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We want to know where you're eating and loving lately. Send your tips and pics to info@allthefood.ie and we'll publish the best each fortnight, just for you guys...

Struggling with the reality of having to dig out the hat and full-length puffa? Resisting the urge to turn the heating on full blast? There's one good thing about the turning of the seasons - many of our favourite restaurants are updating their menus with brand new creations. Here are the five things we most want to eat this week to distract us from the diminishing grand old stretch... 1) Beef Rib Melt, 147 Deli We've never met a 147 Deli sandwich special we didn’t like. We were gone from the teasers of bone marrow laced chimichurri and the progress pictures of short ribs destined for a red-wine slow braise. They’ve promised the final result will have the texture of butter, and we're happy to take one for the team and put that to the test. 2) Wagyu Steak Frites, Mister S Mister S can do no wrong can they. Their latest special, served only on Fridays, is the antidote we needed to the dreaded cost of living crisis. Wagyu steak from Cork with crispy frites cooked over fire, for the bargain price of €19 - what a way to start the weekend. Supply is limited to approximately 20 each week so don't hang about. 3) Chocolate, Hazelnut & Coffee Tart, Urbanity Urbanity’s latest cake creation is here to remind us chocolate and hazelnut should not just be saved for Nutella. This tart has the prettiest piping of milk chocolate cremeaux along with a hazelnut financier base and a dark chocolate and coffee ganache, and looks like it would be the ultimate pick me up alongside their speciality roasted coffee. 4) Grilled Scallops with Caviar and Ponzu, Hang Dai Seafood might not jump to mind when we think of Hang Dai , but these hand-dived scallops cooked over fire with with caviar, ponzu and butter, look like competition for their signature duck . This may be the only place in Dublin serving caviar with a side of house music and disco lights when the restaurant transforms after dark. 5) Bombay Party Bowl, Sprout The recipe video for Sprout 's new Bombay Party bowl has so much going on. It looks to be jam-packed with chaat potatoes, tangy tamarind yoghurt, pickled chilis, and okra - something you don’t see in your average salad. Off the back of this salad, they’ve also launched the chaat potatoes as a side, served with the yoghurt dressing as a dipping sauce, and we never say no to extra spuds.

With the recent stories of five-hour waits to get through to the COVID travel cert helpline, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the world and its mother have opted to escape the unpredictable Irish weather and (let’s face it) often overpriced staycations for sunnier climes. However, on a recent visit to Connemara it seemed to be the opposite story entirely – restaurants and pubs were packed with Irish holidaymakers, and these days there's no shortage of places to get a great feed in the wild, wild West. Dublin has seen an exodus of chefs and hospitality staff over the last year, and we’re pretty sure we know where they’ve disappeared to. There are loads of interesting, recent additions to the area, with a new shipping container/horsebox/caravan making an appearance on our Instagram feeds each week, and we're loving the impact on the Irish food scene. Here's where to make a beeline for next time you're in Connemara… Galway City To Roundstone Ard Bia @ Nimmos Ard Bia At Nimmos is somewhere we go back to again and again, and it’s easy to see why it’s a hit with tourists and locals alike – no matter the time of day, it’s welcoming and cosy with excellent food and drinks. They're currently open for breakfast and lunch (dinner is on hold for the time being) but their weekend brunch is one of the few that we rate in the city – they recently posted a black pudding hash which we haven’t been able to stop thinking about since. The Dough Bros While their DIY Kits were a godsend during the lockdowns, The Dough Bros is one place we can’t wait to get back into in person. Guaranteed great pizza and always a brilliant buzz, the ‘bros’ behind this venture always have interesting collaborations on the go. They’re just doing takeaway for the moment so grab a pizza and a ‘Dough Brews’ IPA and perch yourself by the Corrib to enjoy. Wa Café For a sushi takeaway on the go to rival any in the country, head for Wa Café . Head chef and owner Yoshimi Hayakawa attracts people from across the country for her sushi platters, rice bowls and gyoza. Desserts are way more than an afterthought too. Marmalade Bakery is the place to stop for sourdough, cinnamon buns and sausage rolls. You'll also find cookies, muffins and topped potato farls. If you're staying in self-catering accommodation stock up and treat yourself to the breakfast of Kings the next morning - a few mins in a hot oven will do wonders to revive your haul. Coffee Werk + Press is where you want to stop for a caffeine refuel. They have a few tables outside if it's dry and it's a lovely space to have a browse around, and to stock up on ground or wholebean coffee for your trip. POTA, An Tulach You may want to brush up on your cúpla focal for POTA , in An Tulach. The new Irish language café deep in the heart of the Gaeltacht is doing their part to keep the language alive, while serving organic, seasonal food. They were initially based in chef Diarmuid Ó Mathúna’s native Cork but relocated this summer. Don’t let your rusty Gaeilge deter you - staff are super friendly and they even provide some useful phrases if you want to give ordering through Irish a bash. An bhfuil cead agam… Roundstone To Clifden Good Stuff, Roundstone Good Stuff is the toasty van of our greedy dreams – buttery, super cheesy, perfect sourdough served with a portion of pickles and Builín Blasta's famous smoked onion mayo on the side. Get there early as they tend to sell out. Extra points for the best coffee we found in the area. Roundstone Country Market Roundstone Country Market is only open on Sundays and it’s well worth timing a visit. Among the vintage crockery and homemade wares you’ll find Sand and Pebbles Seafood Truck serving lobster rolls and crab salad, and Le Crêpe Wagon serving, you guessed it, crêpes. Save some room for the creamiest, locally-homemade ice-cream at Jimmy’s. Sweet Nothings, Ballyconneely On the scenic drive from Clifden to Roundstone you’ll find a dotey little thatched bungalow housing Sweet Nothings , serving vegan and vegetarian cakes and savoury dishes. While they’re operating on a takeaway basis at the moment, they have some picnic benches outside and there are plenty of beaches nearby to enjoy your lunch. Don't miss the cakes - this has been called some of the best vegan baking in Ireland. Clifden to Cleggan Baidin @ Clifden Boat Club The newest kid on the block was set up by three friends with experience in some of Dublin's top rated restaurants, including The Fumbally and Cirillos. While Báidín only opened at the start of July, they've generated a lot of buzz, for good reason. The short menu changes daily and is very locally influenced. We tried one of each option and loved them all, but the surprising winner was the summer risotto. It was exactly what we needed on a typically Irish windy summer evening - warming and flavoursome with lovely crunch from the toasted pumpkin seeds and walnuts. Unfortunately, they'd run out of desserts when we visited but we made do with some Irish coffees (crack out the tiny violin) and will be back to try the sweet stuff. Fadó Pizza, Clifden Based in Clifden Camping & Caravan Park, pizza truck Fadó is serving some special pies with their hand-kneaded, 24hr proved dough. Simple and delicious, this would be a great takeaway to grab for a sunset dinner on the beach. Wild Folk, Clifden Wild Folk started as a yoga retreat filled with sea swimming and nourishing food, but pivoted to launching a food truck when restrictions wouldn’t allow them to hold regular retreats. They’re based at Clifden Eco Camping and are serving up some seriously tasty lunch and cakes from their little caravan, like squash and red lentil dahl with tamari seeds and cumin pickled red onion, and chai spiced pear and almond cake. The Connemara Hamper If you’re planning on picnicking or doing some upmarket cooking during your staycay, The Connemara Hamper is the place to stock up on provisions. As well as a full deli with cheeses, salads and sandwiches, they have a great range of our favourite pantry fillers including Harry's Nutbutter and Rosa Madre fresh pasta, as well as local smoked salmon, cheeses and jams. The Lamplight Wine Bar, Clifden The Lamplight has a brilliant selection of wines for a pre-dinner drink, or you could always settle in and order some small plates to go with it. A heated terrace at the back of the shop is the perfect place to hole up with some friends for some well needed catch-ups. The Sea Hare @ The Pier Bar Cleggan This is the second summer for The Sea Hare pop-up in rural Cleggan and it's as popular as ever. They have a daily-changing menu depending on what’s in season and what they can source locally, but alongside this they dedicate the weekend to freshly caught lobster and mussels. We visited for their Saturday Lobster lunch, served with a choice of lemon mayo or wild garlic butter and a homemade brioche bun (still warm from the oven!) for dipping. Do yourself a favour and ask for a double helping of the garlic butter – we would drink this by the mugful if it was socially acceptable. They host a number of dinner events and guest chefs during the season so keep an eye on their Instagram for news. Inishwallah, Inishbofin island Inishbofin is well worth at least a day trip from Cleggan, if only to visit renovated double decker bus Inishwallah , parked up on the island. The menu gets its inspiration from afar - this is definitely not the food you would expect to find in this remote area. The owner grew up in Tennessee and has a Keralan background so expect some surprising island options like pakoras and tacos. A perfect feast to enjoy after a big cycle around the island. Cleggan to Leenaun 12 Pins Food Truck, Letterfrack This find was a welcome surprise for us – the shores of Letterfrack were not where we expected to come across a Filipino street food truck, but we’re glad that we did. 12 Pins Market & Food Truck only opened in the last month, with Emir Catague at the helm. He's crafted the small menu using his native recipes and time travelling the world while working on cruise ships, and we think this is one to watch. Dooncastle Oysters, Kylemore Dooncastle Oysters supply some of the top restaurants in the country and now us mere mortals have a chance to try the goods at their food truck in the stunning location of Kylemore Lough. There's plenty of other seafood options if oysters don’t float your boat, and Handsome Burger also have a food truck in the same spot. Misunderstood Heron, Leenaun Perched in what has to be the most idyllic location in Ireland overlooking Killary Fjord, you'll find Misunderstood Heron . These guys were one of the first serious food trucks to launch in Ireland – they’ve been serving casual, affordable, wholesome, flavour-packed food since 2017. We change our order depending what’s on offer, but we ALWAYS find room for one of their savoury pasties. Did we miss your favourite spot in Connemara? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

Yes it's a long drive. Yes you could go somewhere closer and not spend half a day in the car. Yes it's ANOTHER hour and half from Cork City. But it's all good, because West Cork is Ireland's answer to Mecca for us urban food lovers, worthy of a yearly (bi-yearly if we had our way) pilgrimage to feast, frolic and fantasize about winning the lotto and mooring your new yacht in Crookhaven Bay, only popping off for a pint and a crab sandwich in O'Sullivan's. Part of us wants to keep this magical place to ourselves, and not make it even more impossible to find decent accommodation every summer, but the other part of us knows we have a civic duty to spread the good food gospel, so read on for all the wonderful places to eat in this beautiful part of the country... (Please note that this is not a comprehensive guide to West Cork restaurants - there are hundreds. This is just where we would send you if you asked nicely) Ballydehob The small coastal village of Ballydehob somehow feels like the culinary centre of the West Cork universe, and that's in no small part to the fact that it's home to one of Cork's three Michelin-starred restaurants - Restaurant Chestnut , run by chef Rob Krawczyk and partner Elaine Fleming. Between a lack of bookings and covid lockdowns we've sadly never made it through the doors, but it's on the all-Ireland bucket list. The seasonal tasting menu (currently €100 pp) is "designed around nature", and there's an optional wine pairing. We've yet to hear of anyone who left disappointed. Bookings are released every two months and you can try your luck getting one here . On the more casual side of things, Budd's on Main Street offers, breakfast, lunch and takeaway, and is a cut above your average café (in usual times they also offer dinner but they've chosen to keep indoor dining shut for the time being). The sandwiches and salads change daily, the cakes are top tier, and if they have the crispy potato skins with balsamic and caper berry mayo on when you visit, be warned that one portion will never be enough. Also on the not-to-be-missed list is toastie truck Ron D's , and even if toasties don't get you excited, these ones will. Their three cheese toastie (all from Cork) comes stuffed with with sour cream and charred scallions, and a side of bread and butter pickles, that you will definitely want a jar of to take home, and their potato doughnuts are the perfect follow up. You can currently find them outside the Ballydehob Community Centre on Wednesdays from 12:30 - 15:00, and they're doing sporadic taco nights . Follow them on Instagram for up to date info. For something casual, Yay Burger have just opened on Stabal Hill serving burgers, salads and sides, and Kitchen Stories is a brand new food and wine shop on Main Street, which looks like the perfect pitstop for picnic or holiday home provisions, as well as beautiful kitchenware and tablescaping. No trip to Ballydehob is complete without a few pints in Levis' Public House , and it's always worth checking in advance whether there's a pop up happening - over the past few years they've hosted Belfast's Bia Rebel, Caitlin Ruth, and even Restaurant Chestnut during a lockdown. This summer, during periods when they didn't have their own food on, they were allowing customers to bring food in from other restaurants/takeaways, which is very sound. The large outdoor area at the back is the ideal place for summer pints. Baltimore Another of the ultra special food experiences you can have in this part of the world is Ahmet Dede's Michelin-starred restaurant Dede in the The Customs House in Baltimore. The chef's tasting menu is hyper local, with almost everything coming from the surrounding areas, and since ex-Guilbaud's head sommelier Joey Scanlon joined the team earlier this year, the wine list and pairings have gone to a different level. The staff and vibe are wonderfully relaxed, and like Chestnut this is one to plan a trip around. Look for a reservation here . A few doors down, The Algiers Inn has been there for a staggering 130 years, but only really hit the culinary map after American couple Ann and Bill Hillyard took it over last year. Their Californian inspired menu features housemade tortilla chips and guacamole, Baja fish tacos and chicken taquitos, as well as specially created cocktails, and get there early unless you like to queue, as there's no bookings. Also in Baltimore, Rolf's Country House and Casey's are two hotels with noteable restaurants, serving mainly local produce in a more traditional style. Rolf's also has a beautiful garden if you're not comfortable dining indoors yet. Rosscarbery/Warren Beach/Longstrand No trip to West Cork is complete without begging, stealing and borrowing to get a table, any table, at Pilgrim's in Roscarberry. This is one of the best restaurants in the country as far as we're concerned, and whatever dish they turn their hand to seems infinitely better than anything you've had before. They're blessed with a beautiful outdoor area out the back, and while the menu has gone slightly more casual in the current restrictions, it's no less impressive. Prepared to be wowed by everything set in front of you. Look for a table here . Up the road outside the Celtic Ross Hotel, the CRAFT food truck (Celtic Ross Artisanal Food Truck - clever) serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner from Friday - Tuesday. It's an eclectic menu ranged from stuffed croissants to Roscarberry black pudding croquettes to Huevos Rancheros, West Cork style. If you're visiting the lovely Warren Beach five minutes outside town, Drip at The Warren is where to head for all your caffeinated needs, including the obligatory iced caramel lattés. You'll also find pastries, cakes and other sweet treats. Further up the coast on Longstrand, The Fish Basket is an essential stop for beachside fish and chips, but not just any fish and chips. Battered hake, lemon sole and monkfish have all been known to make an appearance, as well as fish tacos, prawn scampi and homemade chips. The sharing box is supposed to feed two but is gigantic. Skibbereen Skibbereen isn't drowning in exciting places to eat, but it's a great place to base yourself for exploring the area, especially if you don't want to be driving for dinner every day. For breakfast, lunch or special deli bits, head for Kalbos Café . The cakes are quite frankly ridiculous, and you'll find it hard not to walk out with a large bag of Lorge chocolates, yellow tomato passata, and homemade jams. An Chistin Beag is currently open for breakfast and lunch with a simple menu of things like eggs benedict and BLTs, and The Church is where you'll find your Caesar salads, burgers and scampi and chips. They have some lovely tables out front and sometimes live music. If you're in town on a Saturday don't even think about missing Skibereen's Farmer's Market , which makes a mockery of most others in the country. You'll find everything from local fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meats, bread, cakes and cordials, to street food ranging from dumplings to German sausages, as well as the obligatory bric -à- brac. The market's on from 09:30 - 14:00. Sheep's Head Penninsula Our favourite place to eat around these parts is Arundel's by the Pier in Ahakista, who serve simple but very well done dishes like mussels with nduja, seafood chowder and open crab sandwiches - don't miss the brown bread which comes from the owners' granny's brown bread recipe. The picnic benches overlooking the water outside are the ones to nab and staff are lovely. If you're looking for a nice coffee stop while out exploring, head for the Heron Gallery Café and Gardens , for good coffee, cakes and a beautiful garden to enjoy them in. If you're going to do one of the many walks around Sheep's Head (recommended), stop at Bernie's Cupan Tae on your return for a salmon sandwich, some apple tart and a cuppa to rejuvenate yourself. Schull Our favourite thing we ate in Schull were the falafel wraps from Effie's Kitchen in Schull's Sunday Market (expect to come across Ian Bailey at every turn). Floury soft wraps, crunchy hot falafel, fresh salad and zingy sauces makes for a very satisfying lunch. Another place you might want to consider for a sit down meal is L'Escale on the pier, serving locally caught fish, lobster, mussels, oysters, and randomly, pancakes. Just south of the town in Colla you'll find summer coffee and wine pop up Now and Zen overlooking the water, with evening cheese and charcuterie boards if you're peckish. Bantry If you're looking for seafood in Bantry head for The Fish Kitchen , for Sherkin Bay oysters, Bantry Bay lobster with garlic butter, or a West Cork seafood salad plate. At the moment there's limited outdoor seating (walk-up only) and they haven't reopened for indoor seating yet, but they're doing takeaway from the hatch from Tuesday - Saturday. For coffee, mushroom and barley sausage rolls, focaccia with fennel and grapes, salads, sandwiches, and more cakes than you can imagine, head to lovely café and bakery The Stuffed Olive . There's a few benches and picnic tables outside perfect for soaking up some (fingers crossed) summer sun. Another spot for on the go provisions, lunch or food shopping is café/deli/food shop Organico . The café specialises in vegan and vegetarian food (but does have meat too), local produce and predominantly organic ingredients, with the bread, cakes and desserts all made in house. Their wine is organic too, and coffee's from Red Strand in Clonakilty. Others Spots Worth A Stop Caitlin Ruth 's food truck has an avid following, but prepare to wait until the last minute to know where it's going to pop up. It was for this reason we never made it there for her biscuits and gravy or French toast pudding with pecan praline, but universally reports of very happy tummies abound. Most recently she was in Aghafore, before that it was Levis' in Ballydehob and Timoleague Abbey, and you can follow her on Instagram for updates here . You'll probably pass through Leap on the way to Skibbereen, Ballydehob or Baltimore. If you find yourself there and in need of food (or live music), stop at Connolly's for wood-fired pizza, tamarind chicken wings and sweet and sour aubergine. Most of their gigs in August (seated and ticketed) are currently sold out, but the food alone looks and sounds like it's worth a visit. For a supermarket to make you weep with joy (and sadness that they're all not like that), make a special visit to Scally's Supervalu in Clonakilty. It's a culinary treasure trove with practically everything worth eating in the region. They're big on sustainability, with loose eggs, fruit, vegetables and spices a priority (their 'souk' would put some spice shops to shame), a mammoth cheese counter and aisle after aisle of foods from local producers. It's the ultimate place for your holiday home shop, or to fill the boot before coming home.

