The Winding Stair

Simple, straight-forward and entirely tasteful would be a good description of the Winding Stair, located right on the Liffey in central Dublin. They simply get it here! The walls lined with old books, parquetry floors, black bistro tables, the crate with the menus, the wine rack, the brick walls and the half-open kitchen… Out the window a wonderful view opens up over Ha’penny Bridge. The cheerful Elain Murphy – political scientist and historian by trade – is responsible for breathing new life into the former cult store, whose interesting readings and lively discussions had made it into Dublin’s “thinking place”. Elain has worked for years with the same team. But the biggest star of the simple yet distinguished Irish cuisine is the first-class organic produce, sourced from selected producers in the Region. A simple seafood platter thus becomes a delectable appetizer: Burren Smokery, Terry Butterly, Stephen Kavanagh and John Rogan’s Smoked Fish Plate With Our Dillisk Bread, Crème Fraîche, Pickled Cucumbers and Caper-berries (13,95 Euro). And there’s nowhere better to enjoy this take on an Irish classic: Nicholson’s Hand-smoked Haddock, Poached in Milk with Onions and White
Cheddar Mash (24,95 Euro). In equally solid Irish tradition the meal can be rounded off with the Bread and Butter Pudding with Whiskey Sauce (6,95 Euro) – ideally with an entirely un-Irish glass of sticky and sinful San Emilio de Pedro Ximenez.