Search Results

Is this your lucky month?? November's ATF Insider giveaways have been revealed, and what better way to get in the festive spirit than by winning a present from us to you. We've got hotel stays, fancy lunches, swanky dinners, afternoon tea, and will be making nine of you very happy in three days time. ATF Insider s is the only way we're funded and lets us visit cafés and restaurants independently, pay our writers, and give you #ad and #invite free content, as well as offering members loads of other benefits - so if you get value from what we do, you might consider supporting us in return. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on the 17th November will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on the 18th November. Here's what you could be winning this month... 1) An overnight stay in the Radisson Blu Royal, Dublin, with lunch at The Old Town Café Dublin 8 has a brand new coffee spot, serving Cloud Picker coffee, gourmet sandwiches and salads, and homemade goodies like cinnamon rolls, protein balls and smoothies. The Old Town Café is a three-minute walk from Aungier Street and part of the Radisson Blu Royal Ho tel, Dublin ’s development of Le Pole Square. We've got lunch for two at The Old Town Café to give away this month, and you can head upstairs afterwards for an overnight stay with breakfast in Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin . If you need dinner recommendations you know where we are. (T&Cs apply) 2) Lunch for two at One Pico Michelin-listed One Pico has been open for an incredible 26 years, with head chef Zhan Sergejev taking over the kitchen (and food photography ) in 2022. We love nothing more than a long lunch there before ambling out onto Grafton Street in the late afternoon, so their new ‘set lunch menu’ with two courses for €39 or three courses for €49 is a great reason to take a half day from work and do the same. We've got lunch for two to give away this month with breads, canapés, coffee and petit fours, which can be used up until November 21st, or until the end of February 2024. We recommend saving it for a dark January day when you need cheering up. 3) Dinner for two at Yves @ Brother Hubbard, Ranelagh Brother Hubbard have just launched an evening pop up called “ Yves ” in their Ranelagh location, and initial word on the street is excellent (our Insiders are everywhere). The food leans towards French and Spanish cuisine using great Irish products, like panisse, Toulouse sausages, and confit mackerel, all created by their two French chefs. There's small plates, big plates and sharing plates alongside a feast-style sharing menu (with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options), and a small but perfect wine list with Vermouth and Sherry-based cocktails. They also offer BYO from Redmond's of Ranelagh. The vibe is fun, relaxed and reasonable, and they open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays from 17.30 - book here or walk in, or if you're signed up to ATF Insiders you might be going for dinner on us. 4) Sunday Lunch for two with wine at The Morrison Room, Carton House Fairmont, Kildare The only think we like better than a Sunday drive is a Sunday drive that ends with a Sunday roast. So we've earmarked this new one from chef Adam Nevin at The Morrison Room , in Carton House , Maynooth - one of Ireland’s most spectacular dining rooms and just 30 minutes drive from Dublin. Lunch is €55 for two courses or €65 for three, with dishes like mackerel with red pepper and bouillabaisse, and yoghurt pannacotta with preserved raspberries, book-ending the roast options of Feighcullen Farm chicken, rump cap of Higgins' beef, or mushroom pithivier, and we've got a three-course Sunday lunch for two to give away this month. 5) Dinner for two at The Coburg's Arzuaga Wine Supper Club The Coburg , Conrad Dublin ’s contemporary award-winning restaurant, is holding the fifth installment of its Supper Club series with Spanish winery Arzuaga, on Thursday 23rd November. The one-off menu has been designed by Executive Head Chef, Marek Sulhas, alongside the Arzuaga catalogue, to celebrate both the wines and the best of Irish produce, and we've got a table for two to give away for what sounds like a very swanky evening. For more information or to book visit OpenTable. 6) Food and drinks for two at new cocktail bar Pen & Player Dublin has a new premium cocktail bar on Harcourt Street, and we're sending one of you to check it out. Pen & Player has a very impressive sounding cocktail list, each with its own story to tell, and there's a bar food menu with dishes like garlic and rosemary foccacia, duck leg rillettes and cod tacos. Pen & Player are going to treat one of our Insiders plus a guest to food and drinks to the value of €120, and you've got until the end of January to get in there - that's one way to kick the mid-Winter blues. 7) Afternoon Tea for two with bubbles at Bewley's, Grafton Street Bewley's on Grafton Street have just launched Afternoon Tea, and what timing with multiple city centre shopping trips likely to be on the horizon over the next few weeks. It's filled with sweet and savoury treats all made in Bewley's in-house bakery (which has been producing breads and cakes for almost a century) and includes sandwiches, fresh scones and patisserie. They're all accompanied Bewley's master-blended loose-leaf tea and a glass of bubbly, surrounded by stained glass works of art in the Harry Clarke room, with the Christmas Lights twinkling outside on Grafton Street. As good excuse as we've heard to take a break from the shops. 8) €100 voucher for Orani New Blanchardstown opening Orani Café & Restaurant was badly needed in Dublin 15, and the locals are letting them know all about it. The Filipino-owned restaurant is serving modern European cuisine with Asian fusion like tonkotsu ramen and chicken karaage, but the Filipino influence has been popping up in specials and desserts, like pork adobo, breakfasts like longsilog and tapsilog, and ube croissants. We've got a €100 voucher for Orani to give away this month so one of you can head over and try the whole gamut. 9) A year's 'Saltscription' for Dingle Sea Salt for you and a friend Dingle Sea Salt, the off-grid, solar-evaporated, sustainable salt producer, is giving us two of their new ' Saltscriptions ' to give away (with a value of €110) - one for the lucky winner, and the other for a friend or family member that you can pass off as a Christmas present (or keep for yourself - we don't judge). The award-winning, artisan producer won gold at Blas na hÉireann for their 100% natural, mineral-rich sea salt, produced by the sun’s rays and the West Kerry breeze, resulting in higher levels of magnesium and calcium, and lower sodium. Their new Saltscription will mean a delivery of fresh salt four times a year, and is priced at €55. (Get any Christmas orders in by Saturday December 23rd 2023 to ensure you get an E-voucher in time for gift giving) Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for November (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here before midnight on the 17th November to be in with a chance of winning. You'll be supporting independent content in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

From bread to bao to Basque cheesecake, this week's things we most want to eat roundup features dishes from some of the city's newest openings, as well as from some solid staples continuing to kick things up a notch... 1) Potato Focaccia, Kicky's Chef Eric Matthews' new opening Kicky's on George's Street is generating quite the hype machine on the Dublin scene, and here's exhibit #1. Just look at this 72 hour potato focaccia that comes with carbonara butter topped with Peter Hannan ’s guanciale. If that ain't a mic drop... 2) Oxtail Bao Bun, Mae Mae 's snacks are always pitch perfect and a highlight of any meal there (seriously, they should open up a wine and snack bar), but this one makes us want to make a reso stat. An oxtail-filled bao bun with smoked Irish cheese, onion and a jus gras glaze. We think the words are, "I can't" and "even". 3) Pork Belly Bánh Mì, Maggi's Bánh Mì Bar Maggi's is back! The pop up brain child from Happy's Bar & Street Food has reopened this week on Aston Quay, and boy were we happy to hear it. The home of the chicken fillet roll has welcomed the Bánh Mì with open arms, and we reckon these are among the best in the city. Plus everything's made from scratch - we love to see it. 4) Burned Basque Cheesecake, Mi Casa Freshly opened Mi Casa in Smithfield is situated in the former home of the formal Fish Shop, and their burned Basque cheesecake with salted caramel and mascarpone cream looks like it could seal many a deal when it comes to reservation making. 5) Dark Chocolate Crémeux and Seville Orange Choux, Elliot's Elliot's is just the shiniest little star in Phibsborough and their latest drop on Instagram has us repeatedly eye-balling their feed. The Dark chocolate crémeux and Seville orange choux is seriously winking at us (as well as the rest in that post ).

It’s started to get bleedin freezin’ out there, and the need to stay warm while eating good food is intensifying (plus we can turn the rads off for a few hours - bank account bonus). We’ve rounded up a list of the cosiest, snuggest spots to warm up and chow down in, and make sure to ask to sit near the fireplace... Locks, Portobello Off the icy canal in Portobello, take solace in Locks , where you'll be greeted with an open fire, lots of cosy corners, and plush seating to warm up and dine like a royalty. With a menu that screams fancy comfort food, Locks will definitely defrost your loins. Baan Thai, Ballsbridge If you can’t face the trek into town, head just outside the city to Baan Thai in Ballsbridge. Upstairs the lighting is warm and subdued, and the wood panelled walls give the dining room a cushy old-time feeling, as if you’ve been transported back to the past. It's also some of the best Thai food in Dublin, with friendly and genuine service. All round good vibes. The Old Spot, Dublin 4 Let the drop in temperature be your excuse to check out what chef Mark Ahessy (formerly of Hang Dai and 777 ) is doing at The Old Spot . Cosy up next to their fireplace and soak in all the warm fuzzy feels of a gastropub with top notch food and service. Winter dishes include a c hicken liver and foie gras parfait served with a bitter orange chutney, and gnocchi with pumpkin, St Tola goat cheese, pine nuts, and crispy sage. Bonobo, Smithfield Yes, they have one of the best beer gardens in the city, but have you ever sat in the front room on one of their massive couches and drank their spiced old fashioned, before transitioning to a glass of heady red with some of the best pizza in the city? We can’t think of anything more comforting than a few hours in Bonobo when it’s absolutely baltic out. Mr Fox, Dublin 1 Mr. Frost have you in a chokehold? Head to Mr. Fox 's underground cavern. Their inviting dining room has lots of corners and crannies to cosy up in for some of the best food in the city. Tasting menus are a winter thing. Get on board. Delahunt, Camden St One of the silver linings to come out of the pandemic was that seating in some restaurants has became a little more intimate. Delahunt 's individual mahogany snugs are a great example of this, and their main one at the window in front seats eight. With menus that cater to all dietary needs, and a cracking wine list, it's a super spot to shelter from the elements. Finish upstairs in their Sitting Room bar for the ultimate cosy cocktail experience. Osteria Lucio, Grand Canal Dock Nothing says comfort like homemade pasta and red wine. The Italians know what they’re doing, and so does Ross Lewis. In his intimate restaurant Osteria Lucio at Grand Canal Dock, sit under the padded arched ceiling for an even cosier and snug dining experience, or near the open kitchen for some residual oven heat. The Bath, Dublin 4 Nothing beats a roaring open fire at a pub. The Bath takes it one further, with that plus decent food. With lots of couch seating along the walls, grab a seat next to the fireplace and enjoy one of their sourdough pizzas. No matter where you’re sitting, the pizza oven is less than 60 seconds away, and they're notoriously warm. The Lucky Duck, Dublin 2 Yes, we know it's Press Up, but the Lucky Duck needs a mention on this list. Upstairs, their deep teal panelled walled dining rooms are softly lit, where you can enjoy warming Indian small plates. Nab the snug with the fireplace and heat up your cold bones.

