Three to try... Early birds

BRAMBLES

102-104 Terenure Road, Terenure, Dublin 6. Tel: (01) 490-5989 brambles.ie An oasis of comfort and wholesome good food in D6, Brambles opens for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Menu choices range from wild mushrooms on toast to pan-seared John Dory with crab and salmon tortellini. Early bird 2/3-course menu all night, Monday to Thursday; 5pm to 6.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Price: 2/3 course, €22.95/€26.95 Try: Oven-roast silver hake with creamed Savoy cabbage, crispy potato balls and pancetta Drinks: Full licence

GIRL AND THE GOOSE

1st Floor, 10 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Tel: (01) 667-4446 girlandthegooserestaurant.ie Excellent French cooking from Michael Sabik in his chic gem over Crowe’s pub in D4. The neighbourhood menu (all evening, Monday to Thursday; Friday, 5pm to 6.30pm) offers great value and choice, featuring everything from goat’s cheese brulee to confit duck leg, through prawns with chilli, lime and garlic aioli, to steaks. Price: 2/3 course, €19.95/€24.95 Try: Slow-cooked lamb shank, with carrot, pearl onion, potato and smoked bacon strudel Drinks: Wine, craft beer

PIELOW’S

2 Main Street, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Tel: (01) 284-0914 pielows.com In a picture-pretty mews-style house on the main street, Colin and Teresa Pielow, who also have a winery in South Africa, really know what classical good food is and consistently deliver on it. High-end fish specials feature. The early evening menu (Wednesday to Thursday, 6pm-7pm) is a cracker. Price: 2/3-course, €19.95/€23.95 Try: Roast pork steak with walnut and herb stuffing, and blackberry and apple sauce Drinks: Extensive wines