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 :) 

Ladies wot brunch

A couple of weekends ago I went with two of the girls for brunch at Cleaver East. I'd been there before but it was their first visit.

We enjoyed bottomless mimosas. They mean bottomless too!!! You get mimosas for two hours for €16. The staff are super attentive and they make sure your glass gets nowhere near empty!

The three of us ordered the same main course. We had the new pornburger which was chicken and waffles with bacon, pomegranate, onion, sriracha and a chilli slaw! I got a side of sweet potato fries with mine. It was lush

For dessert I ordered the Nutella cheesecake cornetto. It was really nice and even had the little bit of chocolate in the end of the cone. Like a cornetto should :)

Had coffee then finished off brunch with a round of cocktails. I had the Flirtini.

Another place that did not let me down when I returned. Banging tunes with great staff and DELICIOUS food. It is an awesome spot and cannot wait for my next visit!

Super Dolce Sicily

Have visited Dolce Sicily on Dawson Street a number of times.

The first time I went the place was full inside but there were two tables still free outside in their teeny courtyard.

I opted to try for a table inside as I thought it looked like rain. In Ireland? Impossible!!!

Anyhow I queued and managed to get a table within 10 minutes in the room that looks like you're in someone's sitting room not a restaurant. Super cute in the basement on Dawson Street.

Took a look at the menu and it took me quite a bit of time to choose my sweet treat. Everything sounded so good - and looked it too. You can drool over the cakes on display while you queue.










I ordered a chocolate cannolo (not cannoli as this is the singular!), an Americano and a San Pellegrino limonata. The three items came to €8.20.




The cannolo was delicious!!!

It's got to be a good sign when you can hear a lot of Italian being spoken around you, right?

The staff are pleasant and efficient.

I really wanted to get a tiramisu to take away but decided I probably shouldn't be so greedy. So I have an excuse to go back and that's definitely for next time.

Second visit was just for take away. I picked up an apple cake and a cannolo.







Third visit was for breakfast. I had the toast with butter and jam and a large americano. I also got a couple of treats to take away. I got a Torta Della Nonna and a nutella and coconut cake.











Everything I've had so far has been DELICIOUS but actually still haven't had the tiramisu :)

Bow down to Bow Lane

Came here for brunch on a Saturday - the day before Valentine's Day. Had a table booked -12:45 for 90 mins. 

I love the feel of this place. The tables are well spaced and you definitely feel like you can have a private conversation. 

The staff are super nice - efficient, attentive and welcoming but not in your face. 

Here's the menu:

I tried one of their detox drinks - In Bits (Rosemary, cucumber, black pepper, apple juice and ginger syrup over ice) really refreshing!

Food I chose the birdwich which comes with disco fries (I swapped those Sean's sweet potato fries!) 

The birdwich is fried chicken with jalapeño white cabbage coleslaw and melty Swiss cheese. Super yum! 

Sean chose the eggs and greens with a side of sweet potato fries. 

Ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio - which was OK. Went nicely with my food anyhow. 

I ordered an Americano and for dessert we shared the donuts which come with marshmallow and Nutella dipping sauce. The donuts were warm and had a lovey custard inside. So fresh, sooo good! 

The arrangement of the donuts made me giggle...

Loved trying here for brunch. Will have to try a return visit for dinner :) 

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! 

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 :)