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!!! 

Klaw and Wigwam

Returned to Klaw in mid-December as we had a voucher for here for lobster rolls and wine. I chose a glass of Picpoul. 

We were sent over some oysters!!! Which was such a nice gesture and I loved the theatre of the blowtorch oysters with bacon. Everything is certainly better with bacon but I have an admission to make. I'm not a fan of oysters so I let Sean eat them!!!

Sean ordered the chowder. I got to try some of that and the bread that came with the chowder. All delicious. 

The lobster rolls are absolutely AMAZING!!!

Klaw is an absolutely fantastic addition to our city. If you like seafood at all you've gotta try here!!! 

After there we went to Wigwam for a couple of drinks. 

Formerly The Twisted pepper it has just reopened. Place is looking great. I think it's great that they actually have Founders Rubaeus here! I think this might fast become a new favourite spot. 

Czech Prague out

Second full day in Prague...

Up early and out into the crisp sunshine. 

No plans made but we walked down Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti) through the Christmas markets and back to Old Town Square. We came out at the astronomical clock. Never get tired of these views.

We kept walking and ended up taking the old castle stairs up to the castle. That was some experience!!! The views over the city are just amazing.

This made me giggle. I was sure they meant that they were serving goulash cheesecake :) 

Had another wander around the Christmas markets and some more touristy photos until heading down through Mala Strana (v steep hill!) to Charles Bridge...

We stopped along the way at Prague Chocolate cafe and bistro. 

Tried one of their almond specialities in the shop before having the most amazing hot chocolate. 

The almond I tried was done in chocolate and cinnamon. Perfect for this time of year and I ended up buying some of those at the airport :) 

After our hot chocolate we strolled back to Charles Bridge. It was far busier today but managed to get these great shots at the Old Town side! 

From here we strolled up towards Old Town Square - we walked up through the Jewish quarter and up Parizska. Used to be part of the Ghetto but this street now seems to be the most exclusive street in Prague these days. The building we stayed in a decade ago is now home to Louis Vuitton and Breitling is opening there soon. The buildings are beautiful so take your eyes off the fabulous designer shops and look up! 

We made our way back to Cacao Prague and it was mild enough to sit outside. I got a slice of caramel pecan cheesecake and an americano. 

Sean chose strudel and a prosecco. 

After here we walked to coffee land on Jindrisska. No coffee had here. I chose red wine :)

I thought the candle holders filled with coffee beans were a nice touch.

After a short break, shower and change we headed out for drinks and dinner. 

First stop was Vanity Cocktail bar on Dlouha. Really nice spot but far too smoky for my liking!!! Had one screwdriver here and then went next door to the Prague beer museum pub. Serious choice of beers here. I tried some applewood Czech cider - v nice! 

This cocktail name raised an eyebrow ;)

Then time for dinner... We booked a table at Cestr which is on Legerova (I managed to type that with a sort of straight face!) 

This place is located at the back of the Statni Opera and at the side of the national museum. 

The view from my seat 

We tried to reserve online but got a message to say online reservations had to be made at least 12 hours in advance. When we rang we managed to get a table for two for 8pm on a Saturday evening.

Here's how the menu is presented:

A little lesson on cuts contained within the menu:

Started with glasses of bubbly and they brought us some amuse bouche which I think was some form of crackling pate with scallion on soft bread. Whatever it was it was fab!

Once we'd ordered they brought us a bread basket. There was a sourdough with a salt crust that I really enjoyed. 

For my starter I ordered the steak "sashimi" - tenderloin served with sake, apple, mirin and ginger jam - little bites of red meat heaven. 

Sean had a goats cheese salad. 

Main course I chose the tenderloin cooked medium rare and I got pepper sauce. 

Sean went for skirt steak with horseradish sauce. Not quite as tender as mine but really good. 

The meat was tender and melt in the mouth goodness. I got to try some chips too - they were served in copper pots. For someone who isn't a potato fan they really were v good! 

Then dessert. 

I had the dough buns stuffed with poppy seeds and drowned in a rum flavoured mousse. The buns were just bites of yumminess. 

Sean chose the beer ice cream which he loved. 

I had an espresso which was as strong as I like it. I got quite a kick out of the milk jug. Shaped like a cow, the milk squirts out of its nose. Had a good giggle over that.

All in all really fab spot but I definitely suggest you reserve rather than just rock up as it did look to get v busy. 

Will leave you with this fab shot of their hanging meat...

After dinner we walked by the National Museum and along to Zitna to the Blah Blah bar. 

What a brilliant cocktail bar. We sat at the bar and the female mixologists were fantastic to watch! 

They didn't have the drink I wanted as they'd run out of some ingredients but they made me a delicious blueberry, vodka and cream cocktail. 

Couldn't decide on my second drink so they recommended another blueberry one. This time made with basil, gin and blueberries. This one was like a cocktail with a hint of pesto. Amazing!!! 

Blah blah!! 

Last but not least... Teeling Small Batch!

Great way to spend a day Czeching Prague out :)