Macnean House

What a place! 

Six of us when for dinner last night to celebrate two big birthdays - Sean and one of his old mates from college are turning 40 in September :) 

We stayed in the house itself, our room was lovely. The fact is we spent very little time there but made time to eat the homemade Madeleines and biscuits that were left in the room - a lovely touch. 

From the moment we walked through the door the service was flawless, all the staff are excellent! I just wish I could remember all their names. 

We had a table booked for 6pm. We went to the bar first for a drink and we had the menu explained to us. We agreed on the prestige menu with wine pairings. If you decide on that just remember it's for the whole table. 

I chose an appletini and while we were looking at the menus they brought out little snacks with our drinks - curried popcorn, spiced nuts, salmon meringue and a little biscuit (can't remember what was on that though!) 

When our table was ready we were brought through. I think we had the best table in the room :) 

The dining room is modern, comfy, intimate and v pretty - comfy chairs and chandeliers. 

The bread selection included pizza, tomato muffin and a cranberry and walnut sourdough.

First up was prawn spring roll and crab salad and a celeriac mousse

I chose the Ham Hock (served with black garlic, Apple sorbet and pork crackling) 

Sean went for the Quail - barbecued breast, ballotine stuffed leg with balsamic lentils and lemon powder.

Then I went for the Scallops served with pork cheek and textures of carrot followed by a little amuse bouche

Sean chose the sea bass 

Next course then was the Duck Breast, cooked medium and served with leg spring roll, cranberry and pine nut quinoa

The cheese course was Coolea cheese was served with baked apple and toasted cranberry and walnut sourdough

The pre dessert was a mini Creme brûlée and some sort of mango / passion fruit mousse 

Dessert for me was the chocolate sensation. The theatre of the chocolate bomb dissolving was just awesome. 

Sean chose the Mango and Yoghurt Semi Freddo 

We had the wine pairings as well which meant five different glasses of wine. The sommelier, Blaithin, is really something. She is so knowledgeable and the wine really accompanied the food perfectly. 

We had told them why we were there and they brought out two plates with happy birthday to the table. Both guys were mortified but it was really lovely and I think they secretly loved it. 

Then it was tea and coffee with petit fours which we had in the bar. We got to meet Neven - night made!!! 

Thankfully that was before a lot more drink. They make really good cocktails. I'd suggest you try the Jameson cider or the Macnean Sunrise. 

The following morning we got up for breakfast (served between 9 and 10:30am) brilliant continental breakfast selection. I chose the porridge for "starters" and then the waffles. 

So how do I begin to tell you how utterly brilliant it all was? I couldn't fault any aspect of it. If you ever get a chance to visit here you're in for an absolute treat! All that is left for me to say is thank you to everyone there, they really made the evening special and on that I will let the photos do the talking!

Lunch with the future in laws…

 So last weekend my future parents in law were staying in Dublin. We arranged to go shopping with them and just grab lunch somewhere. The last time we went for lunch with them in Dublin we went to The Woollen Mills and I'm sorry to say it wasn't very successful. Anyhow this time we knew we were just after sandwiches so I suggested The Ugly Duckling in the Epicurean Food Hall (Abbey Street / Liffey Street)

They're on Twitter as @uglyduckingdub and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/uglyducklingdublin)

They are also located in the George's Street Arcade. I'm glad they agreed to going here as I already knew what I wanted to order… Ha! :)

They took their seats and had a look at the blackboard menu. Sean's mum chose the SFC wrap (Chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet chilli sauce & mayo)

Sean's dad chose the Monte Cristo (French toast brioche with bacon, cheese and maple syrup) 

Sean tried the newly addition to the menu - Shredded Chicken (Chicken, guacamole, salsa and nachos on brioche) 

I got the same as my last visit - Prawn Po'Boy (Fried crispy tiger prawns, Cajun Creole Mustard Mayo, Lettuce and tomato but without tomato!!!)

We also ordered one portion of fries between us.  

The Po'Boy was even better than my last visit and I definitely got my "hunch on" eating it!

Sean's dad enjoyed the Monte Cristo, only left a small amount.

I think Sean quite liked his - there was none left anyhow.

But probably most incredibly my future mother in law pretty much demolished her wrap (I say incredibly because when we've gone for food previously she has often sort of auctioned off her leftovers!) and said she would happily eat a second - she even wanted to order one to bring back to the hotel with her!!

All in all I would consider that a resounding success :) 

Pizza date night

It's a bit of a trek to get to Platform Pizza Bar from where I live but it's worth it even if just for views like these...

Before we got the dart from Connolly we had a quick stop at The Brew Dock on Amiens street (another GBB bar) where I had a Macivors Cider (current favourite cider) 

Got to Platform Pizza Bar a little before the time we had booked for but our table was ready. 

The staff are pleasant and the tables are well spaced but service is slow. For me that's not too much of an issue because I don't like feeling rushed. There was a decent lull between finishing our food and the table being cleared and again between courses. You don't feel like they're in a rush to get the table back either. Which is nice! 

You'll see from the photos that where we sat wasn't that bright but it makes it feel somewhat cosy. Don't forget to check out the Narnia style wardrobe entrance to the loo - actually you can't miss it! :-) 

I chose Pinot Grigio and Sean had some Wicklow Wolf Beers... 

Now to the food. We shared the meat and cheese antipasti for two. This was huge!!! Various meats, cheeses, pesto, hummus and the nicest garlic bread I've had in a very long time. 

For my main I chose their goats cheese, mozzarella, pancetta, walnut and maple syrup pizza. I asked for it without tomato sauce and there was no issue at all with my request. Pizza was huge as you'll see in the photo but it was delicious and v well cooked. The dough was just how I like it - thin and crispy with a little fluff to the crust. Yum!!!! 

Sean chose the hake fillet and a side of Mac n Cheese.

For dessert I ordered Pecan Pie. Warmed and sweet with a good amount of pecan! Oh and they serve pretty decent coffee too. 

The food is great and it's brilliant value for money. Also I judge a place on whether or not I would go back. Would I go back? Actually yes I probably would. I just don't think my jeans would appreciate it ;-)

Took the DART back in to town...

We walked to Alfie Byrne's (another GBB bar) at the Conrad Hotel where I had another Macivors Cider - really is ideal drinking on a Summer evening :-) 

This signage at the bar made us giggle...