Go Fork Yourself: TriBeCa, Ranelagh
Overview
Type: RestaurantPros:
Relaxed, friendly service.Cons:
An 'alright' BLT.A lazy, sunny Sunday in Ranelagh wouldn’t be complete without brunch. Ramp.ie takes its first visit to TriBeCa, despite the fact that it’s been a Southside staple for just over a decade…
Located on the main street in Ranelagh, a mere hop, skip and a LUAS from town, TriBeCa‘s doors have been open for a decade so you’d have to presume they’re doing something right. On the day we visit we’re looking for a leisurely Sunday brunch. Rookie error – we didn’t call ahead and there’s rugby on. The place is jammers. Recession Ireland can generally be relied on for getting away with cheeky walk-ins to previously busy eateries, but we’re hopeful that the bustle in TriBeCa is testament to the grub. We offer to eat outside and are seated straight away, with the waitress turning on the outdoor heaters and assuring us that it should cosy up very soon.
One of our party of three is a TriBeCa regular and recommends the wings, but Dublin’s having one of its good days in the rain-shine summertime hokey-cokey that it seems to be doing, and it feels too hot for spicy chicken. I opt instead for a chicken caesar (€13.95), another Ramp head goes for the BLT (€12.95 ) and Mary, the regular, gets her wings. At €12.95, they’re served with the usual accompaniments of blue cheese dip and celery.
Service isn’t the fastest – but they seem to be having a busy time of it and drinks are delivered promptly to keep us going while we wait for our plates. As anyone who’s visited will know, Ranelagh’s main street is eternally busy, but the seating area is nicely cordoned off and the glass-topped surround is perfect for people-watching. While eating outdoors in Ireland usually tends to be about as enjoyable as accidentally walking on a hairbrush, TriBeCa’s setup is sturdy and comfortable – and they have some cute features:
We easily wile away twenty minutes with chat, including one of the group informing us of the origins of ‘tribeca’. New York’s TriBeCa, which we had heard of, is an acronym for Triangle Below Canal Street. Located below Dublin’s own Grand Canal, Ranelagh’s TriBeCa is aptly named.
With decent timing, our three dishes arrive together. The caesar is a heaped plate – or ‘Irish Mammy portion’ as I like to call it. It’s fresh and crunchy and has all the hallmarks of a simple dish done well. Ramp head eile’s BLT is less of a stunner – he describes it as ‘alright’ – but the clear winner is Mary’s wings which we’re both urged to try. As it turns out, we make a greedy run on them and agree that that’s what we should’ve ordered. Spicy and moreish with a creamy blue cheese dip, they’re an expert take on a dish that’s a regular on menus up and down the pub scene. Lesson learned – trust the local.
With plenty more on the menu that caught our collective eye – the guacamole and mature cheddar cheese burger; buttermilk chicken; and a Clonakilty black pudding omlette with tomato, leek and pinenut – we could easily see ourselves returning for a proper sit down indoors.
TriBeCa is open seven days – 12pm-11pm Monday-Friday and 11am-11pm Saturday and Sunday. They’re on (01) 497 4174 or info@tribeca.ie.
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