Anvil Bistro

20/7/2017

Great little spot near Citywest Hotel. I love to try local places when I travel. The restaurant looks to be newly renovated and is just lovely. I had the Chicken Caesar Wrap with a side salad and fries. It was all very nicely prepared and delicious! The free wifi was a plus!

3/12/2015

My local restaurant, literally in the Saggart village! I enjoy catching up with my pal there, we are meeting up once a week there for a dinner.I love my fish so I usually go for a fishcake or prawns.
Staff is very friendly. Location is great City West Hotel is literally next door so if anyone is staying for the night then dinner in Anvil is a must!
This restaurant is very popular by locals, it's not cheap but reasonable.
If you are from the local area then it's definitely should be your new favorite restaurant!

27/10/2016

Visited for breakfast and lunch. Got great service and food both times. The space is nice and bright. Towards the end of lunch it was very busy but I still felt relaxed and could easily have a conversation at my table.

Lots of the food does seem to be on the lighter side, lots of sandwiches, but we didn't have trouble finding a filling meal, either.

Location is easy to find with a fair amount of parking.

18/1/2016

The restaurant is beautiful. It is so well decorated and feels a bit special. Unfortunately the menu and service just don't live up to the beauty of the restaurant. The menu is a bit odd. I struggled to find something where I'd like everything on the plate.

The shining star for me was the starter, I had spring rolls and the flavours were very good.

The white wine was not cold, I had to ask for ice.

Grand. Nothing special as the decor suggests.

8/7/2014

I had lunch with colleagues today and we went to The Anvil. To be brutally honest, I have experienced better.

One star for the service : Waiters were friendly and the waiting time was reasonable.

One star for the location : The place is cute, the sits are comfortable, nice location for a quick bite.

No star for the food : I had a beef burger. There was a slice of tomato and lettuce on the side. The slice of tomato did not taste like tomato but more like water with an off-taste. Then, the burger itself was actually burger bread with beef inside glued to cheese. The meat was a preparation with beef and onions mixed together. I like to have the option to remove the onion but oh well. The taste was just disappointing. When you order meat you expect a meaty taste. And here, it was a weird combination... I ate because I was hungry, but I wasn't satisfied. The fries were nearly yellow from being fried too long. The taste was nothing like potato. That's what a frie is, right? It's a chunk of potato fried. It should be at least.

I am usually an easy customer, I do not complain or if I do I have a good reason. I thought it would just be me but then my colleagues admitted they were not too happy either. The vegies tasted funny as well...

The sprites and the tap water was fine though :)

*** UPDATE : I wasn't feeling too good during the afternoon, and I told myself I had a long working day. But when I came back home, I felt seriously dizzy with a bad stomach ache. It happened yesterday and I feel much better today. I do NOT recommend this place at all. I remove 1 star ***

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  The church facing the restaurant

  The church facing the restaurant
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  The Anvil Restaurant

  The Anvil Restaurant
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  Menu

  Menu
• See all photos from Galadrielle H. for Anvil Bistro

19/1/2015 Updated review

Tried here again this weekend! Another family dinner but not with the set menu!
To be perfectly honest this place is not a restaurant nor is it a bistro! It's basically a fancy sandwich bar! The menu has about 25 sandwiches to choose from and only about 10 mains! I just don't understand how a restaurant can have so much choice of one food and so little of anything else!

Also the thick cut fries are basically half roast potatoes! I got like 15 roasties as opposed to just throwing 25 skinny fries which would of been so Much more appetising! Nobody likes spud overload!

Staff are so good, helpful and polite! It's very kid friendly but the menu really lets this place down!

18/2/2016

I like this place! Front of house is a bleedin fine blondy wan! Great start

Lads the wings in here are amazing, they've got that franks-esque sauce going on, most likely tossed in with a kilo of butter! Amazing!!!

Went for bangers and mash for main! Sausages were not good I'm afraid, dry and mealy a good Cumberland would have been much better and if I'm honest was what I expected. Mash was lovely, light and fluffy with just a hint of spring onion.

Warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla, moist and very lush!

Kids menu was pretty good at a cock and hen for three courses!