What should we know about Kasi? Popping up suddenly at the end of August in a relatively small space in Temple Bar’s Crow Street, Kasi caught our eye with its colourful décor and relatively cheap prices for so central a location. The authentic Indian street food it promised is an ever more crowded space of late, so in we went to see if this new arrival could stand out from the crowd. What should we have? We have never yet said no to puri, the crisp fried bread shells that make the best flavour bomb start to any casual Indian meal. Of the two on Kasi’s chaat menu we went for dahi puri, stuffed with spiced potato and chickpea mash, onion, sev, and mint and tamarind chutneys. These six little bites are lovely, a great contrast of crunchy dough and soft, spiced, intensely-flavourful filling, though the fridge-cold yogurt could definitely have used a little more time to come up to room temperature – we’ll blame popping in right at opening time for that one. Not sated on chaat yet we turned to the hot options and took on the samosa, with two of the large pea and potato-filled triangular pastries swimming in a similar mix of chutneys and yogurt and doused with generous amounts of crispy sev and sharp onion. What makes chaat such great comfort food is the dynamic contrast of flavours, so many individual elements harmonising into an ultra satisfying mouthful, each new spoonful a slightly different balance that constitutes a riff all of its own. They nail it here. Kathi rolls come in chicken or paneer tikka, served with a side of mint chutney for dunking. The paratha wrap is thin and flaky, tasty in its own right and a perfect vehicle for the chilli mayo mess of marinated chunks of meat or cheese and veg within. This would make a substantial lunch on its own and, given the rocketing price of even a sandwich around Temple Bar these days, a pretty good value one too at €11.50. There’s increasingly stiff competition on Dublin’s dosa front, and while there’s plenty to recommend ( Dosa Dosa and Indian Tiffins among them) we’ve never had any in Ireland as good as those from the recently-shuttered (RIP) Iyer’s in Cork, so we came in here hopeful of a new favourite. An immediate advantage is the sheer size of the thing – we had as hard a time fitting this in one frame as Kasi apparently did getting it onto the tray. The gorgeously brown underside was cooked to the point of crackling almost on sight, though a slightly soggy-soft interior suggested just a little more time mightn’t have gone astray. This masala version came stuffed with yet more spiced potato and sides of coconut chutney and lentil broth – flavour-wise, it's a hit. Are there drinks? Softs only we're afraid. Why should I go? There are not many spots left in this part of Dublin that can fill you up without leaving your pockets empty - all this, enough to feed two well, came to just €40. Between its wide and well-considered menu and a casual vibe that lends itself as much to quick bites as lingering lunches, Kasi has the goods to make the most of its prime city centre location and satisfy a whole range of needs. Kasi 3-4 Crow Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 kasikitchen.com

What should we know about Little Richards? On a never ending quest to find the best pizza in Dublin, we made the trek to Skerries to check out the foodie-circle-hyped Little Richards , which is tacked on to the side of Keane’s Bus Bar . Their chef from Bologna flew in the wood fired pizza oven all the way from Italy, and their pizzas are cooked at 400c using birch wood - we were hoping for great things from this Neapolitan pizza joint. What did you have? We had some Italian Bruschetta to start, topped with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, pesto and rocket. It was more of a straight up flatbread, which is always a tad disappointing when the starters are just smaller, less topped versions of pizza, but not to worry, we didn’t come here for the starters. Their pizza menu is very varied with a lot of interesting combos. We started with their signature - the Little Richard - topped with mozzarella, parmesan, sausage, provolone, spinach, fresh chillies and garlic oil. The cheese to sauce and toppings ratio was perfect, and everything was very flavourful from strong garlic oil to a welcome chilli kick. Unfortunately the dough lacked the fluffy, chewy texture that's a must when it comes to Neapolitan pizza. The Puck Fair flavours were also a delight with rich goats cheese dotted across the pie, a zing of red onion, sweetness from the honey, and a really nice texture contrast with the crunchy walnut topping. The Vegan was packed with veggies, a real knife and fork job, and included vegan mozzarella, peppers, wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic oil, and a hefty amount of rocket. Viva la '90s. At €13.50 this felt like very good value. Generally we welcome white based pizzas, but the Mushrooms missed the mark for us. Topped with mushroom paste, mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan, wild mushrooms, parma and truffle oil, this was far too savoury and rich with nothing to cut through the musty flavour. A few bites in and we were mushroomed out. The dips on the other hand were elite. They really did taste homemade and we couldn’t decide if the black truffle garlic or the pesto was better. Staff were charming and friendly, but only at the end did we hear that they have specials on every evening. Apparently the chef likes to experiment (last week with sardines) and we were raging we didn’t find out earlier. What about dessert? We can’t resist cannoli, and were grateful they sold them by the piece, post pizza feast. These were crunchy on the outside with a light fluffy ricotta filling on the inside, and were a sweet little ending to graduate our palettes back to normality from all the garlic oil. What is there to drink? The pub next door provides the drinks, and they have a small selection of cocktails, somewhat bog standard pub wine, and a solid beer offering. Why should I go? Little Richards doesn’t quite have the best pizza in Dublin, but definitely the best pizza in Skerries. We do commend them on their wide repertoire of toppings and combinations, just make sure to ask about the specials. Little Richards 98 Strand Street, Townparks, Skerries, Co. Dublin l ittlerichardspizza.ie

From French to Filipino, Argentinian to Georgian, Brazilian to Nigerian, it’s a properly international slate in our latest rundown of Dublin’s recent arrivals. Here are nine new openings, and more to look forward to soon... Bless Up, Tallaght Despite a growing number of market and festival vendors in the last number of years, proper sit-down African food remains tragically scarce in Dublin city. That’s why we were really excited to see Bless Up arrive in Tallaght, with a wide Afro-Caribbean food menu and a seriously impressive fit-out. The food skews primarily Nigerian with a major focus on grilled and spiced meat (hello goat), plantains, and various styles of rice. The huge space and committed interior design suggest a lot of ambition for what this place could be - find out what we thought of Bless Up in this week's Once Over . Mi Casa, Smithfield It took longer than expected for a new tenant to take over what was previously Vegan Sandwich Co (and the more formal incarnation of Fish Shop before that) on Smithfield’s Queen Street, but Mediterranean restaurant Mi Casa soft launched last week to a slew of happy faces. The bodega-style new venture from the people behind nearby PHX Bistro hits some expectedly familiar beats in its all-day menu of nibbles, small plates and sides, but there’s more of interest in their croquetas and cerdo. The walk-in only window bar should make this a good pick for last-minute impulse eating. Yves @ Brother Hubbard, Ranelagh Brother Hubbard ’s Ranelagh location is wading into the evening market with Yves (geddit?), a French-inspired casual dining menu with a seasonal selection of sharing and solo plates that places a welcome focus on provenance, with a range of great name-checked suppliers like Sheridan’s, Ring Farm, Garryhinch Mushrooms, and The Village Butcher. They’ve matched Row Wines market-leading gilda price at 2 for €5, and the feasting menu’s €37.50 per person price tag looks like solid value to us – especially with the sheer range of choice it offers. Yves will open Wednesdays to Fridays from 17:30 with a small number of walk-in tables held nightly. 3 Brothers, Drimnagh You’ll never guess who opened this one. Trading on their own sibling relationship to open a family-oriented restaurant with a focus on “pizza, wings and things”, the owners of 3 Brothers have done a serious job on the space above Drimnagh’s Gate Bar, with a sizeable selection of leather-covered seats and booths lining the brick and wood-finished walls. The menu isn’t about to set the world alight, but they’ve had the good sense to get in a proper wood-fired oven and a pizza chef from Sicily. We’ll take whatever new openings we can get in D12. Bahay @ Warehouse Food Market, Harold’s Cross We were thrilled to team up with Bahay for an ATF Insiders -exclusive tasting menu over the summer at Warehouse Food Market in Harold’s Cross – if you’re kicking yourself that you missed it, boy have we got good news for you. Richie Castillo and Alex O’Neill will be taking up a two-month residency on Friday and Saturday nights at the same location, bringing the best in family recipe Filipino food all through November and December. No word yet on the exact menu they’ll be offering, but we’re keeping everything crossed for more longanisa corndawgs and palapa cured halibut. Bookings are open here for the first two weeks. Georgian Delight, Moore Street The basement level of the Moore Street Mall is one of the great, underrated treasures of Dublin’s food scene, with a host of otherwise unseen cuisines from the Balkans to Bolivia cropping up among its many small counters. The latest to join the fray is Georgian Delight , and given just how often we’ve been back to Ella’s Heaven on Talbot Street, any more Georgian food in the city is very good news in our book. The menu here offers the same flagship khinkali dumplings and cheese-laden khachapuri, but also carries an array of meat and bean soups and stews alongside a wider range of flatbreads. Peperina, Richmond Street “Irish kitchen with an Argentinian twist”, Peperina has expanded into the city centre from its Ranelagh base with a new Portobello site, where the ill-fated Wildflower failed to blossom. With 12 years under their belt on the southside they’re trying something a little different here, and the menu ventures further into South American cuisine than the more conservative Ranelagh options. We’re most keen to get our teeth into the empanadas – handmade by the owners’ 72 year-old mother – and the chargrilled parrilla section. A weekday lunch menu at €16.50 for two courses and a drink could see this play well with the office crowd. Gaucho’s Dog @ Eatyard, Drumcondra The rise of Brazilian food in Dublin continues unabated with Gaucho’s Dog setting up shop in Eatyard at the Bernard Shaw. The loaded hot dog and burger vendors have been doing solid business in Smithfield since opening their doors there last year, and this new location would seem a much better fit for a second site than the Tara Street shop they shuttered earlier in the year. Uruguayan panini and an impressive choice of veggie options are menu standouts, while their frankly startling chicken burger looks like it might leave you short of breath. It’s open Thursdays to Sundays. Mad Yolks, Rathmines A year and a half on from opening their first permanent site in Smithfield, and many years before that honing their craft at various festivals and pop-ups, the free-range egg sandwich experts Mad Yolks are expanding southward to a second location in Rathmines. We’re expecting their wide selection of hangover-busting brunch burgers, hash browns and nachos con carnage to go down very well in the southside suburbs – just as well for them, with how crowded the morning market is starting to get. They’re open Wednesday to Sunday to start but are planning an all-week offering before too long. Coming soon... Mughal e Azam, Jervis Street There’s not a sliver of info to be had so far about this Indian that’s cropped up around the corner from Jervis Shopping Centre, but we’ll be keeping a close eye in the weeks to come to see whether it’s anything worth shouting about. 2210 Patisserie, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre Those who’ve eyed up Una Leonard’s cakes and confectionary with envy from afar can sleep easy: the Mullingar-based 2210 Patisserie and café is about to expand into Dublin with a site in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. Great news for the sweet-toothed in the capital. Yew Tree, Terenure Settling into Circa’s former space in Terenure is Yew Tree , a new casual neighbourhood restaurant from the team behind Clanbrassil Street’s 57 The Headline , which shuttered earlier this year after ten years of service when the building was sold. Doors are expected to open in mid-November.

