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Residence - Restaurant Forty One

Restaurant Forty One is located in the magnificent Georgian Townhouse on St Stephen’s Green that is home to Dublin’s private members’ club, The Residence.

The Club itself, managed by well-known restaurateur brothers Simon and Christian Stokes (formerly of Bang Cafe), exudes elegant comfort - but you don’t have to be a member of the Club to dine at Restaurant Forty One.

Located on the first floor of the Club, Restaurant Forty One actually offers three dining rooms: the elegant front dining room with large windows overlooking Stephen’s Green, a larger back dining room with comfy banquette-style seating, and a private room for parties of 8-12.

The setting throughout is Georgian opulence with a modern touch. Bold contemporary paintings adorn the panel-lined walls, tables are immaculately set with fine linen and silver and the lighting is warm and rich.

Heading up the kitchen is one of Dublin’s most talented younger chefs, Graham Neville, who trained in France and America and spent seven years working with Michelin-starred chef Kevin Thornton - and it shows. His food is perfectly crafted, replete with seasonal flavours that sing off the plate.

Menus are based on carefully sourced seasonal ingredients and offer many treats. In autumn, for example, you might begin with a luxurious starter such as warm foie gras, caramelised onion and plums then follow with seared king scallops, Irish rose veal, celeriac and coral Madeira sauce, before cleansing your palette with an exquisite mini mint crème brulée, or trying the chef’s signature praline soufflé.

The amuse bouche, mid-courses and petits fours are all real highlights, and the whole experience is enhanced by the care taken with sourcing ingredients - it is good to see a kitchen of this calibre opting for Irish rose veal in preference to the traditional white continental meat, for example.

Seamlessly smooth service is provided by Restaurant Manager Jamie Belton and his team, and Sommelier Julie Dupouy guides guests through a pleasingly concise and carefully chosen wine list, which favours France but also offers choice from the new world; a wide range is also offered by the glass, including the speciality wines suggested for each dessert and the farmhouse cheese selection.

With starters at €16 region, mains €35 (plus side dishes at €5) and desserts at €12, this is special occasion dining, but there is also a pre-theatre menu offering 2 courses for €28 and 3-courses for €33. A 5-course Tasting Menu also offers good value at €63 (just €35 at lunch).

Alternatively, casual dining is offered all day in The Lounge, where breakfast is served (8-12), followed by an all day menu (12-10.30); lounge menus can also be enjoyed in the garden in summer, and in a ground floor private dining room.

Restaurant Forty One: D Tue-Sat; L Fri only 12.30-2.30pm. The Lounge 8am-10.30pm.

Directions:

Northeast corner of St Stephen's Green