Eating out over Christmas can be fraught with choice. When it comes to festive feasting, here are some of our favourites. Book ahead for remaining December dates …
Spitalfields – For the Set Menu Averse
It’s of little surprise to those that know him that Declan Maxwell, previously of Chapter One and now manager at Spitalfields was?awarded the Welcome and Service Award at the Michelin guide UK and Ireland awards earlier this year. The menu and the ambiance at Spitalfields is also worth visiting for, especially old school classics like devilled eggs, Cais na Tire fondue and the signature Cock-a-Leekie-Pie for two. Sit at the bar for the full ‘posh pub grub’ experience. www.spitalfields.ie.
Osterio Lucio – For Dinner a Deux
Ross Lewis’s Italian joint started out life as Pizza e Porchetta so it’s no surprise that one of the standout dishes at Osterio Lucio is the classic Roman dish of oven roasted suckling pig served with onions, olives, roasted potato, winter leaf salad, apple and horseradish sauce. It feeds two generously. Stay true to the Roman theme and start with the cacio e pepe arancini. All of the pasta dishes are equally as excellent. The restaurant itself is cosy and atmospheric making it perfect for a cosy evening, especially when it’s bleak outside. www.osterialucio.com.
Cellar 22, St Stephen’s Green – For the Shopping Pit Stop
The doors at Cellar 22 might have just opened but it’s a place that feels like it has hit the ground running. There are two concise menus, charcuterie and regular and each features a selection of wine bar dishes that will pair wonderfully with a glass (or bottle) of wine from the impressive selection. I would be happy with ALL the Délice de Bourgogne but the beef tartare and the Jerusalem artichoke agnolotti would make the small plate top ten. With 30 wines available by the glass, it’s the perfect pit stop for a festive treat. www.cellar22.ie.
Shanahan’s – For a Festive Blow Out
Notoriously spendy, dinner at Shanahan’s no longer feels as extravagant as it once was, given the rate other restaurants are catching up in recent times. Of course, it’s all about the steak and the sides at Shanahan’s and fear not, the set group menu (€115 pp) is optional but does include all the heavy hitters. Start with the crab salad or a jumbo shrimp cocktail and for mains, it has to be steak. Don’t skip the fluffy cloud like whipped potatoes, the onion strings or the creamed corn on the side. www.shanahans.ie.
M&L Chinese – For a Casual, Last-Minute Meal
What is it about Chinese food at Christmas? Growing up, all my friends’ families went to much lamented Kingsland Chinese restaurant on Dame Street on Christmas Eve for a ‘festive’ dinner and my own family kick start the festivities each year with a Christmas Eve feast in our local Chinese restaurant. For an unplanned festive meal, head to M&L Chinese on Cathedral Street and chow down on some of Dublin’s best Chinese food at a very reasonable price. www.mlchineserestaurant.com.