The Picky Eater

NEW restaurants are popping up all over Dublin lately, but they’re usually in the city centre.
For those of us who live and work in suburbia, it’s like manna from heaven when a new place opens its doors, especially if they are offering something exciting and that is on a par, if not surpasses, what you can get in the city centre.
That is the case with The Elephant’s Ear, in Churchtown. Strange name, I know, but nothing is strange about the food – exciting, inventive, colourful and downright tasty are just some of the adjectives that spring to mind.
Just above the Glenside Pub, this place has been given a complete overhaul and the soft, muted greys, along with the boothed seating and soft lighting, attribute to the relaxed atmosphere.
The maitre-d said they were still working on the music, which is a bit of a mishmash, but if this is the only thing they haven’t got right after five weeks in operation, then they are doing well.
And, when it comes to the food, they have got everything spot-on. They encourage sharing in this place, and with a selection of “naughty nibbles” or light bites on offer, as well as straight-up starters and mains, there is a big selection to choose from.
I would recommend you go for tapas-style dining, and choose from the many delicious small plates on offer.
The fish tacos (€7) were an absolute taste explosion in the mouth, with plenty of sprightly garnish and a dash of lime thrown in for good measure. This dish had us singing, and we couldn’t wait for what was to come.
Tuna nachos (€10) with seared tuna fish and plenty of guacamole, were equally as exciting, as the tacos just came alive on the plate and on the tongue. A gorgonzola dip (€6) with toasted breads had us licking the last droplets from the bowl.
Next up were chicken flatbreads (€8), with chicken that felt like it was torn straight from a roasted bird, and came with plenty of peanuts and some satay sauce lashed on top.
My sister decided to try a larger plate, just to see what could be expected there, and in the name of research! She loved her pan-roasted rump of lamb with sumac and pomegranate molasses (€15), but in comparison to the smaller plates, there was none …
A dessert combo gave us a sample of a delicious crumble with a crunchy and creamy honeycomb ice cream. A winter fruits jelly and ice ream combo was equally good.
The wine list is great too, featuring some adventurous new wines. We chose a Spanish Rueda (€26).
All in all, this place was a joy from start to finish, with a great team of staff on the floor and in the kitchen. They also offer brunch and lunch with much of the same menu on offer. I couldn’t recommend it more.