Dining afloat is an attraction in many European cities but, until relatively recently, Dublin has remained stubbornly out of the loop.
The barge is smartly got up with red velvet couches and seat covers, and gleaming varnished tables complete with a small lamp and button to call for service. It's quite a squeeze when fully booked, but that's all part of the fun.
This Dublin restaurants menu is based on authentic French bistro dishes, and the idea is that you can have a full four-course meal, a simple charcuterie plate or just a dessert with coffee.
Typical sharing dishes include Galway Oysters, a platter of duck rillette, saucisson, paté de campagne & cured ham), and a similar plate offering a combination of charcuterie and cheese.
Homely hot dishes range from good soups and rustic classics such as flavoursome Toulouse sausage with basil pesto mash, to a prawn & smoked fish pie, with white wine sauce & pomme purée. There's a special too, and vegetarians can look forward to classic salads and hot dishes like mushroom vol-au-vent with mixed salad.
The atmosphere is helped along by very friendly and helpful service and, as well as a good choice of (mainly French) wines, there's a small list of French beers and ciders.
On Thursdays dinner is even more fun, eaten under way as La Péniche cruises the canal. The barge is a great place for a party, and can be hired exclusively, with live music if requested.
All round it's a hugely entertaining addition to the Dublin dining scene, and adds a new dimension to the city.
*La Péniche was our Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year in 2007.
Seats 45 (outdoors, 40); children welcome; L Tue-Fri, 12-3pm; D Tue-Sat, 6-10.30pm; Sun L only, 2pm-5pm; set L €18.50; 2/3 course set D €24.50/29.50; also a la carte L&D. House wine €21. SC 10% on groups 6+. Closed Mon, 1 Jan - 15 Jan. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
