Dublin's newest bar and restaurant, The Grayson, opens its doors to the public this week. Located at No. 41 St Stephen's Green, the iconic townhouse was originally built in 1745 as a residential home.
The building has been transformed by interior designer Ann-Marie O'Neill to highlight its original features and protect its structure, while adding a fresh, bright and comfortable feel.
Speaking about the project, O'Neill says: "We were very much guided by the original Georgian features in the existing building when developing the interior design concept for The Grayson."
"We saw it as a priority to show off the beautifully retained features of the original house in the interior design. Yet at the same time it was also important that the interior was glamorous, contemporary and chic. We carefully researched and chose beautiful materials to use in the design such as Italian marbles, rosewood veneers and bronze to emphasise the chic and contemporary ambience of The Grayson", she added.
The Grayson features a Ground Floor bar, which is a cosy spot for casual lunch or drinks and bar snacks.
Towards the back of the building, you’ll find yourself under a glass roof. The Atrium makes you feel like you’re dining al fresco, while an open topped terrace sits a few steps above, with a reclining roof to unfold when the sun shines.
The lower ground floor has been transformed into beautiful bright rooms with bronze topped bars. This floor is set up with hi-tech AV systems, perfect for work meetings during the day and entertaining at night.
The original decorative high ceiling, wall panelling, and gold detailing decorate the staircase, while art brightens the walls across the entire building, with pieces from artists Phillip Allen, Mark Francis, David Godbold, Callum Innes as well as Swiss artist Liliane Tomasko.
The two floors above offer dinner seven nights a week from 5pm and long lunches every weekend from 12-4pm.
The very top floor is one big pop of colour. Bold turquoise walls host fantastic contemporary art.
Head Chef Jacson Reboli has been putting together a diverse menu over the last six months that is centred around fresh ingredients that are bursting with colour and flavour. A casual and hearty menu fits the bill for mid week lunches, with favourites like Steak sandwich, griddled onions, sweet pepper relish, swiss cheese & watercress or lighter dishes like Crisp seabream, pea & chervil puree, crab & couscous of cauliflower, bottarga, and a bar snack menu to nibble and enjoy throughout the day and night.
The a la carte dinner menu on the upstairs floor will change seasonally. Dishes include Duck breast, confit leg bon bon, crushed sweet potato, charred broccoli and duck jus and Lamb rump carpaccio, pickled egg yolk, manchego cheese, burnt shallot and caper mayo.
Lunch at weekends will be served from 12pm till 4pm, with dishes including a roast with all the trimmings, a Seafood platter of king prawns, prawn salad, smoked salmon, seared tuna, roast scallop, and a sweet Raspberry eton mess.
Food will be complemented by an extensive wine menu. The bar team is headed up by Marius Nitu, who has curated a diverse cocktail menu with something to suit everyone’s taste.
Marius explains “The menu is mainly designed with classics in mind, we have taken them forward with modern new twists to suit everyone's palate. With long drinks from “Coastline” (Tanqueray No. TEN Gin, Watermelon, Lime & Bitters topped with Ginger Ale) to short drinks like “Black Beetle” which is a tiki twist on a old fashioned (Pampero Especiale Rum, Pineapple Liqueur and Tiki Bitters) with everything covered in between including what will be the crowd favourite Rose’s Thorn (Gordon’s Pink Gin, Raspberry, Lemon, Cranberry, Rose Water & Whites)”.
James Gibbons, who returns home from London to take the reins as General Manager of The Grayson, explains; “The Grayson will be a place of lush comfort and good times for all our guests. There’s something for everyone here. I truly believe that attention to detail and seamless service is key to any hospitality success story. If we approach service like we’re entertaining at home we get a natural stand alone service”
The Grayson opens on Thursday, August 23rd. You can find out more information here.
