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 :) 

Chapter one

So I got talked into starting a food blog as part of a new year resolution.. And well is there a better place to start than with a restaurant called Chapter One??

If you're not familiar with it Chapter One is a Michelin starred restaurant located on Parnell Square in the basement of the building that houses the Dublin Writer's museum. 

Went for lunch my fiancé on the 23rd of December for our annual pre-Christmas celebratory lunch. 

Started with prosecco which went quite nicely with the fresh bread cut at the table. 

I had smoked herring to start followed by duck and finished with chocolate mousse.

My fiancé chose the game terrine, followed by pheasant and then textures of white chocolate. 

I'm afraid I was too busy staring at the food to be able to tell you all of the components and do justice to each dish so I'm hoping some of the photos below will assist.. 

€50 per person for a three course lunch, petits fours and tea / coffee.. And I can tell you without any reservations that it was well worth it. Absolutely fab and can't wait for a good excuse to go back! 

Starter

Main courses

Desserts

Petits Fours