l'Ecrivain Restaurant 3.5 star review: My husband and I ate here last Friday night, having made the reservation 4 months ago. It was a special occasion, so we were really looking forward to it, but unfortunately we were left a little disappointed by both the food and service.
We started off the evening with a drink in the bar which was lovely, the bar man was charming, and it was nice to listen to the pianist as we looked through the menu. We were then brought upstairs to our table. We were seated on the mezzanine level, which I much prefer to the main room; however our table was seated right beside the area where the waiting staff came to get menus and cutlery, so we felt a bit disturbed by this, as cutlery was dropped a few times. I guess even when you book four months in advance it doesn’t guarantee one of the better tables! However, the restaurant wasn’t full on this Friday night. When we sat down we had to wait a few minutes for menus to be brought to us again and our order to be taken. Now while this isn’t a huge problem as we didn’t want to be rushed and were quite happy to take our time, but we actually felt that they may have forgotten about us as it took so long. We had also already ordered our wine in the bar and were told that it would be ready for us when we got to our table. Our waitress was lovely, very friendly and checked on us plenty throughout the meal, without being overbearing.
The food was good, but definitely not as good as expected. This was our first time in a 1 star restaurant, having eaten in 2 star Patrick Guilbauds recently. I didn’t expect there to be such a huge difference between 1 & 2 star restaurants. I also felt that I have eaten in other un-starred restaurants much better than l’Ecrivain (e.g. James St. South in Belfast, or Volt in Berlin).
The breads provided were delicious, no complaints there. While the menu sounded delicious, the food didn’t live up to it. My husband had hake to start which was beautifully cooked, but totally overpowered with the over pickled olive tapenade. I had the pigeon, which was cold (well room temp maybe) and came with a quails egg that was cold too. I couldn’t eat the cold stringy skin on the pigeon breast either. However the hazelnut puree was absolutely delicious. Maybe the dish was supposed to be cold, but I would have preferred it warm at least, maybe I should have asked our waitress. There was also a bit of confusion with the waiting staff as they brought us another tables mains by mistake at first. They apologised and there was no harm done, but not exactly Michelin star service.
For mains I had the nicest piece of monkfish I’ve ever tasted, beautifully cooked, however I didn’t enjoy the other things it came with, and didn’t eat them as everything was overpowered by a very tangy, vinegary mayonnaise like puree. My husband had lamb, which itself was delicious, but the accompanying things were just too bland (parsnip puree) or overpowering.
We decided to go for dessert which was by far the least impressive dish. I went with coconut meringue and exotic fruit. It was ok, the meringue was nicely flavoured with coconut, but the cream was too thick for my taste and the fruit and jelly just didn’t have enough flavour. My husband had his favourite, lemon tart which was too bitter.
The highlight of the meal, was the sorbet between starter and main. It was lime, cucumber and chili flavoured and it was so good! In fact a bowl of that for dessert would have been perfect!
The wine we chose was from the more affordable sommelier selection, but it was a very good wine. So even though the wines start at around €40 a bottle, I think you can be guaranteed that they are all good wines. Portions are also quite generous, especially the starters.
We were a little surprised that 12.5% service charge was automatically added, and we felt a little awkward when paying as the lady (maybe the sommelier, as she took our wine order) who brought us the card machine didn’t ask us how our meal was, and said nothing and just stood in silence as we paid!
Something tells me that this isn’t normal for l’Ecrivain though, so maybe in a year or so, I’ll give it another go, and hopefully I’ll be impressed next time.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 4.5 star review: So much for so little - Food portions were far too small.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 5.0 star review: We have been to L'Ecrivain on four occasions and have never been disappointed! Our meal last night was no exception! My husband is vegetarian and I don't eat meat but the quality and innovative flavours of the food we were presented with was wonderful. It's the little extra touches that make eating at L'Ecrivain so special! It is my favourite restaurant in Dublin, and I will look forward to eating there next time.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 5.0 star review: Wonderful experience, first time in L'ecrivain and it certainly didn't disappoint., terrific food, service and very friendly staff. Different class. I would highly recommend a visit.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 4.0 star review: Varied menu, high quality food, all members of the party were very happy. The staff were very efficient and friendly. I would highly recommend.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 4.0 star review: From the moment you walk in the door you know you will receive exceptional service. A friendly welcome, coats taken and ushered to the lounge are before being collected and escorted to the table.
The Dining room was virtually empty when we were guided to a table for two. Beside the toilets. Not that there was a problem with smelly toilets or anything. And if they have a full house someone has to sit there but...

