Another week, another new restaurant goes live in Dublin – we couldn’t miss the opportunity to check it out…
Before opening its doors to the public, Dublin’s newest restaurant, Bite released its menu on Twitter. True, its premise of fish and chips and cocktails would not have looked out of place in one of Joe Macken’s quirky concept diners, but that’s where any similarities end.
Bite is a collaboration between restauranteur Ronan Ryan (Town Bar and Grill), concert promoters Brian Spollen and Anthony Remedy, headed up by chef Malcolm Starmer (formerly La Stampa). Already they’ve nailed their colours to the mast on their Twitter blurb promising a ‘hip, not hipster’ experience.
Elegant table linen and soft lighting set the tone, while smartly uniformed waiting staff ensure service is kept ship shape.
So the drinks don’t come served in jam jars á la Crackbird, but Bite’s complimentary appetiser of squid and chilli popcorn keeps things fun and is a nice little lead-in to the selection of starters including pil pil prawns and potted crab with grated apple and fennel.
Green cod, haddock, sea bass and lemon sole are served either coated in vodka and beer batter, fried in panko breadcrumbs or grilled. For the full fancy fish ‘n chip supper effect, go for one of the battered options- they’re wrapped in brown paper with a big wedge of lemon and a side of pickled cucumber.
All mains are served with thinly cut fries (skins intact). If you’re feeling adventurous though, there’s the chance to upgrade to truffle and parmesan or duck fat fries.
Room for dessert? Treat yourself to a lemon meringue pie, popping candy ice-cream or warm brownie with vanilla ice-cream.
Verdict:
A big fish with small fry prices. This is one of Dublin’s most exciting new restaurants, a great spot for lunch (chip butties ahoy) or dinner. Don’t miss the cocktails either- the caipiroska is highly recommended.
Bite is open for lunch and dinner Monday-Friday and dinner only on Saturday.
Bookings are accepted on Twitter and Facebook but walk-ins are also welcome.
Where to find Bite:
29 South Frederick St,
Dublin 2.
Good idea badly done. Service poor, cocktails overpriced and awful. Food not good either. Disappointing
Considering the restaurant had just opened, I have to say I found it all very positive (hence review) Yes, agreed – always great to see new and innovative restaurants popping up in Dublin…long may it continue!
service a bit hit and miss – but food delicious – yellow fin tuna was fab – great atmosphere – eclectic crowd – good fun and will certainly be recommending and revisiting!
Food was good but service was very hit and miss – obviously having their “media night” the night we were there and just forgot about everyone else in the place! Cocktails were bland…when then finally arrived.
I had dinner here last week and the chef seems to be the only person who is getting it right. The layout, waiting staff, management and menu were haphazard and all over the place. Tasteless cocktails with very little alcohol explain why they are priced around the 7€ mark. Also we were bottom of the pile of priorities as we were one of the few tables that didn’t contain a C list celeb. Am surprised with recent good press reviews as I won’t be rushing back or recommending Bite to anyone. Unless they’re “famous” that is. Good tuna though.
Agree with Hayley all the way- food was good when it arrived but we may as well have been invisible to the wait staff. We got completely ignored, something the waitress herself commented on when we asked for the bill. I agreed wholeheartedly with her observation, her response was “sorry, not enough staff” plenty of owner and manager type people wandering around us talking to important people though Cocktails were very lack lustre, food as I commented was good enough but definitely not a place to revisit .
Sunday lunch was very poor. Free popcorn was greasy. Fish was soggy. Service was worse and we were practically ignored despite there being few customers and lots of staff, Shame as it was a special occasion but we won’t be going back,