All in all I like this place, but warning for the thrifty among us it's not cheap......at all........like really it's not cheap

7/5/2015

• 1 check-in

The anvil is a very cool restaurant.  Modern mix of decor and lots of natural lighting.  Outstanding food - we had the butternut squash coconut soup and chicken curry.  Really unique and taste meals!  However the desserts are the best.  Try the mango cheesecake for something unusual and airy.  Definitely coming back!

21/7/2014

• 7 check-ins
• ROTD 7/10/2014

I have had breakfast and lunch at the Anvil and enjoyed my food on both occasions.

For lunch I was being good and so ordered the grilled chicken salad with mixed veg which was full of flavour. The mixed veg was a nice addition. As the veg was hot it made the meal more hearty than your usual salad.

For breakfast I was feeling hungover so decided to go for their 'traditional' breakfast rather than one of the healthy protein filled options on the menu. The breakfast comes with homemade brown bread or toast and tea/coffee. The highlight was the tasty sausages!

Friendly staff and a bright light filled room makes the Anvil a good choice if you are in the area.

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  'Traditional' breakfast served with homemade brown bread or toast and tea.

  'Traditional' breakfast served with homemade brown bread or toast and tea.
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  Delicious anvil salad with chicken and veg

  Delicious anvil salad with chicken and veg

3/9/2014

• 23 check-ins

Excellent service with a good attention to detail. Servers always topping up your coffee with a smile and happy to make alterations to any meal without any hassle.

Food quality is very good with many healthy options...or they can change a dish to be healthy!

Regular for breakfast and lunch here and Gav never had a complaint.

Want us try dinner soon as their menu looks excellent and will post another review when done

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  Brekkie!

  Brekkie!

19/3/2015

• 1 check-in

Really very nice. The chicken wings were outstanding! Had the cod happy hour special and it really was fantastic. Good size potions, price good, service was excellent! And not to mention the pints of Guinness! Oh yeah!

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  Pint of Guinness

  Pint of Guinness

10/6/2014

"Yumzies!"  That's exactly what I say (out loud) after I put down my knife and fork after finishing a meal in The Anvil.  Yeah that's right....Yumzies.  You heard it here first.  Now go and use the word but use it wisely.

I've been to The Anvil, say.....20 odd times over the years and have not once had a bad meal or experience.  Both in the old premises (pictured on Yelp...can we get an update photo / address?) and the lovely new spot.  The overall vibe is pretty chilled and is that perfect combination of modern but homely / cozy at the same time.

The staff are always friendly and accommodating including the owners, who are also very nice to talk to and can often be seen on the floor.  They're also happy to take orders over the phone to take away, which we have often done.

I've had breakfast, lunch and dinner here (no, not in one sitting) and all menus are very carefully thought out, very well presented and most importantly, delicious!

The only thing that holds back the 5th star is the variety on the menu.  There could be a bit more or maybe new dishes brought in more often.

A special shout out for the "wangs".  So many people are doing Buffalo style chicken wings now but not too many get them just right.  The Anvil do...every time.

I'm getting hungry now...

21/4/2012

• 7 check-ins

We hadn't been here for well over a year and it has actually moved from its old location adjacent the Forge Guest House to new premises just around the corner. They now have a nice little bar area where you can sit and have a few drinks before being seated and it is a very nice set up. All new, clean and shiny!

The meal itself was great but can really be summed up in two words.....Baked Alaska...but more of that later.

They have a very good set menu with two courses for €25.95, three courses for €29.95 but we all went for the al a carte menu.  Food was great and service was nice and friendly without being in your face. Starters we went for the Tempura Prawns, Scallops x2 and the chicken wings.  Scallops were a real melt in the mouth moment and each one was served on a lovely piece of soft black pudding, tempura batter and flavour of prawns just lovely and the chicken wings were well ......chicken wings and plenty of them.  All starters were b/w €10-€12 but the quality was excellent.  

For the mains - 1 Cod, 1 Hake, 1 Filet Steak (8oz) and 1 lamb rump. All cooked to perfection but what really made all the dishes were the beautiful sauces and accompaniments - lovely creams and flavours.  Mains ranged from €19-24 with the steak coming in at a whopping €29 but it was a nice piece of meat!

