Dublin’s fantastic Mr Fox restaurant

Class and elegance

Mr Fox is a subtle restaurant, with only its famed modern logo welcoming you on your way into the Victorian house-turned contemporary restaurant. There’s no grandeur or notion of exclusivity flashing as you pass by, ultimately adding to the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of Mr. Fox. Warm caramel colours and padded seats can be found inside, with beautifully featured tiles and an exposed brick wall, which cover some of the old windows.

There’s a warmth about Mr Fox and it extends to the team, who are professional and friendly. An open bar will undoubtedly attract your attention as you sit down; we’d recommend a glass of sparkling or a whiskey on the rocks to sip on as you take in your surroundings.

Spectacular small plates

We at Dish Cult believe that Mr. Fox is a truly special place for a date night. You won’t be overwhelmed with roaring music or a bustling bar, nor will you be grappling with an extensive menu. Mr. Fox offers 10 small plates over the course of an evening, so you and your date can relax and chat away, as the pleasant staff take care of the rest. Your date will undoubtedly be impressed by your dining choices, too! With seasonal menus updated monthly, exclusively locally sourced ingredients, and head chef Anthony Smith at the helm, you’re guaranteed high end service at Mr. Fox.

Kicking things off is Mr. Fox’s’ sourdough with cep butter. The Irish Times food critic, Catherine Cleary labels the sourdough here as “a calling card to let us know we’re in very good hands”. Moving on, you’ll be served scallops with oyster mayo and jalapeño, followed by asparagus and romesco.

Moving from the starting plates on to the mains, expect some truly unique dish combinations. Carrot is served alongside coconut shavings and sided with mussels, the textures and simple flavouring touches are a beautiful transition from starter dishes to mains. The finer details are what elevate Mr. Fox from a traditional small plate, slow dining experience to an institution of culinary excellence.

Magnificent mains

The late springtime menu hosts a seafood delicacy, with cod, crab, morel, and langoustine bisque served in one of the most inspirational, and Instagrammable, presentations. The cod and crab is 100 per cent Irish, but the French-style finish to the dishes at Mr Fox are exquisite. However, our favourite main dish of the month was the short ribs, sprinkled with cheddar, doused in pommes dauphine, and finished with pickled walnut. This dish truly represents what Mr. Fox is all about, quality meat, French styling, and an eye-watering presentation. The combinations are bold, daring, yet the closest we can get to perfection from a kitchen. Fear not if you miss out on the current menu, Mr. Fox will entice you back whenever its new food list becomes available.

Divine desserts

Often enough, when you visit restaurants, dessert consists of a small cake or a coffee. However, the show doesn’t stop at Mr. Fox. This month, three small dessert plates are on offer. First, strawberry and vanilla ice cream is prepared expertly, and is a brilliant segway from your mains to the final portion of your evening. Following up, the brown butter cake with blueberry and hazelnut is poised to perfection, a meeting point of crumbly cake with a soft, sponge interior which is enriched by the blueberry and hazelnut. Finally, rounding off your evening at Mr. Fox, coconut and chocolate. You’ll finish your evening in a dream-like state, only planning your return for the next seasonal menu.

At €65 per person, you’re not just receiving a drawn-out dinner, you’re gaining experience of what true, high-end cuisine is like, without the exuberant price tag. For the 10 courses, the ambience, the incredible staff and team at Mr. Fox, we at Dish Cult believe it’s well worth a visit at least once a year.