Filed under: featuredarticle, Irish cuisine, restaurant
Nothing Tame about The Wild Goose Grill in Dublin
Have you ever walked into a restaurant and everything simply seems right? This blend of decor, atmosphere, space, and character is difficult to achieve. I’ve walked in few restaurants in my life that make me want to come back before I’ve even opened my menu, but the Wild Goose Grill in the Dublin neighborhood of Ranelagh is one of them. Explore this authentic neighborhood and then settle in to one of the cozy grey velour chairs for an evening of good food and good company.
First impressions can be indelible, and for a restaurant, there is often just one chance to impress each individual customer. I like that the Wild Goose Grill is located on the second floor – this restaurant doesn’t lure you in off the street – you must know about it or be enticed upstairs by the menu posted outside. The cozy atmosphere begins when you climb a flight of stairs to reach the dining room; bottles of wine displayed on their original wooden crates get my mouth watering before I even reach the door.
Whoever did the design at the Wild Goose Grill should be commended for creating a space that is warm and also modern. Tones of grey, soft cushioned chairs, and wine bottles on display all give this restaurant an atmosphere of the dining room you wish you could create in your own home. Service is helpful from recommending a glass of wine to assisting in choosing between two tempting dishes. While the menu has many Irish favorites, they usually have a twist, and flavors from other areas of the world are featured as well. A favorite appetizer is seared tuna sashimi with sesame seeds, pickled white radish slaw, and a sesame dressing.
The main course options are just as scrumptious. Duck breast with orange and apricot compote, baby spinach, potatoes, and veal jus is one of my favorites – but if you’re looking for something lighter try panfried halibut with green beans, spring onions, and a sweet pepper sauce. Dessert is just as delicious and often served in cute ways – cappuccino creme brulee in a coffee cup for example. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and lunch on Sunday, this restaurant & grill will give you all the space, atmosphere, and cuisine to create a memorable meal.
Address: The Wild Goose Grill, 1 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 (map).
Prices: Starters from 6 – 14 euros and main courses from 16 to 29 euros.
Photo Credit: SXC
2 Comments
We used to be big fans of the Wild Goose and ate there regularly. However we have pretty much stopped going there as there is no getting away from the fact that while the food is good it is also very expensive. A point hammered home by a recent visit- We had almost exactly the same meal in Oliviers (above O’Briens on Leeson St) for almost exactly half the price the next night. Added to which the credit card machine in Olivers didn’t ask us how much of a tip we would like to give- 11%, 22% or 33%. A tip for the Wild Goose, after an expensive meal being asked to pay a further 33% tip does not leave a good taste.
Hi Kathryn, Thanks for reading. I agree, especially in these times of recession, that looking for good value is important when dining out. However, I’ve always been impressed with the top-notch service and quality of ingredients that go in to preparing these dishes. As someone with restaurant experience, I know that these ingredients are often expensive. For a splurge of a night on the town, I’d still recommend the Wild Goose Grill.