Review
The Morgan Hotel in Temple Bar is swish, stylish and a little bit decadent. Temple Bar encompasses cobbled streets, trendy bars and vibrant nightlife. There's a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops and galleries nestled on its historic.
At first glance I was taken on a nostalgic journey filled with beautiful memories of the Upper East Side, New York City right in the heart of the Irish capital. The smell of rich, roasted coffee beans compounded the sentiments.
The Morgan exudes style and is a tribute to its architect Nikki O'Donnell. It’s 10 Fleet Street Bar and Restaurant doesn't just pretend to offer the best of Irish cuisine and hand-made craft beers and ales, it delivers, down to the last edible flower in your Mil Gin & cherry blossom cocktail. Not cheap at €13.50, mind you, but if you fancy a treat or are celebrating something special, this is the bar for you.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, himself decided on the Hot Fisherman's Plate as a starter; a true dish for enthusiasts who find many menu's lacking a variety of fresh fish. Cooked perfectly and topped in a fennel, lime mousse, an array of scallops, bream, lobster, mackerel and succulent king prawns, were artistically served in an orange gel and sweet pepper dressing.
I opted for the Lobster & King Prawn Wonton in a soy seafood broth with dilsk (edible seaweed) served on a bed of chilli noodles. I love some of the Asian fusions with great Irish produce and this didn’t disappoint.
With just the right break from starter to main, one has time to take in the mood of the place. The staff are friendly, attentive, and get on well with each other, giving the impression of a genuinely relaxed and harmonious atmosphere that is balanced admirably with efficiency. The style is minimalist and rich blue blends with soft hues of grey and jasmine white, add to the relaxed tone.
I was brought back to the meal at hand who was only delighted at having chosen the chargrilled fillet of beef, presented with creamed garlic mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and spinach. As a side, he chose parmesan & truffle fries, and if I'm being honest, I'm still a little jealous that I didn't go for them as well.
I opted for Corn-fed Chicken Breast with a delectable tomato risotto cooked with comfit artichoke hearts and a pickled beetroot swipe. At the risk of never being allowed through the front door of my Donegal home again, I must apologise in advance; Mum, it even beat yours!
We finished with sorbets and a quick jaunt to the bar for another exquisite cocktail and a lively conversation with the barman who waxed lyrical about the hotel's extensive history and the importance of using Irish only suppliers. Are Irish staff the best in the world? The Morgan is a fine example of why that fact is true.
All of this was followed by an overnight stay, and truth be told, the facilities and splendor of the accommodation warrants a whole review of its own. Would I recommend this jewel in Temple Bar's crown; hell yes, it's competitively priced and a treat you won't forget.
