed aubergines or chicken. We chose the chicken dish. It was roasted chicken with vegetables and came with rice and two salads of our choice.
We also had a Synergchi Orange and Lemon Kambucha to drink and for at home a bar of Seed & Bean chocolate. Both companies are artisanal producers using organic ingredients where possible.
The restaurant spills out into the atrium of the museum. It has classical oriental features.
When we were there the Silk Road Café was humming. Originally we thought we would easily find a seat, but by the time we had paid 29 Euro (ca. 32.60 USD) all tables were occupied.
We were lucky another patron left after searching and waiting for a while.
While waiting we asked a member of staff if we could use the closed off section, but it had been prepared for a function and we weren’t allowed inside.
It would be better if more seating space would be offered or maybe that customers can only order when a space is available.
Anyhow next time around one of us will look out for a table while the other one is queuing and we will arrive earlier, so that we can enjoy and appreciate the food better before an event.
The meal was delicious and the Kombucha nicely tart. Unfortunately we had to rush a bit in order arrive on time for the film.
At first there was an introduction what the Indian Film Festival and the movie were about. The director Muzzafar Ali was also present. After the show there was a short Q&A with him.
We liked Umrao Jaan. It’s a classic with opulent costume designs and backdrops of Lucknow, where Muzzafar Ali grew up. The film is based on a novel. It’s romantic, tragic and sometimes funny. We would recommend Umrao Jaan, because it’s beautiful, timeless, about a strong female and invites to think and ponder about how life can be sometimes cruel and what would happen if….
The Chester Beatty Library is one of our favorite museums in Dublin. It houses a large collection of religious and artistic works from around the world. There are regularly lunch time lectures during the week, guided tours in English, Japanese and Arabic, changing exhibitions and free events, like music, Qi Gong at the rooftop garden, children’s movies and workshops.
The Chester Beatty Library is located on the grounds of Dublin Castle and has a Celtic Garden and one part that remembers all the police officers fallen while on duty. Sometimes there are also events at the adjacent Coach House.
We visit regularly and look forward to the next event.
©2015