It's official, Cork is on fire. On a recent trip there we didn't have enough hours or calories in the day to eat everywhere we wanted to, but we did our best and boy were we impressed. Looking for your next food-based weekend away? Look no further, and here are seven places not to miss when you get there... Goldie, Oliver Plunkett Street Goldie Head Chef Aishling Moore is 26. Just try to get your head around that after eating her perfect plates of local tomatoes and crispy sardines, hake with café de Paris butter and caramelised chicory (why isn't this more of a thing), and monkfish dahl (ditto). Michelin were on the money awarding them a Bib Gourmand, and this is a kitchen that could have a star if they wanted it. The wine list is small but perfectly serviceable, staff seem genuinely happy to be there, and children are welcomed with open arms. In our book it doesn't get much better. 51 Cornmarket, Cornmarket Street You'll never want to make brunch again after eating at 51 Cornmarket - what's the point when everything that comes out of your own kitchen is so dull in comparison to theirs. A crab crumpet with brown crab mayo and a poached egg has hidden slivers of pickled daikon running through the middle, 'brunch chips' come with a poached egg, hollandaise sauce and a bacon crumb, and the French toast, which is like a soufflé in the middle yet perfectly crispy on the outside, topped with bacon, honeycomb butter and salty butterscotch sauce, is currently our frontrunner for 'best in Ireland'. Cask, MacCurtain Street Seasonal, 'nature-led' cocktail bar Cask uses ingredients like lemon rose geranium, nettle cordial, and ugly strawberries to make their award-winning, frequently changing cocktail list. It's not hard to see why they won 'Bar of the year' at the 2019 awards of the same name, as well as a litany of other awards , when sipping on a rhubarb and sorrel margarita, or a fig leaf / cleavers (a native Irish herb). For added impact there's a waterfall at the back of the outside area, and plenty to look at inside too. Miyazaki You've probably heard of Miyazaki , Japanese chef Takashi Miyazaki's takeaway (with a few counter seats) in Cork city, but it's as good as it ever was, so make sure to earmark a visit on your next trip south. The specials are where the magic is at, with a salmon zuke don bowl so fresh and vibrant we felt like we'd just left a Japanese fish market. They don't have a website but you can find the menu as well as daily specials on their Facebook page . Iyers, Pope's Quay Iyers has always been known for their dosas, those crispy Indian pancakes made from fermented rice batter and served with chutneys and dips, and it's no exaggeration to say we think about them weekly, so were pretty devo on our last trip to find that they've been relegated to Sundays due to the amount of work involved. However, you can still immerse yourself in the best samosa chaat, pakoras, and a multitude of curries on the other days they're open (currently Friday - Sunday). Everything is vegetarian, with lots vegan too. Good Day Deli, Nano Nagle Place In the beautiful gardens of Nano Nagle Place, Good Day Deli serves up a feel-good, so fresh it's almost jumping off the plate menu of predominantly vegetarian food (but their Kai Moana fish tacos will likely never be allowed to leave the menu). There's a big focus on sustainable eating and living, and a nicely curated list of natural wine, organic tea and West Cork coffee, as well as unmissable homemade cakes. Cush, Ballycotton About 45 minutes drive from Cork city, in the harbour town of Ballycotton, you'll find Cush , with its sea views, impressive list of local suppliers , and very obvious talent in the kitchen. Their three-course, €36 menu is incredible value for food of this calibre, with starters and mains particularly impressive. Don't miss their signature natural smoked haddock with pea velouté and a crispy hen's egg, and a side of Ballycotton queens, skins caramelised almost to toffee in seaweed butter. Do you have a favourite place in Cork we should know about? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

They're baaacccckkkk!!! In what's hopefully the last hurrah for the restaurant meal kit, the enforced 8pm curfew (i.e. the lockdown that's not a lockdown) has meant the slow and sleepy resurgence of meal kits. It feels like a lot of people and places are totally burnt out and can't muster the energy for another round in the ring (or have had their staff obliterated by covid), but here's who's bringing the goods right now, and we'll update as more come on the market. We've kept some helpful colour coding to make things a little easier for those of you with specific requirements. (v) / (vg) Vegetarian/Vegan (d) / (D) - Limited Dublin delivery / Dublinwide Delivery (n) - Nationwide Delivery (1) - Meals for one Winedown (v) (d) (1) Winedown is the big new addition (so far) to the at home kits this month. A six-course, finish at home meal for two is €55, and we're really liking the sound of the menu. There's a veggie version available, and meals for one (€30), and it's available for collection from Thursday - Saturday between 12:00 and 19:00, or delivery is €5 within 6km of the Montague Street restaurant. The deadline for orders is midnight the day before, and you can order here . Tang (v) (d) (1) Tang 's dinner boxes are back as of this weekend, although sadly this time delivery is limited to those within the M50 (€8) - however they do say if you're really desperate they can get you a delivery quote. Otherwise you can collect from their Dawson Street café. The roast chicken, lamb kofta, and flexitarian (half meat, half vegan) boxes are €49.50, and there's a fully vegan option, as well as meals for one for €27.50. You can add on wine, granola and their ridiculous nutbutter, and you should. Order here . 777, Dublin 2 (v) (vg) (d) 777 's at home boxes are back from next Thursday and you can get your order in now. There's a meat and a veggie version, it's €55 for 2-3 people to share, and you can add on their pre-mixed margaritas - reason enough to order. You can collect from 777 or Dillinger's in Ranelagh, and delivery is available for €8, but again only to those inside the M50 (we can already hear the boos). Order here . The Butcher Grill, Ranelagh Sister restaurant The Butcher Grill in Ranelagh is also back with boxes. Their steak at home option is only available for collection on Thursday, with their Côte de boeuf for two coming with smoky black eye beans with bacon, mash potato and red wine jus for €50, and you can add on starters, more sides and dessert. There's also a hot takeaway menu available from Thursday - Sunday. Order here . Jaru (v) (vg) (D) (1) Jaru 's meal kits and pre-prepared meal delivery have been a constant over the past two years, and we have been grateful on many occasions. For the last few months their monthly meal kit has focused on a region of Korean (January is the Jeongol hot pot), with a meal for two with sides and desserts coming in at €50, and their fried chicken meal kit gets excellent reports. There's also a menu of cooked dishes that you can reheat at home or freeze for later, and you can add on food products in the Mart to make the €6.95 delivery charge worth your while. Check them out here . Yumo Kits (v) (vg) (n) (1) Yumo Kits (from Aungier Street's Bao House) also kept flying the food at home flag despite society reopening, and you can order their DIY gyoza, bao, ramen and kimchi for nationwide delivery. Impressive. You can also subscribe for a discount, and who wouldn't want a regular dumpling delivery. Check them out here . Uno Pizza, Rathmines (v) (n) Uno Pizza ’s at home kits are probably the closest you’re going to get to wood-fired pizza made fresh at home, and they also deliver nationwide, as well as offering pick up from their Rathmines restaurant. The clever frying pan/oven method produces a surprisingly good result, and they provide everything you need for a margarita or diavola for €18-€20 for two pizzas. You can also add on prosecco, wine or beer. Order here . The Dough Bros, Galway (v) (n) Galway pizzeria The Dough Bros .99 also send their DIY pizza kits nationwide, containing 3 wood-fired pizza bases, roasted garlic dips and toppings of your choice. The kit is €39.99 including delivery. Order here . Bujo, Sandymount (v) (vg) (n) Bujo ’s perfectly crafted burgers were another highlight of multiple lockdowns, and we're very glad they're coming back next week, with some new additions. New kits will go on sale this weekend (exact details TBC) for delivery in two weeks, which would be really be something to look forward to. Eyes peeled on their order page . Asador/Prado (n) Sister steak restaurants Asador and Prado have moved to nationwide delivery, with a cut off of midnight on Wednesday each week for Friday delivery. They've got boxes with gambas and a Tomahawk, BBQ tacos and chicken adobo, and you can add on dessert, cheese, cocktails and wine. Order here . Sustainable Seafood Ireland (n) SSI 's 'seafood suppers' are still going, with something new announced each week, and they deliver fish plus meals nationwide. Next week it's the goods to make Ahi tuna poke bowls (four for €48), but it could be bouillabaisse or lobster en croute depending on the week. Have a look at what's on offer here . Smokin Bones (n) The BBQ box from Smokin Bones in Temple Bar can also be delivered nationwide, with orders needing to be in by midnight on Wednesday. A box for 2-3 people is €44.95 and contains baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket, beans, corn, buns, sauces and slaw. There's a vegetarian burger option too. Order here . Not meal kits but... Circa, Terenure (v) Circa 's at home menu is back tomorrow. It's €80 for two starters, two mains, two desserts and a bottle of house wine, and it's collection only on Friday and Saturday nights between 20:00 and 21:00. See the menu here , and book a slot here using the takeaway option on their table reservation system. Michael's, Mount Merrion & Sutton (1) Michael's click and collect is back this weekend, with lunch and dinner slots from Friday - Sunday. All the big hitters are there, the fritti, the arancini, the seafood platters, the steak, and there's wine too. Book a collection slot here . Margadh, Howth (v) (1) Mamó in Howth have closed until February for refurbishments, but you can still get heat at home mains from the same kitchen team from their upmarket food shop Margadh a few doors down, and in Elm Epicurean in Dublin 4. Did someone say confit duck leg and guinea fowl Wellington? Did we miss a meal kit? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

