Matt The Thresher Dublin — Restaurant in Dublin

Friday night, 830pm. We were placed downstairs at a table that by all accounts shouldn’t exist. This table, placed directly at the bottom of a dark wooden stairwell, felt like a practical joke without a punchline. I kept expecting a ‘You’re on Candid Camera’ type moment so the tension could ease and I might be let in on the joke.

Entirely unlit by any semblance of lighting, I felt not unlike Quasimodo, cast away in a dark stone tower. Except, instead of being ceremoniously expected to nightly toll the hallowed bell of Notre-Dame, I was resigned to squint in the darkness at the dinner menu of Matt, who is apparently The Thresher. A man appeared, perhaps he will enlighten (pun intended) us to our plight. Is this Matt? Hmm. I mention how dark it is, trying to laugh it off; he mumbles a bit and moves a nearly extinguished candle from the bookshelf behind us down to the center of the table. Ah. That’ll… do it?

Every thirty seconds or so, someone comes bounding down the stairs with frightening speed. I think to myself, “Maybe this is it, this is the moment I’m impaled by someone’s dinner fork”, or at least scalded and permanently disfigured by a soup or perhaps some broiled oysters (which were delicious by the way).

I can see it now. My future… in a traveling freak show, 3rd degree burns on my face so bad to be unrecognizable as a man, or beast. The children would cry, the women would look away. “It was… The Thresher…”, they wouldn’t hear me though as they hurried away to the concessions stand. “Get the churro” I croak in earnest.

Amidst this fever dream a man reappears, beads of sweat upon his brow, he looks stressed. Threshed? He disappears, moments later carrying bounties of brown bread slices on plates, he apologizes as he hands them to every single table down in The Dungeon (I decided to brand our subterranean enclave). I realize we are not alone. Except at the bottom of the stairwell. We are always alone at the bottom of the stairwell. Good night...

The restaurant is presented beautifully, that's for sure; a very good first impression. Staff were great throughout, very friendly and informative and that really added to the experience.

The food quality here is certainly of a sufficiently high standard. Does this quality match the prices listed on the menu? Probably not. Price is somewhat excessive for the quality of food you receive. That's not to say the food isn't tasty, because it is: but sometimes you begin to ask whether the price matches the quality. There is an enormous difference between presenting food well - which this place can do - and matching that very same presentation with expectations of flavour that simultaneously matches pricing.

Fish cakes are alright. Not amazing, and certainly not of the "Asian"-style that's advertised on the menu. There was also a lack of seasoning. If you were served the same fish cakes in a respectable pub, you wouldn't think twice. Salads were unseasoned, simply a rabbit presentation of ingredients. The fish pie is certainly a generous portion, that's for sure. The flavour, too, is very good indeed. I do feel that there is far too much mash vs. seafood portion of the cake, however: it feels 80:20. When you are paying these prices, you expect the chef to pay attention-to-detail on the smallest features: correct and adequate seasoning, salads and an appropriate dressing, portion sizes etc.

I felt that food delivery to our table was just a tad on the longer side, especially given that I was among the very first to enter the restaurant. Not a massive issue, but something worth considering.

All in all, Matt the Thresher does offer a very good experience with tasty food and...

My boyfriend and I went to try Matt the Thresher, we both work in restaurants for years, and we were stunned with the manager/ host atitude toward us. First we came and he asked if we have reservations (the place had only one table occupied and it was 4pm), we told him no he said that we had 1.30 hours on sharp, which was fine for us. I asked if we could be on the outside tables as the weather was so nice he said no. He was incredibly obnoxious and judgmental (not sure if it’s because we were wearing t shirt and jeans or because I’m heavily tattooed). He was speaking extremely loud to us. We ordered from him, he offered wine we asked for beer he was quite ironic with us, nonetheless to say he sat us on a table under the bar counter (THE ENTIRE PLACE WAS EMPTY). My bf wanted to leave because we were quite mistreated for no reason whatsoever, I told him to ignore that guy. The waitress (brazilian) was lovely afterwards, so that’s why I tipped, but I really hope that guy doesn’t get some, because he is extremely rude, judgemental and has terrible customer service, in years of hospitality I’ve never faced a situation like that. I’d never treat someone like rubish the way he did with us. You can see he is extreme unhappy with his job and he really thinks he is better than people when they...