Top-tier bruschetta, high-end nachos, and a seasonal stew that stopped us in our tracks. Here's the best looking food going in Dublin this week... 1) Venison borscht, Fairmental Say it with us: Venison. Borscht. Fairmental have debuted plenty of great plates to expand things beyond their range of fermented foods since opening their Grand Canal Street café at the start of the year, but we're not sure anything got such a gasp from us as this seasonal stew. 2) Roasted fig bruschetta, Oliveto How often do you get really excited about a bruschetta? Samey combos make this a typically skipabble dish, but Oliveto have cast off the air of meh with a seasonal pairing of roasted black figs and whipped goats' cheese, sprinkled with rosemary and hazelnuts and drizzled with Irish honey. 3) Fermented beetroot dip, The Legal Eagle The Legal Eagle is back at last after a very lengthy absence, and one of the new menu's highlights is a host of delicious and very fairly-priced vegetarian dishes. We love the eye-popping colour of this fermented beetroot dip with dill and cashew, served with a side of Japanese turnip and airy, crisp flatbreads. 4) Crispy chicken skin nachos, Orani New Blanchardstown arrival Orani have caught our eye more than a few times since opening a few months back. The latest dish to do it is this bowl of crispy chicken skin nachos - say that without salivating - slathered with their homemade sauce. It's not a combo we've ever thought about before; now it's one we can't stop thinking about. 5) Salted caramel knot, Bread 41 Sometimes, it's the simple things. Bread 41 's beautifully browned pastry knot is a treat in any form, but dipped here in a rich caramel sauce and sprinkled with a pinch of coarse sea salt it takes on a whole new appeal.

To get you in the spirit of Samhain, we've rounded up the spookiest and tastiest treats in this town for all you Hallow-Queen's out there. Eat, drink, and be scary because it'll be next year before you get another chance... Eye-Scream Sundae, The Old Mill Coffee Dock Head over to the aptly named village of Swords for The Old Mill Coffee Dock 's bone-chilling Eye Scream Sundae. We love the effort this cute little coffee shop went to - try it if you dare. Pumpkin Pie, Queen of Tarts Pumpkin Pie was the OG Halloween dessert, and first cropped up in cookbooks as early as 1675 - way before the pumpkin spiced latte became a personality. A staple in the States, we believe Irish people need more pumpkin pie in their lives, and Queen of Tarts in Temple Bar have brought the good stuff this year. Pumpkin and Sage Pasta, Little Forest Little Forest are giving the nod to spooky season with the addition of a pumpkin and sage cavatelli pasta, topped with pine nuts and fresh grated parmesan. We can't think of a better way to consume a Jack-o'-lantern. Pumpkin and Nduja Potstickers, Happy's Bar & Street Food Happy's Bar & Street Food are celebrating Halloween with their hand rolled pumpkin and nduja potstickers served with a melon sweet and sour sauce, and they look only gourd-geous. We love that they keep it local, sourcing their pumpkins from Asia market , and nduja from Corndale Farm in Northern Ireland. Spiced Apple Margarita, The Washerwoman Grab your broomstick and head on over the to the dead centre of Dublin (aka Glasnevin) for The Washerwoman 's spooky cocktail. You had us at spiced apple and margarita. Charcoal Latte, Brew Lab Brew Lab are calling their charcoal latte a great coffee alternative for the spooksters that avoid caffeine. It's made with food grade activated charcoal so you can be Halloweeny and healthy at the same time. Pumpkin Spiced Latte, South Bank Café How good does his pumpkin spiced latte look from South Bank Café look? We have no idea how people still go to big chains when drinks like this exist. Absolute basic witches. Raspberry Blood Cream Filled Black Croissant, Cloud Picker Cloud Picker 's raspberry blood cream filled black croissants are available at their 42 Pearse St location this Eve of Hallows, and they look seriously killer. Bone appétit! Halloween Pop Tarts, Bread 41 We can never resist Bread 41 's Halloween treats, and this year the pop tarts have our souls. They use their oak forest spelt pastry and Malone’s raspberry jam to fill them, and they're topped with icing and spooky sprinkles. What else would we expect from the seasonal pastry ghouls of the city? Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream Cookie Sambos, Chimac Chimac are back at it with their pumpkin spiced ice-cream cookie sandwiches, and we are Pump-ed! They take two chewy pumpkin snickerdoodles, stuff them with Upside cold brew ice-cream and dip them in Belgian white chocolate and a cinnamon crumb. More sweet than spooky but we're not complaining. Eye balls Cake Pops & Brain Cupcakes, Flower & Bean Flower & Bean on Cork Street are slinging out some seriously spooky sweet treats. They are really nailing the Samhain spirit with their vanilla and caramel eye ball cake pops and chocolate strawberry brain cupcakes. Spooky pooky. Pumpkin Spiced French Toast - Brother Hubbard South Brother Hubbard 's pumpkin spiced French toast is scarily good. They top their vanilla brioche French toast with a spiced pumpkin purée, white chocolate mascarpone, caramel sauce and an almond and ginger biscuit. Brother Hubbard? More like Brother Hubba Hubba. Pumpkin Pie Tarts, Coco Brew How cute are these little pumpkin pie tarts from the lads over at Coco Brew . We reckon they'll be love at first bite. Spiced Pumpkin Caramel Latte Mikado, The Cupcake Bloke The Cupcake Bloke 's spiced pumpkin caramel latte mikado looks frightfully good. It's a coffee shortbread, topped with spiced pumpkin purée, vanilla marshmallow, homemade caramel, toasted coconut and pumpkin seeds. Jack O’Lantern Cocktail, Peruke and Periwig Currently under the moniker Spook and Periwig, Peruke and Periwig are really getting into the spirit of Halloween with their Jack O'Lantern cocktail which contains dark rum, Campari, pumpkin spice syrup and pineapple juice. Sounds eerie-sistible.

October's ATF Insider giveaways are here! This month we've got not one but TWO hotel stays, restaurants vouchers from some of our favourites, a prize that will keep you in takeaways for weeks, a hamper from some of the country's best food businesses and loads more. Our ATF Insider subscription service is how we operate independently, ad and invite free - everything you see featured on ATF is paid for by us and experienced on our own time - so if you're not already signed up and get value from our content, we would appreciate your support as always. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on the 17th October will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on the 18th October. Here's what you could be winning this month... 1) An overnight stay with breakfast in The Harrison Chambers of Distinction Belfast, with tickets to Burnt Out The Harrison Chambers of Distinction , a boutique hotel in a series of restored, landmark, Victorian merchants' residences in Belfast, is giving one ATF Insider a night away from it all. Located at Queen's University, you'll be firmly in the cultural heart of the city, and they're throwing in two tickets to see Burnt Out by Gary Mitchell in the Lyric Theatre too. If you're looking to grab a pre-show bite you will be spoilt for options - Belfast's food scene has exploded in recent years - and we'll be on hand with a shortlist for you. 2) An overnight stay at Knockranny House Hotel & Spa, with dinner at La Fougère We'll be sending another lucky ATF Insider off to Westport for a mid-week getaway to one of Ireland's best four-star hotels - Knockranny House Hotel & Spa . You'll also be treated to dinner in La Fougère , the hotel's restaurant, who grow their own fruit and vegetables on the grounds, and bring in fresh fish from the Atlantic Coast each morning. Situated on a hillside overlooking Westport, with views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, the hotel's Salveo Spa is ideal for some unwinding, or if you want a bit more activity it's perfectly located for day trips along the West Coast. 3) A €250 voucher for UberEats Do you love a takeaway? This could be your lucky month, because UberEats have given us a massive €250 voucher to be used on deliveries from your favourite Dublin restaurants, including Okky , ViCE Pizza and Wings , Chimac , Baan Thai , Uno Pizza , Duck , Kale + Coco and loads more. Who would say no to more midweek pick me ups and weekend indulgences with food delivered directly to your door? See who's delivering to your area here . 4) Lunch for two with wine at Volpe Nera, Blackrock Barry Sun first gained restaurant notoriety with his cooking at Etto on Merrion Row, so when he made the move out to Blackrock to open his own restaurant Volpe Nera , we were hot on his trail to try it out. Four years on and it's better than ever (we recently trekked across the capital twice in two weeks to eat there - it's really that good), and their €38, three-course lunch menu from 13:00-15:00 on Fridays and Saturdays might make it a hat-trick. We've got lunch for two and a bottle of wine to give away to one lucky subscriber this month, 5) Tuesday night dinner for two at Big Fan with drinks The team at Big Fan have been on a tear since opening just before Covid hit in early 2020, and are now open Tuesdays - meaning you can now eat some of the best Asian food in Dublin seven days a week. To celebrate, they're giving one of our Insiders a Tuesday night dinner for two, with drinks, bao buns, dumplings (including their new squid xiao long bao with minced langoustine, pork, truffle and langoustine broth), xiao chi ('small eats'), a side, and dessert. If you're not sure what to order, feel free to take inspiration from our once over . We've also heard rumours about new menu items coming soon, and you should be excited. 6) A FoodWorks hamper worth over €100 FoodWorks is Ireland's accelerator for food and drink start ups, run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc. They've given us a hamper to give away this month featuring some of the successful businesses from this year's program, including the first Irish made ginger beer, Zingibeer ; mala black garlic peanut chilli rayu from EAST by Kwanghi Chan; Bananitas from Cream of the Crop ; Wexbury Spirits Strawberry Cream Liqueur and loads more . If you or someone you know is working on a category-disrupting food or drink business, FoodWorks are currently taking applications for 2024. 7) Limited edition Halloween cocktails from Irish Craft Cocktails We're fast entering spooky season, and in the spirit of all things Halloween, Irish Craft Cocktails have given us some of their limited edition Hallowe'en cocktails to give away. They've launched two new ones this month - ‘ The Kraken’s Trick ’ (Kraken Black Spiced Rum, chocolate, caramel, charcoal, and lime), and ' The Kraken’s Treat ’ (Kraken Black Spiced Rum, cherry, vanilla, lemon), and we've got a small and large bottle of each of them to give away. Hand-mixed and bottled in Dublin 7 from the same deft hands behind Bar 1661 , instant cocktails of this quality at home has been a godsend since lockdown, and we're hoping they're going nowhere. 8) A €100 voucher for Greenville Deli Greenville Deli have been expanding across the South Dublin suburbs in the last year, recently opening their newest location in Monkstown , and they've given us a €100 voucher for one lucky reader to celebrate, which can be used in Inchicore, Rathmines or Monkstown. Greenville gained a stellar reputation for stunning sandwiches since they moved from their original Tara Street location over to Dublin 8, with specials on deck every week - we're particularly partial to their beef brisket. They also stock a Bread 41 pastries and overnight oats if you're in at breakfast time, and salads if you're going for lunch. 9) Two tickets for the Samhain Festival of Food & Culture Boyne Valley Flavours - a group of local food producers and hospitality providers - organise the brilliant Samhain Festival of Food & Culture to celebrate the ancient Irish holiday, from the 2nd - 5th November. They've given us two tickets to some of the festival's top experiences this year, kicking off on Saturday 4th with a Boyne Valley Food Safari to three local producers - Boyne Valley Cheese, The Cider Mill, and Martry Mill. You'll then be taken back to Kells, where Graham Herterich will present a trio of his famous bracks, and the evening will be rounded out with a cocktail masterclass showcasing flavours from the Boyne Valley. You'll also be given ingredients to recreate them to take home with you. Do Saturdays get any better? Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for October (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here before midnight on the 17th October to be in with a chance of winning. You'll be supporting independent content in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

