The Winding Stair
When myself and my other half had more disposable income we would eat out a lot. Who am I kidding when I look at my current account online I say to myself and to my waistline that I must cut down on eating out. I find I treat myself by eating out. It’s actually not just the food but the atmosphere, the chance to catch up without the distraction of the TV or the phone ringing. A few years back I would find my go to restaurant for a treat or a birthday celebration would be The Winding Stair. I loved the location overlooking the Ha’penny bridge. The cosy room and the friendly staff. For some reason or another a few years had gone by and I hadn’t been back. When it came to picking a restaurant for a birthday celebration, I wanted good honest hearty food without bells and whistles. I’ve started to hate restaurants where your meal comes served on a slate and your chips in a shopping cart. I just want my food on a plate and a glass of wine to the side.
Even though it had been a few years I recognised a good few dishes on the menu. That’s not a complaint by the way as I feel if you do something well why change it. I choose the smokies – which were as good as I remembered – such flaky smoked haddock goodness, drowned in cream (another good thing), cheese, and tomatoes and spring onion. I followed that up with Steak and Chips. The only bugbear was that they didn’t have bernaise sauce but garlic butter. I finished the meal off with a raspberry mouse. God I dream of that dessert sometimes.
The meal was so good that in my pregnant state I found myself wanting it again the following month. This time I had the potted crab – lovely and light dish, followed by haddock poached in milk with onions. Looking back I must have been craving fish. This main course was probably one of the nicest meals I’ve ever had. It reminded me of when I’d come in from school on a rainy day and my mom would have a similar dish on the cooker.
What I like about The Winding Stair is that it serves good honest food in large portions that doesn’t try to be anything too fancy. It’s hearty food that you need a big appetite for and it’s perfect for a winters night.
40 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland
Lunch: 12pm-5pm, Dinner: 5:30pm-10:30pm
Telephone : + 353 1 8727320
On a budget: Pre-theatre menu: 2-course €26.95 3-course €30.95
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