Ciara McQuillan opens our eyes to these five new(ish) restaurants in Dublin to try next …
Main Image; Flâneur, Rathmines
With Champagne on tap, caviar with crisps, Gubeen croquettes and Monday night jazz; there’s a lot to love about the recent openings in Dublin. Whether your preference is Spanish bodega food, classic French bistro cooking or a top quality burger, the latest Dublin openings have something for everyone. Pace yourself…
LOTTIE’S, RATHMINES
As vibrant and buzzy as Rathmines might be, a recent Sunday afternoon visit left me somewhat dismayed at the shortage of restaurants. The fast food and casual/cafe dining options might be stellar, but for something even slightly more formal, it had morphed into something of a restaurant wasteland. Enter Lottie’s, smack bang in the middle of Rathmines. Open for dinner seven nights a week, and from 2pm on Sundays. There is an accomplished team at the helm, so I have high hopes. The menu is broken into snacks, starters, mains, sides and desserts and ticks all the right boxes. Think smoked Gubeen croquette with fermented chilli sauce, prawn bisque and bavette with roasted shallots, caper and parsley beurre blanc and roast potato. The prices seem reasonable too. www.lotties.ie
FLÂNEUR, RATHMINES
Another new Rathmines opening, Flâneur, opened its doors last week and first impressions are enticing to say the least. From the people that brought us the enduringly popular Sprezzatura, Flâneur is modelled on a classic French Bistrot, albeit with the best of Irish produce. There is Champagne on tap, duck rillettes, steak tartare, moules frites, steak frites and lobster frites. With a daily special priced at €14.95, this is going to be a sought after spot. There will also be live jazz on Monday nights. www.flaneur.ie
LA GORDITA, DUBLIN 2
Tucked away on Montague Street, just off Harcourt Street, La Gordita opened its doors last week to much fanfare. With a menu offering mostly Spanish bodega style menu, with dishes that will change with the seasons. Images of the organic and sustainable caviar served with potato chips (probably not Lay’s) and crème fraiche have been doing the rounds on social media, as has the fried lobster with potatoes, Padrón peppers and fried eggs. This is bodega cooking 2.0. www.lagordita.ie
THE STORYTELLER PUB, DUBLIN 2
From the grilled cheese supremos, Griolladh, The Storyteller is located where Becky Morgan’s once stood in the heart of Grand Canal, Dublin 2. Expect pub classics such as wings, burgers (with beef from The Village Butcher) and some not so classic, such as a prawn banh mi. There is also a range of cocktails and a decent wine list to boot. @storytellerpub
COMING SOON: ELEVEN
Opening on Sunday, March 26, Eleven is the latest venture from the team that brought us Dillinger’s in Ranelagh, The Butcher Grill and of course, 777. Located at Whelehan’s Wine in Loughlinstown, Dublin 18, Eleven promises a menu with dishes cooked on a wood burning grill, a cocktail bar with live blues and jazz plus a Sunday roast worth travelling for if my recent experience at Dillinger’s is anything to go by. Bookings are now open. www.elevendublin.ie
