One of the places which has been on my list for a long time is Fish Shack in Dun Laoghaire. Unfortunately, I got distracted by all the recent openings closer to where I live and never made it there. So I was delighted to discover that a Fish Shack Cafe opened on Parliament Street in Temple Bar, less than 15 minute walk from where I live.
Only a few weeks after it opened I met Ms. E for a seafood date at Fish Shack. The place was quiet but we were warmly welcomed by some smiley ladies and sat by the window.
The restaurant resembles a modern fish shack (what else?) with white walls, wooden panels and little maritime touches to the decor. The menu features salads, sandwiches, soup, specials, fish snacks, sides and grilled or fried mains. They also have a lobster tank from which you can pick your own lobster to be grilled for you. I haven't tried their beers but noticed on the online menu they collaborated with 8 Degrees Brewing (Mr. FFID's favourite Irish brewery) to create their own brew. They also have a very short selection of wine too. It's a fish restaurant but they do also have two meaty sandwich options as well as one salad without fish on the menu.
I honestly wanted to order everything but as I was a little hungover from the night before, the fried food appealed to me the most. I went for the fried calamari with chips (€13.50). The calamari had the right texture, not rubbery at all and coated in a perfectly seasoned light and crispy batter.
They came served on a wooden board with a piquant and sticky sweet chili marmalade and a bowl of delicious chips. There was also a little bit of gem lettuce, roasted red peppers and slivers of radish as a garnish on the wooden board.
Ms. E settled on the grilled garlic prawns (also €13.50). I didn't taste them but the dish consisted of whole gambas which were brushed with garlic butter and grilled.
They came with toasted bread, which came handy for mopping up all the juices from the prawns. She also had chips with her dish, which were happily enjoyed.
In terms of desserts, they only serve ice-cream made by Featherbed Farm in Olyegate co. Wexford. Ms. E had a pistachio scoop and I went for the 'snickers' flavour which was utterly delicious.
It's great to see another fish restaurant opening in the city and Fish Shack is a great option if you're looking for somewhere casual for some fishy grub.
Fish Shack Cafe
2 Parliament Street
Dublin 2
Fish Shack Cafe's website
This is an independent review, I paid for my meal.
