Eden Bar & Grill

I’ve been to Eden a few times for dinner and never been disappointed.  I particularly liked when they had Jamie Nancy and the Blueboys for their evening jazz.  Alas they no longer have live music, but they have always had good food and good cocktails.

I was recently invited as a guest along with a wonderful group of bloggers (Jessika, Melanie, James, Timi, and
Karli) to try out their brunch menu. I’m not going to rave about the place just because I was a guest.  That doesn’t do them any favours and throws any credibility I may have with readers out the window.  So with that noted, the below is an honest account of our little meet up.

First things first, brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 12 until 4.  Eden is a little bit like the Tardis from Dr. Who. It looks quite small from outside, but rest assured, once you step through the doors, it is quite the cavernous space with high ceiling towards the back and an impressive glass roof. 

It also has a mix of table sizes.  Intimate tables for two and large, wide wooden tables for groups. From recent chats to friends with children I’d also give Eden a big thumbs up for being so child friendly.  They don’t frown at buggies. They welcome them and the back space is perfect for parking the stroller so you can enjoy brunch without abandoning your kids. There is also a kids corner on the brunch menu, so they haven’t forgotten you there either.

On to the menu.  Cocktails! Ranging from €8.50 to €10.00. Great price points and a nice mix. The food menu prices go from €8.50 for a roast fig salad to €16 for steak and eggs. Lots of various €10 and €12 dishes in between which include eggs Florentine, the full Eden breakfast and poached salmon haddock.

Naturally I went with a cocktail to start and quite frankly it would be rude not to, regardless of who was picking up the tab. I said to the waiter, surprise me, and he did with a Gin Jam which was light, refreshing and amply fused with Gin.For the main event I went with the lamb burger which was served with minted yogurt, feta cheese and triple cooked chips. Timi and I, declared we both hated those awful frozen chips you get in so many places and we were both delighted to see proper, homemade chips make it onto our plates.

So how was it?  Well I won’t lie, it was succulent, tasty and full of flavour. After several attempts at eating it as a regular burger and ending up with it all over my face, I resorted to the knife and fork method.  If you are going to order it, go hungry, coupled with the chips its quite a feast.  The chips by the way were excellent.

To give you a flavour of what else was being scoffed around the table, I took a couple of snaps of the other dishes.  I didn’t taste them myself, but personally I think they look great, the plates were cleared and there were happy faces to match them.  Below you will see the roast fig salad (€8.50) and soft scrambled eggs on brioche toast with smoked salmon (€9.50)

Ok I did say the lamb burger was a hearty meal but dessert always gets its own reserved spot in my stomach, the VIP area lets call it.  After feigning not being able to eat anymore for a good 2-3 seconds I promptly ordered the soft meringue roulade with strawberry, mascarpone and lemon sorbet (€6.50). I’m a fan of all things meringue. I didn’t speak much at this point. I hunkered down and spooned it into me like it was the last supper.

To wrap up I had an espresso martini. Again I had asked the waiter to surprise me so he went off menu and came back with that for me.  Delicious. Overall verdict?  They do say food tastes better with great company  (which I was in) and whether that is true or not I’m not sure. What I am sure of is this, Eden do a tasty brunch. The service was excellent, and I don’t just mean to our table.  I was keeping a close eye on the other diners and they were treated
equally as well. The surrounds are comfortable. The location is excellent.  I already mentioned the kid friendly aspect.  The only gripe I have is, sometimes it can be a bit loud, but then again, the high ceilings and aforementioned cavernous space has to come at some cost.  Give it a try yourself and see what you think.

I had an amazing brunch here last weekend, I can't believe I'm only reviewing it now! The fish cakes with capers were delicious, crispy, fresh and very filling but comfortably so. The cocktails were very memorable. The menu has your run of the mill brunch cocktails on offer with some more interesting ones thrown in, but even the Bellini and bramble tasted like totally new drinks. Eden must have their own special twist! Will be back again - I love the vibe, decor and even the toilets!

My friend brought me here for brunch he had been a few times . The worst part was trying to find it - I know south william street really well but this place is doing itself an injustice not being well signed. you really woudnt notice it at all!! i walked by it four times trying to meet my friend. The food was gorgeous ! i can see why it was a popular choice by my friend . the staff were really kind too - price wise it is expensive but normal for Dublin city!! I'm sure I'll go back again if I'm in the area

Sometime back I had the pleasure to welcome 4 of my childhood friends from Madrid here in Dublin. As you can imagine, one of the highlights of our weekend was the food, as I was delighted to show them what Dublin has to offer.

After tasting a few of my favorites, I took them for Brunch (something we don’t do in Madrid as I already explain due to schedule differences). I wanted them to have a real Brunch experience with eggs Benedict so without any doubt I brought them to the place in Dublin where, in my opinion, they make the best eggs Benedict in town: Eden Bar & Grill.

Again, another spot in the creative quarter of South William Street, this neighborhood will never stop delighting me. It’s not a surprise I chose it as my home as well, it couldn’t be different!

Eden Bar & Grill is a piece of relaxing atmosphere in the center of this hectic neighborhood as once you cross the door, a soft jazz music and lovely service brings you to the most finest of the “brunch moods”.

For me, as I already said, this is THE place for eggs Benedict, and you know Dublin is full of brunch places with a ferocious competition over eggs Benedict. Anyway, if you are not fun of eggs in general, as some of my friends, you can always go for other nice options like the full Irish breakfast (made in a fine way, don’t forget everything in this place is elegant and delicate).

As well, you cannot go without ordering some of the brunch cocktails. The typical mimosa is not in the menu, but if you order it they will happily make it for you with no problems. A mimosa is always good for a day drink, and drinking at 12pm after a great night out with your best friends is priceless.

Bon Appétite!

Grade: 8
Price: €€

[November, 2014]