A day of discovery

147 Deli was first stop to collect some doughnuts from Dublin Doughnut Co. I couldn't choose so got one of each of the four flavours - New York Cheesecake, Coconut, Dime and White Chocolate & Raspberry to takeaway. These are absolutely delish!!!

From there I walked to Krust Bakery hoping to get a cronut but they weren't ready yet so just had a Nitro Cold Brew.

Spent the afternoon at Glasnevin Cemetery... I'm sorry to say that it took a Yelp event for me to visit here but I am so so glad they arranged this. What a BRILLIANT way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Our tour guide Paddy was just a perfect orator. He was (is!) knowledgable, v v witty and just captivating. I don't even know where to begin with the stories or new Dublin nuggets I learned today. 

You are best off booking the tour otherwise who knows if you'd ever find half of the historically prominent graves like we visited today under the careful guidance of Paddy.

There are various memorials to Irish war dead. Highlights for me were the simple Wicklow Granite headstone of C.S.Parnell, the reenactment of Patrick Pearse's speech at the graveside of Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa (try do the 2:30pm tour so you don't miss this) and visiting the tomb of Daniel O'Connell (and his family!) - this is under the v prominent round tower and the view from below ground looking up almost 190 feet (I think) is nothing short of spectacular.

We were also shown the grave of DeValera. He had a massive four flowers on his grave!! 

Of course the tour wouldn't have been complete without seeing where Michael Collins is laid to rest...

One of the last stops was the grave of the famous Irish writer, Brendan Behan before a visit to the very first grave.

This is definitely a must do for tourists and Dubliners!!! 

The best way to finish off such a brilliant tour?! With a "jar" at The Gravediggers pub of course - the cemetery is there since 1832 & the pub since 1833!!! It is said that serve the best Guinness here.. 

I tried a glass with blackcurrant (probably blasphemy for you Guinness fans but I'm not a fan and this was a great way to enjoy it!) 

Macnean House

What a place! 

Six of us when for dinner last night to celebrate two big birthdays - Sean and one of his old mates from college are turning 40 in September :) 

We stayed in the house itself, our room was lovely. The fact is we spent very little time there but made time to eat the homemade Madeleines and biscuits that were left in the room - a lovely touch. 

From the moment we walked through the door the service was flawless, all the staff are excellent! I just wish I could remember all their names. 

We had a table booked for 6pm. We went to the bar first for a drink and we had the menu explained to us. We agreed on the prestige menu with wine pairings. If you decide on that just remember it's for the whole table. 

I chose an appletini and while we were looking at the menus they brought out little snacks with our drinks - curried popcorn, spiced nuts, salmon meringue and a little biscuit (can't remember what was on that though!) 

When our table was ready we were brought through. I think we had the best table in the room :) 

The dining room is modern, comfy, intimate and v pretty - comfy chairs and chandeliers. 

The bread selection included pizza, tomato muffin and a cranberry and walnut sourdough.

First up was prawn spring roll and crab salad and a celeriac mousse

I chose the Ham Hock (served with black garlic, Apple sorbet and pork crackling) 

Sean went for the Quail - barbecued breast, ballotine stuffed leg with balsamic lentils and lemon powder.

Then I went for the Scallops served with pork cheek and textures of carrot followed by a little amuse bouche

Sean chose the sea bass 

Next course then was the Duck Breast, cooked medium and served with leg spring roll, cranberry and pine nut quinoa

The cheese course was Coolea cheese was served with baked apple and toasted cranberry and walnut sourdough

The pre dessert was a mini Creme brûlée and some sort of mango / passion fruit mousse 

Dessert for me was the chocolate sensation. The theatre of the chocolate bomb dissolving was just awesome. 

Sean chose the Mango and Yoghurt Semi Freddo 

We had the wine pairings as well which meant five different glasses of wine. The sommelier, Blaithin, is really something. She is so knowledgeable and the wine really accompanied the food perfectly. 

We had told them why we were there and they brought out two plates with happy birthday to the table. Both guys were mortified but it was really lovely and I think they secretly loved it. 

Then it was tea and coffee with petit fours which we had in the bar. We got to meet Neven - night made!!! 

Thankfully that was before a lot more drink. They make really good cocktails. I'd suggest you try the Jameson cider or the Macnean Sunrise. 

The following morning we got up for breakfast (served between 9 and 10:30am) brilliant continental breakfast selection. I chose the porridge for "starters" and then the waffles. 

So how do I begin to tell you how utterly brilliant it all was? I couldn't fault any aspect of it. If you ever get a chance to visit here you're in for an absolute treat! All that is left for me to say is thank you to everyone there, they really made the evening special and on that I will let the photos do the talking!

Lunch with the future in laws…

 So last weekend my future parents in law were staying in Dublin. We arranged to go shopping with them and just grab lunch somewhere. The last time we went for lunch with them in Dublin we went to The Woollen Mills and I'm sorry to say it wasn't very successful. Anyhow this time we knew we were just after sandwiches so I suggested The Ugly Duckling in the Epicurean Food Hall (Abbey Street / Liffey Street)

They're on Twitter as @uglyduckingdub and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/uglyducklingdublin)

They are also located in the George's Street Arcade. I'm glad they agreed to going here as I already knew what I wanted to order… Ha! :)

They took their seats and had a look at the blackboard menu. Sean's mum chose the SFC wrap (Chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet chilli sauce & mayo)

Sean's dad chose the Monte Cristo (French toast brioche with bacon, cheese and maple syrup) 

Sean tried the newly addition to the menu - Shredded Chicken (Chicken, guacamole, salsa and nachos on brioche) 

I got the same as my last visit - Prawn Po'Boy (Fried crispy tiger prawns, Cajun Creole Mustard Mayo, Lettuce and tomato but without tomato!!!)

We also ordered one portion of fries between us.  

The Po'Boy was even better than my last visit and I definitely got my "hunch on" eating it!

Sean's dad enjoyed the Monte Cristo, only left a small amount.

I think Sean quite liked his - there was none left anyhow.

But probably most incredibly my future mother in law pretty much demolished her wrap (I say incredibly because when we've gone for food previously she has often sort of auctioned off her leftovers!) and said she would happily eat a second - she even wanted to order one to bring back to the hotel with her!!

All in all I would consider that a resounding success :)