Ciara McQuillan orders some nostalgia on the side …
THE CHILI CLUB
THE HISTORY Dublin’s first Thai restaurant, The Chili Club opened its doors on Anne’s Lane, just off Grafton Street, in 1991. Head chef Pornsak Wachum, who is from the Nakhon Phanom province in north eastern Thailand, cooks familiar Thai dishes, and the dining room is cosy and intimate.
ON THE PLATE It comes as no surprise that the Thai green curry is one of the most popular dishes on the menu but there are lots of other options, from steamed fish and zingy salads to traditional Thai soups. Gluten-averse patrons have plenty to choose from and vegetarians are well catered for too.
WHAT ELSE? Unusually for a Thai restaurant, you can enjoy an after-dinner cheese selection from nearby Sheridan’s Cheese. For the ultimate trip down memory lane, choose the oh-so retro banana fritter. The Chili Club, 1 Anne’s Lane, South Anne Street, Dublin 2, 01 677 3721; www.chiliclub.ie.
THE LOBSTER POT
THE HISTORY Founded by Thomas Crean in 1980, and now run by his son Gary, The Lobster Pot will celebrate 40 years in business in 2025, an impressive feat in itself. The beautiful old-style silver service dining room is as elegant and charming as ever and the waiters are experts in their craft, brimming with old-world charm with none of the stiffness often associated with this type of dining. It’s the type of restaurant that you hope will never change.
ON THE PLATE A gueridon filled with fresh fish allows you to choose from the selection available that day, and the menu offers plenty of classic dishes such as Coquille St Jacques, flambéed roast Silverhill duckling with Grand Marnier or Steak Diane. Did I mention the dessert trolley?
WHAT ELSE? In keeping with its classic standing, reservations are only accepted by phone and if you plan to attend on a match day, be proactive and book well in advance. The Lobster Pot, 9 Ballsbridge Terrace, Dublin 4, 01 668 0025; www.thelobsterpot.ie.
THE GUINEA PIG
THE HISTORY Since it opened in 1957, The Guinea Pig has become a Dalkey institution with just three owners in almost 70 years. In 2017, long-time chef patron Mervyn Stewart hung up his apron and passed the torch to French chef Jérôme Fernandes, who previously owned the wonderful La Réserve Brasserie in Ranelagh. Today, the dining room is an inviting space with red leather banquettes, herringbone floors and subtle mood lighting.
ON THE PLATE The menu at The Guinea Pig stays true to Jérôme’s French roots, albeit with subtle, contemporary twists. Think oven-baked Brie with brandy, fresh Dalkey lobster with garlic butter or acacia honey-roasted duck with ratatouille Provençale and five-spice sauce.
WHAT ELSE? The Guinea Pig offers a great value early menu and there is a dedicated vegetarian menu available too. The Guinea Pig, 17-18 Railway Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin, 01 285 9055; www.guineapigrestaurant.ie.
LA CAVE
THE HISTORY Another 1980s bombshell, La Cave was Dublin’s first wine bar, which ensured its legendary status on the restaurant scene. Beloved by industry professionals, for many years La Cave was the destination of choice for latenight wine, debauchery and general high jinks, all within its seductive scarlet walls.
ON THE PLATE All the Gallic heavy hitters appear on the menu at La Cave: snails with garlic and parsley butter, seared foie gras with toasted brioche, French onion soup and, of course, moules frites. It’s a please-all menu but truthfully, it’s the eclectic ambience and devilish décor that draw people back to La Cave time after time.
WHAT ELSE? In addition to being the longest-standing, most storied wine bar in Dublin, La Cave is also home to a well-established wine school where patrons can enrol in WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) certified courses along with regular wine tastings. La Cave, 28 Anne Street, Dublin 2, 01 679 4409; www.lacavewinebar.com.
ROLY’S BISTRO
THE HISTORY A staple of the Dublin 4 dining scene, Roly’s Bistro opened its doors in 1992 with Michelin star chef Colm O’Grady in the kitchen. Current owners John and Angela O’Sullivan, along with chef Paul Cartwright, have evolved the business from a classic neighbourhood bistro to a behemoth of the restaurant scene.
ON THE PLATE Three little words come to mind when you think of the menu at Roly’s Bistro – yes, you guessed it, Dublin Bay Prawns. This classic dish has been on the menu since the early days, and along with the famous Kerry lamb pie and Dublin Bay prawn bisque, is the reason patrons return again and again for a nostalgic nod to the 1990s.
WHAT ELSE? With a first floor fine-dining restaurant, casual terrace restaurant, a deli/bakery, a wine cellar, and Angie’s Wine & Cocktail Bar, there’s a space to suit every occasion at Roly’s. Roly’s Bistro, 7 Ballsbridge Terrace, Dublin 4, 01 668 2611; www.rolysbistro.ie.