Pink, the newly opened venue from Oliver Dunne Restaurants, stuns with its elegant decor making the dining experience seem more like a scene from a Hollywood movie than a new spot on South William. The exterior, with its pink walls and assortment of flowers, makes the restaurant hard to miss. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was vibrant. The interior was even more impressive than the outside, with low-hanging gold chandeliers, bright wallpaper and fluorescent lights placed delicately around the space. Soft music in the background added to the tranquil atmosphere, easing me into what was to be a scrumptious meal.
I opted for the lunch and brunch menu, ordering the crispy halloumi, which was accompanied by hot honey drizzle, spiced squash, pomegranate and tabbouleh salad topped with rocket leaves. The food, presented on a ceramic pink and gold plate, was pleasing to the eye – however, the proof is always in the pudding. My favourite part of the meal was the tabbouleh. This being my first time trying the salad, I was not disappointed. The grains were light and fluffy with lemony undertones. The rocket leaves added a peppery taste to the salad which was complemented by the juicy pomegranate. The spiced squash was rather mild and overpowered by other flavours in the dish – a relief for the non-spice lovers, but a shame for those who love this autumnal vegetable.
Tabbouleh aside, the halloumi was a combination of salty, crunchy and almost meaty textures and flavours. I’m not a cheese fanatic so I was a little apprehensive, however one bite in and I couldn’t get enough of it. It was too bad the portion size was a little too small for my grand appetite.
The warm honey drizzle provided a good balance between the sweet and salty affair. I also got a side of sweet potato fries sprinkled with peanut rayu and a lime sour cream dip. The fries, which were lightly salted, crunchy and spicy, hit the spot. However, the peanut rayu was somewhat unnecessary as it did not elevate the taste. I also had a taste of my friend’s grade-five wagyu beef burger. This combination of soft brioche, tender patty, garlic aioli, caramelized onion and truffled brie awakened my taste buds, momentarily sending me to food heaven. This meal was served with white balsamic ketchup, the acidic taste of which can be a little off-putting at first, but it complemented the sweetness of the brioche when used as a spread.
Besides lunch and brunch, Pink also offers a bar menu and an afternoon tea experience which is available every weekend from noon to 5pm. They also offer a variety of food options for private parties.
Another exciting aspect of the eatery is the afternoon tea. While I was enjoying my meal, the neighbouring table enjoyed Victorian teapots, vintage cutlery, a delectable stack of fresh scones, cakes, and sandwiches served with a glass of pink bubbles. The elegance of this setup made me wish I had opted for this ensemble. Afternoon tea at Pink has made it to my bucket list. This experience comes at a price of €42 per person which seems expensive for a student budget, but then again, do we not all owe ourselves a treat sometimes?
I was also delighted to find out that Pink is currently running an opening offer of 20 per cent off all food until 5pm, so don’t delay and book yourself a table in this Instagrammable paradise.
