A spot at the counter could just be the best seat in the house …
Maybe it’s just me, but booking a good restaurant is becoming increasingly difficult. The 7pm dining slot appears to have disappeared into thin air, and just as you think you have struck gold and secured a coveted seat in your favourite restaurant, you are asked to click that you accept the option of counter or bar top dining. This, as I have discovered, is not a bad thing. Especially in one of these Dublin establishments, where counter dining could well be the best way to go.
Etto, Dublin 2
One of Dublin’s most popular restaurants, Etto is beloved by many, including the culinary queen herself, one Ms Nigella Lawson. It’s a small, cosy space and securing a table can be a challenge at times. Chances are, when the tables are all booked, you might well be lucky enough to be offered a seat at the bar, and taking the plunge and clicking ‘bar seating’ would be a wise decision indeed. Don’t skip the tomato and scamorza suppli or the luscious red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone, a dish I have recreated at home, but always tastes all the better after an indulgent meal in Etto. www.etto.ie
Big Mike’s, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Of course, by now we are all intimately aware of Michaels and the newer addition to the family, Big Mike’s. From the now legendary seafood platters oozing butter, to the mammoth steaks, the social media hilarity and the general ethos that is associated with the brand, the empire has become an integral part of Dublin’s dining scene. Counter dining at Big Mike’s on a whim is always an excellent idea and while the menu will be less comprehensive than the dining room, you won’t struggle to find something excellent to eat. Go for the steak, stay for the cocktails, or the general, ultra-convivial ambiance. www.michaels.ie
Uno Mas, Dublin 2
Another Dublin favourite, Uno Mas is the restaurant of choice for many in the food industry, which always bodes well. The Spanish-inspired sister restaurant to the aforementioned Etto, dining at Uno Mas promises the same friendly service, convivial atmosphere and top notch food with a counter dining option. More importantly, they have high back stools which, as we all know, it a must have when you plan to while away a few hours grazing over salted almonds, jamón croquetas and potato and onion tortilla. www.unomas.ie
The Gold Bar, Hang Dai, Dublin 2
Simply put, Hang Dai is electric and the upstairs cocktail bar, The Gold Bar with its small, but perfectly formed terrace feels like a hidden slice of Dublin reserved for those in the know. The combination of ever so slightly kitschy decor, excellent food and killer cocktails are a match made in heaven for a fun night out. But be assured, Hang Dai and The Gold Bar deliver in both style AND substance on every level. Again, the counter stools have high backs so comfort is assured and the cheeseburger spring rolls are the perfect nibble to kickstart an evening of merriment in this Dublin venue. The €40 tasting menu is great value and the whole thing just reeks of fun. www.hangdaichinese.com
The Seafood Cafe, Temple Bar
Bloody Mary’s and oysters at the bar? Yes please. The oyster happy hour is also a great excuse to visit The Seafood Café in Dublin’s Temple Bar, not that you really need one. But if you did, may I introduce you to razor clams, seafood linguine, bouillabaisse, or crispy squid? The ambiance here is casual and relaxed with confident cooking and a flurry of seafood options that don’t disappoint. It’s hardly any wonder given that the whole shebang is courtesy of seafood aficionado Niall Sabongi, of SSI Wholesale and Klaw fame. www.klaw.ie