Juno’s is a most unexpected and pleasant surprise, a gem tucked away in the less frequented neighbourhood of Parkgate Street. Think of a New York diner, like Zabaar’s, only Irish, distinguished by quality Irish ingredients and the wholesome carby-ness of Irish cooking. The owners have managed to make something funky and appealing out of this narrow, unusually situated space, and the easy friendly manner of the staff will leave you happy to linger on as though you were hanging out in Manhattan and not one of Dublin city’s less well-tended corners. The food is simple and classic: dressed home-smoked organic salmon on house brown bread; beetroot and Ryefield goat cheese salad with walnuts and croutons; air-dried Connemara ham with pickled fennel, dressed rocket and olives; or the ‘roast roll of the day,’ including the likes of corned beef with sauerkraut and pickles. In Juno’s, the flavours are vibrant and perfectly balanced while meats melt in the mouth. Excellent fishcakes, great home fries, and their puds, such as lemon polenta and almond cake, are really on the money. Juha Salo has made a great start!
