Whitefriar Grill

You could almost miss this cosy spot on a dash up Aungier Street, but from across the road its smart red awning is fully visible heralding a fresh and funky new arrival in the premises previously occupied by Salon des Saveurs.

Inside this Dublin restaurants all chunky tables, exposed brickwork, mixed woods, flickering nightlights, a neat little bar and handsome pendulum lights. Gone are the intense red colours from the previous occupants, replaced by a hip, confident interior and more laidback vibe.

Customers can expect a sincere welcome and a truly original menu that manages to avoid so many culinary clichés. Try something from the selection of delicious cocktails mixed to order while you peruse the menu, which is not overly long, but it is wonderfully exciting and different (with some great suppliers credited), so you’ll need some time to make your choices.

Expect culinary treats like a tasty starter salad of seared calamari and gambas with excellent chilli orange gremolata, chorizo and baby capers or perhaps Jack McCarthy’s black pudding with seared duck liver, fried quails egg and punchy apple sauce.

The originality follows through into tempting mains, including perhaps the Asian-inspired roast spiced monkfish with clams, mussels, lemongrass, pickled ginger and grilled new potatoes.

You could round off your meal deliciously with a chocolate fondue with peanut butter fudge, marshmallow, pineapple – a novelty dessert for two with amazing fudge and silky chocolate. Fun and original.

The cooking is precise, presentation pretty, portions generous and flavours superb, making this a really exciting destination. Prices are extremely reasonable too, and this value stretches to the short but well considered wine list.

Service is welcoming and friendly although we’d like to see all of the staff being as attentive as the proprietors.

Given the relaxed atmosphere, chilled tunes and honest cooking, we reckon this would be one of Dublin’s best spots for a tasty and chilled out weekend brunch.