Choosing where to eat is hard. So many options, so many conflicting opinions, so little money - thanks inflation. So each month we're going to narrow down the options for you. These are places that are particularly good right now - whether it's because the food has never been better, or it's the perfect vibe for the time of year. Here's where we think should be on your October eating list... For when you want a cosy Autumn space and the best wine: Green Man Wines, Terenure The wine bar at Green Man Wines is back open, ready to shield you from the cold and rain of Autumn/Winter 2023, with small plates like Goatsbridge trout rillette, chicken liver mousse, and Scotch eggs, from chef Dan Smith (previously at Airfield Estate). But the best bit? You can drink anything from the shelf for €10 corkage, meaning you can drink Rafael Palacio's gorgeous Louro (made from Godello grapes) for €31 + €10 corkage, as opposed to the €60+ it'll cost you in restaurants around town. If you're in more of a pick and mix mood there's always loads to love by the glass, and their knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to talk you through them all. For when you refuse to give up on summer eating: Shaka Poke, Baggot Street Sometimes a grey day needs a splash of colour, and that's when you need a bit of Shaka Poké in your life, for Ahi tuna, spicy salmon, and Tahiti tofu bowls. You'll get your five a day in one sitting, and enjoy a brief departure to Cali climes, before braving our umbrella-breaking weather once again. For when you're very ready to dive into winter eating: Nomo Ramen, Dublin 2 Other than sitting beside a fire drinking an Irish coffee, one of our favourite ways to warm up is with a steaming hot bowl of ramen, and Nomo is where you'll find some of the city's best. As well as their OG, Shoyo and San Diego ramen, they're now serving Mazemen (soupless ramen), and kaarage curry rice, for added spice. Pull up a stool in the window and look pityingly at all the ramen-less people braving those Autumn winds outside. For a bread and pastry adventure: The Rock Bakery, Skerries We do love an excursion in the name of food, and while you might be more drawn to Skerries in warmer months, The Rock Bakery 's new location has given us a reason to make the drive year round. Their menu changes each month, and October's features blackcurrant granola bear claws, custard and apple buns, and a "Samhain slice" with squash purée, Taleggio, honey and pumpkin seeds. For cold weather seafood: The Seafood Café, Temple Bar Proving that seafood's not just for summer, The Seafood Café in Temple Bar are flying the flag for cold weather fish dishes, with crab BLTs, seafood chowder and torched oysters with harissa butter and crispy shallots. Just because it's cold out there is no excuse to skip on your Omega 3s. For when it's more about the drinks than the food Bar 1661, North City Centre When we think of all the places we'd like to be huddled up on a chilly Autumn day, Bar 1661 is right at the top of the list. Start with a (cold) Belfast coffee and work your way through their award-winning, "staunchly independent" cocktail list. The simple bar food list of oysters, pâté, cheeses and meats is just enough to keep you sated while you concentrate on the real stars of the show. For an advance reservation to look forward to: Uno Mas, Aungier Street In case there was any question about it, we're here to tell you that Uno Mas on Aungier Street is as good as it's ever been, and the tortilla, prawn rice, and flan de queso are just the antidote for a dreary October day, when summer is but a distant memory and Christmas feels like ages away. The clever ones book in here for a late Friday lunch and spend a very happy (usually tipsy) afternoon eating all the food and drinking all the sherry/Chardonnay/sparkling wine. For a drive out of Dublin: Grangecon Kitchen, Wicklow I f you're heading Wicklow way this month (or Kildare as it's on the border), plan a diversion beautiful bakery and café Grangecon Kitchen , for roasted plum porridge, Turkish eggs, and free-range roast chicken sandwiches, in their lovely garden tent . Premium coffee and pastries join the line up, and they also do dinner on Friday nights, as well as takeaway pizza. It's the perfect country café and will make the drive well worth it.

Had a big lunch? Feeling too much commitment from main courses? Looking for more variety in life? Enter small plates. How fun is it to eat a bunch of little things? We think a lot. We’ve rounded up the go-to places in the city that are banging out banging snacks, and where you can eat as much or as little as you like. Row Wines, Dublin 2 A semi-replacement for (and big improvement on) the Coppinger Row of old, Row Wines is like its younger, cooler, small plate-eating, cloudy-wine drinking nephew. The menu features "snacks" and "plates", and it's tailor-made for ordering as you go, and sharing the lot, ideally on the outside terrace on a warm October afternoon. The only issue you'll have is knowing when to stop ordering - those plates are just so good . Bar Pez, Dublin 8 One of the newer additions to Dublin’s dining scene, Bar Pez (just off Aungier Street) is the sister restaurant to Fish Shop in Smithfield. Their whole menu is basically small portions with a heavy focus on seafood, making it the perfect place to partake in petite plates. Their wine list is impressive and reads like a geography pamphlet, with the regions split up into 'Oceans' and 'Mountains' rather than nations or grapes, and their Coravin selection starts from €20 a glass. If their lobster toast is on the menu - get it. Read our once over here . La Gordita, Dublin 2 We would like to thank Spain for putting the concept of tapas into the world, so of course La Gordita needs a mention. They have plenty of options for your nibbling needs and if you stick to everything bar the 'Sugerencias' section you’re on a one-way ticket to tapas town (we love the fried aubergine with sugar cane honey). Their sherry and wine by the glass list is the perfect accompaniment to all the snacks. Read our once over here . Mr Croqueta, Dublin 2 Croquetas, aka bite-sized flavour bombs, are the perfect light bite, and Mr Croqueta is the motherland for them in Dublin. They currently have eight varieties, so plenty to choose from, but the standout ones for us were the Basque cod & the jamón serrano. Both were generously filled and the bechamel was perfectly seasoned. It’s a minimum of six croquetas per flavour so choose wisely. Don’t skip on their other plates - the chorizo in cider and the classic tortilla are something special. Read our two minute review here . Amy Austin, Dublin 2 Next to Drury Street car park, Amy Austin is a great option for smaller portions and wine on tap if that’s your thing. Their menu is varied with a solid selection of cheese & charcuterie, along with proper smaller dishes. Their menu changes often and currently we like the look of the sweetbread yakitori and the langoustine tail. Go with three or four people and you could probably order the whole menu to unlock the maximum restaurant experience. Margadh RHA, Dublin 2 Usually known for its tasting menus, Margadh in the RHA has a selection of little bites from its à la carte menu. Their anchovy toasts are a serious winner - a must-order in our eyes. Service is always knowledgeable and friendly, and they have a great wine list. The perfect post-work/pre-pub pitstop. Big Fan, Dublin 2 It’s no secret that we’re a big fan of… Big Fan , and they are a solid option to hit up when you’re not in the mood for three-courses (and now open seven days a week). With only one “large” dish on the menu - the small plate world is your oyster here - and there are loads of options for veggies and vegans too. A trip to Big Fan rarely disappoints. Read our once over here . Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 2 If you’re looking for nibbles with wine, Fallon & Byrne's underground cellar is a great shout. The basement in the boujee food hall is literal perfection for a cheeseboard, with some of the best value wine in the city with €1 corkage from Sunday to Tuesday. They even have a plant-based menu for veggies and vegans. Ooh la la. Hang Dai, Dublin 2 Hang Dai offer a good few snacks and bites on the lighter side, and one of our favourite dishes in the entire city is their cheeseburger spring rolls. Pull a seat up at the bar, order a legendary cocktail and a plate of these bad boys, and you are in appetiser heaven. They are still busy as ever so make sure to book in advance. Ka Shing, Dublin 2 Ka Shing serves the OG snacks aka dim sum, which means 'touch the heart' in Chinese. They were designed to touch the heart, not the appetite, which is such a sweet way to describe a tasty snack. Ka Shing’s menu has so much choice with over 15 different types of dumplings, barbecued pork buns and fried turnip cake. We love ordering the traditional way by ticking off what to have with paper and a pencil - it really captures the essence of dim sum. A Fianco, Stoneybatter Grano’s sister restaurant in Stoneybatter is snack heaven. Italian-only wine bar A Fianco has a focus on the ​​Calabria region (aka the toe of the boot) sourcing seasonal ingredients from small Italian and local Irish producers, and you can’t really go wrong with anything here. We love their spicy meatballs, Killary Fjord mussels, and who doesn't love a crostini? Try as many as you can - this is what going for small plates is all about. Green Man Wines, Terenure One of Dublin’s best places to buy and drink wine, Green Man Wines in Terenure also have a small kitchen serving a variety of snacks, from house smoked Goatsbridge trout rillette to scotch eggs with a sauerkraut remoulade. Choose from their shelves upon shelves of wines to drink in house with a set corkage fee (€10 at the time of writing), so the better you drink, the better the value.

