Le Bon Crubeen, City Centre North

I just read all the previous reviews and have to say I agree more with the negative ones more than the positive, I am left wondering if this restaurant was located in a more affable part of Dublin than Talbot St would it have closed long ago? It seems in the culinary wasteland of the north inner city people are only too happy to eat in a place appearing to be an epicurean delight. Maybe I sound a bit harsh but I just spent a considerable amount of money there and I got nothing resembling value for money. In one previous review someone lamented being seated near the door rather then in the back room, well, we were located in the aforementioned back room, next to the side door into the hotel and we baked for the entire night. It would seen the restaurant has trouble regulating their heating! We started with the crab beignet and the Caesar salad. The crab was tiny, barely noticeable on the huge plate it arrived on, I normally wouldn't mention something like this only for the fact that my fellow diner's Caesar salad was enormous, practically dripping out of the bowl! I was finished my crab, which quiet frankly tasted nothing like crab (is it supposed to have a smoked flavour?) but my dining partner spent at least another 10 minutes on his salad! Strangely our side order for our main course arrived with the starters, we sent it back and asked for it to be brought with the main. To the previous commentator who bemoaned the lack of turkey and ham, be grateful! It seemed as though it had been heated and cooled multiple times and was accompanied with what we think was a disk of stuffing. My halibut arrived covered in what I presume was foam when it left the kitchen but was a yucky drizzle of a substance resembling spit. A pity the chef didn't opt for a sauce rather than the foam because the dish was very dry without it. Our server promptly left our main courses with no sign of the aforementioned chips, after much gesturing and waving we managed to get the attention of our original waiter and asked for the side dish.

Our 1st visit and really looking forward to our meal here after reading all the rave reviews. 1st impressions very good, nice atmosphere and music. To start I ordered the Cesar salad and Mr. Boop opted for the scallops. Salad v tasty, lovely sauce, not too fishy as sometimes can be and a good size portion. Mr. Boop not so lucky as although the scallops lovely, there were only 2 and I think one of the most expensive starters on menu. Either cut the price or double what you get in my opinion. Really looking forward to my main meal of Rib eye and Mr.Boop to the Shank of lamb. Asked for medium to well, no blood. The steak looked yummy when it arrived but when cut into was actually rare and the chips dark brown and totally overdone and not really edible. Decided to just ignore the blood and eat, but have to say it was so chewy I could not even swallow it. Mr.Boops shank however was delicious. I would never put up a bad comment without 1st telling the Manager, so I did this and he was totally professional and mannerly and fully of apologies and went to kitchen to speak to chef. (just what I would expect from a Manager) Full marks. He also came back with feedback which I appreciated. We stayed on for a couple of drinks and when we received the bill, the 2 courses which we had mentioned had been removed and our round of drinks was on the house. And just for the fact that he listened to us and took our views seriously I will now return for a 2nd visit and put it down to just bad luck and I'm sure next time it will be a rave review.

For some time now I’ve read review after review raving about how good Le Bon Crubeen is. Sometimes it’s disappointing when the reality doesn’t live up to the hype but I can happily say that wasn’t the case. Le Bon Crubeen surpassed my expectations and I will DEFINITELY be back again. In the centre of Talbot St, it’s not your usual Dublin restaurant location but being a 5 minute walk from Connolly Train Station it makes it a good starting point for a night out in the city. It’s best described as warm, inviting bar/restaurant where you’ll feel right at home if you are dressed up or having a relaxed casual dinner – it strikes the balance perfectly. Now for the best bit, the food! You need time with this menu because there are so many tempting options you’ll be debating which one to choose. The beetroot cured salmon was light, refreshing and very tasty perfect for a healthy January meal however I did have order envy over the poached egg over black pudding which was just delicious and devilish. The cod on a bed of spinach with fondant potato was incredible, one of the best pieces of cod I’ve ever eaten it literally fell off the skin and melted in my mouth. The side order of duck fat chips are the best cross over between a roast potato and chip that I’ve experience...a meal in its self. For steak lovers I can confidently say that the 10oz rib eye won’t let you down. My favourite surprise of the night was the offering of tea/coffee with petit fours for €5.95 I was expecting a small biscuit/cake to come with my coffee but I was impressed when I received an assiette of biscotti, cake and shortbread...amazing value. A meal for three, starters, mains, desserts, tea/coffee and a bottle of Prosecco came to €128, excellent value for such a high quality meal in comfortable surroundings. I loved the relaxed atmosphere, the waiters were so attentive and the food is reason enough for me to return again.