On a busy road near the RDS, this inspired and stylish operation brings an extra dimension (and a whiff of the south of France) to the concept of wine and food in Dublin.
The French Paradox combines a wine shop, a large and atmospheric ground floor wine bar (where weekly wine tastings are held) and a dining room on the first floor, which gains atmosphere from the irresistible charcuterie on display close beside the tables.
The French Paradox is a former winner of our Wine Award and the main emphasis is on the wide range of wines available by the glass - perhaps 65 wines, kept in perfect condition after opening using a wine sommelier, with inert gas.
Pierre and Tanya Chapeau are renowned for their directly imported wines and food is, in theory, secondary here; but, although the choice is deliberately limited (a small à la carte offers a concise range of individual dishes and shared charcuterie plates), the quality is exceptional and - although the hot dinner dishes may be less successful - everyone just loves this Dublin restaurants specialities like the foie gras, the smoked duck salad and the 'Bill Hogan', made with the renowned thermophilic cheeses from west Cork... and sitting outside on a sunny summer day, enjoying a plate of charcuterie with any one of the dozens of wines available by the glass, you could be lunching in the south of France.
Classic desserts - tarte tatin, chocolate terrine, crème brulée - and excellent coffees to finish.
Wines offered change regularly (the list is always growing), and food can be purchased from the deli-counter to take home.
Seats 25 (+25 in tasting room, +12 outside). L&D Mon-Thu, 12-3 & 6-9.30; open all day Fri & Sat, 12-10. Set L €14.95; value D €19.95/24.95, all evening. A la carte. House wines (6) change monthly, from €19. SC 10% on groups 5+. Not suitable for children after 7pm; air conditioning; toilets wheelchair accessible. Closed Sun (except for "Rugby Match" Sundays & throughout December), Christmas, Bank Hols. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
