Review: Eastwood & Mays, Stephen St, Dublin

Rebecca Flynn, a friend and food lover, is the author of today’s guest post review, about a new cafe on Dublin’s Stephen Street.

Myself and my cousins had our inaugural cousins’ Christmas get-together this year. We wanted to make it special and had heard good things about Eastwood & Mays, a new cafe and deli on Stephen Street Upper.

Eleven of us arrived in, chilly and hungry, on a blustery December’s eve. We had arranged to order from their set Christmas menu, with a glass of Prosecco on arrival as part of the deal; a good start to any evening. We enjoyed our bubbly and mulled over the menu, one of our party was late to the table, but we never felt under pressure to place our order. We ordered a couple of bottles of the far too quaffable Le Maestrelle to start with, priced at €21, it was really reasonable.

The Christmas menu, while slightly limited, offered really good value. Most of our family of carnivores ordered the same thing, it would have been madness not to: at €30 a head, prawns to start and steaks for mains is a great deal.

The starter of Pan-Fried Prawns with Chilli, Shallot, Garlic, Parsley and Lemon was very tasty; luscious, piquant tiger prawns and a large slice of home-made brown bread to mop up the juices.

Our main course of Ribeye with Mash, Green Beans and Tarragon, Wholegrain Mustard and Garlic Butter was fantastic. How one chef (so we were informed) managed to cook ten perfect steaks to our individual specifications is beyond me. If he had come out to the table we would have given him a round of applause. The steak was really good quality meat and the butter was the perfect accompaniment. My cousins’ wife had the Butternut Squash Risotto Cake with Bellingham Blue Cheese, Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette and she was equally as delighted.

Despite being fed and watered to the point of bursting we all had desserts, included in the set menu price. Choices were Mint Chocolate Brownie and Vanilla Ice Cream or Rice Pudding and Poached Pears with Pistachio Biscotti. Both were tasty and unusual takes on everyday sweets.

We had a lovely evening, great food, wine, atmosphere and service. I would definitely recommend a visit to this lovely little spot.

So, a hearty endorsement from our buddy Rebecca. I see from the Eastwood & May’s website that they have a January offer – a ‘secret’ main course and a glass of wine for €12.95, which definitely sounds like it warrants further investigation by me and my mouth. Thanks Rebecca!