A good bistro should offer simple, comforting food in relaxing surroundings at a fair price. Bleu Bistro Moderne succeeds on all counts, with a crowd-pleasing menu that offers good value seven days a week, especially at lunchtime.
A sister restaurant to Eamonn O’Reilly’s celebrated One Pico (and the newer The Box Tree), Bleu is a stylish, low-lit room with crisp interiors and close packed tables. Well located for a pleasant lunch break when shopping or visiting nearby museums and galleries, it has a little pavement terrace that’s popular for summer dining and soaking up the city centre atmosphere.
More casual than its big sister, it still relies on O’Reilly’s admirable ethos of sourcing local and seasonal produce and using it in clever and delicious ways.
This Dublin restaurants wide-ranging menu includes an appealing mix of bistro favourites like risotto, 28-day dry aged rib eye, pork belly and seafood. Dishes like Risotto of Mourne’s naturally smoked haddock with sweet peas, crisp hen’s egg and Dalkey Mustard, or braised shoulder of Wicklow lamb with cassoulet of white bean & morteau sausage and parsnip purée demonstrate the kind of tempting fare one can expect.
Food is beautifully presented and many dishes feature quality Irish artisan ingredients.
The 2-course €16 lunch menu draws many fans attracted to its wide choice and consistent cooking. Dinner menus are more extensive, but include many of the lunchtime favourites too.
Bleu’s dessert menu is especially imaginative, with classics alongside quirkier choices, and always plenty for chocolate lovers.
The wine list may seem short, but it has been carefully assembled to offer value and choice, and includes 8 wines by the glass.
Pleasant and attentive staff provide nicely laid back service, which suits the style of the place and, along with delicious and well-paced food, era among the many reasons that satisfied customers keep on returning to this city centre favourite.
Seats 60 (outdoor seating 14); reservations advised; air conditioning. Open daily, L & D 12-3pm (to 5pm Sun) & 5-11pm. Set L 1/2 course €11.95/15.95. 2 course Early D €19.95 (5-7pm daily), Set D €25/30, also á la carte L&D. House wine from about €22. Closed bank hols. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