Meal prep services have never really been our thing. We love to eat out, and we love to cook, and the idea of having our meals delivered to us in plastic boxes each week has never appealed, but there are situations and times when we can definitely see why you'd sign up. Maybe you live alone, work long hours, have a new baby, or have nutrition goals you're struggling to maintain solo. When we asked recently if you were interest in an article on meal prep services the answer was overwhelmingly yes, so we picked four of the most popular and put them through their paces. There were good days, less good days, and totally offensive days, and here are the results... Gourmet Fuel Price: Pay per meal. Breakfast €5.55 - €6.55. Lunch/Dinner €7.95 - €10.95 for XL dishes. You can save money by opting into a subscription and letting them choose meals for you, or choosing yourself. We paid €58.65 for six meals including delivery. Delivery: €6.95 nationwide (free on orders over €90), or can be collected from Sandyford. Packaging: Recyclable/reusable, and they will take back their cooler bag filled with empty, clean trays if you'd like them to do the recycling. What's the story? Gourmet Fuel is a calorie/nutrition focused meal prep service with dishes in set bands, e.g. 400kcal breakfasts and 600kcal sides. Macro and micro nutritional values, along with ingredients and allergens are very clearly laid out, so it's a good option for anyone chasing numbers each week, whether that's totally energy consumption, protein or fat. They set themselves out as providing "personalised nutrition" prepared by "gourmet chefs", providing fresh food and taking the hassle out of healthy eating each week. The idea is that you sign up for a weekly subscription which can either be left to them based on what you've told the FuelWizard meal plan builder, or totally customised by you, to encompass however many meals, snacks and sides you would like for that week. They say the majority of their meals can be frozen except salads and some breakfasts, and last four - seven days in the fridge (meals come with a date on them). We tried six dishes from their lunch and dinner range, which arrived together in a cooler bag with ice packs. Best dishes: Salmon poke bowl - fresh, loads of flavour, crunchy vegetables, but salmon looked and tasted canned which we weren't expecting. Goat's cheese salad - This felt very leaf-based to add up to 500 calories, and it didn't need all of the dressing (presumably a good chunk of the calories), but it was very tasty with the walnuts and cranberries. For extra pro points you could stick the cheese back under the grill for a few minutes, but it was perfect straight from the fridge. Sweet potato taco fries - We loved these. The sweet potato held a decent shape, the spicing was good and there was enough cheese to make it feel not at all restrictive. Pad Thai with chicken - this had very good flavour (especially with a few splashes of our own fish sauce on top), but should never have been reheated in the oven. After 25/30 minutes the noodles had turned to mush, and it was more like Pad Thai risotto. A shame, as the base was there. Definitely one to microwave. Felt like a huge portion. Worst dishes: Chicken korma with wild rice - Awful, wooly chicken. Barely any sauce, tasted like curry powder mixed with water. Rice was offensively overcooked and mushy. An unpleasant eating experience. Roasted vegetable lasagne - A big plate of watery vegetables. Huge, unappetising portion. Would have preferred a smaller size meal and more cheese, or any flavour other than vegetables/tomato. You would kid yourself into thinking you'll be stuffed after this, but guaranteed you'll be hungry again once all that water breaks down Pros: Meals have clear nutritional information in set calorie bands making it very easy to calculate your nutritional intake or work to set goals Fresh food Can reheat in microwave or oven Online chat available if you need nutrition help Nationwide delivery Cons: Paying €6.95 per delivery means you'll likely only want one per week, and you might not love the idea of eating something that's been in your fridge for five days Oven-cooking seriously overcooked some of the dishes. Sometimes microwaving is best Dishes were hit and miss Very little provenance information outside of Irish beef Verdict: Gourmet Fuel feels fresh and hand-prepared, and it's a good option for someone with specific calorie or macro needs each week. We found the dishes hit and miss which is not ideal at €8-€10 a meal, but imagine after a while you would find your favourites. Check them out here . (LC) Eatto Price: Mains start at €5.25 for single-serving vegan meals up to €8.50 for braised steak, but most are in the €6-€8 range, with sides (most to serve two) coming in at €2.50 - €3.95. All-in-one meals (a single portion meal including side) are priced at around €7 - €8. Kids' meals are available with prices around €4. We ordered in December but the range has now expanded to include soups (€3.50 - €3.95) and smoothies (six for €14.95). New customers can get a 10% discount by subscribing to Eatto 's newsletter. Delivery: €6.95 for nationwide delivery. Packaging: All packaging is fully recyclable or compostable. Even the clear film can be composted, which we haven't seen before. Everything came very well packed with ice-packs and wool lining so remained completely frozen. If you're in Dublin you can give the wool lining and ice-packs back to your driver the next time you order and they'll be reused; Eatto plant a tree for every ten returned. Outside of Dublin, they don't offer this service but they can be reused at home. What's the story? Eatto covers a lot of bases. Meals can be purchased individually (though we'd imagine most people buy several to make it worth the delivery charge), and bundle options cover dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, dairy and/or gluten free, calories controlled under 600, 400, and 300 calories). Bundles for one, couples, or families are available but we did find it a bit confusing to compare bundles - some have five mains, some four, and the ' Family Feast ' bundle (€107.95, to feed four) has three mains, three sides, and one dessert. We'd have preferred an easier way just to click and have seven meals arrive on our doorstep. We ordered the ' Take Me to Work ' bundle; a mix of seven single-serving, all-in-one meals which was €52.95, (excluding delivery) when we ordered in December but now seems to be €51.95. The frozen meals are designed to bring to the office and store in the fridge or freezer until lunchtime. All can be reheated from frozen in the microwave or oven. Portions were generous and definitely felt more like dinner than lunch. All chicken, pork, and beef is certified Irish but we couldn't find information about fish so assume it's imported. While dishes can be reheated in the oven, cooking from frozen can mean a cooking time of 50-55 minutes for meals you'd have probably knocked together from scratch in less time, so for us microwave is definitely the way to go. Best dishes: Chili Con Carne with Basmati Rice - we weren't expecting a lot from this as chili con carne is so often an afterthought on buffet menus, but this one benefitted from aromatic spices and was loaded with slow-cooked beef and black beans. The basmati rice reheated surprisingly well and wasn't even slightly mushy. Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice - creamy, lightly spicy, comforting, and definitely one we'd keep in the freezer for those don't-want-to-cook-but-really-want-to-avoid-another-takeaway nights. Would have liked a little bit more chicken but overall it was a decent portion and we would happily eat our way through lots more of this. Hoisin Tofu with Stir-Fried Noodles - this was one that we were a little worried about as the idea of frozen tofu taking a spin in the microwave didn't sound like a good idea. We were wrong. The tofu held up really well and stayed firm without drying out. The noodles had some red peppers and broccoli added in, and while the sauce was a little on the sweet side for us, it all made for a nice dish. Penne Bolognese - quite a bit of water seeped out of the beef bolognese when cooking, but it incorporated back in pretty well once dished up. Plenty of vegetables and a large portion made this another one that felt like a full dinner. Realistically, it's probably not much different to what you'd make at home, but good for convenience. Worst dishes: Meatballs in Rustic Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti - we're going to channel that culinary hero Joey Tribbiani for a minute here; "meatballs good... spaghetti good..." but sauce let this one down. The meatballs had a good texture with visible chunks of veg, but the sauce was excessively watery and practically tasteless - as if a tin of crushed tomatoes was poured into the sauce pot, but then someone forgot to add anything else. We added parmesan to try and give it some oomph but even that didn't help. Puy Lentil Bolognese with Spaghetti - to be fair, this is a case of "it's not you, it's us". This bolognese, for us, was just too much lentil. It tasted great with chunks of onions, peppers, carrot, aubergine, and courgette, but we hit a legume wall about about three bites in. On the plus side, microwaved frozen pasta is a revelation. Chicken with Wild Mushroom - there are death row meals, and there are meals that are likely served in prison, and this one veers dangerously towards the latter. Of all the meals this is the one we were most concerned about, mainly due to a hatred of reheated mash that began in our 80's childhoods, but the rubbery chicken, tasteless carrots, and gloopy sauce gave the spuds a run for their money. The overriding flavour was salt. Your stomach deserves better. Pros: Effort towards being environmentally friendly and sustainability, and we love how all the packaging can be recycled, reused, or composted Everything arrives frozen and goes straight into the freezer with a minimum of three months freezer shelf-life so you're not under pressure to get through it all in a week Lots of options for those who follow meat-free, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, or calorie-restricted diets Gift bundles are available and would be really handy for sending to family who are isolating, cocooned with a new baby, or to a college student learning their way around a microwave Meat is all Irish A subscription service is available Nationwide delivery Cons: The bundles can't be customised; we'd love to order and forego the lentil bolognese for another butter chicken but there's no way to do that without adding all items individually Some dishes were hit and miss The choice of dishes is a bit limited for more adventurous eaters. Out of the selection of meal kits we tried, this one was the most traditional in terms of dishes available Meat may be Irish but that's as far as provenance information goes Verdict: We were impressed by Eatto 's sustainable approach to packaging, and definitely enjoyed the convenience of having frozen meals in the freezer without the worry of loads of colourings and preservatives. Ingredients and nutritional info are clearly shown on the back of each packet. While there was nothing here that most home cooks couldn't put together themselves, the convenience can make it worthwhile for for those nights when you just don't want to cook and want something hearty and fast. Check out Eatto's website for all info. (HC) Hapi Food Co. Price: Sign up by subscription, with the entry-level plan of one meal per day for 5 days costing €45. This will increase as you add days or extra main meals and there's also an option to add breakfast and snacks so you pretty much never need to turn on your oven. Delivery: Included in the purchase price and deliveries are made Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you're not home, they can leave it in a safe place in a cooler bag which they will collect at the next delivery. Packaging: Main meal boxes and the bags they deliver them in are recyclable, while the overnight oat and granola pots are compostable. Hapi Food Co. was started in 2016 with their main belief being that "the best food is cooked from scratch". They prepare everything in-house and chill, pack and deliver on the day of cooking, so their customers are always getting the freshest product. They describe themselves as "healthy" and they do have healthy options, but you wouldn't want to be hungry placing your order or you'll find yourself eating pasta every day ... wouldn't be the worst week in the world! The deal is that you sign up for minimum one main meal a day, but you can increase the number of main meals if you want a second for lunch, or if you're ordering for more than one person, and you can add on breakfast and snacks. Meals are chosen manually and there are six breakfast and six main meal options per day - almost too much choice! But the variety would be a definite plus if you're ordering long-term. All dishes are prepared to be reheated in the microwave, but they do say you can remove the food from the packaging and reheat in the oven if required. Hapi Food also have a Monday trial service for €25 which allows you to try breakfast and two main meals to get a feel for it. Best dishes: Beef Mince Ramen Noodles - our favourite of the week, this dish was nicely seasoned with soy and fish sauce, and the caramelised onions brought a lot of flavour. Obviously we couldn't resist a dollop of peanut rayu but could have survived without it. Cauliflower Cashew Curry - this needed a bit of extra seasoning when it was dished up, but with some added salt and pepper it was a lovely meal with plenty of sauce and some tasty sautéed spuds. Thai Green Chicken Curry - as one of our regular meals to make at home we were pleasantly surprised with this version which had a nice hint of spice, perfectly cooked rice and still crunchy broccoli. Christmas Cereal - a little taster that they threw into one of our deliveries, very tasty and much appreciated when that 4pm slump hit. Worst dishes: Pumpkin Gnocchi - this was a fail for us and as the first meal of the week left us worried about what was to come. It was very flavourless and dry, almost as if they had forgotten to add the sauce. Sesame Salmon - fine at best. A bit bland and the salmon became overcooked in the microwave, which we half expected. Not the worst, but we wouldn't order it again. Pros: Multiple deliveries during the week so you're getting the freshest food. Contactless delivery is also available Calories and macros are also available for anyone tracking these and a lot of the meals are searchable on MyFitnessPal making it even easier Very generous portions so you could save some for lunch the next day depending on your appetite They have add-ons such as breakfast (which you can sign up to as part of your subscription or add on specific days), snacks and soup so it makes it really flexible and easy to plan your week. You can even order some essentials like butter and free range eggs to be delivered alongside your meals Everyone we dealt with was very personable and friendly and there were text messages telling us when to expect deliveries, and where it was left when we weren't home Cons: Dishes were a bit up and down and some unseasoned, but this will likely be the case with all food delivery services and the different tastes that they're catering to Deliveries only in Dublin and Meath Very little provenance information. If chicken and eggs aren't listed as free-range, they usually aren't Verdict: Hapi Food Co. would be a good choice for time-poor people who are conscious of eating fresh foods made from scratch. The possibility to add on breakfast, snacks and soups makes it really flexible, as does the fact that you don't need to subscribe for any period of time but can order the odd week depending on your schedule. Value for money wise, we found the portions really generous for what you pay. Check them out here . (KQ) Parallel Nutrition Price: Ranges from a five meal plan from Monday - Friday for €39.50, all the way up to three meals and two snacks five days a week for €115 Delivery: Sunday and Wednesday with deliveries costing €2.25, or you can ask for it all to come together Packaging: Compostable cartons with recyclable lids When we asked about meal prep services, Parallel Nutrition was recommended by quite a few of you. Set up by nutritionist and chef Diarmaid Healy, it's a subscription service (no one-time orders so remember to cancel if you only want to try it), with a wide range of options and prices, depending on how many meals and snacks you want each week. There's a new menu to choose from each Monday which feels appealing and a lot less formulaic than other services, or they can pick for you. In all the excitement of the menu arriving we ended up picking two Thai green curries, one with chicken and one with tofu (still no idea how), so really we're talking about four meals here, but they were good ones. Best dishes: Falafel, wedges, peas and a mint dip - This was so good we're cursing them for changing the menu each week. Falafel were smooth and flavoursome, potatoes perfectly cooked and spiced, and we need the recipe for that mint yoghurt dip. Salmon pesto pasta - If you can't throw a dish like this together at home you need to have a long hard look at yourself, but this was very tasty and we loved the feta, walnuts, and appropriate (i.e. very heavy) use of garlic. Green Thai chicken curry - A really vibrant, fresh tasting sauce full of lime and spice, with tender chicken and al dente green beans. The noodles were slightly overcooked but we still ate it happily. Worst dishes: Lamb tagine with mash - By no means inedible, but in comparison to the other dishes it was a let down. The tagine tasted mainly of cinnamon and tomatoes, and the mash of white pepper. It was a bit one dimensional. Pros: The menu changes each week which keeps it fresh and interesting Team were very helpful and pleasant to deal with Most dishes have a low carb option e.g. cauliflower rice Wide range of plans It feels like good value It tastes good Cons: Subscription only so if you don't forget to cancel you could end up being charged for an extra week (although they seem lovely so as long as the food hadn't been made we imagine they would cancel it for you) Only serving Dublin No provenance information Verdict: We really liked Parallel Nutrition , and thought it was as close to home cooking as we could imagine getting from a service like this. Even though meal prep isn't our bag, we would happily order this again if we needed some help in the kitchen for whatever reason, and it's definitely going on our recommended list for new parents, time poor friends and anyone wanting to reboot their diet, but we'll sidestep the chicken and eggs until we know they're free-range. Check them out here . (LC) Do you have a favourite meal prep company that we should try? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie

Now that the official Christmas festivities have come to a close, it might seem like the right time to opt for a virtuous salad over another dessert, but we at ATF believe in indulgence all year round - sure you could be dead tomorrow. We’re all about a balanced diet, but balanced doesn’t mean devoid of pleasure, and this week we're feeling the hedonism, which is not just for Christmas. 1) Honey And Camembert Bread From Go Pan As soon we adjusted to the idea of a cheeseboard after every meal, January had to come and spoil it all with chitchat of veganism and New Year’s resolutions. Luckily Go Pan heard our screams and saved the day with a wedge of camembert encased in hard bread, drizzled with honey. Heat before eating and dive in like it’s Christmas all over again. 2) Caramel Poached Apple Danish From Scéal You probably already knew this but Shane, Charlotte and team, commonly known as Scéal Bakery , have their lamination process down to a tee. This week's seasonal Danish is layered with the perfect balance of butter and dough, and a stellar combination of caramel poached apples, bay leaf whipped ganache and blackberry jam. These babies sell out like hotcakes so order online before they’re gone. 3) The Double Smash Chipotle Burger From Dash The one benefit of early pub closures is that places like Dash are still slinging burgers at 8pm. Smoky smashed patties with all the trimmings and a side of jalapeño poppers are the perfect post-pint soakage, but pre-order in advance to avoid getting stuck in the queue. 4) The Hero Pizza At Paulie's "Please, no more roasties!", were the first words uttered as we pulled ourselves from the debris of the New Year's Eve party, in our kitchen. After what felt like an eternity of cranberry sauce and stuffing, we're ready to embrace Italian food again, starting with the Hero Pizza from Paulie’ s . Parma ham, pepperoni, salami, red peppers, and a classic base of mozzarella and tomato sauce. 5) Vegan Chocolate Brownie At Soup We love a plate of cheesy eggs as much as the next person, but when Soup says the words “crème anglaise” and “warm chocolate” in the same sentence, the absence of dairy becomes irrelevant. We're dying to try their vegan brownie with coconut and caramel ice cream, and reckon it’s the ideal treat for those attempting Veganuary.

