From the exposure of the bricks, to the anointing of the bar and the installation of the beautiful Mack Signs designed exterior signage… We’ve been keeping a beady eye on proceedings over at 6 Montague Street, where Vanessa Murphy and Anna Cadrera have been overseeing the transformation of the premises that was previously home to the much loved Gerry’s.
It seems we weren’t the only ones following their refurb story on Instagram, and so when their new Spanish bodega La Gordita finally opened its doors last month, curious fans of its more established sister Las Tapas de Lola were quick to make the short one-minute trip around the corner to check out the new spot.
With a menu full of incredible Iberian favourites prepared with love in the kitchen by head chef María-Luisa Morelada, the reaction so far has been more than favourable, notwithstanding some small niggles about pricing.
We’ve been witnessing a lot of buzz about tasty small plates including eggy Tortilla Vaga Del Dia presented in piping hot cast iron frying pans, and their Mollejas, the delicious lamb sweetbreads beloved of Spanish food lovers the world over, which instantly call to mind memories of flavoursome evenings in Barcelonan bodegas of old.
Other treats include classic Galtas (Pig Cheeks on the Bone), and delicious home-made Tarta de Manzana, accompanied by rum and raisin ice cream.
Mindful of the economically choppy waters currently being navigated on Dublin’s dining scene, Murphy and Cadrera have requested that customer orders include a minimum of two courses per person (excluding their pica-pica menu) including one main, to give the newcomer a chance to get on its feet.
Evening Service runs from 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, with Weekend Lunch including some very special traditional arroz (rice) dishes to share for two available from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
¡Qué rico!
Words: Martina Murray
Our resident Restaurant Critic Conor Stevens reviews La Gordita in the new edition of Totally Dublin, which hits the streets on April 20th.
