From the people who brought you The Pig’s Ear, Mr Fox is a strong contender in the Irish dining scene with its internationally-inspired cuisine. Situated in a Georgian basement on the historic Parnell Square, Mr Fox would be easy to miss if it weren’t for word-of-mouth praise.
While the food leans towards fine dining, the interiors are more informal, with bare brick walls and taxidermy foxes on show – expect caramel-colour furnishings, tiled floors and window sills adorned with orchids. The bar and dining room reflect the restaurant’s epithet with fox-themed cushions and logo-embossed parchment at the dinner table.
Food at Mr Fox is a love letter to international cuisine, with flavours borrowed from around the world – an indication of chef Anthony Smith’s extensive culinary CV. The eclectic menu is a hit with critics and rubs shoulders with the top calibre Dublin spots. Small plates vary from beef tartare with quail egg, smoked eel and toast to a Japanese-inspired avocado, ponzu, cucumber, jalapeño and charred watermelon entrée.
Snack on deviled eggs with chipotle and trout caviar before revelling in the restaurant’s larger plates, with a side of green beans and nduja. Game is well-represented on the menu – think a seasonal venison, fig, parsnip and black pudding dish – while the menu also offers sharing plates – an inventive barbecued beef cheek with blue cheese and potato gratin. The dessert menu is filled with witty renditions of sweet-shop treats, featuring both a clementine ‘super-split’ and Mr Fox’s take on a Bounty.
The wine list harmonises with the varied cuisine – expect an international stance on wines as well as Irish beers, ciders and whiskies.With the Gate theatre around the corner, Mr Fox is spot-on for pre-theatre dining while also appealing to speedy business lunches and candlelit dinners.