Overlooking the lush sanctuary of St Stephen’s green in the centre of Dublin lies boutique hotel Cliff Townhouse, a revamped Georgian townhouse and restaurant which draws in businessmen, locals and overseas visitors alike for its seafood specialties.
The hotel has maintained its traditional decor characterised by grand entrances, antique accents and sash windows. The brasserie-style restaurant is no different – expect traditional fireplaces and elegant chandeliers – while mirrors magnify the, already large, space. Yet, Cliff Townhouse has been given a modern maritime twist, with navy furnishings and art-deco fixtures filling the light and airy dining room. The marble-topped oyster and Champagne bar is just a few steps away, jazzed up with modern artwork, shell-shaped lamps and navy leather chairs studded in silver.
The restaurant specialises in modern Irish food, with an emphasis on sustainably sourced seafood predominantly caught in Irish seas – expect Dublin Bay prawns, Irish lobster and Galway oysters. The menu offers everything from caviar appetisers to salmon gravadlax blinis and a signature Townhouse fish pie. Elsewhere, scallops and wild mussels feature alongside black sole on the bone in three styles: meunière, véronique or Bercy. Smaller organic Irish farmers are also well-represented on the menu - think pork fillet stuffed with black pudding. Sunday roasts with all the trimmings are a gourmet occasion at Cliff Townhouse, with the option to host your own roast in the private dining room. Sommeliers regularly revise the extensive wine list, which features fine vintages.
A stone’s throw from Dublin’s Gaiety theatre and National Concert Hall, Cliff Townhouse is spot-on for pre-theatre set menus or a leisurely post-theatre lunch. The ‘afternoon sea’ menu is a playful rendition of traditional high tea - potted monkfish and oysters are served on tiered silverware, while teas and coffees are replaced with a steaming cup of lobster bisque.