For too long vegetarians in our lives have gotten a raw deal – always the afterthought of the menu, with an unimaginative risotto or vegetable curry thrown onto the page to fill the gap. But the times they are a-changing, and like a lot of people we've made a conscious move to more of a plant-based diet, leading to more creative cooking at home and a whole new world of options when eating out. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or simply curious about integrating more plant-based meals into your diet, these are what we consider to be the best places for vegans and vegetarians to eat in Dublin, starting with more casual cafés and ending with the places for going 'out out'. Cafés Little Bird Café and Yoga, Dublin 8 No prizes for guessing the two activities taking place in this spot - yoga and food, a winning combo. Little Bird is a neighbourhood café in the heart of Dublin 8, with all food made on site using seasonal, mostly organic ingredients. Their menu is all vegetarian with plenty of vegan options so you can enjoy a feast after you’ve worked through your sun salutations. Our pick is the wild mushroom toast with artichoke puree and toasted hazelnuts. It's A Trap, Dublin 1 It's A Trap is a dog-friendly coffee shop on the northside of the city serving cakes, toasties and wraps which we can hardly believe are all vegan. They also have a retail arm so you can pop in here to get vegan essentials for your home cooking and treat yourself to lunch while you’re at it. Unfortunately, they recently announced plans to leave these premises sometime during 2022 due to increased anti-social behaviour in the area, but are hoping to line somewhere new up in the meantime. Kale + Coco, Stoneybatter This was one of the first places we came across smoothie bowls, and while they are more in vogue these days and popping up on loads of menus, Kale + Coco are still serving the best around. Their menu is completely plant based and also has porridges, nourishing buddha bowls and sweet treats. You can even pick up some frozen Açaí pulp to make your own at home. Veggie Vibe Café, Blackrock Blackrock Market seems to be a little veggie paradise at the moment with 3 Leaves, Shaka Poke and V eggie Vibe Café all catering to the market. In this case, Veggie Vibe is totally vegan and open seven days with vegan bowls, cakes, and even a full Irish on offer. Woke Cup Café, Smithfield In the heart of Smithfield you’ll find Woke Cup Café serving up vegetarian and vegan fare, including breakfast baps, sausage rolls and toasties, with the option of making everything vegan. Casual Bite Brother Hubbard, various locations Brother Hubbard was one of the first cafes to fill the brunch gap that foodies were crying out for in Dublin when it opened in 2012. Since then, many others have opened but Brother Hubbard have always kept their loyal following and reputation. Their bread and (dairy-free) butter is breakfast and lunch, but they also branched out to dinner in their Capel Street location. There are tons of vegetarian and vegan options on all of their menus (like these Turkish eggs menemen), so you won’t be short of choice. Urbanity, Smithfield Urbanity in Smithfield has one of the best brunches around with both indoor and outdoor seating available for your weekend meet-ups. The menu isn’t exclusively vegetarian, but they have some really creative options for the veggies in the party such as salt and chili grilled halloumi with scallion pancake and edamame ginger spread – this one might even sway the carnivores in your group. Pho Kim, Dublin 1 Parnell Street restaurant Pho Kim changed their name from Pho Viet but is still run by the same family who have been serving up some of the best Vietnamese food in Dublin since 2012. They have a full vegan menu to cater to their customers, from spring and summer rolls to a veggie Bun Cha. The Fumbally, Dublin 8 The Fumbally café is a true community of food lovers coming together to make delicious things. As well as a café and shop, the premises hosts classes, workshops, supper clubs - you name it, they’re probably doing it. The menu is always creative and chefs are generally given free reign, which has led to a number of our favourite products coming out of their kitchen (looking at you Harry’s Nut Butter ). It’s not totally vegetarian but has a nice mix of meaty and vegetarian dishes with options to veganise some menu items. Govinda's, Dublin 1 Longstanding restaurant Govinda's on Middle Abbey Street is part of the Hare Krishna centre upstairs, but has long been an attraction for non-Hare Krishna followers. Their vegetarian and vegan Indian-inspired food is served buffet style and is some of the best value around with very generous portions. Greenshot, Aungier Street A new, totally vegan bakery is a welcome sight, especially when it's in such a central location, perfect for a coffee and cake fix after a morning browsing the shops. Greenshot only opened in 2021 and have since added sandwiches, meatless sausage rolls and tartines to their menu. Vegan Sandwich Co, Smithfield Guys we've found all the vegans - they're in Smithfield, or so it seems with the amount of vegan places popping up between here and Stoneybatter. You may recognise the Vegan Sandwich Co. from their meat-alternative range stocked in SuperValu, Nourish and other stores, but their core business is their sandwich shop which owner Sam Pearson opened in 2020 after years operating a market stall. Their sandwiches look like the standard you might see on any lunch menu - BLT, Chick*n Fillet Roll, Chilli Cheeze Bites, but they're all made using meat alternatives. Definitely one to visit after a big night out. Shouk, Drumcondra Shouk will disprove any notion that vegetarian food is unsatisfying or leaves you wanting. They serve up their truly authentic Middle Eastern food in a gorgeously relaxed space, and while they do have meat on the menu, the vegetarian and vegan offerings are the star here. Bring some friends and ask for the 'Middle East Feast’ (vegetarian and vegan options available) so you can try a bit of everything – a steal at €34 per person when you see the amount of food that arrives. Umi Falafel, various locations Umi Falafel is a mainstay of unfussy Dublin eateries at this stage, consistently delivering top quality food at very good prices. Their main offering is (you guessed it) falafel, and apart from a bit of cheese (halloumi cheese fries anyone?) the menu is predominantly vegan. It’s always a great option for a quick bite and they now have five locations in Dublin - three in the city centre, one in Rathmines and one in Ballsbridge. Nutbutter, Grand Canal Dock A Californian-inspired menu made with local Irish ingredients is right up our street, and Nutbutter gave us just that. Largely plant-based, their menu will make your mouth water with fresh and healthy tacos, rice bowls and salads on offer. Plus they have a plant-based soft serve for dessert. Cornucopia, Dublin 2 An institution since 1986, we can’t imagine a list of vegetarian restaurants without the only decent option for Dublin’s non-meat eaters for many years. Cornucopia operates cafeteria style serving plentiful hot dishes and salads in their spacious yet cosy restaurant. They also offer Leamhain ice cream sandwiches – a vegan dessert created by one of their former chefs. Kerb, Foxrock Kerb was opened by owner Shona McCabe after years of working in restaurants across Australia and New Zealand, picking up inspiration from their diverse cuisine. On her return she decided to focus on giving Middle Eastern food a modern twist - this is definitely not the greasy late night kebab that we all know and love. Sure there is a time (very late) and place (Aungier Street) for that style, but Shona wanted to give it a healthy twist that would enable customers to eat it every day, using the best of Irish ingredients. Kerb opens for breakfast and lunch (takeaway only right now) with plenty of options for both veggies and vegans, and they have some of the best coffee in the locality. Street Food Vietnom, Stoneybatter A longtime favourite of ours, street food truck Vietnom is based in the the back of the Glimmerman in Stoneybatter and always has a great variety of vegetarian and vegan food alongside some meat-based dishes. They serve predominantly Vietnamese dishes such as banh mi but have been known to step out into more of a fusion zone with tostadas, and you'll always find creative specials on the menu. They're taking a break until March 2022 and until then Bahay (below) will operate in their place. Bahay, Stoneybatter Former Clanbrassil House chef Richie Castillo and girlfriend Alex O'Neill created their Filipino food concept Bahay using Richie's Dad's recipesm, and premiered the offering during summer 2021 at the Roe & Co D-8te pop-ups. We were lucky enough to score a ticket and were not let down by the flavour packed food - read our once over here . Since that ended they've been looking for somewhere more permanent to set themselves up, but in the interim they've nabbed the coveted spot at the back of the Glimmerman while Vietnom take a break. The meat-filled and meat-free food is fantastic, with a weekly changing menu based on what's in season, but we're eyeing up their veggie Longganisa hot dog, with a side of garlic rice. Dosa Dosa, Grand Canal Dosa Dosa started as a food truck in January 2020, possibly the worst timing in history, but they made it work touring around Dublin serving Southern Indian dosas to the masses, and they did so well they're now operating from a permanent container in Grand Canal alongside Griolladh and Bites by Kwanghi . They have a great variety of both vegetarian and vegan food at excellent value, and we love their vegan potato masala dosa which will set you back under a tenner. Janet's, Eatyard Eatyard is generally a treasure trove for vegetarians and vegans and Janet's is no different. Within their small range of dumpling and bao buns they've included some very tasty vegan options so no one will be left out. Their vegan gyoza are always a winner, as are the tofu bao. Shaka Poke, Blackrock We've been big fans of Shaka Poké since their festival and food market stall days, and we were thrilled when they set up a permanent shop in Blackrock Market. Somewhere specialising in Hawaiian raw fish might not be the obvious place to look out for vegan food, but their ‘No Catch’ menu item omits any fishy additions, and they also have beetroot and marinated hoisin tofu if you want to bulk out your bowl. Fast Food Token, Smithfield This might not be somewhere you’d expect to see such an extensive vegan menu, but this arcade restaurant does its best to cater for everyone. Token have created a menu where pretty much everything that's available for meat-eaters is also available for vegans, including their nuggs, mac and cheese and even the garlic mayo, so you can feast freely before you work it all off on the dance machine. The Saucy Cow, Eatyard We love the story behind The Saucy Cow and totally understand where owner Roisin Lawlor got her inspiration – on her return from New York she was pleased to see an array of new vegan items on menus but nothing with sauce which can be tricky to ‘veganise’. She took matters into her own hands, creating a range of sauces and from there a vegan fast-food stand serving burgers, fries and desserts, in Eatyard, Dublin 9 and Beach Park in Bray. V-Face, Stoneybatter Another option for when the craving for a dirty burger and fries hit, and another vegan point for Stoneybatter, V-Face describe themselves as "Animal Burgers made with Plants" and we would have to agree with them on this - these burgers are animal and we would easily choose one of these over a traditional meaty burger if we were in the area. They've just added salads including the 'Asian Equation' and the 'Vegano Italiano' to the menu, as well as tiramisu, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes, so every craving is covered. Flip Burger, George's Street Arcade Flip Burger (the brainchild of another vegetarian favourite Blazing Salads) opened in January 2020 after they received really positive responses to their vegan and vegetarian burgers at music festivals (sob, remember them?). They have a variety of plant-based patties served on organic seeded buns, and we loved them when we visited - particularly the focus on vegetables as opposed to pretending to be meat. The best news is that they have a €9.95 meal deal running Tuesday to Friday for a burger and handcut fries, so that's as good an excuse as any to try them. Special Occasions Glas, Dublin 2 If your only experience of vegan food is troughs of courgette curries and squash stews, prepare to be amazed at what they do with vegetables at Glas . The plum and tarragon terrine is positively meaty (jackfruit innit), the flamed kolhrabi smoky and savoury, and the vegan aioli is indistinguishable from one made with egg. There's enough cheese on the menu to keep the non-vegans happy, and it's a beautiful plant-filled space to spend a few hours in. Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 2 While the Exchequer Street location is home to one of our favourite food halls to roam around and a cosy wine cellar, Fallon & Byrne 's upstairs restaurant is where you’ll find their best vegetarian offerings with a full plant-based menu available, using all of the great produce from the supermarket below. Glovers Alley, Dublin 2 To say we were surprised when we saw that Glovers Alley has both a full vegetarian and full vegan tasting menu was an understatement. With vegan dishes such as ‘jerusalem artichoke, parsley and truffle’ and ‘mango, pineapple, lemon verbena and mint’ we would be tempted to forgo the carnivorous tasting menu for the veggie option ourselves. They have also priced it at €80 per person, which is obviously still eyewatering but lower than the regular tasting menu. 3 Leaves, Blackrock Indian restaurants are usually a solid option if you're dining with vegetarian friends, and 3 Leaves in Blackrock is one of our most loved. They're only offering lunch right now on a walk-in basis so drop in for their ‘Taster Thali’, which they offer a vegan and vegetarian version of. If you haven't already been it will take about two seconds for you to realise what all the fuss is about. Gursha, Dublin 2 Gursha started as an Ethiopian supper club, holding intimate evenings in the Cloud Cafe on North Strand Road. The supper clubs were a constant sell out and when the pandemic hit and owner Mel moved to a takeaway model, the demand was as high as ever. Luckily for all of us, Gursha has moved into a permanent premises on Poolbeg Street, and don't expect demand to lapse anytime soon. Ethiopian cooking and curries use very few meat products due to religious practices, so Gursha is naturally vegetarian and mostly vegan. Sova Vegan Butcher, Dublin 8 No, that is not a typo, but it is two words you don’t usually see together: ‘vegan’ and ‘butcher’. Sova Vega Butcher on Pleasant Street wants to promote healthier lifestyles by offering the usual favourites with a vegan twist, like steak, kebabs and sushi with substitutions like protein rich seitan and tempeh. They've also just opened a new café in the Liberties serving breakfast and lunch. Veginity + Vish Shop, Dublin 1 Veginity first made their mark with their street food truck serving 'vish and chips', and we were amongst the droves amazed at how fish-like it tasted - some very clever seaweed and vinegar additions in there. Owner Mark Senn opened fully vegan restaurant Veginity on Dorset Street in 2018, with the more casual Vish Shop following down the street. They recently showcased Brazilian, Spanish and Cambodian menus and their current Ethiopian menu looks very interesting. They also offer a brunch menu (including vegan pastries), and their Vish Shop's chipper-style fish substitute is the best we’ve come across. Big Fan, Dublin 2 Another cuisine that tends to work well for your vegetable loving friends is Chinese, and Big Fan on Aungier Street are really going the extra mile for meat-free dining - so much so that we held a fully vegetarian restaurant takeover there for ATF Insiders in mid-October. Their tofu and edamame bao are every bit as good as the more traditional pork, the kimchi buttered cauliflower is outrageous, and you'll be thinking about the enoki mushrooms with garlic and chili for a long time after you've left. The Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2 For a fancier occasion, get your glad rags on and head to The Merrion Hotel for a meal in their Garden Room. Best-selling cookbook author Holly White has collaborated with them on a vegan menu and they have just announced some new additions including a portobello mushroom and puy lentil bolognese, and a red berry shortcake “mess” with chia seed jam, soya yoghurt, caramelised almonds and maple syrup. Did we miss your favourite place for vegan or vegetarian food? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

The days are finally getting longer and there's a definite air of optimism in Dublin as restrictions start to wind down - but the recent drop in temperature is sharply reminding us that we're still in the depths of winter. Where better to seek respite from the cold and moderately scary, reopened world out there, than with the foods that fill us with comfort and nostalgia at any time of the year, but particularly now... Ciaran's Coddle, The Gravediggers Chicken soup might be good for the soul, but Dublin coddle, and in this case, Ciaran’s coddle, is the perfect recipe for warming your bones after a stroll around the historic mecca that is Glasnevin Cemetery. Ciaran Kavanagh, head chef at The Gravediggers , tried and tested iterations of this distinctive Dublin stew before settling on a mix of cocktail sausages, roast ham, bacon ribs and potatoes, served with a side of buttered bread. Add a pint of the black stuff to up the comfort ante. Seafood Chowder, The Winding Stair Traditional Irish seafood chowder is another dish we reach for when in need of nourishment - on several levels. Since taking over The Winding Stair in 2006, Elaine Murphy has continued to champion their much-loved chowder made with seafood and Fingal Ferguson’s chorizo, served with a slice of treacle bread. Pork Sausage Roll, Love Supreme The Love Supreme sausage rolls have garnered attention from pork and pastry aficionados throughout Dublin, for good reason. Their ingredients are primarily sourced from local, sustainable producers, including free-range pork from Pigs on the Green in Offaly and organic milk from the Village Dairy in Meath. The pork and cabbage sausage roll is elevated with honey and mustard and encased in the flakiest pastry, all freshly baked in their shop in Stoneybatter. Creole Style Jambalaya, Krewe Inspired by the “Dirty South” cuisines, Krewe serves various Creole and Cajun dishes with comfort at its core, from their sticky Cajun pork belly to their signature Creole-style jambalaya with chicken, shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, and red rice smothered in a tomato-based sauce. Pair it with a classic Sazerac cocktail and dive in. Chicken Ramen, Musashi Chicken noodle soup is one of those cure-all dishes that acts as a saviour to many of life’s maladies, from a breakup to the common cold. It can't hand you a tissue in times of need (it would if it could), but steamy, spicy broth works its magic on blocked airways while the tender chicken is packed full of protein to give you strength during challenging times. Yes, mum’s chicken soup is the best, but we recommend Musashi ’s chicken ramen with pak choi, ajitama egg, shitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots, as a trusty backup. The Quadrifoglio, Cirillo's There is something exceptionally comforting about a four cheese pizza, and Cirillo’s rendition is composed of a Naples-style base topped with San Marzano tomato sauce and layers of Gubbeen, Hegarty’s cheddar, blue cheese, mozzarella and a sprinkle of oregano. Pop Tarts, Bread 41 Eoin Cluskey has fulfilled our childhood dreams with Bread 41 's freshly baked pop-tarts. A couple of mouthfuls of their ice-white frosting and multicoloured hundreds and thousands and all we're missing is 'Wannabe' on the Walkman. Cacio e Pepe, Sprezzatura Mac and cheese is inarguably one of the best comfort foods on the planet, but lately, its more modest and humble cousin has caused a stir by pairing pasta with two simple ingredients. Sprezzatura is one of our favourite spots for this effortless dish with freshly made spaghetti and plenty of pecorino and pepper. Sunday Roast, Hen's Teeth A Sunday roast is the ultimate comfort food, but they've remained strangely absent from menus across Dublin for far too long - good ones anyway. Hen’s Teeth to the rescue with their bi-monthly 'Killer Sunday Roast' with a choice of a meat or vegetarian main, and shared sides like Hasselback potatoes with rosemary and horseradish, sticky spiced heritage carrots and braised red cabbage with a brioche crumb. Check their Instagram for upcoming dates. Classic Toastie, Loose Canon A list of comfort foods would be incomplete without mentioning the classic cheese toastie. Loose Canon on Drury Street has created a contemporary spin on the old classic by assembling Hegarty’s cheddar from Co. Cork, 18-month aged Coolea, homemade bechamel, and scallions on two slices of Le Levain sourdough. And if that doesn’t whet your appetite, try the pesto or Broughgammon salami toastie instead.

The last few days have been full of discovery here in ATF HQ. Until this week we didn't know about sweet potato mascarpone, Baingan Mirchi Ka Salan, and that we desperately want to eat some Rogue River Blue. Curious? Here are the weird and wonderful sounding things we want to eat in Dublin this week... 1) Hummus Eggs, Tang Hummus? Delicious. Eggs? Delicious? Tang? Very delicious. We had no idea hummus and eggs was a thing, but whatever Tang says goes so we need this combination in our lives. 2) Baingan Mirchi Ka Salan, Ruchii There are few things we like more than having to google new foods and dishes that we've never heard of, and Ruchii 's 'Baingan Mirchi Ka Salan' had us racing to our phones for a translation, and what a translation we got. "A scrumptious Hyderabadi dish made with eggplant and green chili ... the peanut, sesame, coconut curry base is creamy, spicy and tangy..." Currently our number one most wanted curry in the city. 3) Jerk Cauliflower Steak, The Woollen Mills We're all for the veggie lifestyle but cauliflower steaks have never done it for us - until we stumbled across this from The Woollen Mills . They're serving it jerk-style with sweet potato and coconut blinis, Irish kale, almonds and grapes, and it's a flavour combination so out there we need to experience it for ourselves. 4) Rogue River Blue, Fallon & Byrne A new cheese is always a welcome discovery, so our eyes widened when we say this Rogue River Blue on Fallon & Byrne 's Instagram feed. It's American, wrapped in pear Brandy-soaked vine leaves, and was a previous winner of 'best cheese' at the World Cheese Awards. They've been allocated a small amount so it's fastest feet first on this one. 5) Pancakes With Sweet Potato Mascarpone, 31 Lennox Who knew this was a thing? Definitely not us. 31 Lennox 's buttermilk pancakes come layered with sweet potato mascarpone, peanut brittle, fresh fruit and maple syrup, and if this works it'll be the most effortless "vegetable into a sweet breakfast" slide we've seen in some time.

