Dillinger's is a lovely little American style neighbourhood bar and grill located in Ranelagh. It's cool, actually it's so cool that coolness oozes onto the street outside. It's the kind of place that I usually feel uncomfortable in due to my lack of coolness but Dillinger's is different. I felt quite comfortable there despite having to sit at the bar. They don't seat couples at the tables despite them being empty the entire length of our visit. Sitting at the bar though we were afforded a great view of the mixologist at work. It was a bit like dinner theatre!
The clean crisp interior resembles an American diner... I wish I'd been sitting at one of those tables!
The menu is small, about eight starters and mains ranging from fois gras profiteroles (€12) and soup (€7) to rib eye (€29) and hotdogs (€15). We ordered some cocktails (great show) while we perused the menu. Eventually it was decided that himself would go for the Southern Carolina quail with mini chips while I opted for the ceviche (both €10)
Ceviche
I was warned that the ceviche was a cold dish, there must have been previous incidents? It arrived at a suitable temperature in a small basket accompanied by some leaves, coriander, pineapple and scallions. It was punchy and delicious. My appetite was whetted!
Southern Carolina quail.
His quail was served like southern fried chicken and topped with bacon. The flavours and textures were good but it was too small to eat it comfortably. He tried using his knife and fork but resembled a tyrannosaurus rex trying to do an autopsy on a mouse. There's no way around the size of a quail leg, they're obviously small, but a flat plate might have made the process easier!
Rib eye steak.
By the time the starters were finished we'd polished off the cocktails and started on a decent bottle of white. His main of rib eye (€29) arrived with bearnaise sauce, mushrooms, spinach and twice cooked chips. It was really well seasoned and very tender, it had a thick band of fat around it and while I know some people love this it didn't appeal to myself and himself. Aside from that the flavor was delicious.
Fish of the day, rock bass.
I went for the fish of the day which turned out to be rock bass (€27, I think!) it was served with a ratatouille and potato salad. It really was perfect, I have no complaints, beautifully cooked with crispy skin covering the soft flesh of the fish. I could have eaten twice as much potato salad, it was delicious, very tangy.
Fantastic cocktails.
As the wine was running low we decided on a few cocktails to go with dessert. Like in their sister restaurant, 777, the cocktails here are superb, among the best I have ever tasted.
Decent desserts
We shared a baked vanilla cheese cake and chocolate mousse for desserts. Both were decent but not spectacular, we didn't leave any behind though!
Dillinger's
47 Ranelagh
Dublin 6
01 497 8010
Website