Everyone was full by the end and no one was really in the mood for desert but I opted for the Baked Alaska and the rest of my party decided to ask for spoons for "just a little taste" Just a little taste ended up like 4 pigs at a trough fighting for the last morsel.  This desert is just amazing....really warm gooey meringue covering ice cold ice cream.  We talked about getting another but decided against it and I am regretting that decision right now!

I'd say this place is similar to Bijou, Rathgar in terms of food on offer but we found it nicer.  Will be back for that set menu and surprise, surprise the baked Alaska.

6/1/2015

Visited this restaurant with my Gran who eats here often and I know why.
Mama, (we all have our special names for the important people in our lives), said she always orders the special and is never disappointed. Her Pork was tasty, generous and really well presented.
Service was excellent from the moment we walked in the door and the restaurant was very busy. The stand out thing that impressed me was the childrens menu.
It is no wonder the children of Ireland love chicken nuggets and sausages as that is what they are generally offered in restaurants. A lot of restaurants won't give you the dessert and drink package if you order, "off- Piste", so to speak and Ice-cream is an important part of a treat meal along with Mam and Dad's pockets.
The Anvil had a good range of real food on the childrens menu and do you know what, my gang didn't order nuggets or sausages but salmon and beef.
Will definitely visit again

9/11/2013

A friendly restaurant with good food. We only had brekkie but it was certainly tasty. The wait staff are always willing to go extra. Lovely!

2/2/2015

We had lunch in The Anvil yesterday and it was 'OK', Nothing special at all. I had the Cajun Chicken burger and there seemed to be no taste at all from it. Staff were average as were the prices.

4/4/2013

I like this place a lot, the new premises is light airy and well laid out.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. This little gem is always busy so pre booking may be advisable.
The steaks are a delight and I would highly recommend trying one.
The wife loves this place for lunch, I can not comment as I have never had it nor have i had the breakfast.
If you are passing and want good food at a good price call in.

4/11/2011

Have been in here twice in the last 6 months and I think my little sister has been here a few times and she really likes it. It is very close to citywest hotel. Just around the corner really towards Saggart village. If you were staying in the hotel it would be really nice.
Two Course: €25.95 Three Course: €29.95 from a set menu. Just took that from the site but I said 25 and 30 so I was close. Check out the brains on Brad. Shouldnt allow me to be let loose on this. I go mad! Lets tell ghost stories. The a la carte is more expensive and they have some really nice dishes on there. I ordered from the deal both times. Ive only been here for dinner. Went after the afters for the Christening and again after I met a mate who was staying in the hotel while visiting the big shmoke. Getting back to the point. The food was lovely. I had the soup which was vegetable and was really tasty. I had the chicken wings the second time which didnt say spicy at the time but I just looked at their website and it does now. That was a bit annoying because wait for it I dont like shpiscy food. I had the steak both times and it was absolutely great(8 ounce striploin). So I have to go on what other people say for the rest. The prawns are meant to be great for the starter and the chicken curry is lovely. I was made taste that. There we go. A good place to go and just across the road from where my nephew was christened and I renounced the devil and stuff.

4/8/2009

• First to Review

The Anvil is a little nugget of a find and great for lunch before heading down the country on the N7.

It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner but I have to say I'm a divil for the lunches! The service is friendly, yet professional and most importantly - consistent.

It's a pity its location doesnt lend itself to outside dining because it would be a lovely spot for lunchtime coffee in the sun - when the rain stops! The lunches are a great size and there are always scrummy specials on. They also do a Low Cal Chicken salad which is a huge bowl of healthy salad and grilled cajun chicken. Very tasty!

My favourite, less healthy option is the chilli bean wrap served with homemade potato wedges. Just thinking about it makes me want to ring and book a table. Booking tables isn't necessary these days - blame the "R". Try the desserts too - all homemade and great big helpings!

My number 1 spot for lunch in this area - it's half the price of nearby Avoca but serves food that's just as tasty without the pretentiousness or the preening!

Not sure what it's like for dinner but would be interested to hear what people think. Don't know if I could be persuaded to desert the auld chilli bean wrap no matter how tempting the dinner options were!