La Cave - A Bit Of Paris In Dublin

About La Cave

If you've ever been to Paris, you'll probably be a fan of the restaurants and cafes where the tables and wine glasses are smaller, strangers are sitting close together, people are chatting and everyone is eating good food.

La Cave re-created this atmosphere in a basement in Dublin City Centre, and the setting is just right. When you walk down the steps the red interior and old Parisian decor reminds you of the musical Moulin Rouge.

There are French pictures and old advertisements scattered on the walls, French music is playing in the background, and you are greeted by your French host and waitress with a welcoming smile. The staff are extremely knowledgeable about their wine, and so they should be. This is a French wine bar first and foremost. They are more than happy for you to sit down and drink wine by the glass or bottle at the bar, but I would strongly recommend you try the food.

On my last visit to Paris a friend of mine who was a local recommended and booked us a table in a little neighbourhood restaurant off the tourist trail just 3 minutes from Montmartre. It was small, cosy and the waiter/owner was an old-school restaurateur. There were no bells and whistles but the food was simply divine! We could see as the first people to enter that evening that the food made this place come alive. Their tables filled up in no time and it was obvious to us that it was because of the quality meals they produced.

The food in La Cave reminded me of this restaurant on the hill overlooking Paris. The food is simple and cooked well. The flavour and consistency produced in their dishes really shows they have good knowledge of hearty French cooking.

La Cave

To start I had a fresh crab tartlet, simple, tasty, and there wasn't a crumb left on the plate by the time I was done.

This was followed by duck with orange. It was served with french beans, carrots, potato gratin and layered with gravy that was to die for.

The dessert was an apple and pear tart. I didn't know where I was going to put this as I was so stuffed from the first two courses, but I found a way. The tart had the perfect balance with its sweet fruit and cinnamon. It was served with strawberries and fresh cream along with a very light mango ice-cream.

It was washed down with one of my favourite red wines, a 2015 E.Guigan Cotes Du Rhone which made my evening altogether.

The price of a 3 course meal is only €30 on the early bird deal which finishes at 7 pm, but the restaurant is not overpriced by any means. The bottle of wine was €30. I found the price fair.

Phil Lynott's statue

The staff were accommodating, friendly and helpful throughout the entire evening, even though the restaurant became full along with the wine bar, they were attentive throughout. Which for me, I believe lifts the entire experience in any restaurant.

So, if you're looking to eat something and have an experience that's a little different this weekend in Dublin, visit La Cave, sit back and enjoy some great food and wine.

When you're finished, take a left and walk down to get a photo with Phil Lynotts statue (The singer from Thin Lizzy).

Value for money: Excellent, 3 course meal €30 (Early bird up until 7 pm)

Location: South Anne's Street (just off Grafton Street)

You can find La cave on google maps here

If you want to make a booking or want to know more about whats on offer, you can visit their website here