Eggcellent Easter

We'd booked brunch at Beef and Lobster but got into town early so we started off at Piglet Wine Bar on Cows Lane in Temple Bar.

We grabbed a table outside and ordered wine.

I chose Sangiovese rose which was really nice.

Want to return for food for sure!! 

Then we made our way in the sunshine to Beef & Lobster for food. 


The Beef & Lobster brunch menu:

I ordered the beef burger and lobster roll mash up with sweet potato fries. Absolutely huge but I scoffed it all!!!

Sean had the black pudding benedict.

For dessert I chose the profiteroles.

Sean had the apple tarte tatin.

We both had bottomless mimosas.

The food at brunch was excellent BUT I have to be honest.
The first time I ate here I left underwhelmed and didn't bother blogging about it cos while I enjoyed the Beef Wellington and the slaw the service let it down. Its professional but lacks warmth. In comparison I adore Cleaver East, the staff there are so much warmer and more attentive.. My bottomless mimosa seemed less bottomless at Beef & Lobster than at Cleaver East. I noticed that they do a deal for bottomless cocktails and two courses from the light and big brunch options for €35. That doesn't extend to dessert. Maybe it should? Last time i was at Cleaver East they applied the offer. Maybe they weren't supposed to? One more thing... Sweet potato fries are €1 more as a side but €2 when you substitute them?!

I've been twice now. I don't think I'll be back :(

After here we went to Against the Grain as it was a while since we'd been here. I chose to try their 
Prosecco on tap. It was v nice. 

Last stop of the day was Alfie Byrnes. I chose to have a white wine (New Zealand Sauvignon) rather than mix grain and grape. Really decent size glass! 

All told it really was an eggcellent Easter :) 

Birthday celebrations

Before I go into my fab birthday celebrations I have to admit I started this post just after my birthday but never finished it and the draft has been mocking me - just sitting there in the Blogger App. Think I must've been feeling a little sore about turning 33 (or just getting lazy!) 

Evening began with a glass of wine in the number 27 bar at the Shelbourne. Really decent size glass!!!

Early birthday dinner booked for Shanahans on the green. It was really quiet when we got there! Here's the view from my seat... How beautiful! 

We ordered from their Pre-Theatre menu which is €50 per person for three courses.

I chose the Caesar salad to begin with. Nice and fresh. The salad was crisp and I loved the big parmesan shavings. 

Sean went for the trio of Irish salmon. 

It's years since I ate here but am delighted to see they still serve their chilli cornbread muffin as part of the bread basket (well, board!)!

For main we both had the petit filet (6oz) and both asked for it medium rare. The steaks came with sides (which I didn't realise) including crispy fried onion strings, mashed potato and creamed spinach. The steaks were perfectly cooked. The sides were delicious but huge and we didn't do them anywhere near the justice they deserved!!

For dessert I chose the cookies and cream cheesecake which was heavenly!!!

 

Sean chose the fruit mousse trio.

Unfortunately I did take photos of it all & only spotted this polite request in the bathroom after dinner...

Do you remember when mobiles did actually look like that??? :)

After dinner we had a v romantic drink in P Macs... I had Sirens broken dreams breakfast stout which they have on draft. Really nice. 

If you think it's a hipster joint and not a romantic spot? Check out this photo ;)

Decided we needed to walk dinner off and it was such a nice evening we had a stroll through Stephen's Green

Finished off the night at Alfie Byrnes where I got to try their Acid Mother (a lime gose) which was FAB!!!

So now that I think about it this birthday turned out pretty alright!!! 

Steak and craft beers

We needed to find a place for dinner after Sean and his brother spent the afternoon at Whiskey live and we settled on the newest spot on Dawson Street, Featherblade. 

The menu is simple but don't let that fool you. It can be hard to choose but whatever you choose I think you'll find that the food is delicious. The starters & dessert change weekly so keep an eye on social media!The only constant menu item is their namesake, Featherblade. 

As you can see from the menus we had a choice of two starters then Featherblade or Flank steak with a number of sides to choose from and three sauces then a choice of two desserts. 

Main menu

Drinks menu

Specials menu

To start I had a berry fizz cocktail. V nice way to start and then I had a glass of their wine special, Rioja, which went v nicely with the steak. 

Sean's little brother and myself both chose the sesame crusted salmon with avocado purée and Asian slaw to start. Very tasty, lovely tang from the Asian slaw dressing. 

Sean went for the crispy lamb and he let me try it - it was like a Bon Bon. V yum. 

For my main I chose the Featherblade cooked medium rare with Bearnaise sauce. The meat was tender, melt in the mouth yumminess. I liked the Bearnaise because it wasn't over powering. Sean's little brother ordered the same thing. 

Sean ordered the marinated flank steak with garlic & chilli sauce. 

We shared the roasted sweet potato, truffle mac n cheese and there was also an order for the courgette, kale & carrot salad which we let Sean eat by himself :) 

The mac n cheese... OMG creamy cheesy goodness - you could eat it by the bucketload :)

Sweet potato was charred and utterly delicious. I could've eaten far more of them - am sorry we didn't order more! :) 

Dessert I decided to be "brave" and try the beetroot and lavender panna cotta with lime shortbread. I know that doesn't sound like it should work but it did. It was bloody gorgeous.

His little brother ordered the sticky toffee pudding. He let me try some too. It was sooo good!

The steaks are €13 (I know, in Dublin right?), the staff are super nice, the seats are comfy thanks to the chunky cushions on the wooden bench type seats. 

The tables are a little close but given that we were there early on a Saturday evening that was no way an issue. 

I can't find fault as much as I'd like to. A perfect example of keeping it simple and doing it extremely well! Will definitely be back (if we manage to get a reservation!)

After there we walked to P. Macs and I had a couple glasses of Lindeman's Framboise. 

Next stop was Against the Grain on Wexford Street. They still had The Eternalist in the fridge so I went with a bottle of that. 

It was still early so we headed to Alfie Byrne's at the Conrad Hotel. Here I had Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout and some more of The Eternalist and also one glass of Green Spot. We also went through a lot of Tayto Snax :) 

Good beer, whiskey and chats was a really nice way to finish off our night!!!