We feel like we're suspended in some kind of dream state at the moment, not sure what's real and what's our socially starved brains playing tricks on us. Is it really over? Are we really going back to the old normal this fast? The speedy swing from "back in lockdown" to "all restrictions are gone" has understandably got a lot of heads spinning, but something we're all thinking about is long overdue catch ups with friends, family and workmates. Our number one question from you guys over the past few weeks is "where should I book for a group?", with many of you getting ahead now on planning spring and summer gettogethers, so we've pulled together our favourites for private dining, set menus and big splurges, for serious celebrations. Library Street Library Street 's downstairs PDR seating 6 - 10 people is group dining goals. There's a minimum spend of €100 a head for food and drinks, and chef Kevin Burke will design a menu just for you (which you can make adjustments to if needed). There's a full sound system and record player and it's completely private. Where do we sign. Locks The team at Locks have pretty much written the book on how to keep a restaurant open during a global pandemic. Over the past two years, they’ve done take-away from their hatch and at-home dinner kits, but now it's operating as normal. They have two private dining options, The Gold Room and The Bewick Room, and can seat groups of 8 - 26. Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen For the ultimate, no expenses spared group night out, Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen , has a few choices for private, or just more secluded dining. The Chef’s Table, in the kitchen, seats up to six, the (semi-private) Demi-Salle seats four - six, and The Middleton Room seats up to 10. As far as experiences with family or friends go, this is one you'll never forget. Mister S The semi-private space at the back of Mister S is once again open for bookings of up to 18 people. The long wood-carved table is the perfect canvas for plate upon plate of fire-cooked food, like their burnt end rendang spring rolls, smoked pork chop, and monkfish on the bone with a bisque sauce. Big Fan Big Fan can cater for groups of up to 15 in their outside space at the front, and up to 75 indoors. They'll work with you on a menu and service style to suit your group, but don't miss the bao, cheeseburger jiaozi and the enoki fan. Read our once over here . Mr Fox Mr Fox can cater for groups up to 65, the full capacity of the restaurant! Groups are usually seated in the back room with a set menu planned in advance. Prices are the same as the usual menu. Check them out here . Clanbrassil House Clanbrassil House will let you take over their room at the back for groups of 12-18, so you and your pals can feast on fermented potato bread, roasted leeks with chervil and chicken skin, and choux buns stuffed with plum, sheep’s yoghurt and rosehip. Check them out here . The Woollen Mills The Woollen Mills is tailor made for private dining, with a whopping four options seating up to 80 people. The Riverrun room overlooks the Liffey, as does the smaller Joyce room, and the fully heated and covered room terrace can take up to 80 people - ideal for that work Christmas party that never happened. Upstairs Yarn Pizza is currently operating as The Woollen Mills but will be relaunching in the next month, and is a fourth, more casual option for group dining. The Old Spot The Old Spot have two spaces upstairs for groups of up to 20 or 50, with their largest single table seating 12-14. They provide a set menu which is €39 for lunch or €49 for dinner, with a choice of three starters, three mains and three desserts. The Pig's Ear The Pig’s Ear have three rooms overlooking Trinity College's playing grounds, seating up to 48 on the first floor, up to 55 in their Mirror Room, or up to 10 guests in their third floor private dining room. The menu is of the "something for everyone" variety, and the nostalgic desserts shouldn't be missed. One Pico The upstairs Polo Room in One Pico seats 12 - 43, with your own special menu and private entrance around the side. The evening set menu is €85, so one for the bigger spenders. The Bank Bar And Restaurant The Bank Bar and Restaurant on Dame Street has a dedicated space for small groups with The Bank Manager’s room seating 5-8 people, but we reckon that booking out the mezzanine level for a larger group would work really well too. The Brookwood The club room is located on the top floor of Brookwood on Baggot Street. Catering for groups of up to 14, they focus mainly on steak with some seafood options. Also gets our votes for one of the prettiest chandeliers in Dublin. M&L Chinese One of our go to places for Sichuan food, upstairs in M&L Chinese off O'Connell Street there’s a private room that seats 10-12. You can BYO for €5 a bottle so it's a great value option, and if you've yet to try the handmade dumplings, Szechuan green beans and deep-fried fish, your next group outing is the perfect excuse. The Saddle Room At The Shelbourne For groups of up to 20, The Saddle Room offers privacy and elegance if you and your friends feel like splashing out after months of solitude. Hugo's Hugo's on Merrion Row has always been one of those places that covered everything - lunch, dinner, pre-theatre, corporate gatherings and celebrations. Their private dining room accommodates 30, but we think it’s the perfect spot for a smaller group too.

Brown food is the best food. We all know this right? Bread, pastries, chocolate, pasta, anything fried, roasted, baked, barbecued. Brown (usually) = flavour. So no surprise that everything we want to eat in Dublin this week is brown/donn/brun/marrón - whatever language you speak, this all looks taaaaasty... 1) Nam Jim Crab Claws, Hen's Teeth Hen's Teeth in Dublin 8 are banging out some of the most interesting plates of food in the capital, and the latest addition to their evening menu is these crispy Kilkeel crab claws with a nam jim sauce. You know they're going to taste as good as they look. 2) Peanut Butter & Jam Roly Polys, McNally Farm We've twice tried and twice failed to eat at the McNally Farm café (sold out), but are strongly considering making an early morning return to get our hands on one of these peanut butter and jam roly poly's, new to the menu this week. 3) Liege Waffles, Three-Twenty Ice-Cream Yes you've had waffles, but have you had Liege waffles? The Belgian specialty are made with a yeast dough as opposed to a batter like most waffles, have pearl sugar dotted throughout, and are soft inside and crispy on the outside. Get them with chocolate sauce or Three Twenty 's nitro ice-cream. 4) Wild Boar, San Lorenzo's The kitchen at San Lorenzo's seems to have found a new lease of life in recent months, and the latest shake up to the menu is wild boar. They're serving a roast loin plus confit shoulder, with cavolo nero, apple and cider, and a sage and mustard mash, and it looks verrrrry delicious. 5) Heart-Shaped Churros, Fade Street Social You can keep your chocolate fondants and Champagne raspberry possets - we'll have these heart-shaped churros rolled in cinnamon sugar, served with a chocolate caramel sauce and vanilla crème anglaise at Fade Street Social . Corny? Yes. Delicious? You know it.

This time last year we were cooped up in the confines of our own homes wondering what freedom would eventually taste like. Well, here we are, and it tastes pretty good. This month we’re dining in restaurants beyond 8pm, chatting to strangers in the queue for the toilets, and racing back to our dusty office desks (okay maybe not part). Our newfound freedom has also ushered in the return of events, and our calendar is chockablock between wine tastings, cooking masterclasses, and a date for our next ATF Insiders event. Read on to hear about 16 brilliant ways to spend your time this month... Food 1) Lunar New Year Banquet From Duck The Year of the Tiger is in full swing in Dublin, and to celebrate, Asia Market and Duck are preparing a festive banquet with Hong Kong-style duck, BBQ pork char siu, and all the trimmings for two. Collect the meal directly from Duck or order through Deliveroo . When? Monday 24th January to Saturday 15th February Where? At-home dining experience from Duck, Dublin 2 How much? €50 for two people 2) Live Jazz At Glovebox If you haven't been to Allta Winter House yet, their accompanying bar Glovebox is a very nice introduction. If you have been you'll be looking for any excuse to get back up to the top of that carpark. Enter live jazz every Thursday night (with more music to be announced Friday - Sunday). Live music, food, cocktails - it's almost as if that whole pandemic thing never even happened. Book here . 3) A Taste Of Lisbon At Ana's Escape from Ireland’s harsh wintery weather with a one-night excursion to Lisbon at Ana's in Rathgar. Ana, who is originally of Portuguese descent, is preparing a menu of traditional tapas and sangria for A Taste of Lisbon in their café in Dublin 6, with cod cakes, seafood rice and a creamy Portugese dessert. See the menu and how to book here . When? Friday 11th February from 19:00 Where? Ana’s Café, Rathgar How much? €40 4) Chocolate Masterclass With Proper Chocolate Company The cocoa bean has garnered a reputation for being the ultimate aphrodisiac, from its origins in Ancient Mexico to Flake ads romanticising “the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate”. Learn how the bean became a pin-up bar with chocolatiers and founders of the Proper Chocolate Company , Patrick and Kelli, at a special masterclass in Wren Urban Nest. When? Saturday 12th February, 18:00-20:00 Where? Wren Urban Nest, Dublin 2 How much? €52.89 5) Eatyard Street Sessions With Lily Ramirez-Foran The team from Eatyard are giving the chefs of Dublin a platform, well, technically a container, to serve hungry punters at the upcoming Street Sessions series. First up, Lily Ramirez-Foran will be on-site to trial recipes from her new cookbook Tacos , joining Journalist and food writer Ali Dunworth to chat about the book. When? Sunday 13th February, 14:00 until tacos sell out Where? Bernard Shaw, Drumcondra How much? Free entry 6) Howth Foraging With Nicole Dunne The Irish landscape is peppered with edible flora and fungi from pungent wild garlic to nutrient-dense mushrooms, but while we condone fresh, local and free produce, we wouldn’t want anyone to arrive at an “Into The Wild” scenario. Presenting Nicole Dunne , an expert forager from Howth who teaches attendees the lay of the land before tucking into snacks made using freshly-sourced ingredients. When? Sunday 20th & 27th February, 11:00-14:00 Where? Meeting at Howth Village How much? €50 7) Pasta Masterclass With Eric Matthews If you too have ogled over Eric Matthews’ mouth-watering recipes on Instagram, then you will know all about his hand-rolled pici pasta with Salsiccia sausage and parmesan. To learn how to make pici and two other classic Italian pasta dishes from scratch, snap up a ticket to his upcoming Pasta Masterclass at Warehouse Food Market by Weekl.ie . When? Thursday, 17th February, 18:00 Where? Warehouse Food Market by Weekl.ie, Dublin 6 How much? €139.64 8) Dumpling Masterclass With Holly Dalton Master the hand-folding techniques required to make dumplings with former Gertrude and 3fe chef Holly Dalton. Holly’s latest venture Conbini Condiments is inspired by the flavours of Japan, a theme that has run through many of her dishes, from dumplings to the breaded Tonkatsu sandwich originally served in Gertrude. This three-hour workshop based out of Weekl.ie 's Warehouse Food Market in Harold's Cross caters for all types of dietary restrictions, excluding gluten-free. When? Saturday 26th February, 16:30 Where? Warehouse Food Market, Dublin 6 How much? €91.61 9) Vito's Dinner And A Show At Hen's Teeth Now that Vito Spatafore is officially out of hiding, he’s making a cameo appearance at none other than Hen’s Teeth in Dublin 8. The event will feature a talk by actor Joe Gannascoli (AKA Vito) and a three-course meal with Joe's speciality cheese-wheel carbonara. This one is a while away, but tickets are guaranteed to sell out fast. When? Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st April, 19:00-23:00 Where? Hen’s Teeth, Blackpitts, Dublin 8 How much? €75 Wine 10) Rhone Tasting With Killian Horan The team behind Neighbourhood Wine are banging out events in all of their stores, from specialised tastings to their upcoming Wine School, and they're in demand for good reason. Tickets for Killian Horan’s Côtes du Rhône event are still available and will feature his Le Charlatan wine made with a mix of Syrah, Grenache and Viognier. When? Friday 11th February, 18:15-20:00 Where? Neighbourhood Wine, Upper Leeson Street How much? €50 11) Wine Tasting Saturdays At Note Note is doing a stellar job at spreading the good word of wine, but if you want to take your natural wine knowledge a step further, get down to one of their Wine Tasting Saturdays. Tickets are available from noon each Sunday for the following Saturday but prepare those digits as it sells out quickly. And for all of you natural wine lovers, they’re also hosting a Valentine’s Day collaboration with London wine bar, P. Franco - the only acceptable reason to leave the house on the 14th. When? Saturday 12th February, 14:30-16:30 (weekly event) Where? Note, Dublin 2 How much? €30 12) Dublin Wine Trails Dublin is falling head over heels for wine, and so are we. If you’re hoping to bump into some fellow oenophiles or merely to share a glass of Shiraz or two, then Mari (who hails from the actual birthplace of wine - Georgia) is back with Dublin Wine Trails . The ticket covers the cost of tapas and wines in three wine bars. When? Saturday 12th & 26th February, 15:30-17:30 Where? TBC How much? €59 13) Pet Nat Tasting At Provender Wine Pét Nat ( Pétillant Naturel) is a juicy, fizzy wine that acts as a good entry point into the bubbles category. Using traditional methods, Pét Nat is bottled during the fermentation process, which allows it to carbonate naturally. Alright, we’ll stop babbling so that Jenny from Provender Wines can fill you in on the rest. Get tickets for their Pet Nat tasting here . When? Sunday 13th February, 19:00-20:00 Where? Provender Wine, Dublin 8 How much? €46.27 14) Exclusive ATF Insiders Wine Fair At Neighbourhood Wine Following the success of our first sold out Wine Fair at Neighbourhood Wine , we’re teaming up with them again for round two and a whole new line up. What better way to spend a Sunday? Tickets go on sale tomorrow and the link will be emailed to ATF Insiders. If you're not already signed up you can fix that here , and we've got lots more events coming up now that we're back to semi-normality... When? Sunday 27th February 2022 Where? Neighbourhood Wine, Upper Leeson Street How much? €25 (redeemable on purchases over €150) Culture 15) A Growing Enquiry @ The RHA Artists often use their practice to tackle critical social issues from gender inequality to environmentalism. Given the state of our current food systems, a collective of six female artists has joined forces to probe food production and its impact on the longevity of our environment. A Growing Enquiry runs from mid-February to the end of April at the RHA. Pop into Margadh wine bar for a snack and a glass of wine when you’re finished. When? Friday 18th February to Saturday 30th April Where? RHA Gallery, Dublin 2 How much? Free 16) Boiling Point, Lighthouse Cinema Imagine a day at work where everything that can go wrong does, and the eyes of your most prominent critic are witnessing each and every downfall. Boiling Point is one of those gripping watches that - thanks to the beauty of a 90-minute single take - feels like being immersed in the drama of a bustling kitchen from start to finish. A must see before it leaves cinemas. When? Running since 31st December Where? Lighthouse Cinema How much? €10-12.50 We're also keeping our eyes on updates for the Sprezzatura Pasta Club and Scéal Bakery’s upcoming sourdough courses - both to be announced soon.

It’s rare to have us turn down the offer of a night in a restaurant of our choice, but there’s something about Valentine’s Day that makes us feel so corny, so aggrieved at the jacked up set menus, and so rushed to get out so they can turn the table, so we generally opt to ditch the candlelit meal in favour of something a bit different. If you’re like us and are choosing to swerve the cringe this year, we've got some ideas to help you celebrate your relationship or woo the new person in your life, in a much more comfortable fashion. The National Gallery And A Wine Tasting The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the most peaceful spots in Dublin for a wander, and you could spend hours in the maze of galleries and exhibitions. Start with the portrait exhibition, and once you’ve had your fill of culture it’s just short walk to Note on Fenian Street. The relatively new arrival on the wine bar scene has already become one of our regular haunts, and they always have interesting bottles open. They're running wine tastings each Saturday afternoon, focusing on different regions, producers and wine, and don’t be put off if you’re not on expert - this is a casual affair. Tickets are limited so make sure to book, and if you’re looking for something to do on V-Day itself, Note are running an event with the guys from P. Franco in East London! It's walk-in only and they open at 18:00. Afternoon Tea By The Sea We've been keeping our beady little eyes on Haddington House in Dun Laoghaire since ex-Bastible Barry O’Neill took over as Executive Head Chef in their restaurant Oliveto . It's right beside Dun Laoghaire pier so enjoy a brisk walk along the sea to build up your appetite before heading in for their new Afternoon Tea in the Parlour bar. They serve three-courses, starting with five savoury bites, before moving onto scones and tea, and finishing with three pieces of handmade patisserie. The best part – not a soggy cucumber sandwich in sight. It comes in at €50 per person including a glass of champagne, which we think is good value for a Valentine's (or Galentine's) treat. Visit St. Valentine Did you know that the remains of St. Valentine are actually smack bang in the middle of Dublin? We kid you not. In 1835, they were gifted by the Pope to an Irish preacher John Spratt and brought to Dublin from Rome, and they now rest in Whitefriar Street Church on Aungier Street. If you’re spiritually inclined you may want to pop in and bless your own relationship, or if you’re single and looking for love, stop by to say a little prayer to cupid himself to do you a solid. You can follow that up with a short stroll up to one of our favourite taco spots in the city right now - Los Chicanos Tacos , which is currently parked up on Camden Row on Saturdays and Sundays. Order the cauliflower tacos - you'll thank us. Taco Pop Up Speaking of tacos, Lily Ramirez-Foran of Picado will be hosting a one-off pop-up in Eatyard on Sunday February 13th to publicise her new cookbook, which she's developed with Blasta Books. From snippets we’ve seen, including beautiful illustrations by Nicky Hooper, it looks incredible, and Lily will be serving up an exclusive taco from the book from 14:00 until they sell out. She'll also be interviewed by Ali Dunworth at 16:00 to launch the book. City Centre Food Tour If we were describing our ideal day out, a food tour would be high on the list of activities. It’s something we always do on our first couple of days in new cities to get our bearings and find out more about local cuisines, so why not do the same in our hometown? Delicious Dublin Tours is run by Ketty Quiqley who's originally from France but has been living in Ireland for years and knows the Dublin food scene inside out. She runs three-hour group tours Tuesday – Saturday which cost €62 per person, and your ticket covers the costs of six - eight tastings. Fab Food Trails is another well-known company which offers tours in both Dublin and Cork. Founder Eveleen Coyle devises all of the routes but there are a whole host of FFT guides including some familiar faces from the Irish food and drink scene, so you’re always going to be in good hands. Tours are held every second Saturday and are €65 per person, which includes six - seven stops over two and a half hours Could this be the perfect activity for a newly dating couple? We think so... A Sunrise Dip & Sauna With the influx of #swimrise posts hitting our feeds, we reckon there's an appetite for something a bit more active to celebrate the 14th. An excursion to Greystones can be kicked off with a visit to The Fat Fox to pick up coffees and treats for after your dip in The Cove - maybe you’ll even spot the Happy Pear brothers in their natural habitat frolicking in the waves. The swim will wake you up, and from there you can wander over to Fad Saoil Saunas nearby to get the heat back into your bones. If you’re feeling ambitious, take the walk along the cliff to Bray where you can hit up Catalyst Coffee for some plant-based brekkie wraps. We're tired just thinking about it, but each to their own... Be A Tourist If you’re anything like us there are probably significant sites around Ireland that you’ve never made it to – the Burren, the Giants Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher – we know, we know, it’s shameful. In our defence, you could name any random food truck in the country and we’ve probably been there – so you can tell our priorities when we travel. If this sounds familiar, take this as a push to delve into the list of places in Dublin you’ve never been. First stop could be Kilmainham Gaol, followed by a pitstop in Storyboard for some coffee and a takeaway lunch to enjoy in the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art . Or perhaps you've walked past St. Patrick's Cathedral a million times but never ventured in? Pay the €8 admission and avail of the free tours run throughout the day, before you pop over to Two Pups , The Fumbally or Hen’s Teeth nearby for food afterwards. The options are endless, so get planning. Dumpling Masterclass A cooking class is a great activity to do with your partner, and even better if you’re in the early stages of your relationship and still getting to know each other. Figure out who’s the sous-chef of the couple in a dumpling masterclass with chef Holly Dalton. Her interest in Japanese food started in her teens, and ultimately led to her first job out of culinary school in Izakaya. Since then, she's worked in Gertrude, 3fe, Cocu and Bobby’s, before launching her own range of Japanese-inspired condiments, Conbini . The three-hour workshop on February 26th costs €91 and covers everything you need to make dumplings at home including hand-folding techniques and how to cook them perfectly every time. Find out more details here . Kilruddery House & Garden Kilruddery House in Wicklow are back hosting their Supper Clubs and while this is technically dinner, we think a relaxed countryside affair is the perfect way to shake up the usual date. They currently have tickets on sale for Saturday 12th February and Friday 25th February, where they’re planning on preparing a vegetable focused sharing plate menu using the bounty from their kitchen garden and grounds. It’s worth getting there early to explore the expansive grounds, and if you’re stuck for a last-minute present, Kilruddery Farm Shop sell a series of hampers including Bean & Goose chocolate (always a winner), dried flowers and seasonal potted arrangements. Find out more information here . Stay Home If none of these options float your boat, we have plenty of options for you to enjoy at home. Check out our feature her e for the best at-home boxes for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own kitchen.

