Pearl Brasserie 20 Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2

Pearl Brasserie is beautiful, and they know it too, casually suggesting that you go and check out the restaurant's famous alcoves.

The glassware is branded, fair enough when you have such a pretty logo, and there's something harmonious about the furnishing and art that suggests a loving eye was cast over the place, not just a professional one.

Usually here's where I'd cut to the food. Not this time. There's something even better for once: the service. Simply put, it was, by my preferences, some of the best service I've had in any restaurant (the best being at Boston's No. 9 Park). Applause!

Ok, now the food. Crispy Dublin prawns wrapped in spring roll pastry, Mango & black pepper dressing (€9.00) were a sizable and tasty starter but more hearty than engaging. Pan Fried Aged Irish Rib-eye Steak, French Fries & Mustard Sauce (€18.50) was perfectly cooked and excellent brasserie fair. So far so good. Dessert was Crème brûlée of the day (which today simply seemed to be Crème brûlée). I was in a top mood by this point but still I'm going to stand by this opinion: this was the best of countless Crème brûlée I've eaten. The absolute best. Indeed it was so good that I had to finish it all, thereby overeating (by a fraction) which makes me, well, sleepy. A walk in nearby St Stephen's Park was needed to wake me up (after a cup of tea and some tasty handmade chocolates, which are also available to order by the half-dozen as a dessert).

Vicky had Tempura of Courgettes & Carrots then Stuffed Baby Vegetables & Cauliflower Puree. Looked good, and indeed her verdict was that this was possibly the best restaurant she'd been to (and no, she's not a naïve eater who doesn't know what she's saying.) Indeed, so good did her food look that I'm sorely tempted to eat veggie next time I dine at Pearl - which in my book cannot be too soon. Indeed with prices on Ryanair so very low the idea of going to Dublin just for lunch seems suddenly very sensible...