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Today I seem to be only resurrecting old threads (that's what I get for not logging on in ages)...

I just wanted to mention that I'm heading into the Magpie for dinner and drinks tomorrow evening. No specific plan set, but probably a few beers and some food (reviews by both Lucinda O'Sullivan and Paolo Tulio have been positive, of late).

Was reminded of this place by a recent tweet by 8 Degrees saying the Magpie now has Sunburnt Red on draught. I glanced at the Magpie's site and I see they also tweeted at Dungarvan Brewing commenting that their customers were asking for Dungarvan stuff... All bodes well.

Anyway, I'll report back further tomorrow.

I remember when the only 'alternative' beer in Dalkey was the odd bottle of Spitfire kept in the fridge for one guy who used to come into The Club. <!-- s:mrgreen: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt="" title="Mr. Green" /><!-- s:mrgreen: -->

Well, headed in here earlier for a meal for two and a couple of drinks.

We rang in advance and were told it wasn't possible to reserve a table for two, but that we could show up and they'd probably be able to wrangle us a table by the time we'd had a drink at the bar (which was grand).

Upon going in the tables all had 'reserved' signs on them and the waitress seemed a bit unsure what to do until a manager came along and whipped a 'reserved' sign off one of the tables. Bob's your uncle - table for the evening.

I wonder were the 'reserved' signs an attempt to keep the tables for the people eating food, and avoid people just interested in drinking from taking them up? If so, I can see the logic, but on the other hand it might put me off from turning up on spec with a group for beers, if the only option is sitting or standing at the bar. Perhaps the fact that it was a Saturday is also an element in it. Hard to know with just the one visit. At the end of the day we were seated immediately, despite the slightly haphazard feel.

The beer list is pretty good: The usual macros but offerings from Trouble Brewing, BrewDog, Fischer Helles, 8 Degrees and others on tap, plus a well-rounded bottled range.

As mentioned by a previous poster the draught offerings are all teeth-crackingly cold: Unfortunate if you have ordered the Dark Arts or similar. Not something I'd bother mentioning / complaining about - I'm just delighted to be getting it at all in a new pub...

Food-wise it was 90 euros for two starters, two mains, two pints and two glasses of wine. Personally I don't think that's expensive. Pretty good in terms of the execution - I had a venison steak that was well-done when I'd been told it would come medium. The GF got a stonkingly good bit of duck with an unusual croquette potato though - I would try that second time around. For a pub (even a gastropub) I was happy - at the end of the day if I'd wanted a restaurant experience I would have gone elsewhere. It was nice to get a nice bit of grub and not be limited in beer choice. It was certainly a better menu than you'd get in Against The Grain or The Porterhouse, if the comparison is of help to anyone.

Overall: I'd certainly go back here, well worth supporting as a pub. Worryingly most of the patrons did appear to be drinking the macros.