Picture the scene. It's a grey Sunday in November, but you're sitting in Michelin-starred Variety Jones , enjoying a long, lavish lunch, with each course introduced by chef/owner Keelan Higgs, and wines paired by sommelier Kathleen Hall Smith. You'll sit on long tables with other food-obsessed ATF Insiders , make new friends, and get a chance to see the kitchen at the end. Set your alarm for tomorrow at 7:59pm and this lovely dream could be a reality. We're taking over Variety Jones for two very special Sunday lunches, on the 12th and 19th November from 2pm, where the team will serve their chef's choice, six-course menu, with either a wine or non-alcoholic pairing, and some special extras thrown in. There are only 25 seats for each sitting, all on shared tables, so this event is only open to ATF Insiders - if you have someone who really wants to come with you, they'll have to be signed up and book their own seat. This is an omnivores-only event, with no menu substitutions possible. Most dishes will be serving sharing-style, and you can expect some of Variety Jones ' greatest hits, including Flaggy Shore oysters, duck liver parfait with potato waffles, and spaghetti alfredo, as well as the return of the cauliflower and smoked trout dish - it's about time - and some new ones you might not have tried before. After dinner guests are welcome to have a look around the kitchen and chat to the chefs who prepared your meal. The price for lunch is €85 with a wine pairing at €65, or an N/A pairing at €25, and you can see a sample menu below - some dishes may change depending on ingredient availability. Bookings for the ATF takeover of Variety Jones on Sunday 12th November and Sunday 19th November open at 8pm on Wednesday 4th October. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders will receive a booking link in their inbox, and each Insider will only be able to book one place. As usual, please set an alarm if you want to be there, this is going to be a popular one. Sign up to ATF Insiders here .

The first of the winter storms are hitting but we're getting a bit of an Indian summer with the pace of restaurant openings picking up. There are lots of new spots to keep you going through the onset of the darker months, so here's some inspiration for brand new places to try to fill the progressively longer evenings... Kasi Café, Temple Bar There has been a welcome trend of Indian street food restaurants opening in Dublin in the last year, and Kasi Café in Temple Bar is the latest to join the city's dosa revolution. It's taken over the former Sweet Churro spot on Crow Street and is open from 11:00-20:30, seven days a week. They're serving up dosas, samosas, chaat and momos, but the drinks menu appears to consist of standard soft drinks, without the creamy lassis we've become accustomed to from their contemporaries. They're also on Deliveroo for any office workers looking to get a pick me up in the city centre. Samosa, Dorset Street Dublin has its first (as far as we're aware) Somali restaurant, with the opening of Samosa on Dorset Street. There's no website or socials to speak of, but the Dublin Inquirer got the scoop here , and we're very interested in the lamb ribs, sabaayad (Somali flatbread) and of course those samosas. 3fe, Phibsborough 3fe have opened their seventh Dublin location in Phibsborough, just a few doors down from the eternally busy Two Boys Brew . Coffee, brewing equipment for your home and 3fe merchandise are all available, but more importantly they're serving their usual breakfast, brunch and lunch menu seven days a week. Musashi, Blackrock Mushashi 's newest location is in the already spoilt for choice Blackrock village. Open from 12:00-22:00, seven days a week in the new Frascati Centre, and serving their usual array of sushi rolls, nigiri, ramen and Thai dishes, it's a dependable (if not thrilling) addition for those with a need for a taste of Japan in South Dublin. Greenville Deli, Monkstown Their sandwiches are already stocked by numerous coffee shops in and around Dublin, but Greenville Deli have just added to their Dublin 8 and Rathmines locations with their newest opening in Monkstown. You can expect the usual excellent sambos, salads, soups, and possibly Bread 41 pastries if the new spot takes after its older siblings. Drop Coffee, Drumcondra Taking up the mantle from former vegan bakery Bear Lemon, Drop Coffee is Drumcondra's newest option for caffeine and sugar. Their pastries are from Media Luna , and they're making some decidedly autumnal drinks, like Biscoff cappuccinos. They're currently open from 08:00-16:00 Tuesday to Friday, and 09:00-17:00 on the weekends. Cluck Chicken, Tallaght Cluck Chicken have firmly established themselves with a permanent home in The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght. They're open and serving their free-range, buttermilk brined chicken burgers, tenders and wings from 17:00 Wednesday to Friday, and from 15:00 on weekends. On Sundays kids eat free alongside a dining adult, which is sure to go down very well with local families. WingMan, Clontarf On the Northside there's another new option for wings, fried chicken, burgers and other culinary Americana. WingMan have opened their third food truck in the grounds of Clontarf Rugby Club, dishing up their spicy wings and hefty looking burgers. They're open 17:00-21:30 Thursday to Saturday and 16:00-20:30 on Sundays. Coming soon... Allta, The Docklands They've been on hiatus for nearly a year after their location on the top floor of Trinity Street car park wound down, but the folks behind Allta have been very busy. After rumblings in the last few weeks they've officially announced that their new location at 1 Three Locks Square in the Docklands is set to open in December, with a micro-bakery at the same spot following in January 2024. Given the lofty heights that their previous iterations at their original restaurant , Summer House and Winter House all reached, it's safe to say expectations are through the roof. Amuri Deli, Chatham Street The lads behind Amuri have already brought a taste of Italy's most famous island to Dublin, but they're soon going to be bringing Sicilian street food to the city too, as they're opening a deli in the former location of The Corkscrew below the restaurant. We're expecting arancini, panele, sfincione, cannoli and more, and are incredibly excited given how great the food up top is . Mi Casa, Smithfield Mi Casa is the new restaurant from the same people behind Smithfield stalwart PHX Bistro , and are stylising themselves as a bodega-style Mediterranean restaurant with small plates. They're heavily renovating the place at the moment if their Instagram videos are anything to go by, and are opening soon at 6 Queen Street in Smithfield. Diwali, Camden Street Jerusalem, the Middle Eastern mainstay on Camden Street sadly closed in recent weeks, but signs have gone up in the windows from Diwali , the Indian veteran on George's Street. No information has been released on an opening date, but we're expecting a traditional, no frills Indian, like in the original location.

An Irish spin on a New York classic, a sweet Spanish sandwich, and a soup we'd sip whatever the weather. Put on your togs and dive (face first) into the five things we most want to eat in Dublin this week... 1) Prawn bisque, Lottie's Soup season is here and yes, of course we're going to shout about it. Lottie's are getting the ball rolling on the bisque front with a gorgeous looking bowl of liquid comfort served with toasted sourdough and house-made butter - ideally enjoyed on a cold wet day in their cosy Rathmines restaurant. 2) Italian sausage benedict, 31 Lennox There are a multitude of variations of eggs benedict; eggs royale, eggs Florentine, eggs sardou - we could go on. However, 31 L ennox have conjured up something new to us and we very much like the look of it. Italian sausage, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce sound like a perfect excuse for a brunch excursion to Portobello. 3) Gorgonzola dolce, caramelised onion, spinach and walnut pizza, Little Forest Little Forest continue to sustain their reputation for slinging some of the most beautiful pies in the city. Blackrock locals are spoiled for choice in a number of cuisines, but if you're in the mood for pizza there's only one choice and it's a no-brainer, especially with this Gorgonzola dolce, caramelised onion, spinach and walnut pie on the go. 4) Irish Angus beef meatball sandwich, The Woollen Mills In the summer of 2022 we watched the first season of The Bear and fell in love with the Italian beef sandwiches Carmy served out of The Original Beef of Chicagoland. Ever since, we've been lamenting the lack of proper, filthily indulgent sandwiches in Dublin, and the crew in the kitchen at The Woolen Mills clearly harboured similar feelings. This stunner of a sandwich goes someway towards remedying things with meatballs, tomato sauce, jalapeños, cheddar and rocket, all tucked into a crusty roll. 5) Sándwich de chocolate, La Gordita The food in La Gordita and a lot of Spanish cuisine in general is focused on sharing plates. This dish however, definitely requires a break in tradition. The chocolate sandwich from their current menu, bookended with crisp pastry, would be equally well enjoyed as a solo endeavour on one of the intimate bar seats, as it would be in a larger group, where it would be the envy of anyone who chose anything else.

Everything from a long lunch in Uno Mas... A leisurely Friday lunch in Uno Mas did nothing to disprove that the team here continue to set the bar for dining out in Dublin. A ‘snack’ of salamorejo with Cantabrian anchovies, toast and a generous pour of quality olive oil was a perfect salty, sunshine-filled bowl to see out the end of summer, while a starter of prawn rice with saffron and basil had us swaying in our chairs, temporarily unable to continue whatever conversation we’d been having. The just-cooked tortilla remains as tear-jerkingly good as it’s been since day one, and a vegetarian main of ricotta agnolotti with San Marzano tomatoes, aubergine and black olive wiped the flavour floor with another main of Iberico pork presa, showing what a skilled kitchen can do when it comes to meat-free mains. All too often we find fish mains inexplicably dull – a watery piece of protein surrounded by unloved veg and some form of potato – but Uno Mas’ hake with sweetcorn, trompettes, buttermilk and black truffle was spectacular, with perfectly burnished fish surrounded by creaminess, umami sweetness and a vinegary-tang. Many ‘wow’s were exclaimed in the consuming of this dish. The fried Maris Pipers currently come with marjoram and garlic butter, and yes you need to order them – don’t fight it. The flan de queso remains one of the best desserts in Dublin, along with Etto ’s red wine prunes and mascarpone, Library Street ’s Paris Brest, and Chapter One ’s soufflé. (Lisa) Crispy potatoes, salads and gnocchi at Etto... A dinner at the counter in Etto on a packed Friday night was just as impressive –we’d go as far as to say the kitchen has gone up a step since our last visit, under head chef Vish Sumputh (previously at Luna – the old Luna, no relation to the current Luna ). While it’s always been vaguely Italian, the only things hailing from the mother country on the night we ate there were suppli, gnocchi and rum baba (although that's technically French), and it seems to have moved firmly into the ‘Modern Irish’ camp. A snack of crispy potato, with onion jam, pecorino and duck ham was cheffier than we’re used to in this dark-wood filled room on Merrion Row, and something we can (deservedly) see appearing on Michelin’s Twitter feed some time soon. A tomato salad with goat’s cheese, yuzu dressing, honey and cherry was incredible on its own, but a side of goat’s cheese and yuzu filled tapioca rolls signalled that we weren’t in the more casual Etto of old any more. Another starter of Lambay crab salad with pickled dillisk and nashi pear followed the same formula – an utterly delicious dish on its own, but a tearable, warm kimchi brioche on the side pushing it into ultra-memorable territory. Like in sister restaurant Uno Mas, the vegetarian main of herb gnocchi with peas, violin courgette, pickled mushroom, truffle, Comté fondue and hazelnuts was a major menu high, with another main of BBQ pork presa not coming close in terms of interest or flavour. A side BBQ of hispi cabbage with miso mayonnaise, anchoïade and crispy onion was one of those all consuming dishes you will be thinking and talking about a year after eating it, comparing every other cabbage dish that passes your lips, complaining that it doesn’t taste as good as Etto’s. (Lisa) Spaghetti Alfredo at Variety Jones... Recently we sat at the chef's table in Variety Jones where no menus were given (how exciting or terrifying depending on your constitution), and chef/owner Keelan Higgs served all the courses. The simple dish of Spaghetti Alfredo continues to hit the table in the middle of the Michelin starred tasting menu, and it was lovely to hear Higgs explain how he makes it, and that it's something his Dad used to make for him as a kid. Uncomplicated, yet indulgent, it was our most memorable dish of the evening. (Maggie) Balfego bluefin tuna and salted caramel martinis at The Old Spot Just over a year ago saw Mark Ahessy, formerly head chef at Hang Dai and 777, relocate to a new spot called The Old Spot . Eager to give their updated menu a go, the Balfego bluefin tuna (said to be the most sustainable on the market) was the standout dish for us. The quality of the tuna itself was clearly top tier, and the combination of the salty ponzu dressing with the crispy shallots and creamy avocado was ace. Fresh, light and oh so delicious. The Old Spot is for the most part spot on, but their salted caramel espresso martini deserves some sort of "best espresso martini in the city" medal. So smooth, so creamy, so deliciously sweet and salty. The most delightful post meal treat when you're too full for dessert... Nah, we could have one after dessert too - they're THAT good. (Maggie) Chicken Katsu Curry, Kakilang We’ve been back in Kakilang a couple of times since covering it – when we called it some of the best Asian street food around , we weren't speaking lightly – and on a recent return visit it continued to hold up as well as ever. Their katsu curry bowl is a very satisfying lunch of rice buried beneath a cap of soft omelette and served alongside a generous chicken cutlet swimming in lightly spicy sauce – it never fails to fill. Ditto the popcorn chicken and chips, as simple as snack food gets but as top-notch too - tender chicken chunks, pristinely crispy chips, and a sharp sriracha mayo slathered all over. Delish. (Ronan)

