The Greenhouse, Dublin, 12/16/17

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exterior

The Greenhouse is a medium sized place with lots of wood, a rich blue paint color very nice linens and a wall of windows to the street.  The layout has a small elevated section for 3 nicely spaced tables and comfortable bench seating that look into the kitchen and a lower level for the majority of the tables where the tables are more closely spaced but some are divided by spacers.  The two portions are separated by a gauzy curtain and a ramp up to the kitchen.  Chef Mickael Viljanen has been running the kitchen for 5 years this March.  They offer 2 tasting menus, one with 4 and the other 6 courses.  A cheese course is a supplement.  We chose the 4 course menu.   Continue reading

Etto, Dublin, 12/16/17

IMG_5527.jpgEtto is a small front room with about 10 tables and a second room for a good sized bar and some counter seating.  Small tables are spaced closely, napkins are of paper and jazz music plays in the background.  For our reservation we were given a 2 hour window at which time you needed to be gone so the next wave could come in.  Service is efficient and so this works.  Lunch had a 2 or 3 course fixed price menu with multiple choices for each course or an a la carte menu.  The wine list also offered a selection of wines by the carafe. We had the 3 course menu and tried to order some different things to sample more of their foods.   Continue reading

Bastible, Dublin, 12/15/17

exteriorBastible has been open about 2 years and is fairly small with shared counter-height tables as well as small closely placed tables.  They serve only a 5 course tasting menu and do offer wine pairings.  On the menu you do get to choose your main course and dessert, picking between 2 options.  Background music, lower lighting, a conversational hum, paper napkins and a casual crowd add to the vibe of the place.  The service people were enthusiastic, friendly and helpful.  They really made it a fun evening.   Continue reading

Forest & Marcy, Dublin, 12/15/17

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exterior

Forest & Marcy is a sliver of a place with mostly counter seating and a couple tables. An open kitchen is at the end  and soft music plays in the background.  They have been open a year and a half and specialize in small plates and wine at dinner.  At the counter you can watch the preparation of numerous dishes.  We were there at lunch where they offered a 3 course tasting where you pick between two choices or a Chef’s choice 5 course menu, where the chef choses for you.  We opted for the latter choice.  Sitting at the bar is really fun as you not only get to watch the cooking show but you can interact with the chef there and as we were toward the back, those in the kitchen too.  All the staff were friendly and glad to answer questions.   Continue reading

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin, 12/14/17

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exterior

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is located in the Merrion Hotel, but it does have an entrance from the street in addition to access through the hotel.  It is a good sized, very stylish place with low lighting, high coved ceiling. no background music and is the only 2 star Michelin restaurant in Ireland.  You enter through a large bar area with lots of seating variations and a deco-style bar where you are invited to drink and relax before entering the dining room.  Once you are seated in the main dining room you are given warm gougeres and offered a choice of champagne.  The elegant room is accented with a huge light fixture from the high ceiling and striking pieces of art.  They have been in this room for just over 3 years.  There are lots of service people who take their cues from the guest on whether to be over friendly or give the guest privacy.  Chef/owner Patrick Guilbaud visited the room and personally came by to greet all the tables I could see.   Continue reading

Locks Restaurant, Dublin, 12/14/17

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exterior

Locks is in a 2 story historic building across from a canal, where swans and ducks swim.  The medium sized place has sofa like seating on the sides of the room that are not the 2 filled with windows to the street.  Upstairs in this 100+ year old house is a room available for private parties. An old wood floor, 60’s rock music in the background and lots of art (some for sale) make up the cozy ambiance of the place.  Bare wood tables are small and fairly close which at lunch posed no problem. Being near Christmas they offered a 3 course lunch with some optional supplements and side dishes.  I believe they have the same menu at dinner. This is traditional hearty food with some interesting combinations of ingredients. I wouldn’t come close to calling the food subtle as it’s on the heavy side.  Not a bad thing but good to know going into it. Continue reading

Chapter One Restaurant, Dublin, 12/13/17

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exterior

Chapter One is a one star Michelin restaurant located below street level where you enter into the good sized bar. Low lighting, stone walls, interesting art and the hum of the crowd are the backdrop for the well spaced large tables spread throughout several dining rooms.  A geometric pattern in the plaster work is quite distinctive. This chef owned restaurant has been in the capable hands of Chef Ross Lewis for 26 years.  They offer a tasting menus of 8 courses, the last being tea/coffee and petit fours or a 4 course dinner menu with multiple choices for each course and they also have a chef’s table option. They offer wine pairings.  Service had nice, slower pacing and general manager Danny Desmond was helpful and friendly. We chose the full tasting menu with our own bottles of wine. Continue reading

Forest Avenue, Dublin, 12/13/17

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exterior

Forest Avenue is medium sized 2-story place owned by a couple, Chef John Wyer and his wife Sandy Sabek Wyer.  It is named after the street were Sandy grew up on in Queens, New York, but she has now lived in Ireland for 16 years.  John is from Cork.  They have had this restaurant for a couple years and have recently opened a second place, but John cooks at this one.  Soft rock plays in the background  and a wall of windows to the street lets in nice natural light.  Bare wood tables are nicely spaced and a large part of the kitchen is open to the dining room.  Service is friendly, helpful and efficient.  The menu offers several tasting options of 2, 3 or 6 courses with wine pairings available.  Portions are fairly generous and flavor abounds in everything.  The wine list also offers a “fine wine” option for bottles.   Continue reading