Ciara McQuillan selects tables with a view, for those balmy summer evenings …
THE TERRACE AT LUTTRELLSTOWN CASTLE ESTATE
THE VIEW Rooftop dining is often reserved for urban restaurants but The Terrace at The Clubhouse at Luttrellstown Estate is the exception to that particular rule. On the edge of the Liffey Valley, The Terrace offers expansive views over the protected area surrounding the estate with the usual city din replaced with melodic birdsong, and the occasional utterance from a frustrated golfer.
ON THE PLATE Summer 2024 sees the launch of a brand new terrace lunch menu with a new pizza oven taking pride of place. If pizza is not your thing, there are charcuterie plates and staples such as seafood chowder, sandwiches, salads and burgers.
WHAT ELSE? If your get-together is in the evening, The Clubhouse at Luttrellstown Estate is also home to Rugged Lane restaurant which offers contemporary dining with more views.
Luttrellstown Castle Resort, Castleknock, Dublin 15, 01 860 9600; www.luttrellstowncastle.com.
IL VICOLO
THE VIEW Il Vicolo can be found in the basement of an old stone flour mill on the banks of the River Corrib, with its original windows offering views of the sun-dappled waterside terrace to the mouth of the river Corrib and beyond. On a summer’s day, there is no better place to while away an afternoon with friends.
ON THE PLATE Contemporary Italian dishes created with the best of locally sourced Irish ingredients cleverly paired with top Italian produce. Try the Garryhinch wild mushroom bruschetta followed by scallops with garden pea purée, speck crisps and pangrattato.
WHAT ELSE? The wine list at Il Vicolo is all-Italian, with over 70 wines to choose from. Book on a Sunday to hear live jazz.
Il Vicolo, The Bridge Mills, O’Brien’s Bridge, Galway, 091 530 515; www.ilvicolo.ie.
JEAN-GEORGES ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
THE VIEW Jean-Georges Rooftop Restaurant at The Leinster Hotel certainly set tongues wagging when it opened in April, with diners flocking through the doors. The much talked-about rooftop terrace is set to open this summer with gasp-inducing views of Georgian Dublin and the Dublin mountains beyond. Jean-Georges Vongerichten heads up a prestigious global empire of fine dining restaurants, with his New York outpost holding two Michelin stars.
ON THE PLATE Famous egg toast with caviar and herbs. While pricey at €48, it’s nonetheless a visually sublime dish and considering the same dish is priced at £47 at Jean-Georges at The Connaught in London, perhaps we are getting a bargain. Described by the man himself as “crunchy, creamy, hot, cold and salty”, each serving is prepared with a ruler to ensure precision and consistency, so you can see how it becomes expensive – of course, the generous dollop of caviar helps too. Other dishes creating a buzz include wild turbot with a sweet and sour jus and grilled lamb chops with a smoked chilli glaze.
WHAT ELSE? Jean-Georges is in the super-smart Leinster Hotel which as well as a notable art collection, has the suave Collins Club for a pre or post-dinner drink.
Jean-Georges Rooftop Restaurant, The Leinster Hotel, Mount Street, Dublin 2, 01 233 6000; www.theleinster.ie.
LA FOUGÈRE AT KNOCKRANNY HOUSE HOTEL
THE VIEW If you happen to be visiting Westport this summer, reserve a table for you and your lucky entourage at La Fougère at Knockranny House Hotel. The views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay are striking, cinematic and all the adjectives in between. Vast floor-to-ceiling windows ensure everyone in the elegant dining room benefits from the magnificent view.
ON THE PLATE Forget mediocre hotel food, Head Chef Seamus Commons is a highly regarded chef which means that the food at La Fougère is top notch. The menu features a selection of freshly caught fish, local beef and lamb, and fruit and vegetables grown in Knockranny’s own gardens. Whether you choose fresh fish on the bone with shellfish, citrus and seaweed butter or confit duck leg with crushed sweet potato, carrot and soy greens, you are in safe hands. This is fine dining without the faff.
WHAT ELSE? Knockranny House Hotel is a short walk from Westport town and close to the Great Western Greenway. The landmark hotel has uniquely generous guest rooms, a fantastic spa and great food, obviously.
La Fougère, Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co Mayo, 098 28600; www.knockrannyhousehotel.ie.
CHARLOTTE QUAY
THE VIEW Not all views need to feature dramatic landscapes or coastal waters. A vibrant city view in a buzzy quayside setting is the ideal perspective for enjoying a chilled spritz or frosty beer and Charlotte Quay delivers just that. Surrounded by soaring buildings, the waterfront terrace is the perfect choice for enjoying dinner with friends on a summer evening.
ON THE PLATE Well-executed, please-all favourites – plump Roaring Water Bay mussels in white wine, garlic or cream or sizzling prawns with garlic, lemon, chilli and white wine are good fare summer’s eve. This is food made for mopping – order extra bread!
WHAT ELSE? Charlotte Quay is now run by dynamic duo Conor and Marc Bereen who also have Orwell Road, in Rathgar, Dublin 6 and the Row Wines wine bar, where once they ran the popular Coppinger Row restaurant (which we hear will be making a comeback soon!). With a track record like that, you can be pretty much guaranteed that the food at Charlotte Quay will deliver, and the ambiance will be just right.
Charlotte Quay, Millennium Tower, Dublin 4, 01 908 9490; www.bereenbrothers.com/charlotte-quay.