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After a bout of
retail therapy on Grafton Street, it's not hard to work up an appetite. If you find that your stomach is crying out
for the same attention you've given your pocket book or wallet and you don't
feel like walking far to have a good meal and a good drink, the Clarendon Café
is the perfect place to unwind.
The Clarendon Café is not similar to
anywhere else I've dined yet since I've been in Ireland. The atmosphere there feels intimate like any
pub you might visit in Dublin, but at the same time has a very elegant and posh
air that you might find in an exclusive lounge in New York. The walls are very light and complement the
large windows that allow views out to the street from all vantage points in the
restaurant. The paneling is done in a
dark wood that makes the place feel much older than it is, and the floors are
done in a brash and industrial stone that provide a strong contrast against the
brighter feeling interiors.
The café has a wide selection of
starters, main courses and desserts.
Much of the menu pays homage to traditional Irish food, while putting a
slight twist on choices like Fish and Chips, which at Clarendon is served with
a pea puree. On my visit I had the
special for the night which was roasted halibut with mashed potatoes and
roasted vegetables topped with a green salad with dark mustard, which cost me
€12.50. It had a number of different
flavors mixed into one dish but they all complemented each other nicely, and
the roasted vegetables were the perfect complement to the fish. There is also a huge variety of cocktails and
other assorted house drinks for €10.95.
At first glance I thought this price was a bit steep, but the drinks
they offer are often originals to the bar and are quite sizeable in terms of
your usual bar beverage. In fact,
Clarendon Café has a "Have You Tried" section on their drink menu which offers
the bartenders own creations and other selections that come highly
recommended. The mix of traditional and
ground-breaking cuisine is w makes Clarendon a little different from other
south Dublin eateries, and makes it worth a stop in.
Menu prices are
as follows (and are subject to change):
Starters &
Salads: €5 to €14
Paninis: all are
€7.95
Pasta: €7.75 to
€13.25
Main Courses:
€11.75 to €17.95
Dessert: €5.95
to €7.95
Opening Hours:
Monday -
Thursday : 12 - 11.30pm
Friday - Saturday : 12 - 2.00am
Sunday 12 - 1.00am
Written by Joe Gayk - Summer of Travel 2007
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