The Box Tree

This place is very understated on the outside it looks a but like a pub. But inside its cozy and warm it feels like a up market family restaurant. The food was a real surprise too. The presentation was beautiful and the quality of the food was really good. However I felt the menu itself was limited and needed more of a selection. Staff were friendly but I little unorganized and the service was slow. All in all I would come back because the atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming.

I can’t seem to say enough good things about the box tree!
My husband and I decided to do a small cocktail reception in their private wine room this last weekend and it was complete perfection.
Laura the manager is a dream to work with as she helped make everything go smoothly from start to finish. Their chef and pastry chef are truly amazing and did some beautiful canapés and petit fours for our party. bartender that was assigned to our party was great, he made sure everyone had top ups on all their cocktails and wine the entire evening.
The venue was a perfect setting for what we wanted.
So a massive Thank You to The Box Tree for helping to make our evening everything we wanted!!!

Ok, with regards to food this place is great. Everything is fresh and well presented. The food was brought out quickly and to repeat, looked and tasted amazing. My problem, and the reason why this place didn’t score higher was the service from the waiting staff.
Throughout the entire meal we were given the impression that we were in the way. They kept reaching past us without warning. In one situation, th only sign I was given that the waitress wanted to pass my sister her meal was a plate appearing over my shoulder. Seriously, all they had to do was say something, but by the end of the meal I would have settled for «GET OUT OF THE WAY!»
It’s kind of funny how some places can have mediocre food but immaculate service. This place had amazing food but also waiting staff that left a lot to be desired.

We went here for Sunday Lunch and it was my first visit.
What a surprise from the last time I was in Stepaside and what a little gem in the village.
Good surroundings, easy parking and very presentable. In side there was a good atmosphere with thoughtful décor.
2 courses were € 19 …and we slightly fought over what we were eating so we would be able to have sight of 4 courses… and tastes.
I had the organic smoked salmon with bits. The bits being the strip of purred beetroot, dots of horseradish sauce, lettuce (pet hate) etc served on black slate slab. It was excellent and very tasty.
My next course was the fish pie topped with flakey pastry. The sauce was good but I think I would have preferred more chunks of fish. I avoided the potato and they kindly gave me purred carrots instead along with fresh peas — and they were fresh.
My friend had the goats cheese with beetroot hat and again served on a BSS (guess!). This was followed by the pork (roast of the day at an extra € 3) this looked like a large, thick pork chop and I was happier with my fish pie. I thought the pork a little disappointing particularly as it was an extra charge.
We shared a desert of Pavlova with fresh fruit cost € 5.95.
Perhaps a little on the expensive side but I look forward to going back there.
Tiny downside: I made a comment that my friend had more wine in her glass than I did as a joke and after that out waiter kept referring to me as the Boss which made me feel uncomfortable changing to wanting to slap him round the chops as it carried on.
This restaurant is a ‘sister’ restaurant of One Pico in town.

I attended The Box Tree last night & was bitterly disappointed as were most of my dining companions. We had heard so much about the venue, we found the service & staff below par, food ok & very expensive. I would only return if it was as a guest I would not pay their prices again.

I owed my girlfriend for helping me look after my niece and nephew. And it so happens that online offers came up from
. After perusing a couple I thought a half price voucher for 2 starters, mains and desserts for The Box Tree in Stepaside village sounded right for her so I purchased and done.
We reserved a table on a wet and windy Wednesday night and arrived on time bar getting a little lost on the way. We entered the restaurant and were greeted immediately. The Box Tree is quite a small venue, and is full of dark browns and greys, it sort of looks like a modern rustic cabin in the woods. There is antler like light fixtures and the tables are dark brown. The kitchen is at the bottom of the room and the bar is on the right.
The menu is high cuisine. My girlfriend orders scallop for starters, I order the winter salad with honey roasted pear. We also order 2 glasses of champagne (just as a thank you!)
Reagans’ starter is fantastic. The scallop comes perfectly cooked on a beautiful bed of delicious black pudding. My salad is good, the honey pear, Wicklow brie and walnuts all a sweet, savour y and crunch to the dish, I’m going to be picky and say it was undone by too much rocket which made it a little messy to eat.
My main was the delicious venison, cooked to perfection which came with red onions and mash. Reagan had the duck done two ways, also beautifully cooked. Desserts were the special of the night, a white chocolate cheesecake and Reagan had the rice pudding with blueberry sorbet. The rice pudding was warm, hearty and reminded you of your mum’s cooking on a cold day. My cheesecake was excellent, very light and a perfect way to top off the meal.
The staff were friendly and excellent. There is a note on the menu saying all the food is locally produced and encouraging any local growers to contact them, they’ll use their produce in exchange for meal vouchers and wine.
The food, for the quality that it is, is reasonably priced but I wouldn’t consider it a cheap restaurant. Still a wonderful night was had and I would have no hesitation in recommending the Box House.