Eden Grill - Dublin Road, Ratoath

We optimistically booked Eden for lunch assuming it would be a lovely calm location. Not at all. It was busier than I've ever seen it. Packed to the rafters with large tables of women. It was still a lovely ambience just much buzzier than expected.<br/ <br/ I chose the eggs benedict. I have to give it to them, it was one of the most delicious versions I've had in years. Perfectly crisped, salty bacon topped by beautifully poached eggs all balanced upon a toasty English muffiny thing and generously drowned in creamy hollandaise. To be honest I was so focused on the deliciousness before me and my two sons going feral that I'm not sure what everyone else had but everyone seemed content.<br/ <br/ The desserts, however, weren't all as perfect. The chocolate mousse was reliably tasty but the meringue roulade was a little confused. A bit busy with a strawberry filling, lemon sorbet and popping candy. The meringue itself was also just a bit eggy in taste.<br/ <br/ The staff, on a sunnier note, were brilliant. Our waitress in particular was so sweet. Being understanding of a toddler who had broken down because, having submerged his hand in his yoghurt, found yoghurt all over his hand is admirable.<br/ <br/ So yeah. I'll be going back if they'll still have me.

I’ve been to Eden a few times for dinner and never been disappointed.  I particularly liked when they had Jamie Nancy and the Blueboys for their evening jazz.  Alas they no longer have live music, but they have always had good food and good cocktails. <br/ <br/ I was recently invited as a guest along with a wonderful group of bloggers Jessika, Melanie, James, Timi, and <br/ Karli) to try out their brunch menu. I’m not going to rave about the place just because I was a guest.  That doesn’t do them any favours and throws any credibility I may have with readers out the window.  So with that noted, the below is an honest account of our little meet up.<br/ <br/ First things first, brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 12 until 4.  Eden is a little bit like the Tardis from Dr. Who. It looks quite small from outside, but rest assured, once you step through the doors, it is quite the cavernous space with high ceiling towards the back and an impressive glass roof.  <br/ <br/ It also has a mix of table sizes.  Intimate tables for two and large, wide wooden tables for groups. From recent chats to friends with children I’d also give Eden a big thumbs up for being so child friendly.  They don’t frown at buggies. They welcome them and the back space is perfect for parking the stroller so you can enjoy brunch without abandoning your kids. There is also a kids corner on the brunch menu, so they haven’t forgotten you there either. <br/ <br/ On to the menu.  Cocktails! Ranging from €8.50 to €10.00. Great price points and a nice mix. The food menu prices go from €8.50 for a roast fig salad to €16 for steak and eggs. Lots of various €10 and €12 dishes in between which include eggs Florentine, the full Eden breakfast and poached salmon haddock.<br/ <br/ Naturally I went with a cocktail to start and quite frankly it would be rude not to, regardless of who was picking up the tab. I said to the waiter, surprise me, and he did with a Gin Jam which was light, refreshing and amply fused with Gin.For the main event I went with the lamb burger which was served with minted yogurt, feta cheese and triple cooked chips. Timi and I, declared we both hated those awful frozen chips you get in so many places and we were both delighted to see proper, homemade chips make it onto our plates.<br/ <br/ So how was it?  Well I won’t lie, it was succulent, tasty and full of flavour. After several attempts at eating it as a regular burger and ending up with it all over my face, I resorted to the knife and fork method.  If you are going to order it, go hungry, coupled with the chips its quite a feast.  The chips by the way were excellent.<br/ <br/ To give you a flavour of what else was being scoffed around the table, I took a couple of snaps of the other dishes.  I didn’t taste them myself, but personally I think they look great, the plates were cleared and there were happy faces to match them.  Below you will see the roast fig salad €8.50) and soft scrambled eggs on brioche toast with smoked salmon €9.50)<br/ <br/ Ok I did say the lamb burger was a hearty meal but dessert always gets its own reserved spot in my stomach, the VIP area lets call it.  After feigning not being able to eat anymore for a good 2-3 seconds I promptly ordered the soft meringue roulade with strawberry, mascarpone and lemon sorbet €6.50). I’m a fan of all things meringue. I didn’t speak much at this point. I hunkered down and spooned it into me like it was the last supper.<br/ <br/ To wrap up I had an espresso martini. Again I had asked the waiter to surprise me so he went off menu and came back with that for me.  Delicious. Overall verdict?  They do say food tastes better with great company   which I was in) and whether that is true or not I’m not sure. What I am sure of is this, Eden do a tasty brunch. The service was excellent, and I don’t just mean to our table.  I was keeping a close eye on the other diners and they were treated <br/ equally as well. The surrounds are comfortable. The location is excellent.  I already mentioned the kid friendly aspect.  The only gripe I have is, sometimes it can be a bit loud, but then again, the high ceilings and aforementioned cavernous space has to come at some cost.  Give it a try yourself and see what you think.

Having heard good reports, I booked Eden on South William Street for our Saturday afternoon outing. We kicked off with some drinks – Prosecco of course!<br/ <br/ Eden could be described as “quirky” I guess… and kind of retro. If you are into a shiny and modern restaurant this may not be your thing… the old school lampshades and print carpets lend a bit of a 70’s vibe. The front area opens out to a large bright dining space with plenty of greenery and artwork!<br/ <br/ There is a substantial Brunch menu here – definitely a LOT more options than are offered in most places… multiple egg options, fishcakes, steak and lamb burger to mention just a few… along with a salad thrown in there for anyone who wants to be virtuous!<br/ <br/ I went for the Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Rosti with tender stem broccoli, spinach,roast tomato hollandaise and I subbed the poached egg for mushrooms. I loved this dish, my friend however felt there was a bit of an overpowering orangey taste coming from her rosti – mine was perfection though!<br/ <br/ Another of the group went for Scrambled Eggs on toasted Brioche with smoked salmon, spinach, chive creme fraiche, spring onion avocado salsa. One thing I miss most being veggie is smoked salmon… I mean I REALLY miss it, so had severe food envy looking at her dish.<br/ <br/ Just one of the group went for the meat option, choosing the Steak Onion Sandwich with caramelized onion, wholegrain mustard mayonnaise, watercress triple cooked chips… those triple cooked chips – delish!<br/ <br/ We decided to share two desserts and went firstly for the Meringue Roulade with strawberry, mascarpone lemon sorbet … and a sprinkling on popping candy stuff – along with a candle and an embarrassing Happy Birthday sing a long! The second choice was Chocolate Mousse w/ raspberry compote creme chantilly – being a chocolate fiend I preferred this one… rich chocolate mousse paired with a real bite from the compote… yum.<br/ <br/ They’ve got a decent cocktail menu too and let me tell you – they pack quite a punch! : <br/ <br/ Eden run Brunch on a Saturday Sunday from 12 – 4pm…. if you fancy somewhere quirky with decent food at reasonable prices it’s worth a try!

I had an amazing brunch here last weekend, I can't believe I'm only reviewing it now! The fish cakes with capers were delicious, crispy, fresh and very filling but comfortably so. The cocktails were very memorable. The menu has your run of the mill brunch cocktails on offer with some more interesting ones thrown in, but even the Bellini and bramble tasted like totally new drinks. Eden must have their own special twist! Will be back again I love the vibe, decor and even the toilets!

My friend met me here for brunch. Apart from it being really difficult to find (they sell themselves short with little sign posts and I know the area really well! everything else was very nice. Small portions but we got sides of fries. Expesive enough for what you get but brunch of that standard in Dublin city always is. Would definitely go back if I was in the area ,maybe to try it for lunch or dinner