Fans of the atmospheric Chez Max have two choices of venue: the original café (which boasts great people watching by the gates of Dublin Castle) and this newer 'bistrot' in a basement premises on Baggot Street, which has a garden and terrace, on two levels, and is kitted out evocatively with blood red leather banquettes and tobacco-yellow globe lighting.
Like its sister restaurant, this one is open from 8am for breakfast of pastries and coffee, through lunch and early bird menus to full dinner. There is a more elaborate range on the the menu here - and also an Epicerie / speciality French food store - but both venues offer bistro staples such as French onion soup, escargots, frogs legs, boeuf bourginoun and moules frites.
The wine lists, as might be expected, are fully French, and offer several value options, but those with a little money to spend will find more temptations on the extensive bistro list. This Dublin restaurants cooking is generally competent - and the atmospheric setting always works its charm.
