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 :) 

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! 

Easter Treats

Here are some of my favourite Easter treats this year... 

Starting with the obvious.. Easter Eggs. This year it's all about Cadbury's Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations and Creme Egg. The Marvellous Creations Egg includes bars of their Jelly Popping Candy & Cookie Nut Crunch. Love the textures. Just try them. I was given a giant Creme Egg Easter Egg too. Giant egg and a box of five creme eggs. That'll see me through the end of the Creme egg season!! 

Next up Easter Cupcakes from my favourite spot, The Cupcake Bloke. Can be found on Coppinger Row beside Pygmalion in Powerscourt Town Centre every Thursday to Saturday. They had Easter themed cupcakes this weekend and over two visits I tried three Easter cupcakes (Red velvet, Chocolate nest & Vanilla bunny) Sean tried out the raspberry and coconut Easter chick. Fab as always! 

Fallon & Byrne Pecan Danish

Perfect with coffee on a chilly April morning... 

Fallon & Byrne Coleslaw 

Described on their packaging as infamously delicious. Just creamy goodness! 

Poulet Bonne Femme Chicken sandwich

Roast rotisserie chicken sandwich on sourdough. Served with butter, mayonnaise, whole grain mustard and mixed leaves. Picked this up from Avoca in Kilmacanogue but they're also in Avoca at Rathcoole, Monkstown & Suffolk Street. You've gotta try this. 

Finally some drinks... 

Founders Brewing KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) made with coffee and chocolate. Stored in Bourbon barrels in caves under Grand Rapids, Michigan for a year. That special most shops in Dublin are only allowing one bottle per customer! 

Sancerre Rene Carroi Vendanges 2013

Currently €14 at Supervalu. Sancerre is my absolute favourite white wine. This is a good one to try. 

The Lemonade at Super Miss Sue. 

Extremely refreshing and tart with a nice sugary finish. I needed this after a lot of alcohol the previous evening. Definitely recommended if you visit here for brunch.

So that's my Easter treats list but what about you? What did you try this weekend that you really enjoyed?!