Since Kevin Thornton closed Thornton's in the Fitzwilliam Hotel in September 2016, all eyes have been on the site to see what's coming next, and now we know. Irish-born, formerly London based chef Andy McFadden has been lured home to open Glovers Alley in February. Marie-Claire Digby got the scoop for the Irish Times.
McFadden has been working in London for the past 11 years for the Pied group, which includes Michelin-starred Pied à Terre and formerly L'Autre Pied, which closed in August. He was at one time the youngest chef in London with a Michelin star, and there are high hopes for his arrival home.
He's put together a bit of a dream team with Philip Roe, formerly of Michelin-starred Fera at Claridges in London, as Head Chef, Ed Jolliffe, formerly Chapter One, as general manager and two ex-Patrick Guilbaud staff with Aoife Noonan as executive pastry chef and James Brooke as head sommelier.
This will be very much fine dining, with a set lunch priced at €35-€45, a four or five course dinner at €65/€80 and a tasting menu at €105. Ambitious pricing for a city of this size, but if they fulfill their aim of becoming 'one of Dublin's great restaurants' (and presumably obtain a Michelin star next September) then people will be more inclined to cough up for special occasions or expense accounts. We think Dublin is somewhat lacking in fine dining options so this is one opening we are eagerly awaiting. Welcome home Andy.
Glovers Alley is due to open on Friday February 2nd
Book or find out more at: gloversalley.ie
