The Winding Stair… a mini gourmet outing!
Orla | June 13, 2007Having a sneaky early Friday in town, I rang Derv to see if she was around for lunch.
In a fantastic moment of inspiration she rang the Winding Stair to see if they had a table available!
So we trundled up to the small but airy restaurant for our lunch.
The room is really nicely decorated – simple and sympathetic to the building. You see the kitchen through the hatch at the back, and all there is lots of action around the bar on the side of the room.
After long deliberations I ordered devilled kidneys and Derv had a poached duck egg with hollandaise and asparagus. And we splashed out on a bowl of homemade chips with aioli. The meal arrived in perfect time (too quick – I get suspicious, too long – I get cranky!).
My kidneys were presented on toast with a extremely simple but delicious green salad.
They were perfectly cooked and had a really great flavour. I really took my time over them to savour the taste.
Dervla’s egg was perfectly cooked, which for me makes the dish! The chips were piping hot, and tasted as if they were cooked in animal fat. YUM!
Not long after we received our food we decided to have a glass of wine each. We ordered the Riesling from the blackboard behind us. Two very generous glasses arrived and it was very (too!) drinkable.
Meal finished we ordered coffees – I have to say mine was a little cold, but after jumping on the chips when they arrived and burning my mouth… I didn’t really mind too much.
The staff were friendly and attentive. Our waiter attempted to schmooze two ladies beside us. He was under the impression that it was working, but they didn’t seem that impressed 
I could have ordered ANYTHING from the menu, it all sounded really delicious. Right up my street. The focus seems to be on good ingredients cooked simply. I cannot argue with that!
I will DEFINITELY be back!
Rating: food: 5/5, ambiance 4/5, service 4/5 and value 3/5 All in all 16 out of 20.
I concur with everything Orla said. Shes described the food and the wine perfectly so I can’t really add anything more. Its a fab place and I can’t wait to go back and check out the evening menu.
Rating: food 5/5, ambiance 5/5, service 4/5 and value 3/5. Giving a total of 17 out of 20.
Is that the same Winding Stair that used to be a second hand bookshop – or is it still a second hand bookshop? If it is, they’ve certainly cleaned the place up a bit.
I like the pictures, thanks for the review!
Yep thats the same place JD. Theres still a book shop on the ground floor. The 1st floor is indeed a lot different from the book shop days!
Sounds great, Orla and Dervla! We’ll put it on the growing list of “go-to” restaurants. From the second picture, it looks like a brilliant environment. Are they only open for meals, or do you think people are welcome to visit for a coffee and a scone or something? (Preferably hot coffee.) =)
I’ll never forgive them for closing down the cheap and fantastic winding stair coffee shop and turning it into a restaurant!
Hey Brandon – not sure if they will let you sit for a coffee. What you think Derv? Maybe just a dessert and a coffee?
I went in one lunchtime to see if I could just sit for a coffee and was told “no, we’re only a full restaurant now”. Somewhat cheeky, I thought, but by god I’m dying to try out those chips, they’re huge!
The chips are the yummiest I’ve had in a long time Catherine. Enjoy
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