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ely chq

Ely CHQ (Customs House Quay) is a younger sister of the original Ely off St Stephen's Green and older one to Ely HQ on the south quay (see entries); the style reflects the dashing contemporary architecture of the IFSC and the (very large) space includes an authentic expansive vaulted basement area, as well as a bright, open ground floor space and a covered terrace where tables are in great demand in summer.

The successful Ely theme of simple organic food appealingly presented (including meats from the Robson family farm in County Clare) has been continued at the new venue: the burger is quite simply the best in town; pure unadulterated prime meat. Seafood is zingingly sea-fresh and you could even be lucky enough to have a pleasant, efficient Italian waiter commandeer an 'espresso' with thick crema that would be appreciated in Naples or Milan, let alone Dublin's northside.

But it is their great wine list and, especially, an unrivalled choice of nearly a hundred wines offered by the glass - that makes Ely such an exceptional dining destination. This allows diners to taste a huge range of wines that might otherwise be inaccessible - and every dish offered on the lunch and á la carte menus has a suggested glass of wine to accompany. The wine list runs to over 500 bottles and mirrors that of the original Ely, being both well thought out and comprehensive, with many old favourites available. There is also a carefully selected beer list and you can even buy a Laguiole corkscrew ('guaranteed for life') and machine washable wine glasses to take home.

Dine outside if the weather allows, with bright views of the dock and the Liffey it can be a magic spot.

* Ely chq was the winner of our 2007 Wine Award of the Year.

Seats 150 (private rooms to 100, outdoors, 50); children welcome before; Food served all day 12-11pm; L&D daily: Mon-Sat 12-3 & 4.30-11.00; Sun 12-4 & 6-10; set L, €35, set D €45; also a la carte; SC 12.5% on groups 6+. Closed Christmas week. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

On the banks of the Liffey, overlooking Georges Dock, 2 mins from Connolly Station.