If you're a long time reader you'll know how we feel about eating out on Valentine's Day, i.e. why would you do that to yourself. Set menus, jumped up prices and time limits, surrounded by awkward couples on early dates, others who can't stop touching each other, and the ones trying to pretending they're actually enjoying each other's company. So do it like a pro and stay in. Leave the unsatisfactory experiences to the rest of the city, and stay home with one of these cook-free, cringe-free options. Margadh's Valentine's Box L ast order's for Margadh's Valentine's box are TODAY, so if you like the sound of this jump on it. For €85 you and your lover/housemate/Mum will get five courses - olive focaccia with anchovy butter; langoustine cocktail with pickled vegetables, apple & crème fraîche; guinea fowl, truffle and ham hock wellington with morel sauce; sides of tenderstem broccoli with smoked almond vinaigrette, and crispy duck fat potato; frangipane tart with chocolate ganache, hazelnut & raspberry; and a strawberry pastil petit fours to finish. There's an optional red or white wine pairing for €15 (recommended), and it's available for delivery or collection from Saturday 12th - Monday 14th. Order here . ​ Ripasso's Meal Kits We've noticed quite a posts recently from Ripasso 's happy customers, alerting us to the fact that they deliver Italian ingredients and wine nationwide - including meal kits. Choose from an antipasto platter, lasagne, cannelloni, carbonara, or go rogue and do your own thing. See the range here . Wined own At Home We recently reviewed Winedown's at home box, and it's available for collection or delivery within 5km on Friday 11th February if you're celebrating over the weekend. It's freshly prepared that day so will last a couple of days in the fridge, and we think it's really good value at €55 for two (with another €5 for delivery). Read our once over here , or order here . SSI's Valentine's Seafood Supper SSI's " ultimate seafood supper " is available for nationwide delivery, and one for when you just need to throw money at the problem. Feeding two, €130 will get you oysters, caviar, lobster ravioli, whole roast turbot, champagne butter, and Irish handmade Chocolates. They suggest you add boiled potatoes and buttered broccoli to the mix. Delivery available between Friday 11th and Saturday 12th February, and you can order here . Barwachi, Killester We're completely intrigued by Killester Indian takeaway Barwachi . Food writer Jillian Bolger said it's the most authentic Indian food she's ever had from a takeaway, and that the Malabar prawn curry took her right back to Kerala. That prompted a visit from Irish Independent food critic Katy McGuinness who called their onion bhaji " the best I've ever had ", as was the palak paneer kofta (spinach and cheese dumplings in a creamy tomato sauce). They open Mondays and have a wide delivery area covering most of the Northside and across the water as far as Ringsend. Food by Sally Ann High end Dublin based caterer Sally Ann Lux has put together a Valentine's box for two for €120, with peach bellinis, sharing starters, a choice of mains (Jacob's ladder beef or almond and herb crusted sea bass), a white and dark chocolate mousse, and petit fours to finish. It can be delivered within Dublin for €10 or collected from their city centre kitchen. See the full menu and order here . Fallon & Byrne You can always count on Fallon & Byrne for a fuss free meal at home, and their Valentine's steak dinner for two with two fillets, greens, truffled mash and pepper sauce is currently on sale for €25. Add on a Coeur aux Fleurs goat's cheese, some chocolates and a bottle of the delicious Love and Grapes syrah and you've got the makings of a very nice night in. See the Valentine's shop here . Asador/Prado While there's nothing special announced for Valentine's Day, sister steak restaurants Asador and Prado deliver their meal kits nationwide, with a cut off of midnight on Wednesday each week for Friday delivery. They've got boxes with gambas and a Tomahawk, BBQ tacos and chicken adobo, and you can add on dessert, cheese, cocktails and wine. Order here . Naomi's Kitchen Meal prep company Naomi's Kitchen have a Valentine's meal for two for €70, with a grazing board to share, beef bourginon with honey glazed roots and potato mash, and giant jammy hearts to finish. Delivery charges range from €6.50 - €12, or it can be collected from their kitchen in Glenageary. Order here .

Dublin has six new Michelin stars, after the UK and Ireland additions were announced this morning. The announcements were supposed to start on their Twitter account at 10:00, but the sneaky Michelin man (or woman) started the ball rolling at 09:20, catching a lot of people off guard. No surprise to anyone who's eaten there, Mickael Viljanen has regained the two stars he won at The Greenhouse in his new position as Chef-Patron of Chapter One . If they hadn't got two there would have been a riot, and you'd find us right up front - read our recent review here . The guide had this to say: "Finnish-born Mickael’s name is now above the door at this celebrated restaurant which has enjoyed a stellar reputation for many years. His sophisticated, confidently delivered dishes include Dover sole enlivened by maitake and bonito, and delicious milk-fed lamb in two servings – the fillet and the braised shoulder." Anyone who got a booking in their last release must be feeling incredibly smug right now. Ireland has another new two-star restaurant in the tiny Liath in Blackrock. Chef/owner Damien Grey has made no secret of the fact that two stars (and maybe beyond) has been the goal here for a long time, and reviews since opening post lockdown seemed to indicate that they'd taken thing up another level again. The guide said: "...Damien Grey at Liath in Blackrock has also been busy reworking and perfecting his repertoire of dishes, with the result that they now show even greater harmony. The sublime aroma of the mussels served with cauliflower and saffron is more than matched by the flavour; while the melt-in-the-mouth pigeon is made even more exquisite by the Pedro Ximenez sauce that accompanies it." Bastible in Dublin 8 was awarded its first star for "generous portions of boldly-flavoured food" and "cooking which comes from the heart." Bastible opened in 2015 and there have been calls from critics and diners for years that they were cooking at star level - us included . The guide added; "Owner Barry Fitzgerald confidently takes the lead in the open kitchen. The modern set menu features top class Irish produce and each main ingredient is given the space to shine." Good luck getting a booking there any time soon. See their listing here . Glovers Alley in The Fitzwilliam hotel has also been awarded a star, something they have clearly been striving for since opening in 2018 , so we imagine their relief is very high this morning. The guide said "This chic, elegant restaurant is set on the second floor of The Fitzwilliam Hotel, overlooking St Stephen’s Green. Andy McFadden’s cooking is characterised by intense flavours and textures, and his experience shines through in creative, modern dishes which are skilfully prepared and artfully presented." New Bib Gourmands (for quality cooking at affordable prices) were released last week, and went to Cush in Ballycotton, Éan in Galway and Everett's in Waterford.

All eyes are focused on you, you start yapping away, and then Karen chimes in shouting, “you’re on mute!” We don’t miss the mortification of Zoom's gone wrong, and the psychological implications of staring at your own face all day, but the time has come to return to IRL meetings, ideally combined with our favourite past-time - food. The walls of an office can be stifling, so bash out some creative ideas over lunch, brunch, coffee or a drink instead. 1) Nutbutter, Grand Canal Dock Located in the heart of Grand Canal Dock (water views and all), Nutbutter serves a seasonal food menu that feels good to eat, with dishes like plant poke and jackfruit carnitas. The restaurant was also nominated for best design in the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, so it's a great choice when you've got guests you want to impress. 2) 3fe, Grand Canal Dock Once upon a time, 3fe was one of the few cafés that could accommodate a business meeting over a good cup of Joe. Several creative enterprises likely spawned from this humble space, and it's managed to stand the test of time while other cafés popped up and quickly evaporated into the ether. 3) Brother Hubbard, Capel Street Another café that's withstood the trials and tribulations of Dublin’s café scene is Brother Hubbard , a space that's grown from a petite premises on Capel Street to a larger area next door, and three more cafés on the South Circular Road, in Arnotts and soon to be Ranelagh. The Capel Street café is particularly spacious, and if you go there often, you can tee up enough stamps to avail of a complimentary coffee and scone. Inflation shamation. 4) Urbanity, Smithfield It ground our gears when we saw Insomnia and Costa polluting Stoneybatter and Smithfield’s indie landscape, but at least Urbanity eased the blow when it opened in 2016. Their coffee is roasted on-site and their rotating menu features dishes like ham hock bubble and squeak Benedict and wild mushrooms on toast. The long tables are perfecting for gathering a team around. 5) Parklife, Kimmage Kimmage and Crumlin were suffering from a lack of decent places to eat and Parklife , adjacent to Eamonn Ceannt Park, arrived to save the day. The café has plenty of room for accommodating brainstorms, and you’ll be seated just far enough from prying ears attempting to steal your next big idea. The best part: they serve Cloudpicker. 6) The Commons At MoLI They say creativity thrives within limitations, but nothing is better than getting out of the house and sharing ideas over lunch or brunch after two years of lockdown. The Commons at MoLI is perfect for office catch ups, and the menu features simple dishes like Waterford Blaa with streaky bacon and carrot cake. 7) The Eatery At Bread 41 We pined over the Bread 41 café when we regularly queued for their pastry drop during lockdown. Finally they reopened, and only went and elevated things with the announcement of their eatery upstairs. It's perfect for face-to-face meetings, but you're not allowed open your laptop - conversations only. A word of warning: you might start your meeting with a proposal for a film and leave with the notion of becoming a baker. It's happened to the best of us. 8) The Pepper Pot Café, Powerscourt Town Centre The Pepper Pot has gone from strength to strength over the years with a bustling café in the Powerscourt Centre and the more recent addition of their bakery in the George Street Arcade. One thing that hasn’t changed - much to our delight - is the pork sausage sando with tomato and apple chutney. Recommend it to your colleague and hopefully they’ll thank you by footing the bill. 9) Network, Aungier Street It almost feels like Network was designed for networking… oh wait - maybe it was. It is located slap-bang in the city centre and flaunts a concise menu of dishes like the chorizo and mozzarella sandwich, ideal for ordering over a quick business meeting. 10) A Stór Coffee, Smithfield A ramen bar by night and a specialty coffee joint by day, Soup and A Stór have created the perfect partnership in Smithfield. The café opens at 8am, so it’s ideally suited for a morning meet-up over a flat white and homemade granola with almonds, coconut and fresh fruit. 11) Blas, Dublin 1 The Chocolate Factory lives and breathes creativity with in-house residents including illustrator Steve Doogan and printmakers Jando Design, and their in house café Blas brings it on the food side. Head in on any given day (except Sunday as it’s closed), and you’re likely to witness at least one creative idea coming to life over coffee. Their cheese toasty with provolone and cheddar with cider jam is the perfect lunch on cold days. 12) As One, Dublin 2 We love As One ’s ethos of farm to fork food. They source ingredients from local Irish growers and producers like McNally Farm and Jane Russell sausages, and their menu focuses on seasonal dishes like veggie boxty with carrot harissa and nut crumble. Book a table in advance and move your weekly check-in from a Zoom room to a plant-filled, high-ceilinged one. 13) Vice Coffee, Dublin 1 Many of the world’s most famous writers wrote their classics over a tipple, and we can’t argue with the idea of an award-winning Irish coffee to get the creative juices flowing. Flesh out ideas over a drink at Vice (and there's plenty of non alcoholic options if it's early), and order a cheese toastie or a Mud brownie once hunger kicks in. 14) The Fumbally, Dublin 8 The Fumbally food market filled the void of our lost social lives during the pandemic, but we missed the café and their famous eggs. The staff kindly allow you to mull over a meal for an hour (or four), and it almost feels like a co-working space without the lousy coffee. The Fumbally is the OG for creative brainstorming in cafés.

Even though the daffodils are popping up and buds are popping out, it's definitely still winter by the looks of menus around town, and the weather forecast. We reckon it's going to be all change for spring in the next week or two, but in the meantime we're languishing in broths, stews, and plums cake. 1) Spicy Tori Paitan From Nomo Ramen Oh hello Nomo, aren't you looking well. Due to open in March, Nomo Ramen are starting the social teasers and look at this spicy tori paitan - chicken broth infused with their homemade chilli oil. It's going to be a long few weeks... 2) Pork Belly With Asian Spices, Amy Austin We have a thing about bad pork belly, and this does not look like bad pork belly. Wine bar Amy Austin currently have it on the menu in a broth with Asian spices, and the skin looks shatteringly crispy. 3) Black Beans From Los Chicanos We're big fans of the tacos from Los Chicanos , but are now crushing on these black beans with lime crema and pickled hibiscus. The sooner these guys open a bricks and mortar restaurant the better. 4) Fish And Chips From Salt & Vinegar Sometimes it all gets a bit much and you just need to pare it back to basics. New Rathfarmham chipper Salt & Vinegar serve salt and pepper squid, pints of prawns and fish finger sandwiches, but how good does the basic one and one look, complete with handcut chips. 5) Plum Cake From Luncheonette We feel like we haven't seen or eaten half enough plums this winter, so were very happy to see this "cinnamonny, cardomommy" buckwheat, flour-free plum cake from Luncheonette appear on the grid this week. Find them at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin 1.

