Pizza date night

It's a bit of a trek to get to Platform Pizza Bar from where I live but it's worth it even if just for views like these...

Before we got the dart from Connolly we had a quick stop at The Brew Dock on Amiens street (another GBB bar) where I had a Macivors Cider (current favourite cider) 

Got to Platform Pizza Bar a little before the time we had booked for but our table was ready. 

The staff are pleasant and the tables are well spaced but service is slow. For me that's not too much of an issue because I don't like feeling rushed. There was a decent lull between finishing our food and the table being cleared and again between courses. You don't feel like they're in a rush to get the table back either. Which is nice! 

You'll see from the photos that where we sat wasn't that bright but it makes it feel somewhat cosy. Don't forget to check out the Narnia style wardrobe entrance to the loo - actually you can't miss it! :-) 

I chose Pinot Grigio and Sean had some Wicklow Wolf Beers... 

Now to the food. We shared the meat and cheese antipasti for two. This was huge!!! Various meats, cheeses, pesto, hummus and the nicest garlic bread I've had in a very long time. 

For my main I chose their goats cheese, mozzarella, pancetta, walnut and maple syrup pizza. I asked for it without tomato sauce and there was no issue at all with my request. Pizza was huge as you'll see in the photo but it was delicious and v well cooked. The dough was just how I like it - thin and crispy with a little fluff to the crust. Yum!!!! 

Sean chose the hake fillet and a side of Mac n Cheese.

For dessert I ordered Pecan Pie. Warmed and sweet with a good amount of pecan! Oh and they serve pretty decent coffee too. 

The food is great and it's brilliant value for money. Also I judge a place on whether or not I would go back. Would I go back? Actually yes I probably would. I just don't think my jeans would appreciate it ;-)

Took the DART back in to town...

We walked to Alfie Byrne's (another GBB bar) at the Conrad Hotel where I had another Macivors Cider - really is ideal drinking on a Summer evening :-) 

This signage at the bar made us giggle...

Celebrating my Birthday

Chocolate cake from Marks and Spencer's for breakfast thanks to workmates. Check out the Minions Slippers and the Chocolate Salt Caramels from Butlers! Yum :-) 

That evening headed into the city centre. 

First stop was Beer Market, High Street, Christchurch - Beginning to notice a pattern here… Ha!

Couldn't decide what to have so they (I have to say they because even though I think the same barman has served us each time we went I've no idea what his name is!) very kindly let me sample two kind of lambic / fruit beers and I went with a glass of Mikkeller Juicebag for a change. Quite sour, really nice on a sunny July evening!

From there we walked down Dame Street towards College Green and went to The Bank Bar where I had a pint of Macivors Cider.

What a fabulous spot - the interior is just amazing. I think the bar is located where the main banking hall actually was. Beautiful stain glass ceiling, chandeliers, really detailed plasterwork etc. There's also a heritage tour - check out the replica Book of Kells, the busts of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation before going down into the basement (Where the bathrooms are) to check out the Chatwoods' Safes.  I am actually ashamed to say that this was my first ever visit here. It is a Gastropub with what looks like a fantastic menu. We only had drinks here as we had a reservation for The Pigs Ear on Nassau Street. Will definitely be back for food!

Made our way then to The Pigs Ear on Nassau Street for dinner. 

The restaurant is spread over three floors and we were on the first. I sat with a view of Trinity College. Pretty impressive. The room does look small when you walk in but it certainly doesn't feel so.

The menu...

Placed our order and then the bread arrived. I love how it is presented…

I ordered the Crab Mayonnaise which came with fennel, carrot, trout caviar and orange. Look at how gorgeous it is! I had to spread some of it on the brown bread and it was utterly divine!

Sean ordered the Ham knuckle and pork terrine, burnt apple, pickled vegetables and puffed pork skin.

For main course I ordered the Roast Cod, Lardo, Cod Brandade, Sweetcorn, Hay Smoked Butter, Clams and Samphire. The cod was perfectly cooked and I loved the sweetcorn.

Sean chose the slow cooked Lough Erne Lamb Shepherd's Pie and he said it was probably the nice Shepherd's pie he's ever had :)

The food went so nicely with the bottle of Salice Salentino.

He decided against dessert but I ordered The Pigs Ear Vanilla Cheese Cake, Berry Jam & Hobnob Biscuits and a coffee.. Look at the milk and sugar :) 

Dessert comes out in a paper bag and you open it up to discover a jam jar inside which has a deconstructed cheesecake. It was so light and refreshing. A great way to end a beautiful meal.

Was so full after it and it was such a nice evening that we decided to take the long way back towards Temple Bar so walked up Clare Street, Merrion Square (Quick nod to Oscar!), 

Merrion Row, St Stephen's Green then down Grafton Street and back towards Crow Street...

Last stop of the evening was the Ciroc Lounge at AVenue by Nick Munier - the lounge is in the basement. 

All mood lighting and white seats, really cosy feel to it. Just had a cider there - rather sensible because after all it was still a "school" night! 

They didn't have any of the Cragie's Dalliance but the Savanna Dry was a VERY VERY good way to finish off celebrating my birthday. 

I guess getting a little older wasn't so bad after all :)

A sweet Saturday morning

Parked at Arnotts to get some walking in the sunshine :)

Sean went to get his hair cut... 

