Overview
First-rate European-inspired eatery O'Connell Street Bistro was devastated by a fire in January of this year, resulting in damage to the kitchen and dining room, and leaving the space unusable for an estimated four weeks.
That four weeks has since turned into seven months, leaving the highly competent staff flapping about the streets with flame-kissed pay slips and diehard regulars yearning for a snifter of rabbit pappardelle and steak tartare.
Thanks to the initiative of O'Connell Street proprietor Chris Upton, fans of the establishment will once again be able to enjoy the seamless hybrid of fine dining restaurant and comforting bistro. Praise be.
Two pop-up events billed as A Taste of Burgundy are set to take place at Newmarket's Maison Vauron wine merchants on April 15 and 16. The bistro's full kitchen and front of house team will be on hand to create, serve and deliver a full O'Connell Street experience in the upstairs and "very French" wine cellar.
The menu, curated by head chef Mark Southon, comprises six courses including wine matches courtesy of Maison Vauron for $110 per person. Starting with salted cod beignets and rouille, each dish has a little element of France, enabling the bistro to once again showcase its flair for European cuisine alongside a curated selection of wines from Burgundy.
Further menu items include: olive oil baked snapper, clam chowder risotto and lemon verbena; a ballottine of quail, smoked bacon and roasted cauliflower puree; braised beef, morel gnocchi, roasted leek and pinot noir madeira reduction; white chocolate and blue cheese, walnut crumb and beetroot granite, with calvados jellies to finish.
Both pop-ups will have the limited capacity of 36 seats and are just the beginning of a series of pop-ups to be announced prior to O'Connell Street Bistro reopening in August.
For bookings for A Taste of Burgundy contact Maison Vauron on 09-529 0157.