Quelle surprise

You don't need to brush up on your Proust or petit peu de françaisto feel at home, thoroughly well-fed, and a little bit more cultured at La Cocotte, the new cafe in Dublin's Alliance Francaise on the corner of Kildare and Nassau Streets.

It's a fine spot for either a chat or some quiet contemplation over good coffee and tarte aux pommes, with a view of Trinity College through the huge bay windows. The menu includes quiches, coq au vin, haricots verts and salads with delicious dressing, served by friendly and efficient French staff, managed by Arnoud Bucher. Gather your friends around the red and white checked communal tables for un petit verre du vin, and listen to the French chattering all around you.