Once in a while a genius comes up with any idea and you think, “why didn’t anyone think of that before?”. Here’s one for you; a fine dining restaurant where all of the profits go to charity. What did I tell you – genius!

Restaurant 1014 is located in a beautiful spot opposite the old wooden bridge on the seafront between Dollymount and Clontarf. In fact, it’s pretty close to the place where the Battle of Clontarf was fought back in….em…..oh yes…1014!

It’s a small, comfortable eatery with a warm atmosphere and a lovely buzz about it. You may feel that it’s a bit out of the way but I guarantee you, it’s worth it.

The chef Gareth Smith is formerly of Chapter One and The Charthouse in Dingle so this is serious food. Being so close to the sea, it’s no surprise that there is a concentration on fish dishes as well what can only be described as “good honest food”.

When we arrived on a Saturday evening, 1014 was buzzing. We were greeted by a rather stressed-out Maitre D’ who was a little curter than necessary but, hey we all have our bad days. Once were were seated at our table the night clicked into perfection.

For starters we decided to share Roast Wicklow Field Mushroom with Mushroom Risotto, Seared Haloumi Cheese and Sundried Tomato Salsa. Now usually when you share a course, the plate comes out and you are presented with a second empty plate to share as you like. Not in 1014. Here the starter was halved and plated up on two plates complete with all of the trimmings. Now that’s just classy.

And it was delicious. When I saw Mushroom Risotto, I thought it might be too much for a starter but this was all about the mushroom with the rice as a more-ish accompaniment. The shrooms were moist and full of earthy flavour, with the warm cheese giving it a feeling of velvet in the mouth.

There were lots of choices for mains. Rib Eye Steak, Duck Breast, Lamb, Tuna Loin, Hake and Scallops (right) as well as 1014′s own take on Fish and Chips – were I do describe them as the menu does, your keyboard would short for drooling. And that’s not even taking the daily specials into consideration.

I went for a duo of Carlow beef; a slice of meatloaf and slices of fillet steak with scallion and truffle mash. My partner went for Pan Seared Irish Wild Hake with Bacon and Shallot Mash, Sauté Spinach, Confit Tomato and Salsa Verde, minus the non-veggie friendly bacon in the mash.

Orgasm on a plate. Two orgasms on two plates. Oh. My. God. This is why we have tastebuds. The hake was full of meaty tastiness and the mash was to die for. But ladies and gentlefolk who knew that meatloaf could be this delicious? I mean meatloaf is a cheap leftover rehash! Here, what the chef had, rather cheekily, done was put the best of beef on the plate with what would usually be considered the worst and let your palate decide that, even though the tastes are completely different, each is just as scrumptious as the other.

We had a look at the dessert menu and I was seriously considering opening my belt for the Peach Cheesecake with Wild Raspberries, but, as my mammy always says “Enough is enough”.

We fairly splashed out on the wine with a fabulous Pinot Noir for €39, so the bill came to a total of €97. I’d go back everyday if I could.

Restaurant 1014 is run by The Caring and Sharing Association (CASA) and all profits go towards the charity’s work for people with disabilities. So not only do you get a meal to die for but a guilt free meal to die for.

Links:

Restaurant 1014 Official site

CASA

Menu Pages

Popularity: 1% [?]

No related posts.