Joe T.
Google
What a delight. My first time ever invited to lunch, which became dinner at this building. I took a taxi because it's hidden off the beaten track. Goosebumps. It was built while Queen Elizabeth 1st tackled Sarsfield. The outside terrace is superb for smokers, cigars these days. The attention to detail is simple genius. They have simply restored old Bessie into the firery Dragon that once lived here. It feels like an old ship inside the belly of the beast. The smell of the wood burning, the separate lit candles at each table giving surreal lighting. The 3 trad musicians struck up a chord and was transported in time back to Isolde and Tristan, whose house I passed earlier in the taxi. The beautiful chaple. The high drystone walls behind which the trees slope down to the banks of the Liffey. It doesn't matter what food you order, it's perfection. The smells, the tastes, the sights, the sounds, the feel of the Ancient wooden timbers and pictures, the warmth, the feeling of nostalgia, the feeling of belonging. That's it. Belonging. The only thing missing was you.
I hope Wright's are paying this team of workhorses enough because when I open my restaurant I will be poaching the best. I feel a Michelin star or two or three nearby. Outstanding experience. It was the first time me and my family were able to celebrate my youngest sister's birthday for many years because she moved to Australia almost 30 years ago. When you make your reservation, make sure to ask Ollie to give you one of his songs from the Shelbourne days. Taxi is preferable because the hills and bridges kept it away from preying eyes for over 400 years. Enjoy.
