The phrase ‘back with a bang’ has never been more apt. After the unexpected announcement last week that hospitality could return to pre-Covid trading, the entire country breathed a tremendous sigh of relief. However, no one was more relieved than the Irish hospitality businesses who have been treading water for so long. In the mood to celebrate? Here are five perfect places to do just that.

Wildflower

From a shipping container in Camden in March 2020, to a listed Georgian house on Dublin’s South Richmond Street, Chef Adrian Martin’s new Wildflower restaurant has come a long way. The new restaurant comprises a Champagne Bar for those all-important pre-dinner tipples, The Good Room with seating for 20 diners and The Cellar (with adjacent terrace) which seats 12 and serves the tasting menu only. The restaurant aims to be zero waste, adhering to a zero-plastic and food waste recycling policy which is admirable and is due to open next week with booking live this week. The Good Room serves dinner Tuesday – Saturday from 6pm to 11.30pm, and lunch Thursday to Saturday from 12 noon to 3pm. The Wildflower Cellar serves a 10-course tasting menu Wednesday – Saturday from 6.30pm to 11.30pm. www.wildflowerrestaurant.ie 

La Cave Wine Bar

Visits to La Cave are ever better after nightfall. Perhaps one of Dublin’s most atmospheric dining establishments, La Cave unites late night Dublin revellers of every persuasion in steak and wine, well into the early hours. Pre-Covid, La Cave was open until 2am but either way, a late night visit to La Cave for steak frites, duck confit à l’orange, moules or indeed sharing plate of l’assiette de fromage is an experience everyone should have at least once. Incidentally, they know a thing or two about wine so you are in safe hands when it comes to choosing from their extensive wine list. Bon appétit! www.lacavewinebar.com 

The Blind Pig Speakeasy

It’s all about the anticipation when it comes to booking a first time visit to The Blind Pig. Upon booking, guests are sent instructions on how to find this intimate cocktail bar which boasts an award-winning cocktail menu and New York Italian inspired dishes that are sure to be a crowd pleaser. The Blind Pig resumes normal trading hours next week and there will be live entertainment in the form of soul, blues, swing and jazz on selected evenings. The best part? It’s open until 12am midweek and 1.30am at weekends. Let the fun and frolics begin. www.theblindpig.ie 

Peruke and Periwig

Open seven days a week from 3pm, Peruke and Periwig is one of Dublin’s most atmospheric bars. Last bookings are for 10.30pm which bodes well for late night imbibing along with some very appealing bar snacks or something more substantial upstairs in the restaurant. The cocktail menu is well laid out and the choice is vast, without being overwhelming. Mushroom arancini with herb purée, parmesan and a chipotle aioli dip washed down with an appletini? With restrictions banished, what’s stopping you … www.peruke.ie 

Mama Yo

Mama Yo, a brand-new Chinese restaurant from the Press Up group, will open its door just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 14. Located at 76 Camden Street, Mama Yo aims to blend traditional Chinese recipes with a contemporary twist, whilst being respectful of the techniques and flavours associated with this diverse cuisine. The star of the menu will be the Beijing Roast Duck, which is roasted slowly over wood in the specially designed duck-roasting oven. The cocktail menu will follow the simple concept of using the five pillars of Chinese cuisine – spicy, salty, sour, sweet and bitter, with each cocktail created to achieve one of these tastes. If the images are anything to go by, Mama Yo could well be the go-to for a group to enjoy a family style feast long after darkness has fallen with its stunning interior, red leather banquettes and atmospheric bespoke silk lanterns. Open Monday – Thursday for dinner from 5pm – 10pm and Friday – Sunday for lunch from 12pm-3pm and dinner 5pm-10pm, from February 14.
www.mamayo.ie