Who needs sunshine anyway? When all else fails, eat somewhere new – that’s the real joy. Pay these places a visit this weekend …
Current favourite of the critics, the recently opened Comet is a partnership between chef Kevin O’Donnell and Bastible’s Barry and Claremarie FitzGerald. Tucked away on Joshua Lane, just off Dawson Street in Dublin 2, the premises was once home to La Ruelle Wine Bar and is a fantastic space for a restaurant. The must-order dish, by all accounts, is the quail roasted on toast with vin jaune, but there is plenty to love about the menu, including peas with broad beans and pistachio, barley and celeriac with Kylemore cheese, and grilled lobster tail with gratinated head and saffron brioche. Colour me intrigued. Dinner is €78, and Sunday lunch is €68. This is one for the list. @cometrestaurant
Kaldero opened last November to plenty of buzz, but for many, it didn’t quite hit the mark. Now, in a savvy reinvention, owners Eclective have partnered with Richie Castillo and Alex O’Neill of Bahay, the celebrated Irish-Filipino pop-up and authors of cookbook Masarap. With Richie leading the kitchen (joined by former Liath sous chef Ben Lozada), Kaldero appears to have found its groove, and a delicious groove at that. Kaldero is now Dublin’s first dedicated Irish-Filipino restaurant, serving bold, heartfelt dishes rooted in heritage and executed with flair. Kaldero’s new launch is poised to be the smart, flavour-fuelled comeback that movies are made of. After all, everyone loves a comeback kid. Smoky banana old-fashioned anyone? @kalderodublin
In possibly one of the most talked-about openings of recent times, the doors to Barry Stephens’ Chubby’s has finally opened. Anyone who fell under the 147 Deli spell knows what Barry is capable of, and Chubby’s is unlikely to disappoint. This is craving quelling, satisfying food with punchy flavours that is likely to earn Chubby’s as many, if not more fans as 147 Deli boasted. There are tacos, Jerk ribs and carnitas, although Barry is quick to point out that Chubby’s is not a Mexican restaurant, so the ever-changing menu will bring lots of surprises. Form an orderly line. @chubbyskitchen.ie
In Stoneybatter, Vada, which opened late last year, has garnered an excellent reputation for its casual food, seasonal plates, and zero-waste ethos, with weekend dinner the newest string to its bow. Ballymaloe-trained Sarah Boland is the brains behind Vada, and with former Kai chef Hannah O’Donnell in the kitchen, you can feel confident that dinner at Vada will deliver in spades. Expect dishes such as Thai pickled mussels with Oir Tonics granita and coconut curry gazpacho, and karaage chicken with butter masala, chaat and house piccalilli, or Higgins flank steak with ezme and zhoug béarnaise. Add to that the selection of wines and spritzes spiked with house-made kefir, and a good time is practically guaranteed. Dinner will be served Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm. @hellovada
Fitzers Bistro and Bar, Dublin 2
In the former Green Hen premises on Exchequer Street, Fitzers is a new family-run bistro and bar from the Fitzpatrick family, honouring the legacy of the family patriarch, Frank Fitzpatrick, the original Camden Street grocer. Sadly, I am old enough to remember Fitzers on Camden Street, so I will certainly be checking this one out. @fitzersbistrodublin
Coming Soon: The Seafood Bar at allta, Dublin 2
Meanwhile, down in the Docklands, the team at allta are working on the release of a new menu, and allta bar will soon be reincarnated as a seafood bar. The menu is scheduled to be released in September, and the restaurant side will remain the same, offering the same stunning tasting menu. @alltadublin