In a great upstairs location (formerly Jacob's Ladder) overlooking Trinity College’s playing fields, this Dublin restaurants diners can expect two bright and contemporary dining rooms, simply styled with pale varnished floorboards, dark wood furniture, and several smart feature mirrors. A few ornamental pigs dotted about the rooms make a cute feature and are a bit of fun.
Tables are generously spaced and plainly set, but there’s nothing plain about the food. Head chef Stephen McAllister, well known as a TV chef on RTE’s The Restaurant programme and The Afternoon Show, has an impressive CV that’s seen him work in the kitchens of many of Dublin’s leading restaurants, including One Pico, L'Ecrivain and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud.
Here his menu takes traditional Irish favourites, presenting them in fresh, creative ways. Bacon and cabbage is served with creamy mashed potato and rich parsley sauce, signature lamb shepherds pie comes in a novel glass jar, while a starter of egg mayonnaise is made with hens eggs and served with smoked paprika.
There are several creative seafood dishes too, all following the same principle of good ingredients, simply cooked.
Desserts are tasty and traditional, maybe fruit crumble, sherry trifle or lemon tart, and there’s the fun option of ordering a jar of Bourbon creams, custard creams or penny sweets with your coffee!
The wine list offers plenty of choice across a wide price range, with 12 well-chosen wines by the glass, and there’s Guinness, Budweiser and Carlsberg on tap.
Service is very pleasant, there’s a relaxed buzz to the place, and the cooking should please a wide audience.
*NB - The second floor has opened as a cafe, open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm.
Seats 80 (private dining, 40-50); unsuitable for children. L 12-3pm, 2/3 course L €15.95/19.95; 2/3 course early D 5.30-6.30pm €17.95/21.95; also a la carte; house wine €19.95. Closed Sun & Bank Hols. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
