Few places in Dublin offer all-day dining and fewer still in glamorous surroundings. The Ivy, sister restaurant to its famous London name-sake, is here to buck that trend, serving extensive menus seven days a week that stretch from breakfast and weekend brunch to lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and drinks.
The large, brand-new 200-seater restaurant is accessed through a lobby where stylishly-groomed staff meet, greet and then seat you. The main dining room is a riot of botanical intensity, all oversized flowers, colourful banquettes, potted palms, large mirrors, framed prints and brass fittings centred around a sparkling Art Deco style bar. It’s a joyful room that’s bright and comfortable with a warm and friendly buzz - and there are even a few pavement tables out front for those wishing to be seen.
With more than half the menu under €20, there are plenty of affordable dishes, which include lots of interesting brasserie classics. Breakfast and brunch menus feature everything from pastries to eggs benedict, kippers and Bramley apple granola.
Although some dishes may be more successful than others (and seasoning can be inconsistent), the all-day menu, served from 11.30 am, is a welcome addition to the city and offers up everything from fish and chips to prawn cocktail, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder to The Ivy hamburger.
Fans of the original Ivy will recognise signature dishes like The Ivy Shepherd’s Pie, steak tartare (served here with Dubliner whiskey) and their signature Peach Melba. Dublin’s menu is far longer than London’s but it is conspicuously devoid of provenance, which is especially disappointing for items like steak, chicken and seafood.
An impressive drinks menu is not overly priced and the polished, well trained staff are warm and charming. While the cooking may not be overly consistent, the food is not necessarily the main point here - and The Ivy's engaged staff, glamorous decor and buzzy setting guarantee that tables will be hard to come by for the foreseeable future.