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house, or the office, or the library. Whether you need decent coffee, a change of scenery or to get away from your co-workers (often it's all three), surrounding yourself with good coffee, breakfast and lunch options will do much to soften the blow of not yet being a millionaire retiree, free to spend your days not having to answer to the man. These are our favourite places to head for sustenance, coffee, plugs and Wi-Fi when the need arises... As One, City Quay If you shimmy past the queue of office staff waiting to take their coffees back to their desks, the seating options in As One are numerous. They've got plugs and wifi so you won't be without power or connectivity while you're working, and the big booths are perfect for spreading out in. As One's commitment to transparency when it comes to the provenance of their ingredients is second to none, and the breakfast and lunch options are both ATF-recommended if you get peckish while you're toiling away. Tang, Abbey Street Tang serve bright, punchy food (it's in the name really) and their Abbey Street location happens to be a great space to work from. Both plugs and Wi-Fi are available so your battery won't die nor will your signal drop mid email, and a plate of pancakes will make your work feel a lot more palatable. Third Space, Smithfield If you're looking for somewhere to work in Smithfield, Third Space is on the south-west side of Smithfield Square. It's a social enterprise meaning that the purpose of the business is not profit maximisation but social benefit, and aside from serving coffee, breakfast and lunch, they also have plugs and Wi-Fi available so you can work while you eat. Mind The Step As much as the phrase irks us, Mind The Step has a very valid claim to being a real life 'hidden gem'. Nestled away down Strand Street Great, just off Bloom Lane and the Millennium Walkway, they also boast a dance studio upstairs, lest the stresses of your work prove too much and you need to shake it off. Equipped with plugs and wifi, and having the distinction of being one of the few cafés in the city that open late (until 23:00) it's a perfect place for a few hours of graft. The Art Of Coffee, GPO Arcade & Grand Canal Dock New locations from The Art of Coffee have been proliferating rapidly around the city in recent years, but we think we've established the best two to work from. If you're looking for somewhere central, they have a location hidden away in the GPO Arcade , or if you're near the Docklands they're also in Grand Canal Dock . Both are furnished with plugs and Wi-Fi and the Grand Canal Dock one gets extra points for the views. Vice Coffee, Dublin 1 Existing in the same space as the bar and club Wigwam on Middle Abbey Street, Vice Coffee provides a place to work with a quirkier interior than others. They have plugs but no Wi-Fi, however there is good data reception. Just make sure you're finished your work before the music starts pumping early evening. Brother Hubbard, Capel Street With a deceptively large interior and plenty of seats, Brother Hubbard North is an excellent bet for a space to get a table to work from on Capel Street. There are no plugs but there is Wi-Fi and Middle Eastern inspired breakfast/brunch and lunch menus which will definitely sustain you through a hard morning's labour on a laptop. Brother Hubbard, Ranelagh The younger sibling of the Capel Street Location, Brother Hubbard Ranelagh received a bit more parental attention, and so has the provision of both plugs and Wi-Fi for hungry hybrid workers requiring a space to get tasks done. The menu is similar to their other locations with the usual homey Middle Eastern fare, with the baked goods and coffee a highlight too. Copper and Straw, Aston Quay Copper and Straw's Aston Quay location have recently started stocking cakes and other treats from The Cupcake Bloke , which makes it a very enticing (and dangerous) location to work from. They also have a 'happy hour' from 12:00-13:00 where all drinks are €2.50 . There are plugs lest you get distracted by the coffee and cakes and your battery runs out but there is no Wi-Fi so you'll need your hotspot. The Fumbally, Dublin 8 The Fumbally’s spacious café should provide you with the head-space and natural light you need to get your head down and that work finished, or at least distract you with its mismatched furniture and fresh bread. Just do not under any circumstances attempt this on a Saturday morning, i.e. crazy crowds time. Bibi's, Portobello If you want to get some work done in Bibi’s make sure to go mid-week and avoid the weekend brunch crowd. You’ll get a bigger table to sprawl your work across, and feel extra important, while suspending the illusion that you’re not procrastinating. Blas Café, Dublin 1 Blas has loads of space to settle into, as well as WiFi and plugs, and the menu is so well priced you'll probably end up staying for breakfast and lunch. 3fe/Gertrude 3fe 's Grand Canal Street café and Gertrude on Pearse Street are great places to plug in your laptop over a top coffee. Both have plugs, but there isn't Wi-Fi. Network, Aungier Street Sleek and modern, regardless of what you’re actually doing, doing some work in Network will make you feel like you’re a hip architect sipping sweet nectar contemplating the next Spire, although hopefully less of an architectural tragedy. Fortunately you just popped in for a pastry and five euros of procrastination, so no harm done, and they're so high tech in here they even have MagSafe chargers. Coffeeangel, Various Locations Coffeeangel  has multiple locations across the city, meaning you’re never far away from the freedom of a hot drink outside the cave, and it's a solid cup of coffee to snap you out of that too-long-stuck-indoors induced rut. There is Wi-Fi in all of their Dublin locations but in Hatch Street Upper it's provided by the building, not Coffeeangel themselves. Hatch Street Upper and the IFSC location both have plugs, and their Trinity Street location (our fav) is also finally reopening in the next two weeks after a dormant period over the last few years. Two Boys Brew, Phibsboro TBB’s Melbourne style cafe is a favourite of ours to do work in, mostly because it’s decorated like the dream apartment that we can't afford, and the food and coffee is better than what we'd be making in that dream apartment too. Shoe Lane Coffee The upstairs in Shoe Lane Coffee near Tara Street Station feels like one of the best kept secrets in the city, and it's nothing but calm and positive workflow vibes - until it gets jammed with people with the same idea as you. Grab a coffee and a museli breakfast biscuit downstairs and head up to your own little co-working oasis, complete with plugs and Wi-Fi. What are your favourite cafés to work in? Let us know by emailing info@alllthefood.ie .

Cheesecake perfection, savoury Japanese doughnuts, and a bread and butter pudding to make you feel warm whatever the weather. Saddle up for the five (sweet) things we most want to eat in Dublin this week... 1) Basque cheesecake, Elliot's It's been on the menu since day one in Elliot's , but this slice of Basque cheesecake is looking as luxuriously wobbly as ever. It could be enjoyed on their outdoor seating if the temperamental Autumn weather holds up, but bringing it home is a worthy alternative - although that could lead to looking at flights to San Sebastián. 2) Bread and butter pudding, Minetta Deli Minetta Deli is situated at Sutton Cross, making it the perfect stop off if you're heading back from Howth towards anywhere else in the city. This bread and butter pudding looks like exactly the kind of comforting, homely treat you'd want after a walk on the Howth cliffs, being battered and frozen by those Irish Autumn winds. 3) Apple and cinnamon cake, Bread 41 Autumn in Ireland means a number of things - we've already complained about the weather twice, but the arrival of autumnal produce is one of the things we look forward to every September. Using apples garnered from their brilliant barter program, Bread 41 have come up with this cosy apple and cinnamon loaf cake with a maple glaze, brown sugar cinnamon streusel and orange zest. Yum. 4) Blackberry & plum umeboshi doughnut, Woodruff We had to look up umeboshi, but the idea of sour and salty pickled plums, tart blackberries, sweet white chocolate and indulgent crème pâtissière in a doughnut sounds like a spectacular, yet perfectly balanced mouthful. We need more 'out there' doughnut fillings in Dublin, and kudos to Woodruff for hopefully kicking off a trend. 5) Nectarine and burrata salad, Happy Out This salad from Happy Out x Together Academy at the Dun Laoghaire Baths looks perfect for a lunch when you're on a health kick after getting out of the freezing cold environs of the Irish sea. The combination of nectarine, tomato, burrata, basil and pine nuts sounds and looks beautifully fresh, and like the perfect reward/antidote after a bracing sea swim.

