Easter 2016

For this years Easter Brunch we chose to go to Cleaver East (on Essex Street - part of the Clarence Hotel)

Parliament Street was closed off for the Rising commemoration but a very nice Garda let us through :)

We were a bit early so we took in some of the parade... Managed to get a good spot to see the viewing screen erected at the side of Dublin Castle...

We also walked further down through Temple Bar until we got to where the crowd was a little thinner (probably because most people had moved with the parade towards O'Connell St)

And so to brunch...

The view from my seat:

They had a set menu. Two courses for €25.00 or three courses for €30.00. 

We chose to go for two courses. 

My main was the buttermilk chicken served with a sweet Belgian waffle, crispy bacon and a spicy maple syrup. Ah-may-zing!!! Also got a side of sweet potato fries to share. 

Sean chose their mac n cheeee ball. I got to try a teeny bit of his - the pesto mayo was super good! 

I chose to go for their bottomless mimosas and Sean went with bottomless bellinis. They mean bottomless. The glasses don't get below half full (half empty?!) and they'll only stop refilling when you tell them to!!

Dessert then I had the brioche French toast. This came with pecan praline, maple syrup and honeycomb ice-cream. Just wow! Loved all the textures :) 

Sean chose the potted Madagascan vanilla cheesecake with lime (I think) and blackberry curd. 

We were finishing up (had asked for the bill) when it started to lash rain. One of the servers came over with the jugs of mimosa and Bellini and was like you so don't want to go out in that so let me top up your glass :)

I'm so glad he did - would've been drenched otherwise!! 

The staff were so nice, attentive but not OTT. The backs of their t-shirts amused me greatly. My favourite was probably "a balanced diet is a glass of wine in each hand" :) 

All told this was probably my favourite meal of 2016 to date.  Definitely the best brunch I've tried! 

Where bread is king

We visited Firehouse Bakery in Delgany on a glorious Saturday in March!

Incredible selection of bread, pastries and treats.

They serve breakfasts too which sound amazing but didn't try anything off the breakfast menu on our first visit. 

So much to choose from but I spent a lot of time distracted by their oven before I chose!!

I went for an Americano and brioche with butter and jam. It was so fresh. Whatever the jam was, it was delicious.

Also had a doughnut (This is the home of those amazing Revolution bakery doughnuts you can find in Avoca, 3FE & Bear Market Coffee to name a few!!) I chose salted caramel and honeycomb. I love their doughnuts. They're super fresh and absolutely stuffed with fillings that ooze out on your first bite - amazing!

This place is most definitely a carb lovers heaven! Will be back v soon :)

Coziness at Accents

Lots of comfy leather couches, bean bags and director chairs to choose from. 

The chap that served us was v pleasant and after taking my order he said we might be warmer sitting downstairs so after we ordered we headed down and chose a very cosy couch in the corner downstairs. It feels like you're stepping into someone's sitting room. So many yummy treats to choose from! 

Ordered a sausage roll - which I shared :)

I also chose a maple pecan slice with an Americano. 

Sean chose a raspberry and coconut slice.

Everything was brought down to us. 

Lovely chilled out vibe to here. It probably helped that we came in late on a Friday morning when most people are working hard (I took the day off!) 

There were a couple of people clearly working away on their laptops. Seemed like a nice quiet place to go to get some work done. 

Something I loved was that they serve bowls of buttons as nibbles. Brilliant idea and must try it if we return (I say if because there are so many places in Dublin to try but it's definitely somewhere I'd try again!)

Visit to Bell and Pot

Came to the Bell & Pot on a wet and miserable Saturday and it wasn't that busy at all. Given the proximity to Stephens Green I'm very surprised it's not absolutely heaving! This place should definitely be way busier than it is. Yes it's not on a nice street and is part of a travel lodge but get over it people!!! You're missing out on a hidden gem. 

The staff are super nice. I loved the quirkiness of the furniture and the old radios around. 

Decent tunes playing in the background as well. 

They gave us their breakfast and lunch menus and it was difficult to choose. I really wanted to try one of their sandwiches but in the end I ordered white wine, orange juice and French toast with maple syrup and bacon. 

The portions are generous. The bread they use for the French toast was (I think!) actually fresh and not leftovers. It was delicious!! 

Nice juice and the wine was ok too. They certainly serve up a decent sized glass of wine. 

I left feeling stuffed. Great value for money. 

I'd definitely recommend you try here :)