It seems like just a few hundred antigen tests ago, but Pancake Tuesday is descending on us again. Here's what's happening across Dublin tomorrow so you can get planning... Slice, Stoneybatter Slice in Stoneybatter are pancake ready and excited. They're serving their fluffy buttermilk pancakes with either Belgian chocolate sauce, toasted hazelnuts, poached plums and vanilla mascarpone, or apple and walnut crumble with vanilla cream. They'll also have their usual pancakes on with stewed fruit, cinnamon mascarpone, peanut caramel and toasted nuts. Good luck picking from that line up. Fable & Stey, Blackrock Fable & Stey in Blackrock always bring it on pancake Tuesday, and this year is no different. Choose from vanilla pancakes with Ferrero spread, mascarpone cream, fresh berries and hazelnut praline, or go for more Autumnal vibes with roasted spiced apples, fresh blackberries, salted caramel and rum sauce, and mascarpone cream. The Orange Goat, Ballsbridge We love shaking things up with a crêpe cake, and this chocolate and berry version, served by the slice at The Orange Goat , looks reason enough for a trip to Ballsbridge. Edition, Brown Thomas I f you're anywhere near Brown Thomas on Pancake Tuesday, you can nip into Edition on level two for a one day special of banana brûlée pancakes, with coffee or prosecco - your choice. Le Petit Breton, Drumcondra Le Petit Breton in Drumcondra is pancake central every day, with 28 different options to choose from. Choose from savoury like "La Québécoise", with Comté, caramelised apples, streaky bacon and maple syrup, or go sweet with "La Plougastel", with berries drizzled in strawberry coulis, white Chocolate flakes and chocolate or strawberry ice cream. Sheridan's, Various Locations This one is going to take some work in your own kitchen, but honestly how could you not want to make this crêpe cake from Sheridan's , dripping with Fattorie Garofalo buffalo dulce de leche, and covered in Cocoa Bean chocolate 72% ganache. Pick up supplies in any Sheridan's location or online . The Cupcake Bloke, Rialto In this week's Sunday night "the news you might have missed this week" email to ATF Insiders, we pointed out that pancake cupcakes were a thing in Kerry, and needed to be a thing in Dublin. Well we manifested it, and it appeared, as just as the email was sent out, these babies popped up on The Cupcake Bloke's Insta . Pick from vanilla & sprinkles, lemon, nutella and red velvet, all with teeny tiny pancakes on top. Cuteness. Alma, Portobello Alma , one of the city's OGs for pancakes any day of the year, will be serving their usual dulce de leche pancakes with seasonal fruits, plus a savoury option with West Cork smoked salmon, goats cheese cream, mustard and maple dressing, fennel and house pickled beets. They're also be doing a special cinnamon roll inspired one, with chai mascarpone cream, maple syrup, blood orange and crispy bacon. Get in line. As One We love an As One pancake, and next week they're bring two new ones to a table. An 'in season' - crêpes glazed with house caramel sauce, zesty rhubarb coulis, sweet mascarpone and cocoa nibs, and a second option of crêpes with lemon and orange amaretto, and blueberry and honey ricotta. Decisions, decisions... Tang, Dawson Street Tang is an excellent choice for pancakes on any Tuesday, but next Tuesday you'll find a special of American style fluffy ones "Middle-Easternised", with house labneh, rhubarb compote, sweet dukkah and honey. Oh my... Eathos Eathos on Baggot Street will have their usual pancake menu running next week, including their buckwheat pancakes with poached banana, praline cream, toasted hemp and coconut, almond butter and coconut whip. They're also running a one day special of buckwheat pancakes with caramel, chocolate, crushed pistachio and mango honeycomb. Aventura, Portmarnock Aventura Coffee House recently announced a new location in The Masonry building in D8, and Pancake Tuesday is going to be their first official 'event'. They're serving their traditional Brazilian PacPac pancakes with either berry and lime jam with cream and basil; maple glazed and sea salt bacon; or chocolate and coconut crust. Pancakes are €8.50 or they're running a deal on pancakes plus a cup of their house coffee blend for €10.99. Social Fabric Café Social Fabric Café is the place to head in Stoneybatter on pancake day. They'll have three options this year - chocolate, pistachio and raspberry; maple syrup and free-range streaky bacon; or butterscotch sauce with fresh fruit and caramelised pecans. Le Chocolat du Fred It's pancake day every day at Le Chocolat de Frèd in Dun Laoghaire, and this place will be out the door for the day. Whatever you order, make sure it has chocolate - it comes from their special chocolate tap. Lennox Street Grocer Lennox Street Grocer won't be doing the cooking for you, but how about this for an at home option. They're selling bottles of their rich Jersey milk crêpe batter, along with a suggested service option of Dingle sea salt ice cream with their carmelised pecans and maple syrup (also available in the shop). 31 Lennox If you've yet to get to 31 Lennox to try their sweet potato mascarpone, you can head there next week to try it on their homemade buttermilk pancakes with peanut brittle, banana and maple syrup. Metro Café, South William Street The Metro Café on South William Street with be serving their famous buttermilk pancakes with honeyed butter all day and evening on Pancake Tuesday, with a side of people watching onto South William Street. Berry compote or nutella are optional extras. Lemon Crepe and Coffee Co. Lemon on South William Street is Dublin's original pancake house, open an incredible 23 years and still going strong. Expect queues all day on Pancake Tuesday, and it might be worth checking out their menu online in advance, because there's 38 different ones to choose from. Pick from sweet ones like apple cinnamon cream, or savoury like the smoked salmon with c rème fraîche , chives and black pepper. Did we miss a great looking Pancake Tuesday special? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie. We'll add more to this article over the week.

Next week sees the first St Patrick's Day since 2019 that we might actually get to celebrate, but while our national holiday tends to feature plenty of booze, it's never really had an associated dish. While "Irish food" has long been boxed off as stew, bacon and cabbage, and varying forms of potatoes, a rise in contemporary Irish cuisine is leading us into a Michelin star-studded revolution. While we're die-hard fans of the potato (especially these pressed ones we had at Killruddery recently), there’s so much more to Irish food than Tayto and colcannon, so the next time a city centre tourist stops you and asks where to go to try our national cuisine, there's no excuse for sending them to a dodgy Temple Bar pub. This is your new Irish dish hit list... Casteltownbere Lobster - Lock’s, Dublin 8 Swiftly make your way from Temple Bar to any and all of Dublin’s buzzing modern Irish restaurants. The price tag might be similar, but the experience will upgrade from frozen cook-chill food to local, flavoursome produce cooked with vigour. Lock’s along the Portobello canal is the perfect space for contemporary Irish cuisine, plating up dishes like Kelly oysters with kimchi, and this stunning Castletownbere lobster with sea urchin and Wexford root vegetables. Irish Fish Plate - The Winding Stair, Dublin 1 Sally Barnes has garnered a reputation for being one of Ireland’s most renowned food producers, smoking fish in the wilds of West Cork. Similarly, Goatsbridge in Kilkenny prides itself on farming locally sourced, sustainable trout based on generations of fish farming dating back to 1180. The Winding Stair has assembled a fish plate showcasing some of the best Irish seafood from both, served with traditionally made Dillisk soda bread. Seasonal Boxty - As One, Dublin 2 Ireland has had a clichéd connection with the potato since it eradicated our native diet and led us into famine, but we love to hate it, and we hate to love it. Boxty, a recipe that dates back to the 1700's, is made using floury potatoes (the best kind), mashed, grated and transformed into a griddled pancake. Gallagher’s in Temple Bar serve the original iteration of this dish, but we’re into the As One alternative made with seasonal veg and poached eggs. Spice Bag - Saba, Various Locations Maybe a better suggestion for a post-Paddy’s day pick-me-up, the spice bag gained stardom approximately ten years ago when the Spice Bag Appreciation Society on Facebook became a forum for debating the “best spice bag in Dublin”. Compared with places like Sunflower, Pen Towers, San Sab, and Lin Kee, Saba up the ante with a Thai iteration of the Chinese-Irish fusion dish, and pair it with their signature yellow curry sauce. Chargrilled Dublin Bay Prawns - Octopussy's, Howth Tourists travel to Howth in droves to take in the smell and the sounds of one of Dublin’s best-known fishing villages, making it a fantastic destination for seafood lovers. Octopussy's serves a simple seafood menu with everything from Carlingford Oysters to Dublin Bay Prawns, and much of their catch caught fresh from their trawler, The Celtic Fisher . If you can resist the smell of the chargrilled Dublin Bay Prawns as you pass the door, you're stronger than we are. A Toastie And A Pint Of Guinness, Grogan's, Dublin 2 That same afternoon I was sitting on a barstool in an intoxicated condition in Grogan’s licensed premises. At Swim-Two-Birds - Flann O’Brien Since its inception, Grogan’s has been synonymous with Irish history and culture, with Irish literati Flann O’Brien featuring it as his local hangout in At Swim-Two-Birds. On any given day, the place heaves with locals and tourists who flock there for a pint of the black stuff and one of the city’s best vantage points. No trip to Grogan’s is complete without their traditional toastie made with Irish cheddar and deli ham, and a good schmear of mustard. Irish Seafood Platter - Michael’s, Mount Merrion Michael’s has warranted a reputation as one of the best seafood restaurants in Dublin, and it feels like a real treat to make the journey out to Mount Merrion for the occasion. The wine menu includes Von Winning Riesling and Komokabras Albarino, and the seafood platter brims with whatever is just off the boat - wild halibut, Lambay crab, Clogherhead prawns, Irish lobster, Dublin Bays, scallops, mussels, drowned in garlic butter with plenty of their hand cut chips. Roaring Water Bay Mussels - Matt The Thresher, Dublin 2 The iconic seafood restaurant Matt The Thresher is situated on the periphery of Stephen’s Green and a stone’s throw from the Oscar Wilde memorial sculpture. The menu combines a selection of native favourites inducing Dublin Bay prawns and Galway oysters, but the Roaring Water Bay mussels are the real showstoppers. Wicklow Venison - Spitalfields, Dublin 8 For a city that's peppered with pubs, Dublin has a significantly low count of places to get good pub grub - enter Spitalfields , a gastropub and restaurant located in the heart of the Liberties that specialises in Irish cuisine with a contemporary twist. Pick a cold day to indulge in the haunch of Wicklow venison with butternut squash, barley and chestnut mushrooms Chocolate & Guinness Cake - The Cake Café, Dublin 2 Guinness is so good for you that we Irish decided to immortalise it in stew and cake. The sweeter iteration comprises a dense, silky cake prized by Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver, and The Cake Café , hidden away off Camden Street, is the perfect spot to escape the madness of town with one of the best versions in Dublin. Salt-Aged Feighcullen Duck - Woodruff, Stepaside As the Guinness tagline says, good things come to those who wait, and in this case good things come to those who wait for Dublin’s precarious transportation system to take them all the way to Stepaside. Woodruff serve their salt-aged Feighcullen duck from Kildare with foie gras, leg boudin, red kale, parsnip, duck fat potato terrine and blood orange jus, and you can head up the mountains afterwards for some foraging - it's wild garlic season. Read our Woodruff once over here . Carlingford Oysters - Lobstar, Monkstown The South Dublin coastline features a couple of notable seafood spots from George’s Fish Shop to Fish Shack, but we love Lobstar . The casual Monkstown spot (of course) prizes lobster, but if it's not the season we love their personalised Carlingford oysters. Try to fit in a visit to the James Joyce Museum at the Forty Foot while you're out that way. Beef & Guinness Pie - Margadh, Howth Margadh is catering for at home St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with a beef and Guinness pie for four. We suggest pairing it with a bottle of the Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône with fine tannins and a peppery finish, for a very happy Thursday off work. The special will be available for collection on March 16th with orders being taken from the 13th. Teeling New (Market) Fashioned - Teeling Distillery, Dublin 8 Okay not food (unless you count honey), but the New (Market) Fashioned, aptly named after the location of the Teeling’s Distillery , takes a modern twist on an old classic by mixing Teeling small-batch whiskey with spiced rum, two dashes of bitters and honey syrup. Teeling keep it local by using honey from the Dublin Honey Bee Project made in the Liberties, and we'd much rather toast St Patrick with one of these than a commercial beer around town.

It has been two years since we were officially allowed to celebrate Mother’s Day within safe proximity of our parents. This year, the chance of actually hugging our mums or dining at the same table as them is beginning to feel more real so that alone is a cause for celebration. Get those antigen tests ready and prepare yourself for a Mother’s Day to remember, with 14 foodie excursions designed to thank your Ma for always being at the end of the line through thick and thin. Brunch at Bibi's, Portobello We usually spend brunch gossiping over incidents from Saturday night, but this Sunday is entirely devoted to the woman who birthed and bathed you. Return the favour by bringing your Mum to Bibi’s for one of the best brunches in Dublin. We can never resist the squash eggs, and we recommend ordering the brownies in every flavour. A stroll in Howth and Afternoon Tea at Póg We Irish love any excuse to talk about the weather, but we get particularly excited when the sun makes an appearance. What better way to salute spring than by wrapping up and heading to Howth Harbour for a sunny stroll, followed by afternoon tea. The one at Póg is vegan friendly with jackfruit and slaw sambos, and mini acai bowls, and comes with the option of bubbles or bottomless booze. Tableaux Vivants and brunch at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin 1 Tableaux Vivants , translated as Living Images , pairs classical with contemporary art in a collection of work curated in response to the centenary of the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921. The exhibition is part of several shows on display at the Hugh Lane Gallery , which doubles as the (somewhat) new space for Luncheonette . Immerse yourselves in art and chew over your thoughts with a coffee and cake afterwards. Dinner in Spitalfields, Dublin 8 Whether your mum prefers lunch or dinner, Spitalfields in the Coombe serves up the classiest comfort food in Dublin, with dishes like shrimp mayonnaise with trout caviar, and pork schnitzel with smoked garlic potatoes, not forgetting their famous chicken pie to share. Their dessert menu will resurrect your childhood nostalgia, with an orange and vanilla “super split” for 90s kids, and Eton mess for our parents’ generation. Whiskey and Food Pairing at the Powerscourt Distillery, Wicklow Enniskerry’s Powerscourt Spa usually gains the most attention, but if your mum is a gourmand, she'll love the Whiskey and Food Pairing at the Powerscourt Distillery . Combining experience in food science and gastronomy, Santina Kennedy curates a menu of snacks to pair with their range of Fercullen Irish whiskeys. The pairing costs €35 per person and kicks off at 4pm. Book tickets here . Rock Farm Tours, Slane, Co. Meath Rock Farm has had an exciting year, from providing the setting (and produce) for Allta Summer House, to recently winning the Environmental Award at the Irish Food Writer’s Guild Food Awards. Now, Dubliners can make the short trip to Rock Farm to sample the goods on-site with guided tours of the Slane Distillery and the bustling organic farm. Tours of the farm cost €15 per person, or go the whole hogg with an afternoon tour for €89 visiting a goat farm, cider mill and rapeseed oil producer too. Both must be booked in advance . Bread-making Course at Bread 41 There is nothing more comforting than a smearing of butter on your mum’s freshly baked soda bread… or is there? Sourdough has swept the nation with its crunchy, featherlight texture and its lighter impact on troublesome Irish guts and their sensitivity to Pat The Baker's worst. Buy your mum a Glenties malt loaf and a voucher for two for a bread-making class at Bread 41 . Note that classes are fully booked until September, but it's worth waiting for. A trip to the Polish Wine Festival, The Fumbally Stables, Dublin 8 We often associate wine with French châteaux and New World vineyards, but plenty of exciting growers hail from places like Brno in the Czech Republic and Zielona Góra in Poland. Give your mum an alternative gift this Mother’s Day with a trip to the Polish Wine Festival in the Fumbally Stables, which is on the day itself. Tickets cost €20, and hourly slots can be reserved here . A box of Bloomin' Cupcakes from Cake Box, Dublin 8 We're crushing hard on these Bloomin’ Cupcakes’ from Cakebox . Marta’s seasonal beauties are garnished with edible petals and come in two flavours - almond-lemon with violet buttercream and a cherry dipped in ruby chocolate, and carrot-orange with orange blossom buttercream and candied kumquat. Order via Instagram DM. A visit to the Museum of Decorative Arts and History and dinner at L. Mulligan Grocer From IB Jorgensen’s seminal runway pieces to Eileen Gray’s innovative furnishings, the Museum of Decorative Arts and History houses some of Ireland’s oldest artefacts and works by pioneering artists and designers. Spend the day soaking up culture and treat your mum to dinner and drinks in L Mulligan Grocer afterwards. A Gift Cooking Kit from Weekl.ie “Mum, why is there never anything to eat in this house?” We’ve all said it, and to be fair your fridge is probably emptier than hers was circa 1999. Fill your mum’s fridge and her face with joy with delivery a from Weekl.ie . Their current shop includes Italian blood oranges and a fresh pasta making kit , the perfect reminder of that trip to Rome that she never stops going on about. Sunday Lunch at Potager, Skerries From Howth over to Greystones, the Dublin coastline is one of Dublin’s best assets, but the small coastal village of Skerries in North County Dublin is often forgotten. Bring your mum for a coastal walk in Skerries and finish the day with lunch in Potager over a menu that showcases some of North County Dublin's finest produce. The chicken, bacon, leek and mushroom pie at home from Margadh, Howth The mother figure stereotypically spends a large portion of their life cooking and cleaning for their family. If your mum falls into that category, please do her a favour and break out the Dyson for a few hours and order Margadh’s Mother’s Day Menu . The dish of the day is a chicken, bacon, leek and mushroom pie served with champ mash and vegetables, with prosecco and a chocolate ganache tart for afters. 'Pop of Spring' chocolates from Praliné Chocolatiers Georgia and Daniel from Praliné Chocolatiers are among several Irish chocolatiers breaking the mould on tired, oversweet confectionary offerings in Ireland. The ‘ Pop of Spring ’ box is a signal for brighter days, and features flavours like yuzu cheesecake and Irish mint ganache. Hint hard enough and she might let you try one.