What should we know about The Saucy Cow? 2022 saw The Saucy Cow move into more permanent pastures, after three years at Eatyard in The Bernard Shaw. Down the cobbled Crane Lane in Temple Bar - you know the one that has the permanent Merry Christmas signage - you’ll find this vegan junk food mecca. With the closure of so many great vegan spots lately, we were relieved to see its bright orange doors still open when we showed up for an impromptu weekend bite. Inside is pretty funky - industrial vibes with a Robyn Carey mural on the wall and a DJ booth to one side. Who said vegans didn’t like to party?! However we made the rookie mistake of arriving 45 minutes before closing time, which they weren’t overly enamoured with, and informed us that the toilets would be shutting soon. The service is very casual. It was unclear if it was table service or not, so we just went to the counter every time we needed something. What should we have? If we see a Buckfast BBQ burger on a menu, we’re going to order it. Known in the plant-based community as one of the best burgers in the city, the smashed beyond-meat patty topped with baby gem, onion rings, crispy jalapeños, and vegan gouda, was a smoky delight. You will not need to be vegan to enjoy this beaut of a burger. Their chick* burger - The Space Cowboy, made with a seitan patty - slightly missed the mark however, with the spicy BBQ sauce being overly sweet. Next time we would ditch the BBQ sauce and let the chipotle mayo do the talking. We couldn't resist the McDaddy loaded fries - a deconstructed Big Mac on waffle fries, vegano style. The burger sauce was on point, and the zingy pickles throughout made this one a great choice. The mushroom popcorn chick bites were winking at us, but other vegan junk food enthusiasts beat us to it. They told us that these tend to sell out - another reason to go earlier. Instead we went for the salt and chilli hash browns and the salt and chilli tofu. Both were €9, and considering you get six pieces of tofu and four pieces of hash brown, the tofu is the straight up steal. The winner of the meal however was the hash browns. If you ever felt like being punched in the face with flavour via some crispy potato, this is the place to go. The seasoning was a perfect balance of spicy and salty, with a hint of sweetness. Spice bag who? The smothering of sriracha mayo complimented it perfectly, and it wouldn’t be a Saucy Cow dish without lashings of sauce. What is there to drink? There’s an interesting selection of Karma soft drinks and kombuchas, as well as craft beer. Sadly there's no wine, but staff had no problem with us bringing our own bottle in and giving us glasses. Why should I go? If you’re feeling the need for fast food, with no animals harmed in the process, The Saucy Cow is your man. With a fully plant-based menu, vegans can relax with no worries about what to order, and their non-vegan friends should leave satisfied too. Just learn from our mistakes and go before 8pm. The Saucy Cow 19 Crane Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 R891 thesaucycow.com

Septembers's ATF Insider giveaways are here! And this month we've got a night in a city centre hotel, tickets to a Champagne supper club, restaurant vouchers for some of the city's best and loads more. Our ATF Insider subscription service is how we operate independently, ad and invite free, with everything featured on ATF paid for by us, so if you're not already signed up and get value from our content, we would love your support. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Sunday 17th September will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Monday 18th September. Here's what's up for grabs... 1) An overnight stay in The Hendrick, Smithfield with breakfast, antipasti, and a bottle of wine worth €350 The Hendrick in Smithfield, Ireland's first street art hotel, is giving one lucky ATF Insider a night away in one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods. You'll enjoy bed and breakfast, with an antipasti board and a bottle of house wine the night before, amongst some of the hotel's 270 works of Irish and international art. The Hendrick is near The Lighthouse Cinema and The Cobblestone Pub if you fancy live music, or the countless restaurants, bars and bakeries of Smithfield - which we're always happy to provide recommendations for. (Excludes September, Bank Holiday weekends and key seasonal holidays) 2) €100 voucher for Pickle and a copy of Spice Box Sunil Ghai of Pickle has been at the forefront of Indian cuisine in Dublin for over a decade and has just released his first cook book, Spice Box - easy, everyday Indian food to cook at home. We know how many of you are big time Pickle fans so we're delighted to have a copy of the book to give away this month, along with a €100 voucher for Pickle, so you can get your fill of venison samosas, goat keema and masala cheese chilli naan, and get fired up for trying your hand at home. 3) A €120 voucher for the reopened Legal Eagle The Legal Eagle is reopening after an extended hiatus taken post-covid, while Underdog , the craft beer Mecca, slung their wares and kept the lights on. Their beloved gastropub tradition is still being honoured with their signature pickles, homemade crisps and treacle tarts, and the nose-to-tail vibes are still there with PX-braised ox cheek in bone marrow sauce, and Pigs on the Green chorizo with cider-braised onions. Feasting also takes pride of place with roast lamb, whole fish, wood-fired chicken and a host of sharing courses, and we've got a €120 voucher to give away this month so one of our Insiders can head in to take full advantage of their brand new bag. 4) Two tickets for a Champagne supper club at The Conrad The Coburg 's supper club is back with a Champagne and oyster instalment featuring one of our favs - Henriot . On Thursday 21st September, diners will enjoy four Champagnes from the Henriot catalogue, paired with oysters; goats cheese and beetroot; halibut in a Champagne and oyster sauce, and dessert, with tickets priced at €79. We've got two tickets for what sounds like a great night to give away, but if you can't wait to see if you're a winner you can reserve your place here . 5) A €150 voucher to spend at Cluck Chicken Cluck Chicken have been brightening up Walkinstown with their free-range, buttermilk-fried chicken burgers, tenders and wings since 2020, and now Tallaght has in on the action as they've just opened their first bricks and mortar site in The Square . To celebrate we've got a €150 voucher to give away to one ATF Insider this month, which will let you work your way through most of their menu, including the famous 'Mother Clucker hun bun', truffle parmesan tenders, and 'Banging Buffalo' loaded fries. See the menu here . 6) €100 to spend at Blossom Artisan Bakery & Buddy's Farmer's Market We found two excellent reasons to make a trip to Dublin 11 this month, with our discovery of new bakery Blossom , and not so new indoor farmer's market Buddy's , which sit in the same building in Ballymun Industrial Park. We thought Blossom's morning buns, almond croissants and fruit and nut danishes could go head to head with Dublin's best (there's Imbibe coffee too), and Buddy's is a treasure chest of Irish (mainly Dublin) produce which we've seen nowhere else. A necessary detour if you're taking a trip to IKEA or Decathlon, and a very welcome addition to the northside. We've got a €50 voucher for Blossom to give away and another €50 for Buddy's, so one of you will be heading over to fill your boots with bread, pastries, eggs, fruit, veg and whatever else you want to throw in your basket. 7) A Hamper of Wicklow's best produce to celebrate Irish Food & Drink Month Irish Food & Drink Month returns this October with a set of events aimed at celebrating all of the brilliant food and drink being produced in Wicklow. On Thursday 19th and Friday 20th, a Beár Bia (Irish for Food Bar) pop up is happening in Hen’s Teeth in Dublin 8, with a four-course menu featuring Wicklow’s finest food & drink producers. Tickets are €65 each (plus booking fee) including drink pairings, and you can get them here . We have an amazing hamper to give away this month so one of you can enjoy some of Wicklow's best at home, including Fercullen Single Malt Whiskey, Wicklow Way blackberry wine, Nibbed Cacao, Chocolate Garden of Ireland chocolates, Olly's Honey, Wicklow Rapeseed Oil, Mic's Chilli, Janet's Country Fayre relish and Le Paysan paté. 8) €100 voucher for Iciar's new cheese and wine bar in Blackrock Iciar Cheese Bar , in the Frascati Centre in Blackrock, have gone full on Paris in Dublin with the opening of their new cheese and wine bar , complete with hanging plants and Eiffel Tower doodles. They're serving cheese boards, salads, French patisserie and other treats, as well as that all important French wine, and they're open Tuesday - Sunday. To celebrate Blackrock's newest hangout for cheese and wine, we've got a €100 voucher for Iciar to give away, so one lucky Insider will be heading over for a belly-full of France's finest. 9) Two tickets to the launch of Urban Brewing's Oyster Festival, plus a €50 voucher for more food and drinks Urban Brewing in the CHQ building are running an Oyster Festival from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd of September pairing garnished oysters with their signature stouts. Head Chef Dan will be taking attendees through sourcing, shucking, garnishing & pairing with Irish Stouts on a special launch night guided experience on Tuesday 19th, and we've got two tickets to give away (or for another night of you choice), plus a €50 voucher to try other food and drinks after you've had your oysters and stout. They'll be open for walk-ins throughout the weekend if you fancy trying oysters with calamansi & shallot; pomegranate and lemon thyme; or buttermilk, dill oil & picked onion. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for September (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here by midnight on Sunday 17th September. You'll be supporting independent content in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

A nostalgic sandwich, a classic pastry from the Eternal City, and a polished plate highlighting an under-appreciated piece of meat. Here are the five dishes we want to eat in Dublin this week... 1) Pig's head, pickled shiitake and radish, Note The basis for classics like brawn and a regular in terrine but often overlooked in modern cuisine, pigs head can be polarising, but for us it's the crème de la crème. Note are doing their bit to make the poor man's cut beautifully refined, with piquant pickled shiitakes and crisp radish. 2) Caesar salad, Benjamin's Hot Chicken Sounding Roman in name but from Mexico in practice, there have been thousands of iterations of the Caesar salad but this one stopped us scrolling. If you want the joy of Benjamin's signature fried chicken without the burden of the bun in this heat, this would be the perfect accompaniment to a creamy pint in The Vintage Inn . 3) Fish and chip butty, The Seafood Café Evoking childhood memories of a chipper dinner sandwiched between two slices of batch bread, but taken up a level with the distinct tang of tartar sauce, this fish and chip butty from The Seafood Café in Temple Bar looks like the type of nostalgia we couldn't say no to. 4) The Dublin Lawyer, Hawksmoor A dish fit for a king (or a stressed member of the legal profession), no expense has been spared with the treatment of this crustacean. Baked with Micil whiskey, leeks, cream and Cáis na Tíre cheese, it looks perfect for an evening where you need something indulgent to put the stresses of the office behind you - although at €75 a plate, ideally you'd be eating on someone else's tab. 5) Blackcurrant Maritozzo, The Morning Bakery Ushering in the season of autumnal produce based pastries in Dublin bakeries, this blackcurrant crème diplomat filled maritozzo is starting the month off spectacularly. One of these should ideally be enjoyed with a coffee and plenty of sun if you can grab one of the few seats outside the cafe.

