Situated in the basement of a distinguished Georgian home along a residential street, Mr Fox would be easy to ignore – if it weren’t for Anthony Smith’s incredible cooking. Smith teamed up Stephen McAllister and Andrea Hussey of The Pig’s Ear fame to take over the spot where The Hot Stove once served. They’ve transformed the space into a relaxed brasserie with brick walls, tile floors, vinyl chairs, and a tile-framed cast iron stove. Before the restaurant had its name, Smith bought a stuffed fox from a Francis Street antique shop. Once he heard that Kitty O’Shea used the code name “Mr Fox” for Charles Stewart Parnell, he knew he had found a name fitting of his Parnell Square outpost. The stuffed fox is still displayed inside, and very worthy of a picture.
Time Out tip: Mr Fox caters to Gate theatre-goers, extending their set lunch menus (€22.95-€27.95) on show nights. All pre-theatre tables finish by 7:30.
Nearby:
The Living Room: For drinks and a good view of the game
Garden of Remembrance: To honour all those that fought for Irish independence
The Church: For craft drinks in a converted church