Mike P.
Yelp
In a nutshell:
Food: 4 stars
Service: 5 stars
P/C: 5 stars
My last night in Dublin for work, rainy, windy and cold, I don't feel like going out. what do I do?
1) Sit at my hotel, pack and order room service from the pub, or
2) Pack real quickly and go out and celebrate my last night in Dublin...
Option 2) it is...
After about a 1/2 mile rainy walk from my hotel near Merrion Park, I come to this sign for the restaurant. It's unassuming becxause it's located underground. When you walk in though, you instantly feel welcomed and cozed up. The maitre d' welcomed me and took my coat (one thing I love.about Dublin restaurants, they take your coats! I wanted to actually take a spot at the bar seating so I did! The bar seating was plenty - that's also where some of the wines were stored and also sofas with a fireplace....perfect place to get a cocktail before your dinner.
One of the managers I guess, Jaime - who took my booking, introduced himself and we had a brief conversation about where I was from, what I like etc etc. While I was waiting and reading some news paper, I got a thing of the Hendtrick's martini and some snacks.
On to the food highlights:
1. I got a little thing of the pana ham with fermented sweet cherries and aged french mozzarella cheese - awesome.
2. The scallop with the pigs head meat pancake with julienned apples
and the celeriac sauce - the scallop was a bit tough
3. The monkfish with crab/carrot salad - the salad was SO refreshing, I wanted to ask for more. The monkfish could have been a little warmer, but it was well executed and panfried just nicely.
4. The wine selection was pretty good - a variety of old world wines, a few from the new worls (mostly Australia, NZ, and South Africa)
The service was impeccable and the food was top notch (for Dublin standards). The interior was so much more refreshing and inviting compared to others (definitely comparable to Chapter One and L'Ecrivain). There are these cave-looking rooms that'd be perfect for small groups and romantic dinners.
Price wise - it's competitvely priced, but more affordable than L'Ecrivain or of course...the crappy restaurant called Thornton's (read a separate review of mine about what a horrendous experience I had)
Will definitely make a note to come back to this restaurant!