Charlemont Bar & Bistro is the latest addition to the Dublin food and drink scene, located overlooking the canal on Charlemont Place. Following an almost €1m investment that has created two settings brought together by the common themes of design, style and vibe.
OUTDOOR TERRACE
Charlemont also features a canal-facing outdoor terrace, which is walled and lined with mature shrubs and for which general manger, Paul Flavin, expects high demand due to the paucity of good outdoor dining spaces in the capital and in spite of Ireland’s inclement climate.
Whilst Charlemont is part of Hilton Dublin, Paul Flavin explains how it has been designed as a stand- alone bar and bistro to appeal to new audiences. “One of the features that we feel will attract visitors to Charlemont is that it can be accessed from street level. Obviously we hope that hotel guests will enjoy Charlemont Bar & Bistro but we really want to offer an experience that is somewhat separate from the hotel, creating an ambience and environment that will tempt people who might not traditionally consider a night out in a hotel bar. Charlemont is different and we think that anyone dropping by will be pleasantly surprised,” said Paul.
Charlemont was designed by Dublin interior architecture and design company Millimetre Design, which was involved in all aspects of the fit-out from interior architecture, design, procurement and project management.
PHASE ONE TRANSFORMATION
Both the bar and bistro were designed using materials such as rich stained oaks, dura stone and antique mirrors and colours such as dark powder blues and warm beiges. The new sophisticated look and feel gives a new edge to the front of the property and is the first phase of a major capital investment programme at Hilton Dublin. Phase two will see a full bedroom refurbishment.
“This really is a new chapter for us and the timing feels absolutely right,” said Paul Flavin. “There is a buzz around the city centre that extends into great spots such as Ranelagh, Rathmines, Rathgar and Donnybrook and we are really well positioned between them all. We have a great new offering and a brilliant and committed team and we hope that people like what we do, because we are loving doing it.”
THE MENUS
Executive chef, Alan Brady has placed an emphasis on great quality ingredients done simply and done well and the provenance of the ingredients is paramount to his menu design.
Charlemont’s menus include fresh Kilkeel mussels, Chulchoill goat’s cheese and Kilmore Quay scallops. Its beef is from nearby Clonee and the sharing cheeseboard includes Wicklow blue, smoked Gubeen, Tipperary brie and Cooleeny.
Lunchtime salad choices, which are priced from €12 include quinoa & avocado with soya beans, broccoli florets, baby spinach, pumpkins and a citrus vinaigrette; poached pear & feta with caramelised walnuts, red onion, arugula and cherry vinaigrette or a smoked trout and beetroot salad with horseradish and dill dressing.
Guests can also enjoy Gorgonzola & walnut ravioli; gourmet burgers or a selection of sandwiches including pan fried wild mushroom & thyme focaccia or poached salmon & dill.
The sharing platters are already proving popular and priced from €15 include an Antipasto of Milano salami, pastrami, Serrano ham, sundried tomatoes, marinated olives and rustic bread or a seafood platter of calamari tempura prawns, fish fritters and citrus aioli and a sweet sesame and soy dressing
The evening menu includes seared Procanar duck breast served with wilted greens, mange tout, sweet potato puree and a crème de cassis jus (€22) and pan fried sea bream with broad beans, asparagus and new potatoes (€23).
THE DRINKS
The good news for lovers of wine is that there are a dozen wines available by the glass, with prices starting at €6.50 for a crisp Australian Chardonnay (The Pick) or a fruity Spanish (Marques De Plata). Charlemont’s Champagne is the delicious Pannier and the wine list extends to include a selection that will appeal to different palettes or occasions including:
- Domaine Del Sol, Picpoul, 2013 (France) €8.50 / €30
- Peter Schweiger, Gruner Veltliner, 2013 (Austria) €38
- Lupe Cholet, Chablis, 2012 (France) €42
- The Edge, Pinot Noir, 2010 (New Zealand) €38
- Don David, Malbec, 2011 (Argentina) €9 / €33
- Il Bucco, Montepulciano, 2013 (Italy) €8 / €26
Cocktails are a house speciality and reasonably priced from €8. The cocktail list includes classics such as Espresso Martini, Mojito and Cosmopolitan and each week the bartenders will devise a Charlemont Surprise, which, this week is an Autumn Whisper made with Chivas Regal, 12 year old Grand Marnier and ginger ale.
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