IFC

6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
www.ifi.ie

The restaurant at the IFC (or IFI as they insist on calling it nowadays but which I never will) has long been a favourite of mine. Not only does it represent some of the best value food in Dublin without skimping on quality, but it is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It dates from 1692, and for 300 years it was the primary Quaker Meeting House in Dublin. The architecture of the period is intact, with meeting rooms turned into two cinemas pivoting around a central courtyard, which is now one of the most light-blessed small spaces of its kind that I have seen. The two-storey wood-panelled restaurant, with its blood-red walls and laid-back atmosphere, offers continued respite from the hordes peopling Temple Bar outside. OK, history class is dismissed now.

I had decided to come and see “Indigènes” (Days of Glory) on the last week it was showing. I knew the film had won prizes at Cannes, but it was the fact that one of the main actors was from Grenoble (though I’d never heard of him before) that spurred me to action and buy my ticket. I had forty minutes to wait before the film started, so I didn’t need to think twice: dinner time at the IFC it was.

From a short menu, I chose the fish and chips option, described as “lime-breaded haddock served with lime and chive dip, home-made chips and side salad”. Generally, I prefer the fish to be battered rather than breaded, but the IFC mode was tasty enough, and large, albeit without the lime flavour that was advertised. The chips were generous individually – real potatoes, not the fast-food corn-starch things on offer elsewhere at this price - although the portion size has been cut back. The dip and salad were spot on, and greatly complemented the fish and chips. I would class the food here as unfussy and comforting, and I will always be back for more. However …

My honest opinion is that the quality of food and service at the IFC has decreased in recent years. This time, some elements were certainly disappointing: I ordered a Cidona, and it was delivered with a dirty glass. The price at €2.80 was not in keeping with the general value one expects at the IFC. There was a plethora of staff compared to the number of customers, yet I couldn’t get timely service from any of them. Are these New Irish trained not to look people in the eye or something? Perhaps they were too busy chatting mindlessly to each other (no doubt emulating their Irish counterparts elsewhere). And yes, the portions are smaller than before, and they refused my 10% discount - which I am due as an IFC member - because the food portion of the bill cost less than €10. Not good enough! And certainly not advertised as the rules! I wish I had had the time to argue, but the film was about to start and I had to get into the cinema theatre proper.

The IFC is now one of those rare locations where I prefer the environment to the food. But this is because the expectation level was set over many years, during which time, I would have struggled to award this restaurant a 5.0 – because it wouldn’t have been enough. As things stand, it still rates highly, but I hope that repeated future visits will generate a better experience and a better score.

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The Damage (EUR)

• 9.75 Fish and Chips with lime and chive dip, and side salad
  

Drinks

• 2.80 Cidona
  
• 1.90 Peppermint Tea
  

Service 1.55
Total 16.00
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The Score
4.0 Food and Drink
2.5 Service
5.0 Décor
4.5 Ambience
4.0 Value
4.0 Overall Rating