ERNIE'S RESTAURANT
By Maggie Neary

 

Ernie’s Restaurant, now in its 20th year, is hidden away behind Donnybrook’s main thoroughfare in Mulberry Gardens. The entrance door from the street leads into an enchanting small garden with water fountain which the restaurant surrounds.

The recently refurbished interior has an air of quiet sophistication and style. Linen tablecloths, stylish tableware and an ample distance between tables is a luxury far too rare in the Dublin of our day.

My friend and I decided on the two-course lunch menu. I choose the Goujons of Lemon Sole Tempura to start, a deliciously light and taste-filled experience.

For main course my friend had the Crisp confit of Duck served on a bed of puy lentil and smoked bacon ragout with a red wine sauce. She declared it good. I choose Poached Fillet of Connemara Salmon with new potatoes– robust and rich with melted butter which I had requested.

Dessert for my friend was Plum and Blood Orange Créme Brulee, an absolutely mouth watering experience. Coffee was strong and refills were generous.

The wine list is extensive in variety and price. Our half bottle of Bordeaux was reasonable at €15. The house wines start at €19 a bottle. Two course lunch is €14.50 and three courses €18.50 including coffee.

The early bird three course dinner menu is €20 and the set dinner menu €36. Service charge is 12%. During the month of December these menus are not available but give way to special Christmas fare.

We declared ourselves well fed and content with the quality of food and service. My friend, who more usually dines in the south county Dublin belt, declared Ernie’s a real find.

 

CHRISTMAS CRIBBING IN FIFTH AVENUE
By Christy Hogan

 

I remember a story told to me circa 1959 in fifth year primary at Westland Row CBS by a teacher called Mr Hawkins. He was a nice man and all the pupils called him Hawkeye, after the Indian.

The story is as follows. A man and his wife were walking down Fifth Avenue in New York. It was a dark and cold Christmas evening and they were returning to their apartment having finished their shopping. They stopped briefly outside a large department store with Christmas lights and tinsel decorating the window.

In the window in the middle of Santa’s gnomes and baubles was a small Crib with the child Jesus smiling at the Christmas shoppers. On seeing this, the man turned to his wife and said “look honey they’re even trying to bring religion into Christmas.”

 

MISS McHUGH AND THE LADS

 

Miss McHugh is pictured with her infants class at Star of the Sea School.

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