The time has almost arrived, the day for us to break our steadfast and unwavering commitment to Lent. Forty long days and nights sacrificing alcohol, crisps, chocolate … okay, our poker face isn’t holding, even behind the screen. It will not surprise regular readers that we do not partake in the annual fast, our love for good food wins over every time. We do, however, fully endorse the annual breaking of the fast, in the form of gorging on Easter eggs. But you can spare us the two-for-a-fiver eggs in your local supermarket, we've rounded up some of the best, artisan options out there, so if you’re looking for a gift or just to treat yourself, look no further... Koko Kinsale Koko is one of our personal favourites for chocolate - we regularly purchase from them as gifts as they come beautifully presented in their signature orange and turquoise packaging. We always look forward to seeing what they create for Easter, and this year the pièce de resistance is the handpainted Easter egg , each one totally unique and absolutely beautiful. They sell for €28 but there are other options at lower price points, including their take on the infamous creme egg - which we can absolutely recommend after ordering them last year. Arcane Chocolate Erik Van der Veken always had an interest in food, forgoing traditional schooling in Belgium for culinary school at the tender age of 12, and it was there that he discovered his love of chocolate. He did placements with chocolate masters around the world, and worked in the Middle East and London, but luckily for us he relocated to Dublin and set up Arcane Chocolate in 2019. His Easter eggs are on the higher end in terms of pricing, with the most expensive coming in at a whopping €70, but these are works of art, using the best ingredients, and they're filled with truffles, so no expense is spared. If this is a bit flush, they also have more reasonable hollow eggs starting from €27 and a selection box of mini Easter eggs so you can try a few different flavours. You can buy them online but theyre also stocked in a few Dublin locations like Brown Thomas and Fallon & Byrne. See the full list of their stockists on their website . Hazel Mountain Chocolate Based along the Wild Atlantic Way, Hazel Mountain Chocolate have taken inspiration from their surroundings for their Easter egg, which is hand painted to illustrate the wild sea crashing on the rocky shore. Hazel Mountain are a small batch, bean to bar operation meaning these are limited edition, so best to get your order in early so you don’t miss out (and they will sell out). If you do miss them, they also have very cute (and very delicious) salted caramel Easter bunnies. Even if you do get an egg you should order these as an add on. Grá Chocolates One of the breakout stars of the pandemic, Gráinne Mullins built her business Grá Chocolates from her family home in Galway when COVID scuppered her plans to work abroad. Having won The Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year in 2019, and worked as a pastry chef in Lignum, Ox and Ashford Castle, the direction slightly shifted for her when she began to experiment with creating hand painted chocolates for her friends and family. Since then, she launched her business, and is now stocked in Brown Thomas. You can buy her beautiful eggs there, or directly from her website . Praline Chocolatiers Praline Chocolatiers ethically source their chocolate from France and Switzerland, and they make sure to use only the best Irish cream and butter, creating the perfect sweet snack. While they have an Easter egg on offer this year, our jaws nearly hit the floor when they tweeted about their new miniature eggs, filled with a fluffy raspberry marshmallow and fruity raspberry ganache, or a light chocolate marshmallow and a layer of signature salted caramel and peanut butter. Their Easter products are available for pre-order now and will start getting shipped on April 5th. Cocoa Atelier Using the best of Irish produce, Cocoa Atelier creates some of the most high-end and intricate looking chocolates in their Dublin-based chocolate lab. They're stocked in Donnybrook Fair and The Butler’s Pantry amongst others, and you can also buy directly from their site . Their Easter collection starts at €16.95 for the carton of six assorted mini eggs and increases to €35.95 for a larger egg which also comes with some of their handmade marshmallows. We would strongly recommend rounding out your order with a bag of chocolate drops to stick in the press for a cold evening when only a luxurious hot chocolate will do – it's the best around. Lir Chocolates This is probably in the adult-only territory, not because of any alcohol content but we just can’t quite imagine many kids have quite developed that hankering for a creamy pint that we develop at the end of a hard week. These eggs are Guinness flavoured and decorated with the iconic Guinness Harp. It also comes with tiny little pint shaped chocolates. Not a Guinness fan? There's also a Baileys sundae. The Source Bulk Foods We love to see zero packaging stores popping up, and have been trying to change our behaviour and visit them as much as possible when picking up the essentials. It's usually cheaper to shop in these small independent stores rather than the big supermarkets, and can make a big difference to the amount of packaging we end up throwing out immediately after packing everything into the presses. Our favourites to frequent are Small Changes in Drumcondra and Inchicore and The Good Neighbour in Dundrum, but we spotted that The Source Bulk Foods , which has shops in Rathmines and Greystones, have launched an Easter range so you can pick up your Easter treats without the unnecessary plastic packaging - and you can buy by weight to limit the waste. Tony Chocolonely If you’re looking for some smaller eggs to create an Easter hunt around the garden, we spotted these handy packs of Tony Chocolonely eggs in Dunnes Stores, and should be available in all major supermarkets. If you haven’t tried Tony Chocolonely chocolate bars before, be warned, they're hard to stop eating, and at only a fiver a packet you may want to get a few extra bags for evening snacks. Bean and Goose Bean and Goose have a pretty avid following at any time of the year, and Easter is no different. They're based in Wexford where they hand-temper the chocolate on marble slabs, and they've created gorgeous chocolate animals this year which would be a perfect gift for people of all ages. Skelligs Chocolate Skelligs Chocolate , based in the wilds of Kerry, have been producing their wares since 1996. The Ring of Kerry is not your average location for a chocolate factory, and they're certainly not the industrial set-up that you might expect from such a recognised and accomplished brand. This is a destination spot, with a Chocolate Café which opens seasonally to welcome tourists and locals alike, and for Easter this year you can buy both hollow and solid eggs, with fillings like salted caramel, hazelnut praline and honeycomb marshmallow. Be warned, after we wrote about them last year they stopped production for the umpteenth time due to overwhelming demand, so be quick. They also have a vegan option for your dairy-free friends. Gåva And finally, these gorgeous eggs are too good to eat – which is apt as they are not actually edible. They're designed and produced by Gåva in Sweden to be used year after year, and you can fill them up with any little treat that you love. You may need to pay a bit more for shipping, but we love the idea of making a new family tradition and having these for years to come.

A new ramen restaurant, importing chef David Chang's ramen noodles of choice from the US, opens this Tuesday just off Camden Street. Nomo Ramen is the first restaurant from trained chef Kevin Hughes (who was initially lured into IT instead of kitchens), and he says its been seven years, and many ramen-research holidays, in the making. The small Japanese menu will change during the year, with two choices of "high quality ramen" the focus (one with chashu pork, the other with tofu), and other small dishes inspired by Izakaya-style menus in Japan, like crispy chicken wings in Nomo sauce, Hirata pork buns, and mushroom karaage with hoisin mayo. Ramen broths are made from scratch, including dashi, chicken broth, marinades and tares. All meat is Irish, supplied by Robinson meats, but unfortunately none is free-range for the time being, although they're hoping they can make the switch once they're more established. Eggs are free-range, and they're using Irish vegetables where possible, including onions, leeks and oyster mushrooms. After much testing, noodles are being imported from Sun Noodles in the US, who are a long-standing Japanese family business, and the supplier to David Chang's restaurants including Momofuku. Drinks will be limited to beer and soft drinks to start. Nomo Ramen soft launches this weekend (ticket holders only), and opens officially on Tuesday at 12pm. They're walk in only to start, but hoping to introduce bookings soon. Nomo Ramen 4 Charlotte Way, Dublin 2 Open: Tue - Wed 12:00 - 21:00, Thu - Sun 12:00 - 22:00 www.nomoramen.ie

The recent heatwave may have been short-lived, but it gave us a taste of longer days and balmy nights ahead, and now that the clocks have gone forward the 'grand stretch' is giving us the perfect excuse to head into town after a busy day at work. This month, we’re psyching ourselves up for tasting menus (lots of them), boozy festivals and an exciting drop from one of our favourite bakeries. 1) Sticks at Saltwater Grocery Saltwater Grocery ’s Karl Whelan is programming a series of foodie collaborations with Dublin’s most innovative chefs. After the first event's success, which featured Ken and Gwen from Assassination Custard, Karl is partnering with Jonny Boyle from Sticks to bring dry-aged Yakitori (Japanese skewered chicken), and we presume plenty of fish, to Rathgar. Email shane@saltwatergrocery.ie to reserve your space. When? Sunday 10th April Where? Saltwater Grocery, Dublin 6 How much? €65 2) Karen Smith's Dessert Pop-Up At Roe & Co March saw the return of the D-8TE pop-ups at the Roe & Co Distillery, and this time they've curated a three-part series of dining experiences that take the form of the starter, main course, and dessert. For the first instalment, The Salt Project temporarily relocated from the West to give Dublin diners a taste of contemporary Irish cuisine, while Dan Howell and Catherine Keane from Man Street Kitchen presented an al fresco dinner for the main course. The final pop up in the series will see pastry chef Karen Smith prepare a dessert tasting menu, including her much-hyped Ferrero Rocher and Twix domes, each paired with a cocktail from Roe & Co's expert mixologist. Book here . When? Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th April, and Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th April Where? Roe & Co Distillery, Dublin 8 How much? €40 for the tasting menu and €30 for the cocktail pairings 3) No Messin' Dudnuts Pop Up At Proper Order Coffee We thought we had finally seen the back of the doughnut trend, but the team at No Messin’ Bakery are bringing us back to Dublin circa 2014 with their upcoming ‘Dudnuts’ pop-up in Proper Order Coffee . The 'misshapen doughnuts with messed up flavours' will be available for one day only (April 18th), alongside drip coffee, and if they’re anywhere near as tasty as their Cardi-B cardamom buns (they will be), they’re going to sell out fast. When? Monday 18th April, 08:00 until sold out Where? Proper Order Coffee, Smithfield, Dublin 7 4) Drag Brunch, The Bernard Shaw Bodytonic provides the perfect antidote to the Sunday fear by hosting a weekly Drag Brunch in the Bernard Shaw. The brunch is on the naughtier side with dishes like buttermilk chicken and waffles and a loaded breakfast burger with Jane Russell’s, sausages, smoked bacon and a fried egg, and there's naughty cocktails, of course. When? Every Sunday, 13:00-17:00 Where? Bernard Shaw, Dublin 9 How much? €35 (includes entry, one main and three cocktails), or order items individually 5) Easter Cacao Ceremony, Fumbally Stables Google “Easter events Dublin” and you’ll land on a cornucopia of egg hunts and bunny trails, but if you're feeling more grown up than childlike, Darragh Stewart and Lauren Meyler are lead a three-hour Cacao Ceremony on Easter Monday in the Fumbally Stables. Connect and energise with pure Guatemalan ceremonial cacao, and a guided meditation. Get tickets here . When? Monday 18th April, 19:00-22:00 Where? The Fumbally Stables, Dublin 8 How much? €40-50 depending on what you can afford 6) Sustainable Wine Dinner, The Marker Hotel The production process for wine starts deep within the soils, but all types of unsustainable interventions can occur, from pesticides that stave off bugs to plastic packaging used on bottles. The Marker Hotel has recruited Mick O’Connell MW (co-owner of Neighbourhood Wine ) to curate a selection of wines from European producers that incorporate sustainability into all facets of their winemaking process. Mick’s picks will be paired with canapés on the roof of The Marker Hotel, followed by a five-course tasting menu. Call the hotel on 01 6875104 to book. When? Thursday 7th April, 20:00-00:00 Where? The Marker Hotel, Dublin 2 How much? €80 7) An Evening With Mark Moriarty, Arnotts Look, you’ve eaten the same lamb roast for the past three decades, so now it’s time to shake things up with a fresh approach to Easter 2022, and TV presenter and former Greenhouse chef Mark Moriarty is here to help. He's popping up at Arnotts in April to cook an Easter dinner that promises to provide the inspiration you’ve been seeking, followed by a three-course dinner with a glass of bubbles in the Kitchen restaurant afterwards. Book tickets here . When? Thursday 7th April, 17:45 - 19:45 Where? Arnotts, Dublin 1 How much? €40 8) Sensory Supper, Café en Seine Between Guinness 0.0 and Seedlip Gin, alcohol-free booze is beginning to trend, and we're on board with the idea of waking up with a fresh head and having the option of driving home after a night on the tiles. Peroni is the latest brand to cash in with the announcement of their Nastro Azzurro 0.0. To coincide with the launch, Café en Seine’s Head Chef Stephen Gibson has come up with a five-course tasting menu designed to engage with each of the five senses, based on iconic Italian flavours. Book tickets here . When? Friday 15th April, sittings at 17:30 and 20:30 Where? Café en Seine, Dublin 2 How much? €55 (+ €4.58 booking fee) 9) Festival of Food Soverignity, Maynooth University The food systems that we regularly depend on are being battered from all sides through the pandemic, climate change, supply-chain issues, and, more recently, the ongoing troubles in Ukraine. Alistair Fraser and Louise Fitzgerald are organising a series of sessions to identify ways of achieving food sovereignty in Ireland to tackle such threats, for the deep-thinkers amongst you. Get tickets here . When? Wednesday 13th April, 10:30 - 15:00 Where? Callan Building, Maynooth University How much? Free 10) Fish & Shellfish Workshop, Howth Castle Cookery School Ireland shares its seas with a plethora of seaweed and sea life, but we make little relatively use of it when dining at home for a country with such an offering. Learn the basics of skinning a fish fillet to correctly preparing shellfish at Howth Castle’s upcoming Fish and Shellfish Workshop. Book tickets here . When? Saturday 23rd April, 10:00 - 14:00 (doors open at 09:30) Where? Howth Castle Cookery School, Dublin 13 How much? €150 11) Wigwam Rumbullion Festival, Dublin 1 We’re still dreaming about that four-day bank holiday around St. Patrick’s Day, but at least the May Bank Holiday is on the horizon. Wigwam has once again curated their three-day Rumbullion festival as an ode to their favourite distilled liquor, and daily tickets cost €5 and come with two complimentary cocktails. See more information on their website . When? Friday 29th April to Monday 2nd May, 12:00 - late Where? Wigwam, Dublin 1 How much? €5 entry 12) Happy Days Beer & Food Festival, Rascals Brewing Another event to pencil into your calendar ahead of the upcoming May Bank Holiday is Rascals’ annual (well, obviously not for the past two years) Happy Days Beer and Food Festival . Rascals have outdone themselves with pop-ups including Beatbox, El Milagro, Cold Boi and Aventura Café, and featured breweries that include Wicklow Wolf, White Hag, and O Brother. Tickets cost €20 for access to the main HQ and the yard and outdoor areas, so let’s hope the sun shines for it. Get tickets and see the full line up here . When? Saturday 30th April to Sunday 1st May, 13:00 - 21:00 Where? Rascals Brewery, Inchicore, Dublin 8 How much? €20 (+ €1.85 booking fee)

Now that we have consumed enough chocolate to feed a small island (Innisfree is relatively compact), we’re waving farewell to Easter and biding our time until the next bank holiday weekend. Thankfully, May is only a short spell away, so open that Google Calendar and slot dates in the diary before someone tries to drag you on another foggy hike. Next month is all about markets, wine fairs, and a congress dedicated to celebrating the humble potato. 1) The Hen's Teeth Monthly Market , Dublin 8 In typical Hen’s Teeth fashion, their monthly market pairs the best in material culture with great food and wine. Treat yourself to that Pearl Reddington geansaí you’ve been ogling over and tuck into food by the killer kitchen team, plus an Irish Craft Cocktail or two. BLK Dog Bakery will also be in-store to ensure that your pup is well-fed, which is always a plus in a dog-friendly diner. When? Saturday 30th April & Sunday 1st May, 12:00 - 18:00 Where? Hen’s Teeth, Blackpitts, Dublin 8 How much? Free 2) Bahay at Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8 And in even more Hen's Teeth related news, Filipino street food providers Bahay , who finished their pop up at The Glimmerman last month, are coming to the Dublin 8 diner on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May. Commended by Katy McGuinness as “ones to watch” in 2022, the mobile operation run by Richie Castillo and Alex O’Neill, is guaranteed to fill up. When? Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May, 12:00 - 17:00 Where? Hen’s Teeth, Blackpitts, Dublin 8 Menu? TBC 3) The Eatyard Monthly Market, Dublin 9 The Eatyard programme is jam-packed with events from weekly bingo on Fridays to Drag Brunch on Sundays, but their monthly market is our highlight. The next one features a variety of makers and vendors selling everything from vinyl to freshly-made pasta. When? Sunday 1st May, 12:00 - 17:00 Where? The Bernard Shaw, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 How much? Free 4) Stillgarden Gin Tasting, Dublin 8 Dublin 8 has become the unofficial home of Irish spirits and beer. The original Power’s Distillery reclaimed its roots at the National College of Art and Design’s Red Square, one of Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions, Guinness, is a stone’s throw away, and Teelings and Roe & Co have also made it their home. In 2020 the Stillgarden Distillery joined the crew, and you can sample some of their concoctions at their next gin tasting on Sunday 8th May. When? