What a catch!

I'm sorry that title is probably utter cheese! 

Chose Catch 22 on South Anne Street for our first date night dinner of 2016. We got there at a good time as we managed to get a table here on a Friday evening without having to wait. 

They don't take bookings but they will take your name and then call when the table is available. There are a couple of bars nearby you could wait in! 

We were sat at one of the high tables but it wasn't at all uncomfortable.

Had a glass of prosecco each to begin and chose a bottle of Picpoul de Pinet. 

The menus:

After we ordered the brought us complimentary white bait with a delicious lemon mayo.

I had the smoked salmon with Guinness bread to start. Amazing! I loved the red onion with the smoked salmon. 

Sean chose the mussels. He said they were probably the best he's ever had!

 

For my main I had the catch of the day fillet of fish burger served in a brioche bun with sweet potato fries and lemon mayo. The fillet of fish was cod. Just amazing. Loved that the fries had just a little hint of garlic. 

Sean had (perfectly cooked) mackerel with a side salad... 

Dessert was a chocolate fondant which we shared and a single espresso. 

The chocolate fondant just oozed when I stuck my spoon into it

My mouth is watering just thinking about it all - it was all sooo yummy.

The staff are also fab. They're friendly and attentive but not over the top. 

Will definitely try return here - it was awesome! 

New Years Eve.

We booked dinner at Delahunt for NYE 2015. 

We got into town a little early so we went for a drink in Pmacs. They didn't have any Lindeman's Framboise but they had the apple beer so went with that. 

Before we went to Delahunt we stopped to see the Luminosity show which was part of the New Years festival and was on at Iveagh House. Theme this year was Irish legends. Absolutely amazing! Don't you just love Dublin at this time of year?!

Then we walked to Delahunt. 

So walking into here is a little like stepping back in time. That's hardly surprising considering its housed in an old Victorian building. 

There, however, is nothing old fashioned about their food!!!

Great selection of wine by bottle and glass. They're not badly priced either. We had the French Cremant to start. They brought out bread which included an extremely addictive Guinness bread.

For my starter I chose the smoked salmon which came with more Guinness bread and pickled cucumber. Delicious. 

I had a glass of Picpoul de Pinet with my starter. 

I also tried some of the Sika deer carpaccio and the toast with bone marrow that Sean ordered.

Onto main course. I chose the pheasant which came with parsnip, sprouts and white pudding. I gave my sprouts away lol but the rest was absolutely fantastic!!!

Sean chose their special which was an incredibly tender beef cheek. 

Dessert is almost always my favourite part of a meal. I went for the chocolate fondant which comes with an incredible salt caramel ice-cream and a praline. 

Sean chose the roasted pear, hazelnut cake, almond milk ice-cream and cardamom custard. Also delicious. We had dessert wine 

The food was outstanding. The only thing I didn't particularly like was the table we had but that was because the party behind us kept banging my chair as they walked to get to their seats. They were entirely unapologetic! Oh well. You can't account for other people's lack of manners. 

We left there and walked to Camden Exchange. We haven't been back since we stumbled upon it on its opening weekend. Had one drink here. I had the Granny Smith spiced apple. Really v nice but I think I might just be over mason jar cocktails! :) 

Our last stop of the night before heading home to ring in the new year was The Jar pub on Wexford Street. 

We were there early enough so managed to get a table. The seats are soooo comfy and there's a very nice feel to the place. 

The raspberry beret cocktail I had was almost too good! And for some reason the Prince song got stuck in my head for most of the night. 

I thought this place was awesome and will definitely be back :) 

What a great way to finish off 2015!

Klaw and Wigwam

Returned to Klaw in mid-December as we had a voucher for here for lobster rolls and wine. I chose a glass of Picpoul. 

We were sent over some oysters!!! Which was such a nice gesture and I loved the theatre of the blowtorch oysters with bacon. Everything is certainly better with bacon but I have an admission to make. I'm not a fan of oysters so I let Sean eat them!!!

Sean ordered the chowder. I got to try some of that and the bread that came with the chowder. All delicious. 

The lobster rolls are absolutely AMAZING!!!

Klaw is an absolutely fantastic addition to our city. If you like seafood at all you've gotta try here!!! 

After there we went to Wigwam for a couple of drinks. 

Formerly The Twisted pepper it has just reopened. Place is looking great. I think it's great that they actually have Founders Rubaeus here! I think this might fast become a new favourite spot. 

Christmas Eve Eve 2015

We made a second visit to Chapter one on December 23rd so I guess it's becoming something of a Christmas tradition. 

We even had the same table (table 9 which is in the corner and so quiet and private) and I do so hope we return in 2016! 

We decided to go for the tasting menu with wine pairings. 

The first course was Japanese Pearl Tapioca with St Tola goats cheese and spinach, Irish shitake mushrooms and truffle juice. 

This was served with a glass of Gewurtztraminer.

The second course was pickled mackerel  and Atlantic crab with a smoked potato pancake, buttermilk and dill.

The wine with this course was a Pouilly Fume. 

Third course was a game terrine with Muscat grapes, foie gras parfait and a rye bread crouton. The wine paired with this course was a Godello. 

For our fourth course we had smoked haddock with fermented horseradish and cauliflower, lindi black pepper and razor clams. 

The wine with this course was a Domaine Jean-Baptiste Ponsot. 

Fifth course was Sika deer haunch with creamed York cabbage and bacon, sat baked parsnips with charred quince and a wild elderberry sauce. The wine paired with this course was Chateau Courbian Medoc. 

Pre-dessert was a meringue with honeycomb and an incredible buttermilk ice-cream. 

Dessert then was a spelt brûlée with a gingerbread crumb, Irish yoghurt, cranberry bombe and maple syrup. 

The wine with this course was a Riesling.

We had coffee and some chocolate :)

Then we decided to finish off with Irish coffees. 

OMIGOD the Irish coffee. They bring out a trolley with a stove. 

A copper pan is placed on the stove and sugar is heated. 

When the sugar is ready coffee is added to the pan. 

For theatre whiskey is added and that's a bit of theatre!!! 

The Irish coffee is then assembled and a hint of nutmeg is added. 

I think the server probably had the attention of the whole room! Best Irish coffee ever!!!!! 

I love everything about here! The staff are amazing. Attentive but not intrusive and there's no stuffiness. Marina was the name of the girl who mainly took care of us during our visit. She was brilliant - explaining the elements of each dish and the paired wine. 

After here we visited The Black Sheep for a drink. I had a Lindeman's Peche. V nice peach beer :)

Our next stop was the newly opened Wigwam. 

Probably becoming a new favourite for me as they have Founders Rubaeus. A really nice raspberry ale.

Their bathroom signs really made me giggle! 

Last stop of the evening was La Ruelle off Dawson St. Really fab wine bar that I'm disappointed I haven't discovered before. I chose Picpoul de Pinet and had a couple of glasses of that before heading home. 

What a brilliant way to kick off our Christmas :)