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This Review of Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin, which has 2 Michelin Stars, updates our original review from several years ago. On our original visit, Patrick Guilbaud was the only restaurant in Ireland with two Michelin stars; there are now four others with that distinction, although only one other in Dublin (Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen).
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Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Location and Hours
The restaurant is located at 21 Upper Merrion Street in Dublin, to the right of the Merrion Hotel, and has its own entrance. While it is mentioned on The Merrion Hotel Web site, it is separately owned, hence gift cards for The Merrion Hotel are not valid at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud.
The restaurant serves lunch Tuesday-Friday from 12:30pm and Saturday from 1pm (last orders at 2:15pm), and dinner Tuesday-Saturday from 7pm (last orders 9:30pm). In December the restaurant is also open Monday for lunch and dinner. Note that a valid credit card is required at time of booking, and that A €100 per person cancellation fee applies if a reservation is cancelled within 48 hours of the booking or in the case of a no show.
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Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Menu and Food
If dining from the more extensive a la carte menu, you may opt for a two course (appetizer + main) for EUR 120, a 3-course including dessert for EUR 150, or a 4-course appetizer, fish, meat and dessert for EUR 170. In addition to the a la carte menu, however, there's a special lunch prix fixe for EUR 95 for 3 courses. I chose the 3 course lunch menu, since my son was hoping to share the cheese selection (which can be chosen in lieu of dessert). My son had the two course (appetizer and main) from the a la carte menu.
Here's the 3-course EUR 95 lunch menu from our visit:
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And here's the a la carte menu:
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We were welcomed with some exceptional amuses bouches: mini gougeres, and savory tartlets with sweet potato and foie gras:
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The fresh breads offered to us included mini baguettes, walnut bread, olive bread, and seaweed bread; all were very good.
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The second amuse bouche was smoked eel accompanied by creamy horseradish:
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Both of our appetizers were fantastic. I'd chosen the West Cork Crab with Cucumber, and Green Apple. The Aloe Vera “hat” was a bit showy for my taste, but the crab was fresh and flavorful.
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My teen likewise raved about his Blue Lobster Ravioli with Lobster Coconut Cream, which I was lucky enough to sample. If it's on the menu, this is a must order, for anyone who enjoys lobster.
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Our dishes were brought with silver domes, and with perfectly choreographed service, the domes were lifted at exactly the same time. For my main, I chose the Grilled John Dory with Butternut Squash and Yuzu Kosho. It was an excellent seafood main, not too heavy, with perfectly cooked fish brightened by the citrusy yuzu.
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My teen, who was far hungrier, was thrilled with his steak topped with roast foie gras, roasted potatoes, and Madeira and truffle jus, accompanied by buttery potato puree. Given the richness of this dish, plan on making this your main meal of the day if you order it.
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After we'd finished our main courses, our plates were cleared at exactly the same time, and the tablecloth cleared of crumbs.
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It's hard to pass up the opportunity to have a cheese course at a restaurant such as Patrick Guilbaud, so I chose cheese instead of dessert for my third course. There's a nice array of both French and Irish cheeses; we chose the creamier ones, including a goat's milk cheese that reminded me of a good Valençay, a couple Irish cheeses, and a Camembert. Sadly, we were only allowed 4 selections; our previous visit a few years back allowed us five choices (and our server even gave us a sixth, as we so enjoy cheese).
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Accompaniments included celery, grapes, a bit of quince paste, and our choice from the bread basket; we chose walnut bread.
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Cheese board and cheeses from our prior visit several years ago:
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The petits fours included two mini cream puffs, as well as mini macarons, fantastic pistachio financiers, raspberry white chocolate tartlets, and chocolate truffles.
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Our server initially took my order for ginger tea, then returned and apologized, saying that they'd run out of ginger tea. Fortunately I bring my own ginger tea with me, so they were kind enough to prepare hot water. Alternatively, coffee is also included in the 3-course lunch menu.
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The Verdict
We were just as impressed by the cuisine at Patrick Guilbaud as six years ago, and the service is just as professional, although perhaps not quite as warm as I remember from our earlier visit. The setting is beautiful, especially in the lovely banquettes, with natural light from skylights, high ceilings, and Bernardaud porcelain. EUR 95 for such a wonderful 3-course lunch, which also includes an amuse bouche, mignardises and coffee or tea, is well worth it, although I recommend trying the two or three-course a la carte menu as well, because there are more choices and some incredible selections, such as my teen's lobster appetizer and beef/foie gras main course. If you splurge at only one restaurant in Ireland, Patrick Guilbaud is the one to dine at. Just be sure to make reservations well in advance.
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Disclosure: We paid for our own meal at Patrick Guilbaud.
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