What should we know about Blossom Artisan Bakery? Tucked away inside Buddy’s Farmer’s Market in Ballymun Industrial Park, is a brand new bakery - Blossom . Run by Xenia and Peter, pastry school sweethearts, everything is made in-house and from scratch. Blossom opened a little over two months ago, and they are currently open Wednesday to Saturday from 09:00-15:00. They've been having issues with Google Maps so please use the eircode D11 RPC9 to find them rather than letting Google take you somewhere you really shouldn't be going. What should we have? Previously known as @that_sourdough_guy , Peter has been perfecting his craft for years. In their bread lineup, you’ll find country sourdough (made with organic wholemeal spelt flour from Oak Forest Mills), seeded malt sourdough (his signature loaf), French baguette, and a weekly special. When we visited they had zopf - a Swiss braided bread similar to challah. The malt sourdough could go head to head with the city's best bakes, and their baguette is also in the big leagues, with its benchmark chew hard to stop chewing. A brie and walnut ciabatta was less impressive, with the brie imperceptible - they might perhaps be using a brie made with pasteurised milk as opposed to a Brie de Meaux - but the bread made for a lovely egg salad sandwich the next day. From the pastries, they recommended the chocolate knot, and it was a buttery and flaky with chocolate woven throughout. Top knotch stuff. A pain suisse on the other hand was under-baked with the custard a touch too thick, but look at those layers - a few more minutes in the oven and there would have been no problem. Their almond croissant was faultless, with that ultra buttery crunch and crumble outside, and a sweet generous filling inside, and a white chocolate, pistachio and raspberry Danish was another of our favourite things - the tart raspberries and nuts managing to avoid it tasting too sweet. The cinnamon morning bun is the lightest, fluffiest little buttery cinnamon bun there was, and at €2, it's a steal. The cinnamon-to-sugar ratio was spot on, it was gone in seconds, and we’ve been thinking about it every day since. We were told they've been getting great feedback on their sausage rolls, and we can see why. The crunchy pastry topped with toasted sesame seeds, encloses a meaty, well seasoned filling, spliced with sweet red onion jam and spring onions, and it all felt very gourmet, and very juicy. Is there seating? They have a small indoor seating area, and a few picnic tables outside if the weather is good. What is there to drink? Their coffee is from Imbibe , was brewed perfectly, and it’s one of the best cups around until you hit Driftwood in Finglas. Anything else I should know? Bring your shopping bags and stock up on Dublin-grown fruit and veg from Buddy's (which we can't believe we didn't know about until now). Ballyboughal strawberries, Lusk tomatoes, plums from Swords - this is our version of a sweet shop. Why should I go? Blossom is without a doubt the best bakery for miles, which is good news for the locals. Not a local? Go here if you have a trip to IKEA or Decathlon planned, or even on the way to/from the airport. Just remember to use the eircode… Blossom Artisan Bakery Unit D, 2 Ballymun Industrial Park, 16 Carton Rd, Ballymun, D11 RPC9 instagram.com/blossom_artisan_bakery

What should we know about Yumgrub? Previously located in Ballybrack’s Village Yard before its sudden closure scuppered things, plant-based fast food “filth” purveyors Yumgrub have now set up shop in Grand Canal Dock’s The Place , alongside fellow food trucks Pastiamo , Tacoman , Dosa Dosa and The Drunken Cookie . The all-vegan menu is packed with Beyond Meat burgers, chick*n rolls, tofu bacon and loaded fries, and we’d heard just enough positive word to want to get down to check it out for ourselves. What should we have? We might have expected to walk away from Yumgrub raving about one burger or another, but actually it’s the nachos we can’t shut up about: slathered in a rich and creamy vegan queso, these well-loaded tortilla chips happily hold their own with the standard competition. Where meat alternatives have come along in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, plant-based cheeses are often lagging far behind. Yumgrub’s concoction gets it spot-on with a sharp, tangy tastiness that’s nigh-on impossible to distinguish from the real thing. Well-seasoned guac and a piquant pico de gallo have just the right acidic kick to balance out the gooey, cheesy goodness. Had we known in advance just how moreish that queso was going to be we’d have gone for a helping of cheeze-loaded fries too – we make these mistakes so you don’t have to. Instead we went for the little-bit-of-everything Grub Box to give us a few little tasters. It’s a substantial serving of food anchored in the perfectly crispy skin-on fries, but we found the overly thin chick*n strips a little disappointingly bland in isolation – it’s easy to imagine one of the sauce-laden chick*n burgers being a more well-rounded vehicle for the breaded Seitan, with other ingredients giving it a chance to work in concert. We’d been really curious to try the “Mac ‘n’ Cheeni”, suspect though the pun may be, and while the textural contrast of crispy breadcrumbs, oozing cheeze and al dente pasta makes for a mighty mouthful, the filling was just a touch too under-seasoned to really resonate beyond that initial bite. We rounded things out with a Cowboi burger, and there’s no doubting the Beyond Meat patty looks the part, slathered with melted cheeze and topped with a messy mound of caramelised onion and BBQ sauce – that’s no complaint. Texture and flavour is on-point too, with crisped edges and a juicy interior making this a spot-on replica: vegan converts craving the nostalgia value of a dirty burger will be well-served here. The only slight drawback is the tofu “bacon”, too subtly flavoured and softly textured to stand out from the crowd in this busy stack. Why should I go? Dublin’s still a bit short-changed when it comes to decent vegan fast food – especially since the late lamented Vegan Sandwich Co. shut up shop – so those craving just that will be happy to discover Yumgrub. The slot at The Place also makes it a perfect compromise pick for mixed groups of vegans and carnivores unwilling to go without, though they might well be tempted to try it once they see how good it all looks. Yumgrub The Place, Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2 instagram.com/yumgrubdub

While we’ve definitely noticed a slowdown in pace throughout the summer where new openings are concerned, slimming margins haven’t totally stopped the arrival of new options in the city’s restaurant scene. From Turkish delight to Japanese omakase, longsilog to tostadotas, our latest new arrivals have a little something for everyone... Matsukawa, Smithfield The former Woke Cup Café space in Smithfield has been catching our eye of late, between an ongoing refitting and a couple of what looked like late night menu tests. It was all in service of new Japanese restaurant Matsukawa , which quietly opened last week to largely positive early word. The €90, 18-dish omakase menu – a non-choice tradition that’s all about trusting the chef, who Matsukawa have termed a “sushi artist” – includes starters, sashimi, a hot dish, soup, and dessert as well as 12 pieces of edomae-style cured or marinated fish sushi. Could this be the Japanese restaurant Dublin has been waiting for? We’ll have the a verdict for you very soon. Rumi, Francis Street We’ve been keeping an interested eye on the long-idle 28 Francis Street as it started to get spruced up in recent weeks, and the end result is even more exciting than we’d hoped for. Family-run Turkish café Rumi joins the rapidly-diversifying Liberties streetscape with a breakfast, lunch, and light bite menu from 08:00 - 20:00, seven days a week. Expect a host of Turkish pastries, paninis, salads and Imbibe coffee on offer, as well as a square of the genuine-article Turkish delight free with every purchase. Early word from the immigrant community in Dublin is glowing, not least with the news that gözleme, a stuffed Turkish flatbread beloved by many, will be joining the menu soon. Brighton Road, Foxrock After a two year stint as Pala Pizza & Trattoria , the site in Foxrock that played host to Bistro One for over 20 years returns to the hands of ex-chef Alan Wang and his partner Elaine Long, whose new Brighton Road is promising a blend of old favourites and new directions - even if the debut menu’s raviolo and roast beef looks to be playing it a little more safe. Seasonal Irish ingredients and quality suppliers are top priorities here across the evening and Sunday lunch menus – at €39 for three courses, we can see that latter option doing well with old and new customers alike. A wine specials board of €40 bottles is a nice touch. First Craic, Cabra A new coffee spot for Cabra in the form of First Craic , which has taken over the café space below the local Lidl and opens Monday through Saturday from 08:00 - 17:00 – an ideal stop-off before the stress of the weekly shop. Their six sandwich options come courtesy of the ever-excellent Greenville Deli , while coffee is supplied by Latitude. It’s a bright and airy industrial chic space bedecked with hanging greens, so likely to be a lively escape as those darker days close in. They’re also very vocally dog-friendly with puppacinos on hand for your furry friends to lap up. Little Lemon, Duke Lane A smaller sibling to Lemon & Duke across the way, Little Lemon comes to us from the consortium of retired rugby players behind that bar and The Bridge 1859, keen to fill the “gap in the market” that exists for the Mediterranean dining experience in Dublin – apparently. The all day menu’s mix of small plates including antipasti, chorizo, croquettes and calamari is definitely not something we’ve never seen around before, but why let that stand in the way of a bold pitch. The drinks menu leans heavily on the spritzes while promising a bespoke cocktail offering that delivers “tantalizing elixirs”. Right you are. Orani, Blanchardstown Describing its fare as modern European cuisine with an Asian touch, Orani first turned heads with its pandemic-era takeaway sushi bake , a dish it’s carried through to its new bricks-and-mortar space in Blanchardstown. That’s one among many plates that have grabbed our attention, from the breakfast longsilog (the owners are Filipino) and miso hollandaise eggs benedict, through the lunch and dinner offerings including katsu curry and chicken karaage - an early favourite if customer reviews are anything to go by. Cakes and pastries seriously look the part too, with the matcha red bean cheesecake one that’ll draw us out D15 way before long. El Grito, Rathmines Returning south of the Liffey after its original Temple Bar location shut up shop a few years back, the ever-popular El Grito has opened a second outlet in Rathmines, taking over the site that was previously home to sandwich shop Hush. The Mexican taqueria has kitted out the space in similarly bold, colourful style to their Mountjoy Square site and are serving up the same street food mix of al pastor tacos, tostadotas, chimichangas and more alongside their unique cocktail menu. It’s a long way they’ve come from that tiny five seater that first put their name on the map back in 2015. Coming soon... Hakkahan, UCD You read that right – Stoneybatter’s beloved Chinese restaurant Hakkahan , operated by the same people as the equally good Nan Chinese , are opening a new venture in UCD. Campus food was never so good in our day, but don’t worry, regular punters will be welcome to pop in too. Firebyrd, Dun Laoghaire Good news for lovers of Ranelagh’s Nashville-style fried chicken joint Firebyrd as they announce a second opening down south in Dun Laoghaire. No word yet on when, but it’s tipped to open before the end of the year. Scéal, Greystones Is Greystones set to become the bakery capital of the country? Following Bread 41 out thataway is Scéal , previously operating on Thursday and Saturday mornings out of the Fumbally Stables. We can only hope the new space gives them the capacity to cope with the queues upon queues their exceptional baking always produces. Surge, Grand Canal Dock Going from strength to strength after opening a weekend wine bar in its Clontarf location last summer, specialty coffee shop Surge is expanding to a second site in Grand Canal Dock. Whether their regular stock of Greenville Deli sandwiches and Old Street charcuterie will follow remains to be seen. Oakberry, Anne Street South Already pitching itself as the only authentic Brazilian açai in Ireland – we can think of a few places that might take issue with that – Oakberry arrives soon to Anne Street South on a promise of healthy fast food. With north of 600 outlets already open worldwide, plenty of people out there must be buying it. Cluck Chicken, Tallaght Moving across the M50 from Walkinstown to The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght, Cluck Chicken Truck finally has a permanent home, opening this Thursday at 12pm, with their Mother Clucker hun bun just €2.40 from 12:00 - 16:00. Their free-range fried chicken burgers are up there with the best in the city, and owner Ian Ussher has a good track record of keeping price points affordable in Ian's Kitchen .