Ireland Help !

[Corinna Dunne]

Does anyone know anything about Peploes in Dublin?  I'm going there next week and can't find much about it on the web.

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I only went there once, shortly arfter it opened, so can't tell you too much first hand. It is generally considered to be Dublin's "Ivy" and from what I've heard, the food is pretty good and served straight up with a minimum of messing. It's in a great location and is a nice space, so hopefully, it should be a good experience. Sorry I can't be any more helpful than this. I'd be interested to hear your feedback on it.

[ulterior epicure]

Great timing! I'm off to Dublin and Cork and I just posted a query - but found this string... any updates? Particularly, about P.Guilbaud's, Thornton's, Mermaid Cafe, or Les Freres Jacques?

Would appreciate any reviews/price points possible.

Cheers.

U.E.

[Corinna Dunne]

Hi UE, I haven't been to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud or Thornton's for a long time (unfortunately), but have not heard of any drop in standards at either place. Both do a very competitively priced lunch menu (around 35 euro) which is probably the best way of approaching them, unless cost isn't an issue. Both are Michelin 2*and deservedly so.

There are two other upmarket restaurants worth considering: L'Ecrivain (Michelin 1*) and Chapter One (unstarred). L'Ecrivain is getting great reviews at the moment and Chapter One, which I visited a few weeks back (post long overdue) is great as usual. It is the best value for money in the more upscale sector, unbelievably relaxed and friendly and they also do a great pre-theatre menu (early bird). The starters are 10 - 18 euro and the mains 20 - 35 euro. Great on seasonality and highly skilled no fuss cooking. If the chacouterie trolley is back on (it was a fish plate when I was there), it's a simply must have.

It's about 6 months since I was at Les Freres Jacques, but haven't heard of standards falling, so that's a good bet too. It's a very old fashioned type of French restaurant with food that is more terroir than formal Michelin. I like it and if's good value if you stick to the fixed price dinner menu. Probably the best cheese board in Dublin (for around 18 euro) and great value in affordable and well chosen wines.

The Mermaid is always good and if I remember correctly, they have a lunch menu for around 25 euro and a well priced early bird menu in the evening. I'm not mad about the room, but really, it's a moot point. If you're in Dublin on a Sunday, this is the perfect choice for brunch. Another place nearby that does an early bird menu is Eden (the smokies on the ALC are particularly good). Both these places are good as ALC dinner venues too. The Elephant & Castle down in Temple Bar does great Buffalo chicken wings if you want something even less formal.

I don't have any advice for Cork as I haven't been there in a long time, but it's a great foodie spot. The Eating In Ireland thread below which has been updated more recently than this one should offer some more pointers on both Dublin and Cork:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=70448&hl=

Enjoy your holiday!

Edited October 19, 2005 by Corinna Dunne (log)