We had the tasting menu, I took the accompanying wine, companion opted to stick to a single wine. The Sommelier delivered each new wine and explained a little about the wine and why it was chosen to accompany a particular dish. He was attentive to companions glass keeping it topped up.
Each course was a beautifully presented confection of flavours, colours and textures, an artist’s presentation. Most dishes were a triptych on a theme; scallop, squid and seaweed for example and each was introduced and explained as it arrived at the table.
The scallop was melt-in-the-mouth delicious, monkfish in another course was meaty, delicately flavoured and well matched by its companions and set off particularly well by the iberico. I have never been a fan of foie gras (I said, sounding like I have it all the time) but this was an unctuous delicacy to behold. The pigeon was flavoursome and cooked to perfection as was the fillet of beef.
None of the courses was so large that one felt full at the end of the meal and there was plenty of room for deserts, coffees and petits fours to round off the evening and we left feeling we had had a very enjoyable meal in pleasant surroundings. Well fed. Happy. And considerably poorer for the 12.5% "Discretionary Gratuity" they insist on adding to the bill even if I chose to be indiscreet.
Really, why do places like this insist on the pre-calculated "Discretionary". Am I supposed to be so drunk at the end of the meal that I cannot do the maths?

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 4.5 star review: We enjoyed the evening very much, the staff and the food was excellent. The whole evening was a great experience and we hope to return in the near future?

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 5.0 star review: This is the benchmark!

Any restaurant I visit from now on will be judged against the exquisite dishes I experienced in L'Ecrivain last night. Superb.

It is certainly not cheap but the flavours you get to savour make it value for money.

The first food we had, was an 'amuse bouche' - an oyster with cool, liquid cucumber. Very nice.

I had Foie Gras to start (€21). Portions were quite small but the taste - my God! Magnificent.

Between courses we received a 'palate cleanser' of jelly mousse, with a topping of popping candy and Champagne foam.

I had a Main Course of Monkfish (€38) which was infused with so much flavour it was beyond incredible. I shared a small amount with my wife (loved it too) and she gave me some of her Venison dish. This too was superb. I've eaten Venison in other establishments but this was superior and by quite some way. There was a lovely, light 'crunchiness' to the exterior, that I'd not encountered prior to this.

Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, it is not a restaurant I will frequent. It is however, at the top of the list for 'that special occasion' when money is no object and total indulgence is the order of the day.

Returning here is practically compulsory. Try it out and you'll know what I mean.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 4.5 star review: I've booked a table for two in l'Ecrivain restaurant Friday night. I called the restaurant and I confirmed my attending 30 minutes before I go there. They asked me if I'm coming by Taxi and I said yes. When we arrived they were very welcoming and you get that great feeling because you see many waiters welcome you and serving you. The starter were very good and it's supplement too. My gust has ordered Foie Gras it's well designed which made my guest take a photo. I ordered Smoked Haddock it's delicious as well. Then we've got the main course supplement and a Hereford Prime Beef for me and Duck for my gust the gust said that the Swede was oily but wasn't that big deal. we liked them both. the dessert were Pistachio Cake and Chocolate & Passion Fruit and they were very delicious. All the dishes were in great design that make you think not to eat and make your eye enjoining the look! We really found that the service is fantastic. The restaurant manager has visited us three times to make sure every thing is alright. I liked the place of our table in the corner but the leaning roof doesn't make you feel comfortable when you want to sit or stand. You could hit your head if you're not careful. The value was very high and by eating here I broke my own record of payment in a restaurant! It's highly recommended for a very special occasion. Finally when we finished we found the taxi was waiting for us so thanks to the receptionist.

l'Ecrivain Restaurant 4.5 star review: Went for Christmas lunch with my college buddies this week to L'Ecrivain. Have to say it was really super. The John Dory starter was sooo tasty. Had the venison for mains, not something I'd ever try to cook myself. It was really nice and the plate looked so good with all the little touches. The desserts were delicious, light but very tasty. For wine we had a Greco di Tufi .. well more than one actually but that's another story! Sally Ann and staff were so friendly. All in all a memorable treat and I would highly recommend a visit.