Dubliners! Help with a nice-ish restaurant!
 

My boyfriend and I are traveling to Ireland next week and we have only about 1.5 days in Dublin. On the evening of our full day, we have made plans to meet up with a friend of my mother's for dinner. This is a person who my mom has known for 40+ years, but I have never met.

As she is from Dublin, I would like to meet her at a nicer place for dinner, but not too fancy, as that could also be awkward. Since we can only have 2 dinners in Dublin, we would like to go somewhere memorable, also.

I looked at a few places- 101 Talbot sounds nice, but does anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

I would really appreciate any other suggestions! I have looked on dublinks, but so many places look good! Should we make reservations?

Thanks again if you can help... %%-

Do a search for SiobhanP - gave a fantastic list of Dublin Restaurants in a recent thread.

We had a really delicious meal at Roly's in Ballsbridge last month. They were recommended by our hotel and Fodor's. I had wonderful salmon. A really fine place. Not too pricey either.

I had a great meal at La Gondola on NYE two years ago. Its a small place, you can see the kitchen, but the food is wonderful and the location can't be beat... I found a review I'll post here...

La Gondola (Italian)

La Gondola is a lovely little restaurant located in Temple Bar, and facing onto the quays. It is a small restaurant, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in charm.

Food & Price - The food is basic Italian cuisine with all the usual favourites available. It is excellently prepared and very tasty. As for the price it is very reasonable, with main courses averaging at about €15. It all adds up to an excellent restaurant which offers great value.

Service & Location - The service is very pleasant, with mostly Italian staff who are more than willing to be of assistance. The place is also small enough so that there is always someone available. As for location it is excellently situated on the edge of Temple Bar facing onto the Liffey.

Food: Excellent *****
Price: Reasonable €€
Service: Pleasant ***
Location: City-Centre *****

OK just saw this. I would probably not take someones Mammy to La Gondola as it may be a bit mad in the area at the weekend. 101 Talbot is meant to be good but its a crummy location. For your first time here I sould suggest some of these. Rolys is excellent but I would say very pricey in my experience for dinner if you don't want to go expensive. Also its just outside the main area of town in Ballsbridge and city Centre would probably be easiest. How about these places:

Fitzers on Dawson street . If its warm they have an outside seating area.
Fitzers (Dawson Street)
51 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 email this
restaurant
Map: p49s51 P51
Phone: 6706577 Fax: 6706575 Web: www.fitzers.ie
Opening Times: Open Daily 11.30am-11.00pm Lunch11.30am-4.30pm Dinner 4.30pm-11.00pm Sunday Brunch 12 noon-4.30pm

Quality food with a modern menu fusing many styles successfully. Great cafe with outdoor tables in summer. Excellent Sunday brunch menu.

Bang
11 Merrion Row, Dublin 2
Map: p52s54 Q52
Phone: 6760898 Fax: 6760899 Web: www.bangrestaurant.com
Opening Times: Lunch Mon-Sat 12 noon-3.00pm Dinner Mon-Sat 6.00pm-10.30pm

Fashionable restaurant with minimalist decor. Lovely food with plenty of seafood dishes and great desserts. Excellent friendly service. There is a bites menufrom 10.30pm-12.30am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights

Coopers Restaurant
62 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 email this
restaurant
Map: h43k45 G38
Phone: 6768615 Fax: 6620548
Opening Times: Lunch Mon-Fri12.30pm-3.00pm Dinner Mon-Thurs 6.00pm-11.00pm Fri-Sat 6.00pm-11.30pm, Sun 6.00pm-10.00pm

Located in an old coach house. The menu has a tempting selection of dishes with an international flavour.

Eden
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Map: l49o51 N49
Phone: 6705372 Fax: 6703330
Opening Times: Lunch 12.30pm-3.00pm Dinner 6.00pm-10.30pm

Ultra modern designer restaurant with a great outdoor terrace on Meeting House Square. Classic Irish cooking with a modern twist. This is a place to see and be seen in. Sunday brunch served. Bookings recommended.

Tante Zoe's
Address:
1a Crowe Street,
Temple Bar,
Dublin 2

Tel: + 353 1 6794407
Fax: + 353 1 6707559
Tante Zoe's is a busy Cajun/Creole restaurant in the heart of Dublin's own 'French Quarter'

Great atmosphere and great food.
Open 7 days 12.00-24.00 (last orders)
Email: [email protected]

Here are some old posts for restaurants:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

If you do go to 101 talbot let us know what it is like!

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I always find it better to check with people than what restaurants write about themselves!!!


wondering, travelphile: thanks for the suggestions! Maybe we will try one of these on our first night!

<b>SiobhanP:</b> Thank you for taking so much time to write your response! We are staying near Trinity College, so we are fairly close to everthing. Unfortunately, my mom's friend said she lives about 45 minutes by bus from there. I believe she works closer to downtown though, so I guess its okay to meet up with her near our hotel...?

Fitzers sounds great for us, though. I also notice that you recommended the <i>Lemon Crepe</i> - would this be a good place to take a quick lunch with us as we walk around? We are so limited on time, that sitting at lunch probably isn't worth the time for us!!

Thanks to everyone again. I can't wait to post my trip report!

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