First stop was Abercrombie & Fitch to get my future brother in law's birthday present (He wanted Fierce because he unfortunately smashed the last bottle he got!) 

Then I visited The Cupcake Bloke to pick up some of their 4th of July cupcakes. I chose Boston Creme and Peanut Butter & Jelly / Jam. 

From there I went to Kaph on Drury Street to get some new beans. 

I got myself an iced Americano and a Madeleine and sat down the back which is a great spot for people watching. Iced Americano was so nice I ended up getting a second one to take away!!!! 

Met Sean and we stopped in at Fallon and Byrne to get food for dinner that evening. 

Then we went to Parfumarija where I spent quite a while choosing my birthday present (an incredible place!) before going to Krust Bakery. 

I managed not to give in to getting a cronut or donur and tried their Nitro Cold Brew which they launched last week - really v good but might be considered a bit of an acquired taste! 

Just a v sweet sunny July Saturday morning! I'll leave you with this street art I spotted on Abbey Street. 

My A to Z of Dublin

A - Avenue by Nick Munier 

www.avenue.ie

Probably my favourite restaurant visit of 2015 so far. The night I went I couldn't find anything to fault. Will definitely be back v soon! 

B - Bretzel Bakery 

www.bretzel.ie

Established 1870. Only discovered it in 2014 but definitely a firm favourite for their breads and some sweet treats. My favourite is their Cinnamon Rolls - perfect for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast with good coffee! 

C - (The) Cupcake Bloke

www.thecupcakebloke.com

My weekend isn't complete if I don't visit here for a couple (!) of sweet treats. As their sign says, ther creations are funky, fresh and fabulous! 

D - Dobbins

www.dobbins.ie

Had my birthday meal for my 30th here. Lovely food, wine and atmosphere. Timeless!

E - Ely Wine Bar

www.elywinebar.ie

The original on Ely Place in Georgian Dublin. Great selection and their food is really good!  

F - Fish Shop

www.fish-shop.ie

Newly opened on Queen Street. Their fillet of fish on a brioche bun is AHMAZING

G - Guinness Storehouse

www.guinness-storehouse.com

I'm not a Guinness fan & doing the tour is an obvious tourist trap but it's definitely a must do. If nothing else the views over our city are INCREDIBLE! 

H - Hophouse Kimchi

www.hophouse.ie

This is a lovely restaurant serving Korean / Japanese food.

Eaten here twice... 

I've had the tuna sashimi here, they're nice and fresh. The tempura prawns are lovely as are the battered prawns I had for a main. 

Both visits the food and service were excellent. You can see why this place has won a lot of food awards - they're well deserved!

I - Irish Film Institute

www.ifi.ie 

In the centre of Temple Bar. National cultural institution for film. Three cinema screens showing arty and independent films along with some classics! 

Keep an eye out on their website for what's showing. 

J - Jo'Burger Town

www.joburger.ie 

Decent burger which are huge! Outdoor seating gets really jammed when the weather is nice. Well worth a visit!

K - Krust Bakery

www.krustbakery.com 

The home of Cronut in Dublin. They also  serve up fab coffee and other baked treats. 

L - (The) Liquor Rooms

www.theliquorrooms.com 

In a basement on the quays. Great selection of cocktails here with a really nice vibe. Need I say anymore? 

M - My Meat Wagon

This was a tough letter but My Meat Wagon won out. 

Great BBQ in Smithfield! Decent craft beer menu. Staff are really nice. Really liked getting the Stinger bars for each of us with the bill! 

N - No Name Bar. 

Used to be a huge secret. Staff are really nice. Serves great cocktails and a brilliant atmosphere. Gets v busy so be prepared to stand. 

O - O'Donoghues

Must be Dublin's most famous bar. Everyone should visit at least once to enjoy good drinks and the live music! 

P - Parfumarija

www.parfumarija.com

Located in Westbury Mall. This is a fab place for unique scents. 

Q - Queen of Tarts 

www.queenoftarts.ie 

Another classic. Never had a bad tart here, fab! 

R - Roasted Brown

www.roastedbrown.com

Located at Filmbase, Curved Street. I adore the bright airy high ceilinged space and their coffee is just so so good!

S - Soder + Ko

www.soderandko.ie

Was hard to choose for this letter too but Soder + Ko won out for me. Great food, wine, cocktails in a brilliant atmosphere.

T - Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour

www.teelingwhiskey.com

Newly opened. Well worth the entrance fee to learn about the history of Dublin Whiskey and walk through as they create their own section of history. Also if only to sample the whiskey at the end in their bar!

U - Ugly Duckling 

www.uglyducklingdublin.com

Home of the PoBoy in Dublin. Need I say anymore? 

V - Vintage Kitchen

www.thevintagekitchen.ie

Lovely food, great tunes and BYOW. Just keep in mind that place is v hard to get a table so attempt to book a table well in advance! 

W - Whitefriar Grill

www.whitefriargrill.ie 

Really nice staff, good food and a nice setting. 

X - (F)X Buckley 

www.fxbuckley.ie 

Various locations around Dublin. Awesome steak! 

Y - Yamamori Sushi

www.yamamori.ie

My favourite place for sushi / sashimi in Dublin! 

Z - (Dublin) Zoo

www.dublinzoo.ie

A great day out for kids of all ages.