LA STAMPA

35, Dawson Street; tel.: 01 677 8611; fax: 01 677 3336 A dinner at La Stampa (in an elegant 19th century building just off Grafton Street) can be a romantic occasion. The restaurant has a very attractive interior with large mirrors, paintings and bronze sculptures by famous artists, and colourful gauze drapes swirling downwards from the magnificent ceiling. To celebrate their recent 10th anniversary chef Paul Catterson is presenting a new menu featuring traditional European dishes with a dash of Eastern flavour: for example, roasted cod with red peppers and organic rack of lamb with sage jus. This is a fun and lively place that I recommend for an evening out.

THORNTON’S

1, Portobello Road; tel.: 01 454 9067; fax: 01 453 2947 Kevin Thornton is without doubt one of the finest chefs in Ireland today, and is well worth the two stars I am awarding him. His town-house restaurant is situated slightly out of the centre on the Union Canal. The bar and the kitchen are on the ground floor with two dining rooms upstairs. The cooking is modern Irish with French overtones and many fine dishes. Notable is his white asparagus mousse with a truffle vinaigrette. Another dish is roasted quail with onion tartlets and fresh girolle sauce. There is also a six-course tasting menu in smaller portions.

PEACOCK ALLEY

119 St Stephen's Green; tel.: 01 478 7015; fax: 01 478 7043 Conrad Gallagher is chef/patron of this large modern restaurant, excellently located on the first floor of the Fitzwilham Hotel on the famous St Stephen's Green and with a separate entrance straight from the Green. Gallagher started his cooking career in new York, becoming the chef of Hotel Waldorf Astoria's famous Peacock Alley Restaurant while still quite young. Opening in Dublin, he chose to retain the name.

PATRICK GUILBAUD

21, Upper Merrion Street; tel.: 01 676 4192, fax: 01 661 0052 In the Republic of Ireland Patrick Gilbaud and his chef Guillaume Lebrun are generally recognised as the best. The cooking can best be described as French with Irish overtones. Naturally seafood features strongly on the menu.

THE COMMONS

85-86, St Stephen’s Green; tel.: 01 478 0530; fax: 01 478 0551 This restaurant was formerly the college dining room of University College in a splendid Georgian period house. The basement restaurant has French doors opening onto a secluded south-facing terrace, where you can take your aperitif. There are tempting canapes and amuse bouche on arrival. Sebastian Masi, the chef, has a menu that is influenced by both French and Thai cuisine.

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