Fallon & Byrne’s Wine Cellar might not be a well-kept secret, but their one-euro corkage on Sundays through Tuesdays is. When my friends and I sat down for dinner, we were able to go up to the shelves of wine along the wall and pick a bottle that was both affordable and delicious, with the only extra charge being one euro to open it when usually it costs ten.
We picked Grande Cuvee 1531, which is a Cremant de Limoux, and it was perfect because we were celebrating. The thirty euro bottle convinced even the girls who said they weren’t going to have more than a sip, to have more than one glass. The people working there were also lovely, and when one of us, I won’t name names, spilled her glass, they were very kind about it.
We then decided that it’d be best to order a bunch of things to share so we could try a bunch of options – for the review, of course.
First, was the cheese board. There was a variety of cheeses with a fig jam which paired upon the slices of baguette was divine. Two of us who had walked into the restaurant thinking we did not like blue cheese, walked out feeling the opposite.
Then came the rest. My pick for the table was the truffle arancini. It was incredible. Crispy on the outside, with a perfect concoction of truffle, rice, and cheese within, placed upon a sauce I wish I could name. Flavorful without being overwhelming, and honestly so divine that we immediately ordered another.
One of us ordered the beet root salad, which while refreshing was definitely overpriced, as it paled in comparison to the rest. Another ordered the garlic pizza bread. The pizza base was drizzled in olive oil and garlic, and the generous size surprised us because it was so affordable. Then there was the pumpkin burrata, whose presentation made me jealous that I was not the one who ordered it. The burrata was whipped and fresh, but while it was lovely, we felt that it was a bit jarring to have such a cold dish be pumpkin.
At the end, our waitress brought us the dessert menu even when some of us protested. Yet, we all gave in when we saw tiramisu was on the menu. And I have to say, it was the best decision we’ve all made in a long time. It was incredible. Profanity-inducing, even. From the cream, to the biscuit, to the coffee-soaked cake and chocolate powder, each part was perfect. I’m still thinking about it. I’m telling everyone I meet about it. I will be going back, because if the appetizers and dessert were that impressive, I can’t wait to see what the main courses have to offer.
It was a beautiful night. That’s the best way to put it. And you should all have a chance to experience it if you can.
