Gertrude is sister to 3FE which has been instrumental in upping Dublin’s café game for years with locations around the city. 3FE have been hinting, with their impeccable, if compact, daily breakfast and lunch menus, at bigger things to come on the food front and Gertrude, it seems, is it.
Currently Gertrude is focusing on day trade with dinner served only on Friday and Saturday nights but expansion is certain with a 15-year lease and basement seating available in the future. I made my way into the bustling, generous space at the latter stages of a hectic brunch one Saturday afternoon. The space is exceptionally cheery, think muted blues and greys with yellow accents and fresh flowers by Appassionata. Large windows stretch along two sides of this corner spot filling the high ceiling room with light. The whole place is clean lines, attractive details – a spiffing yellow coffee machine greets diners — and smart use of space. A wooden structure provides a zoning strategy to enclose the front of house serving station while the relatively large open kitchen is tucked away at the back.
Brunch is divided into Snacks, Bigger Plates, Sides and Something Sweet. Characteristically over-eager, I was immediately rash and wanted to order two snacks and three main courses. Thankfully I was talked out of that particular food coma but when a menu is that appealing it can be hard to, well, stay calm.