Already well-known fishmongers and restaurateurs in Howth, the Doran family has branched out in partnership with the Duignans to open a seafood restaurant above The Beachcomber pub in Killester.
Accessed via a staircase in the middle of the pub, the restaurant is a casual, bright, airy room and the bare wooden tables and blue, cream and dark grey colour scheme give it an appropriately nautical feel.
The focus is almost exclusively on seafood, but there are a few beef, chicken and vegetarian options as well so that all tastes are catered for. As you would expect from a business that also has a fish counter, the seafood is spanking fresh and it is cooked simply but well.
Appealing starters might include whole prawns with chilli, garlic and white wine, fishcakes with aioli, or scallops with black pudding and apple sauce, followed by interesting main courses like cod with chickpeas and chorizo; pan-fried sea bass with saffron potatoes, samphire and sauce vierge; or a classic fish and chips with pea puree and tartare sauce.
If you still have room, the cheesecake of the day might tempt you to try dessert.
Prices average around the €20 mark for a main course, but their early bird menu, available every day from 5pm to 7pm, is great value at €20 for two courses or €24 for three courses. They also serve a bar bites menu in the pub downstairs.
A popular addition to the Killester area, especially for seafood lovers, this is a well run operation and deserves its success.
