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Clarendon Café Bar

THE CLARENDON CAFÉ BAR HAS CLOSED DOWN

A sister to Bang Café (see entry), the Stokes brothers' stylish contemporary café-bar just off Grafton Street has a chic exterior with a large glass frontage and some simple little aluminium tables and chairs outside.

It's a big place, with bars spread over several storeys, but subtle decor - dark wooden floors, pale walls, chrome bars, comfortable wicker chairs - soft background music, and a warm and friendly welcome create a lovely ambience and there's a very nice buzz about it.

And, as in Bang, there's a commitment to interesting food, promised on menus that name suppliers and are not over-extensive yet offer a wide range of tempting dishes: starters might include seafood like smoked haddock and cod fish cakes, or seared scallops with chorizo and roasted red pepper, for example, then there are pannini for busy lunch times (and sandwiches made to order), and mains like corn-fed chicken & chive mash with smoked bacon lardons, all scrumptious bangers & mash with a piquant shallot & mustard jus.

Great char-grilled steaks are served with classic béarnaise & fries and, sensibly, there's an accurate description of the cooking, e.g. 'rare; very red, cool centre' etc, which avoids confusing orders and makes life a lot easier in the kitchen too.

The wine list is short, but makes up in interest anything it may lack in length - and an exceptional choice is offered by the glass.

One of the best modern bars in Ireland.

Open 10-11. Food served: Mon-Thu 12-3 / 5-9.30pm, Fri-Sun, 12-6pm. No reservations. Air conditioning. Toilets wheelchair accessible. A la carte. Wines from €15.50. SC 12.5% on groups 6+. Closed 25 Dec, Good Fri. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

From St Stephen's Green, walking down Grafton Street - 1st street on left, 100yards.