A sister branch to the wine bar Forest & Marcy, Forest Avenue is a neighborhood dining room led by husband and wife duo John and Sandy Wyer, named after Sandy's native New York street. The restaurant is further out of town but its popularity is a sign of its excellence, with Dubliners flocking to the affluent district for a reasonably priced set lunch or more lavish tasting menu.
Rustic wooden accents, cushioned banquettes and copper lamps are indications of the effortlessly charming interiors. The open kitchen, so small that the detailed dishes are all the more wondrous, gives diners a glimpse of their meals in progress. A staircase framed by abstract art leads the way to the intimate mezzanine, distanced from the livelier dining room below.
The menu tends to revolve around the signature agnolotti: pasta parcels which have been stuffed with parmesan in a swede broth alongside collard greens. Inspired by seasonal produce sourced both locally and abroad, the à la carte never remains the same. However, on your visit, you might find the likes of duck terrines, Galway goat’s cheese and a dessert of coconut custard tart with coffee and black lime. The tasting menu is the star of the show, with six courses of intricate dishes ranging from confit hake with crab, swiss chard and sea urchin sauce, to venison with caramelised cauliflower – a vegetarian version is also available upon request. The wine list is concise yet carefully considered, largely featuring European labels. Make your way over to Forest Avenue for quick lunches or tasting menus fit for special occasions .