Mister S — Restaurant in Dublin

Food: Great food, good quality, however, on some of the dishes parts of the Pulpo and potato starters were too much burnt and not really enjoyable Drinks: A few smaller improvement areas: Aperol Spritz were very small (glasses only ½ filled which is very unusual) Wine: We ordered the Bourdeaux and got it served in very tiny white wine glasses. As you might be well aware the glass size does a lot to a bold red wine and therefore, I'd recommend considering that accordingly. No coffee or digestive (grappa or similar) is available which we missed. However, I guess this is part of the concept.

Service: We waited more than one hour (approx. 75min) for our starters to arrive which is just too long. In total our dinner took 3hours which is more than we expected for a "simple" three course set-menu. The manager Loic was really unfriendly throughout the dinner, whereas one of the young staff was very accommodating and friendly.

Main critics is on billing: At both tables we ordered some cote de boeuf. At my table it was 3 times the rips and 4 cote de boeuf. And this was exactly how we placed the order. Of course we were expecting the set menus to be 3x 45€ and 4x (45+8€). We were neither asked nor did we explicitly tell anyone we wanted to have double-sizes mains (we also barely could eat all the meat because it was simply too much). When the bill arrived all the cote de boeuf menu prices were at €73 which was of course shocking for us as we did expect it to be €53. And when we asked about this, we were told by the Manager that we had ordered 1 full steak per person which does not make sense at all. Why would we order for example 3 times normal rips + 8 times cote de boeuf for 7 people. Additionally, also your menu does not even elaborate on this option or would price it. When we wanted to understand the math, no one could explain it to us.

I really would like encourage you to brief your staff that if more than 2 people at one table are asking for cote de boeuf, you are clearly asking how much they want and if the want the full steak per person you also explain (and teach your staff) on the pricing (ideally on the menu).

Accusing us of lying and coming late (we were at your place at 20.55 for our 20.45 reservation which is totally in a good range to appear for a dinner) is just not very professional and I recommend even if things are getting heated instruct your staff to keep a certain level of professionality...

Show of hands, who actually reads Terms and Conditions/End User License Agreements? I didn't think so, but this restaurant has the equivalent of a couple page "contract" that they probably bet nobody will read, and the unwary customer will just X the box and agree to... without clicking the link and reading the whole thing. Credit card information is needed as part of the reservation process, and that's the problem. My wife and I had a dinner reservation that I canceled after speaking to a woman who lives in Dublin. She had been to the restaurant for a birthday dinner and thought the food was mediocre and not worth the price paid. I immediately sent a note to the restaurant, apologizing and asking to cancel. This was early morning, for a reservation that evening. Later in the day my credit card was charged seventy dollars! I sent a note asking why I was charged, and somebody named Loic replied and said that the terms and conditions call for a 30 Euro "security per person" and their policy is that if you don't cancel in time, they keep your "security". In spite of trying to be considerate and contacting them a half day ahead, that's not good enough for them, since their threshold is 24 hours. I'm guessing that somebody else got the table, so they not only charged the customer but they charged us too! There's something very wrong with taking somebody's money and not providing any goods or services... what's that called, robbery?!

Sadly, after the fact I looked at the one star reviews and saw the snarky and nervy responses that the owner wrote, and they'll probably do the same thing here. I'm just warning anybody who reads this to save your money and don't patronize this place. There are plenty of other places around that cost less, with better food, and appreciative owners and staff who don't try to trick you out...

Mister S.

Having received mentions in both The Sunday Times 100 best Irish Restaurants, and the Michelin Guide 2024 (to name but two), Mister S on Dublin’s Camden St Lower has acquired a reputation for creating simple yet stunning plates by cooking great Irish produce over fire.

Mister S’s mantra is to use “better meat, sustainable fish stocks, and to support local ethical farming”, and the restaurant is passionate about the wonderful flavours created by live fire cooking.

We called in early on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant was buzzing, and the amazing aromas of charcoal, wood and smoke were already emanating from the open kitchen.

Our server, Rebecca, was a delight. Efficient, informative, and exuding fun and friendliness. We enjoyed a terrific bottle of Portuguese Adega de Penalva, while we decided on our food order.

Eventually, we plumped for the refreshing Sliced Tuna, with Watermelon in a piquant Aguachile, with crispy Tostada, and a dish of Charred Leeks on Romesco, with creamy Mozzarella.

To follow, the Halibut fillet was smoky and delicious, with Mussels in a rich Bisque Sauce, and the Cauliflower had been treated with the same care and attention as its meaty alternatives -perfectly charred, tender, and full of flavour, served with Chermoula and Pomegranate.

And the Triple Cooked Fried Potatoes with Onion Salt were golden, crunchy treats-especially dipped in the garlicky Aioli.

Dessert was also fantastic; a wobbly, yet perfectly firm in texture Orange and Vanilla Panna Cotta in a gorgeous Saffron Syrup.

All in all, Mister S delivers wonderfully smoky, delicious dishes in an informal setting, with excellent service. We’ll definitely be returning. Those grilled prawns at the next table looked too good to miss! Next time!

#misters #TheSundayTimes...