The Menu: Farewell to Fenn’s Quay - a Leeside institution

Joe McNamee brings you all the latest news from the food world. 

Farewell Fenn’s Quay

Amongst regular tributes often paid to capable domestic cooks on foot of fine dinner party fare is the suggestion they should open a restaurant, but only the truly foolish imagine that to be a genuine option for there are few tougher gigs than that of chef-restaurateur (note, I don’t just say chef, for there is far more to running a restaurant than simply turning out a decent plate of scran). It is exceptionally difficult to earn a good living from a dining establishment, most especially, on those quieter weekday nights, a condition especially familiar to many non-Dublin restaurants, with patrons restricting their social outings to the weekend. And, so, it is with this in mind that The Menu pays tribute to Kate Lawlor, chef-patron of the long-running Fenn’s Quay, who has finally decided to call it a day on what had become a local Leeside institution. That she managed to keep Fenn’s Quay not only open but operating to such a high standard, even in the tooth of a recession that swallowed up dining establishments like a game of culinary Pacman, is deserving of high praise indeed. But Kate is still a young and highly capable woman, so, rather than weeping and wailing, I look forward with keen interest to news of her next great venture.