Rory Carville to leave Locks Brasserie and open Cleaver East with Oliver Dunne

What happens when two stars collide? They join forces and open a new restaurant together, or at least that's what Michelin-starred chefs Rory Carville and Oliver Dunne are doing. The pair are opening Cleaver East in what was formerly the Tea Room in The Clarence hotel in Temple Bar.

Carville will be leaving Locks Brasserie in Portobello, where he was awarded a Michelin star last September, to go into business with Dunne, who also holds a star for the Malahide restaurant Bon Appétit, which he will continue to run. “Rory will be the main cook in residence at Cleaver East,” says Dunne.

The style of food that will be served at Cleaver East is still under discussion between the two chefs, but they say the restaurant will be affordable and casual. Dunne describes it as “a super cool place to chill and relax, drink some cocktails and wine, have something tasty to eat”.

The pair have taken over the entire food service contract for The Clarence, but Cleaver East will operate as a separate business rather than a restaurant within a hotel. The opening date is expected to be late July or early August.

Marie Claire Digby

Marie Claire Digby

Marie Claire Digby is Senior Food Writer at The Irish Times