I was invited out for dinner by a charming young Australian who has only lived in Ireland for the past one or two years, but has frequented more restaurants in Dublin than I even knew existed! He boasts of dining in the ten most expensive in the city apart from Patrick Gilbaud. So even though I had plenty of suggestions on where to dine, I let him decide. He brought me to Eden in the Temple Bar Meeting Square, a venue I have always wanted to try out. It overlooks the square, with its large glass windows, and during the summer, a canopy shelters the outside seating. This is how I remember it, but on this bitterly cold night, we were shown to our seats inside near the open kitchen.

The seats are white and wooden, and not uncomfortable, but you wouldn't sit on them all night! There are one or two seats which have comfy couches and there is extra seating upstairs (taken up by a private birthday party that night). It was 6.30 on a Sunday and there were already a few diners there. When we left just after 9, it was almost full. My date knew one of the hostesses and she was very helpful with the recommendations. The menu consists of about 8-10 starters and mains, with daily specials, and a few side orders. A separate dessert and coffee menu is shown after your meal. The wine list of 20 or so reds and whites is found on the back of the main menu. There is a worldwide selection and his choice, a 1999 Australian Grenache (of course!) suited us both perfectly - fruity and full bodied, yet a slightly bitter aftertaste. We started with a very tasty Bellini (£6.50). This was my first and shall not be my last! A subtle blend of champagne and amaretto I was told, with some fresh cranberries and a raspberry served in a cocktail glass. I could get used to this!

The ceilings are very high but the huge hanging baskets break up the empty space and add an exquisite natural and soothing feeling to the room. The open kitchen is great, as it is always interesting watching chefs at work. Our order was taken by yet another charming Australian. A basket of bread arrived with herb, tomato and brown bread with a square of butter on a beautiful slab of heavy glass. Minimalist cutlery and crockery decked the tables. Starters included soup, smokies, pate and a few other meat and fish dishes which I cannot really remember. I remember not being able to decide for quite a while, even though my choice was somewhat limited being a non red meat eater. My date had chosen the avocado and asparagus salad (£6.25) which he described as divine. My warm goat's cheese (£6.50) on sauted sweet onion and lettuce was just perfect. It was rich but not too heavy. Portions were perfectly sized. Starters average £4-£6. The wine was going down well also.

From mains of roasted scallops, pan-fried salmon or sea bass, rigatoni with red peppers and other vegetables, duck, steak and others (I skipped a lot), I had the main course version of the spinach and ricotta tortellini in a tomato and pesto sauce topped with parmesan (£10.50). I requested some sun-dried tomatoes also. Now this dish was not huge but boy, was it tasty. The sauce was full of flavour and there was plenty of pesto (my favorite!). Usually I pile on the Parmesan, but I found the perfect amount already there quite pleasant. My only quibble was the pasta was a little al dente for my liking. Needless to say, I almost licked the plate clean! His taglatellie with duck and mushrooms in a cream sauce (£14.00) was very light on the palate, even though we were told it was very heavy. It was delicious he said, but the duck was terrible - 'processed'. I had plenty of room for dessert and followed the waiter's recommendations with the hot orange bread and butter pudding with caramelized bananas and sweet orange sauce (£4.75). A smallish but perfect size, it was divine as was the scoop of homemade chocolate ice cream I asked for (I'm good at that!). They make all their own ice creams on the premises including rhubarb and peanut butter and jelly! (Uh!) A cappuccino (£1.50) and decaf mocha rounded off a very pleasant meal. I even got to bring home the rest of the in (he was driving).

The bill came to £58.00, but his friend had omitted the wine. We had been offered more coffees, so we left a hefty tip, though well deserved! Beautiful food, well-presented, great staff and service, interesting surroundings but slightly expensive. Still, I'll be back, especially if he's paying again!!