The French wine specialist on two favourite local pubs, his pick of Dublin’s French restaurants and a butchers shop that also sells great fish
EATING OUT
McSorleys
3-5 Sandford Rd, Ranelagh, Dublin 6; +353 1 497 9775, www.mcsorleys.ie
A pub around the corner from Nico with a good restaurant upstairs called the Wild Goose, which does the pub’s food. “They have a nice deal on a Wednesday – a burger and a craft beer for €12. The burgers are very good. It’s quiet early in the week but can get too packed later on.” – Nico
Birchalls
129 Ranelagh, Dublin 6; +353 1 497 3985
Nico’s preferred pub, right across the road from McSorley’s. “It’s more Irish-style and it’s got a bit more character.”
L’Gueuleton
1 Fade St, Dublin 2; +353 1 675 3708, www.lgueuleton.com
“This is one of the best French restaurants in Dublin. They have a nice rib-eye steak, or you could have some black pudding and queenie scallops.”
Ely Wine Bar
22 Ely Pl, Dublin; +353 1 676 8986, www.elywinebar.ie
“They have a very good wine list. Their supplier does some nice Côtes du Rhône.”
Marcels
13 Merrion Row, Dublin 2; +353 1 660 2367, www.marcels.ie
A neighbourhood bistro serving French-accented dishes. “I like Marcel’s, it’s a nice place. They have very good food there.”
Oyster stall at Temple Bar Food Market
Meeting House Square, Dublin; www.templebar.ie/markets (Open Saturdays)
“I love this stall. The oysters are amazing and the guy gives you a glass of wine. It’s very simple. Oysters are a barometer of the health of the ocean. When we can’t eat oysters anymore, then I think we’re in trouble.”
BUYING IN
Lawlor’s
145 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin; +353 1 497 3313
“This is a butchers shop but they’ve got a good fish counter and you can order in – if you want turbot, they get it for you. In terms of meat, they’ve got nice venison from Wicklow and they make their own chorizo.” – Nico
Donnybrook Fair
89 Morehampton Rd, Dublin 4; +353 1 614 4849, www.donnybrookfair.ie
“This shop is expensive but they have a good selection of French wine.”
Asian Food Co
54-55 Mary Street, Dublin 1; www.asianfood.ie
“You find cheap herbs here – a bunch for a euro, which is probably what it costs me to get there, but still…”
Kish Fish
42 Bow Street, Dublin 7; +353 1 854 3940, www.kishfish.ie
“Kish have good fish. The secret is to know when the fish comes in and buy it then. I tend to go on a Thursday.”
The Dublin Food Co-op
12 Newmarket, Dublin 8; +353 1 454 4258, www.dublinfood.coop (Open Thurs to Sun)
“You find some good things at this market like chard and wild Irish sorrel.”