Celebrating my Birthday

Chocolate cake from Marks and Spencer's for breakfast thanks to workmates. Check out the Minions Slippers and the Chocolate Salt Caramels from Butlers! Yum :-) 

That evening headed into the city centre. 

First stop was Beer Market, High Street, Christchurch - Beginning to notice a pattern here… Ha!

Couldn't decide what to have so they (I have to say they because even though I think the same barman has served us each time we went I've no idea what his name is!) very kindly let me sample two kind of lambic / fruit beers and I went with a glass of Mikkeller Juicebag for a change. Quite sour, really nice on a sunny July evening!

From there we walked down Dame Street towards College Green and went to The Bank Bar where I had a pint of Macivors Cider.

What a fabulous spot - the interior is just amazing. I think the bar is located where the main banking hall actually was. Beautiful stain glass ceiling, chandeliers, really detailed plasterwork etc. There's also a heritage tour - check out the replica Book of Kells, the busts of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation before going down into the basement (Where the bathrooms are) to check out the Chatwoods' Safes.  I am actually ashamed to say that this was my first ever visit here. It is a Gastropub with what looks like a fantastic menu. We only had drinks here as we had a reservation for The Pigs Ear on Nassau Street. Will definitely be back for food!

Made our way then to The Pigs Ear on Nassau Street for dinner. 

The restaurant is spread over three floors and we were on the first. I sat with a view of Trinity College. Pretty impressive. The room does look small when you walk in but it certainly doesn't feel so.

The menu...

Placed our order and then the bread arrived. I love how it is presented…

I ordered the Crab Mayonnaise which came with fennel, carrot, trout caviar and orange. Look at how gorgeous it is! I had to spread some of it on the brown bread and it was utterly divine!

Sean ordered the Ham knuckle and pork terrine, burnt apple, pickled vegetables and puffed pork skin.

For main course I ordered the Roast Cod, Lardo, Cod Brandade, Sweetcorn, Hay Smoked Butter, Clams and Samphire. The cod was perfectly cooked and I loved the sweetcorn.

Sean chose the slow cooked Lough Erne Lamb Shepherd's Pie and he said it was probably the nice Shepherd's pie he's ever had :)

The food went so nicely with the bottle of Salice Salentino.

He decided against dessert but I ordered The Pigs Ear Vanilla Cheese Cake, Berry Jam & Hobnob Biscuits and a coffee.. Look at the milk and sugar :) 

Dessert comes out in a paper bag and you open it up to discover a jam jar inside which has a deconstructed cheesecake. It was so light and refreshing. A great way to end a beautiful meal.

Was so full after it and it was such a nice evening that we decided to take the long way back towards Temple Bar so walked up Clare Street, Merrion Square (Quick nod to Oscar!), 

Merrion Row, St Stephen's Green then down Grafton Street and back towards Crow Street...

Last stop of the evening was the Ciroc Lounge at AVenue by Nick Munier - the lounge is in the basement. 

All mood lighting and white seats, really cosy feel to it. Just had a cider there - rather sensible because after all it was still a "school" night! 

They didn't have any of the Cragie's Dalliance but the Savanna Dry was a VERY VERY good way to finish off celebrating my birthday. 

I guess getting a little older wasn't so bad after all :)