SITUATED on Crofton Road, overlooking Dun Laoghaire harbour, there are few restaurants around Dublin that offer such beautiful scenic views.
The Gourmet Food Parlour is a hidden gem amongst the many restaurants now popping up around the newly revitalised seaside town’s centre and it is one to definitely put on your to-try list.
GFP Dun Laoghaire is part of a restaurant group that boasts locations all around the city, but it still manages to retain its own uniqueness that many other chain eateries tend not to do.
Firstly, when you walk into the restaurant it has a funky, vibrant feel to it; it’s chic with a definite buzz about the place.
It is very well laid out and offers amazing views – so try to book a table near the windows to make the most of it.
The staff are very welcoming and attentive and, as an added bonus, they were very considerate of my nut allergy, which was great as it can be a tricky subject to bring up when I dine out.
We ate from the pre-theatre menu which costs a very reasonable €22 and runs from 5–7pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
It is a tapas menu, which I love, and I must admit I found it hard to choose just three dishes as each one sounded very appealing when I began reading the menu.
I eventually decided, and chose the chicken wings in hot buffalo sauce; the Tiger prawns pil pil, in garlic, chilli, and lime with a smashed avocado toast; and the patatas bravas con chorizo.
You certainly could not complain about the portions in GFP, which can only be described as extremely generous.
The wings were huge, lightly crispy and golden, and had plenty of heat from the hot buffalo sauce.
The Tiger prawns were cooked perfectly in the juices from the garlic, chilli and lime and tasted divine. The smashed avocado toast was a lovely added touch, and was very refreshing on the taste buds after the spicy wings.
The patatas bravas were a gluttonous delight and the chorizo certainly added an extra spicy kick to them. A nice twist on the average patatas bravas, it has to be said.
My other half had the Iberico ham with caper berries, pecorino, and quince, the beef short rib crostini with Philly cheese and scallions, and the salt and pepper squid with chipotle aioli.
The Iberico ham was a simple dish with outstanding flavours, the beef short rib crostini was flavoursome with the added extra of the indulgent Philly cheese which is always welcome, and the salt and pepper squid is always a dish he goes for, as it never disappoints.
This time was no exception, and a special mention must go to the chipotle aioli as it was one of the best that we have tasted so far, and went very well with the squid.
I would highly recommend a visit to the Gourmet Food Parlour in Dun Laoghaire. It has the best views, welcoming staff, and delicious food. I’ll definitely be heading back for a visit again soon.
For more information, see www.gourmetfoodparlour.com/
dun-laoghaire or call 01 280 5670.
