Disappointing

Some time ago we’d booked an evening meal in Reighleys restaurant. Carl had been talking for some time about tucking into a decent steak, and Reighleys had been recommended. I wasn’t sure how I’d manage with my arm in a sling, but there were other options than steak on the menu so we decided to go ahead with the booking.
The restaurant is located on the sixth floor of the Mayson Hotel, part of the Docklands development on the north bank of the Liffey river. The best thing about it was the view. First impressions were hugely disappointing. We thought we’d enter through the hotel reception area and had geared ourselves up for a cocktail in the hotel bar before going in to the restaurant. Instead, we found ourselves in an Elephant and Castle outlet with no sign of either hotel reception of bar or even any mention of Reighleys restaurant. An Elephant and Castle guy directed us to the lift and told us to go on up to the sixth floor.
When the lift door opened it seemed as if we were in a multi-story car park. The bare concrete floor and stairs were very unwelcoming indeed. The restaurant interior was disappointing too (apart form the view) – surfaces and finishes looked second-hand and were scuffed and stained. We wondered if the interior designers had deliberately gone for a ‘distressed’ look. Perhaps, but to our eyes it just look cheap and down-market.
Adding insult to injury, the prices were anything but down-market. Carl’s 8-oz fillet was €39 (!!), and turned out to to be a pathetic-looking and disappointing small circular slab of meat. Adding insult to injury, that €39 was for the meat only. Sides were extra. Sauce was extra. There was lots else that was irritating about the place. We were shown to our table (again, the view was impressive) and given the name of our ‘server’. She approached us soon after and again told us her name. I found her intrusive at best, and artificially engaging. The whole thing had a States-side feel to it (even the toilets are labeled as ‘rest rooms’). Thumbs down for Reighleys, I’m afraid — and what’s with the spelling? What’s wrong with ‘Riley’s’?

Okay, our starters were okay. We won't be back, though.