I had heard that Cafe Bar Deli offered great salads and a bustling atmosphere so, having not been there before, I headed into the branch in Ranelagh on Saturday. What struck me first was how empty it was. For lunchtime on a Saturday, it was pretty dead.
Nonetheless, the open kitchen provided the bustle and entertainment I had hoped for, and the elegant yet unstuffy environment was instantly comforting.
Out of a choice of salads, pizza and pasta, I ordered the feta, broccoli, chickpea, sugar snap pea and sundried tomato pesto salad. It was fresh and tasty with quality ingredients and plenty of authentic feta cheese. However at €8.20 for just a medium salad and with three other people ordering salad, a basket of bread would have been a welcome addition. It didn’t take me through to dinner and by six I was ravenous.
All in all, it makes for an okay value lunch but a better value dinner. Prices are about the same as you pay in most places: not great value but not overpriced either. I will certainly be tempted back by the well thought out Mediterranean menu and wine by the 1/2 litre.
Here are a selection of dishes they had on offer on the day (Some of the dishes and prices advertised on their website varied from the menu I received):
Tasters:
- Tiger prawns in olive oil, garlic and chilli served with homemade bread – €9.50
- Seafood antipasto served with Guinness bread – €12.50
Salads:
- Smoked trout, roast red peppers, red onion, capers, potato and lemon cream fraiche. €9.95/13
- Smoked duck, roast butternut squash, pumpkin seeds and balsamic and honey dressing. €9/12.50
Pizza:
- Egg, spinach, black olives, nutmeg, tomato and mozzarella. €13.
- Calzone, Lebanese spiced lamb, roast aubergine and feta €15.
Pasta:
- Penne Arrabiatta, tomato and chilli sauce, black olive and basil pesto. €13.
- Wholewheat spaghetti, mixed seafood in a spiced tomato sauce with baby spinach and lemon. €16.
Desserts:
- Pecan and maple cheesecake with cream €7
- Apple, blackberry and almond crumble with cinnamon ice-cream. €7.
Wine:
- France – Ste Marthe 2005/6 Grenache Blanc: Glass €5.50; 1/2 Litre €13.50; Litre €24.
- France – Ste Marthe 2005/6 Cabernet Sauvignon: Glass €5.50; 1/2 Litre €13.50; Litre €24.
Cafe Bar Deli have branches in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Sligo.
Wednesday 4 February, 2009 at 11:09 am
I think Cafe Bar Deli is great value if you go for the big salads..they’re all around the €12 mark (although they used to be a bit cheaper) and the portions are huge. They’re really interesting salads and I love the feta/broccoli one that you had Rercy. It’s great to see somewhere that does more than just the standard Caesar salad.
Wednesday 4 February, 2009 at 11:39 am
It used to be cheaper and more affordable. It is a pity that it had to up its price and that it doesnt do any specials. Also I find the one on Grafton Street going down hill. I think CBD is loosing its character, afforability and quality as the chain becomes bigger. Pity because it used to be one of my fabourite places to eat.
Wednesday 4 February, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I prefer this Bar Deli to the ones in town. It’s just a bit less hectic. On George’s Street, I always feel like your fellow diners are sitting on your shoulder or that the staff wish you’d hurry up and get lost so that they can cram some more covers in. The Ranelagh one is just a bit more laid back.
Great grub, whatever the branch. That Feta salad is gorgeous, and I agree, you have to go for the bigger size to feel full.
Wednesday 4 February, 2009 at 2:56 pm
That Limerick branch never opened!
Thursday 5 February, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I work in Ranelagh just around the corner from Cafe bar deli, and I think it’s great for a lunch out. Theres something for everyone, whether that be a salad, pasta, pizza or meat. The starters are great if you’re going for a big meal. And they don’t rush you. I’m pretty sure that they have gluten free pasta, great for ceoliacs (I jusy can’t spell today).
Sunday 8 February, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I agree with Sinéad – the Ranelagh branch is much better than the one in town which is just a little too chaotic. Another overriding memory of the restaurant on George’s St. is the smell of smoke coming in from people smoking on the footpath outside the door. Such a shame when they have an open kitchen adjoining the dining area!
I also agree with Jean – salads in CBD are definitely the way to go.
Tuesday 17 February, 2009 at 4:30 pm
The staff and food in CBD George’s St is , in my humble opinion, the best of all the Dublin branches. as a regular at least once a week in here I can only sing their praises, it’s like going to your mates house for dinner, only better, cheers to Cat, Fiona and all the others for the friendly vibe ! Aiden