Tucked away on Patrick Street, off Dun Laoghaire's main drag, huge glass windows allow passers-by a promising glimpse inside Alexis, the bright bistro owned by respected Dublin chef Alan O'Reilly and his brother Pat, and named after the great French chef and humanitarian Alexis Soyer, who visited Ireland in the mid-19th century and created the soup kitchens which provided wholesome food for the needy during the Famine.
Having opened to considerable acclaim in 2007, Alexis has been consistently popular ever since. Well ahead of the trend towards offering ‘value’ menus, Alan O’Reilly’s lifetime dedication to working closely with producers to ensure seasonality and impeccable provenance was also ahead of its time.
Expect a warm, friendly welcome, generously spaced tables, comfy banquettes and bentwood seats - and a menu which is as notable for accessible, pricing as for its appeal to the tastebuds.
An open kitchen runs along the back wall of the large open dining room and a long tongue and groove bar makes a chic focal point, dispensing drinks and coffees. Much of this Dublin restaurants cooking is rustic French and Italian in origin and, although there are several 2- and 3-course menus offered, the à la carte doesn't differentiate between starters and mains (small portions of many dishes can be ordered).
Admirable pride in quality ingredients is seen first in a menu that lists the provenance of key produce and that promise follows through on the plate in flavoursome, precise cooking: food is handsomely presented with meat and seafood dishes all expertly cooked and wonderfully fresh.
A keenly priced wine list offers a dozen wines by the glass.
Although it is noisy, and service can sometimes let the food down, great cooking, attention to detail and great value make this one of the area's most highly regarded restaurants.
Seats 110. Reservations required; toilets wheelchair accessible; children welcome; air conditioning. L Tue-Fri 12.30-2.30, Sun L 12.30-3; D Tue-Sun 5.30-10pm (to 9pm Sun). Set 2 course L €12, value L €9, set Sun L €15; early bird D €16, 5-7pm also à la carte L&D; house wine €20. Closed Sat L, Mon, Bank Hols, 1 week Christmas. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
