Chef granted drinks licence

TV’s Masterchef judge Dylan McGrath was yesterday granted a full public house drinks licence for his new €1.4m restaurant in Fade St, Dublin.

Objections to the Circuit Civil Court granting the seven-day licence, which permits the sale of pints and shorts as well as wine, had been led by nightclub entrepreneur John Reynolds, owner of the neighbouring Market Bar.

Commenting after the decision, Mr McGrath said: “I have the upmost respect for John Reynolds, both professionally and as a great friend, but decisions were made on business. I designed a project around food and drinks, a gastro–bar, and I am genuinely relieved that now Fade Street Social can be what it should be, a complete social event.”

In granting the licence, Judge Matthew Deery said he accepted the word of Mr McGrath that he was first and foremost a restaurateur and had no intention of running his restaurant, known as Fade Street Social, as a public house.

Judge Deery told counsel for Mr McGrath, Constance Cassidy, he accepted that plans presented to the court when the premises had been granted a declaratory order two years ago had not been materially changed since.

The judge said it was significant that, at no stage of the planning or licensing procedure, had there been any objection by the gardaí or by the fire authority, and the objectors, consisting of four bar and restaurant owners, had not lodged objections at the initial stages.

Mr McGrath said there had been a “soft opening” of the restaurant at the weekend but he was planning to have it fully open by tomorrow night.

On the menu

* Fade Street Social will be in an 8,000 sq ft building at the corner of Fade St and Drury St.

* The gastro-bar will serve a menu of “bite-sized dishes of European influence with a twist”.

* An open kitchen with a rotisserie will be located in the centre of the restaurant.

* Christine O’Sullivan, a finalist in last year’s MasterChef, is believed to be one of the team of Fade Street Social chefs.

* Diners will have the option of sitting at the bar, at long, communal tables or at one of the smaller intimate tables.

* The interior will resemble a New York loft, with exposed ducts, walls stripped back to the brick, and a large skylight.

* A huge wood-burning stove will be the focal point of the building.

* All products are being sourced from farmers and suppliers in Ireland.

* The Wintergarden, an open terrace at the top of the building, will have more of a relaxed feel, located beside a chill-out room.

* Fade Street Social has capacity for 350 people and will be open from tomorrow. The gastro-bar and Wintergarden will open initially while the restaurant will open next month.