Date day

My future parents in law were up this weekend and they agreed to dog sit our poorly Cavalier so we got to go out for a date day / evening. 

Venue of choice was Stone at Rustic by Dylan McGrath on George's Street. 

We got there early but our table was ready. 

The menu is huge!!! 

For starters I chose from the raw menu. I went with the monkfish cured in beetroot with avocado. Beautifully presented and tasted so good. 

Sean chose the tuna and pickled peppers. I got to try some too and it was yum :)

For my main I chose tuna on the stone. 

The crust on the tuna was gorgeous as was the accompanying salad which included orange. 

We decided to share polenta chips. These are super healthy and super yum. I wish I had ordered my own :) 

Sean ordered the superfood salad which he really enjoyed.

For dessert I chose the chocolate soup and chocolate mousse. What amazed me about this is that it's sugar free and utterly delicious. 

My only issue was I couldn't get all of the chocolate soup out of the carafe. 

We shared a bottle of Picpoul de Pinet wine and finished with coffees. 

Everything was incredible and I will definitely be back. 

After there we went to Farrier & Draper at Powercourt Townhouse Centre in what was once Lost Society.

Step through the doors & the decor made me think it was like stepping back in time to the origins of Powerscourt. 

Then I seen the bartenders and you're then in the 20th century cos they look like they should be alongside Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders. Whatever era they're in it's pretty fabulous! 

Sat at the bar and ordered a cocktail. I chose a v 21st century pornstar martini which was fantastic. 

Their alcohol selection is staggering. Just look at the back of the bar!

It's going to grow and be filled with lots of niche alcoholic products that you more than likely won't find anywhere else in Dublin!

You also won't find a prettier bathroom than here! 

We were told they'll be serving food soon. I'll definitely be back to try it out.

Last stop was Zozimus. 

Situated on what must be the most photographed street in Dublin.

Came here early on a Saturday evening and it wasn't that busy. We got to enjoy how pretty the bar is and we managed to get a table rather than sit at the bar. 

The toilets are also super cool. 

What really fascinated me was this whiskey wall.

Had a glass of Picpoul wine and then a cocktail. Sean had a glass of red wine. Really decent size glasses of wine. 

I chose to finish off with a Pretty in Pink cocktail. Sean had Poetry in Motion.

It was pretty and a great way to finish off our date day. 

Galway daytrippin

Yesterday I had to go to Galway for work.

Took the train from Heuston.

Day started with an Americano from Butlers... 

Before we got started I visited Corrib House Tea Rooms for a coffee and a cookie. Didn't take any photos - was with people I don't know that well so wasn't sure how well food photography would go. 

The coffee was fab and the chocolate / hazelnut cookie was really good. But the best thing was the view out the window of the weir was just amazing especially in the sunshine and I'm just sorry I didn't get a photo!

For lunch we went to McSwiggans. I ordered the chicken tender basket. The chicken tenders and mushrooms were served in a poppadom basket with mashed potato, wedges and a side salad. Huge portions of good tasting for but I should've asked for no potato sides as it looked like I didn't do it justice (very apologetic!) 

After we finished I had time to waste before my train so I went to Sweet Republic by Decobake on Eglington Street. 

Took me a few minutes to choose what I wanted but I eventually decided on an Americano and a s'mores Crunchie waffle sandwich. Oh My God - utterly sinful and delicious. Just amazing :) 

I finished with a visit to Hotel Meyrick for a tea - what a beautiful setting to finish!

 

So that was my Monday... How was yours?! 

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! 

Where bread is king

We visited Firehouse Bakery in Delgany on a glorious Saturday in March!

Incredible selection of bread, pastries and treats.

They serve breakfasts too which sound amazing but didn't try anything off the breakfast menu on our first visit. 

So much to choose from but I spent a lot of time distracted by their oven before I chose!!

I went for an Americano and brioche with butter and jam. It was so fresh. Whatever the jam was, it was delicious.

Also had a doughnut (This is the home of those amazing Revolution bakery doughnuts you can find in Avoca, 3FE & Bear Market Coffee to name a few!!) I chose salted caramel and honeycomb. I love their doughnuts. They're super fresh and absolutely stuffed with fillings that ooze out on your first bite - amazing!

This place is most definitely a carb lovers heaven! Will be back v soon :)

Coziness at Accents

Lots of comfy leather couches, bean bags and director chairs to choose from. 

The chap that served us was v pleasant and after taking my order he said we might be warmer sitting downstairs so after we ordered we headed down and chose a very cosy couch in the corner downstairs. It feels like you're stepping into someone's sitting room. So many yummy treats to choose from! 

Ordered a sausage roll - which I shared :)

I also chose a maple pecan slice with an Americano. 

Sean chose a raspberry and coconut slice.

Everything was brought down to us. 

Lovely chilled out vibe to here. It probably helped that we came in late on a Friday morning when most people are working hard (I took the day off!) 

There were a couple of people clearly working away on their laptops. Seemed like a nice quiet place to go to get some work done. 

Something I loved was that they serve bowls of buttons as nibbles. Brilliant idea and must try it if we return (I say if because there are so many places in Dublin to try but it's definitely somewhere I'd try again!)

Visit to Bell and Pot

Came to the Bell & Pot on a wet and miserable Saturday and it wasn't that busy at all. Given the proximity to Stephens Green I'm very surprised it's not absolutely heaving! This place should definitely be way busier than it is. Yes it's not on a nice street and is part of a travel lodge but get over it people!!! You're missing out on a hidden gem. 

The staff are super nice. I loved the quirkiness of the furniture and the old radios around. 

Decent tunes playing in the background as well. 

They gave us their breakfast and lunch menus and it was difficult to choose. I really wanted to try one of their sandwiches but in the end I ordered white wine, orange juice and French toast with maple syrup and bacon. 

The portions are generous. The bread they use for the French toast was (I think!) actually fresh and not leftovers. It was delicious!! 

Nice juice and the wine was ok too. They certainly serve up a decent sized glass of wine. 

I left feeling stuffed. Great value for money. 

I'd definitely recommend you try here :)