There’s a dramatic name change along Stephen’s Green in Dublin, where celebrity chef Richard Corrigan has left the building at Bentley’s. Gone with him is the name but a retitled restaurant remains: it’s called, simply, The Restaurant.
On Monday, a new flag was raised announcing that the Cliff Town House was also in residence. The owner, entrepreneur Barry O’Callaghan, is bringing the Georgian building under the auspices of his Waterford stronghold, The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, which was awarded a Michelin star last January. Adriaan Bartels (above left), general manager of the hotel, was on hand with Drew Flood (above right), general manager of the premises in St Stephen’s Green , to ring in the changes.
Instead of a restaurant that happens to have a few rooms upstairs, it’s now being repackaged as that very noughties concept, a boutique hotel. Head chef Sean Smith, who worked with Corrigan in London and Dublin, is still in charge in the kitchen, and the new menu has some familiar favourites from the Corrigan days, including oysters and a fish pie.
The Restaurant (which, like Prince, will probably long be referred to as The Restaurant Formerly Known as Bentley’s) is open for business, even as the last tweaks are happening, offering three courses for €40. Bookings on 01-6383939.
