The Dublin theatrical restaurant par excellence - with deep blood-red walls and gold-trimmed stage curtains, black and white pictures of the celebrities who've passed through the place dimly lit, intimate tables with individual beaded lampshades and snug, cosy seating, the 'Troc' is one of the longest-established Dublin restaurants and has presided over St. Andrew Street since 1956.
A new bar was added in 2007, but otherwise it remains much the same: it has atmosphere in spades, with food and service to match.
Comforting menus reminiscent of the '70s offer starters like French onion soup, deep-fried brie, chicken liver pâté and avocado prawn Marie Rose, followed by ever-popular grills - fillet steak (with Cashel Blue cheese perhaps), Wicklow rack of lamb and sole on the bone are the mainstays of the menu, also wild Irish salmon and Dublin Bay Prawns from Clogherhead, naturally all with a sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley.
Desserts include apple and cinnamon strudel and wicked chocolate and Baileys slice, and a better-value wine list will be hard to find.
There's privacy too - sound-absorbing banquettes and curtains allow you to hear everything at your own table with just a pleasing murmur in the background.
Lovely friendly service too: magic.
Seats 110. Air conditioning. Children welcome (up to 9pm). D Mon-Sat, 5-11.30pm. Pre-theatre D 5-7pm €25, but table to be vacated by 7.45pm - also á la carte,. House wine from about €19. Closed Sun, 25 Dec - 2 Jan, Good Fri. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
