Sep 26, 20192 min read

Mamó Opens In Howth

Mamó, the new restaurant from ex-Etto staff member Jess D'Arcy and ex-Chapter One and Thornton's chef Killian Durkin opens today in Howth. They describe it as "a contemporary European dining experience in a relaxed and friendly setting", and want to highlight North County Dublin produce, as well as lesser known fish, coming straight from the boats each day.

The harbour-facing dining room has indoor and outdoor seating (prepare to fight for those next summer), and counter seating, so perfect if you want to pop in on your own for a few plates and a glass of wine. The opening menu features dishes including taramasalata on confit potato (their take on fish and chips), soused herring with candied lemon, lobster croquettes and forkbeard ceviche with crisps - a lesser known fish known as bycatch because fishermen find it harder to sell. There's also a Howth honey tart for dessert made from honey collected up the hill from the restaurant.

The couple met 10 years ago while working for The Mermaid Café, and always planned to open their own restaurant, but in the meantime Jess worked front of house at Pichet, The Butcher Grill and Etto, while Killian went from fine dining in Chapter One and Thornton's to the more casual Charlotte Quay. This is the first solo venture for both.

Mamó (pronounced Maaa-mo) is the Irish for Granny, and with Jess coming from a family of Gaelgoirs she wanted a name with an Irish connection. Mamó will open for lunch from Wednesday - Sunday, and for dinner from Tuesday - Sunday (long lunches or early dinners only on Sunday as they close at 19:30). Their website is due to go live this evening with online booking available, but if you can't wait until then you can book by emailing hello@mamorestaurant.ie or calling them on 01 8397096.