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Bleu Cafe Bistro

A younger sister to Eamonn O'Reilly's excellent flagship restaurant One Pico (see entry), this modern bistro is now known generally as 'Bleu' or even 'Blue.'

Smartly laid tables are rather close together and hard surfaces make for a good bit of noise - but the food is based on carefully sourced quality ingredients, and pleasingly presented on plain white plates.

Well-located for a pleasant lunch break when shopping or visiting nearby galleries and museums, a two- or three-course set lunch offers excellent value and there's a range of pleasing choices on set menus and also a short lunchtime à la carte: dishes like pea & pancetta soup with crème fraiche and herbs, roast organic salmon with beetroot risotto & vine tomato beurre blanc, or a salad of rare beef with Cashel blue, watercress & sherry vinaigrette sum up the style.

Evening menus are more extensive and a little dressier but include many of the lunchtime favourites too. Finish with good home-made desserts or a French & Irish cheeseboard with quince jelly and walnut & raisin bread.

Long opening hours allow for a very nice little afternoon menu, which could make an enjoyable late lunch or early evening meal and there is an outdoor seating area for fine weather.

Good wine list, with a dozen or so wines by the glass.

Seats 60 (outdoor seating 14); reservations advised; air conditioning. Open all day Mon-Sat 9am-midnight, L 12-5, D 5-12, Sun - L 12-4, D 5-10; Set L 2/3 course about €21.50/25. Early D about €29 (5-7.30), Set D about €20, also á la carte L&D. House wine from about €22. Closed bank hols. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

At top of Dawson St. off St. Stephen's Green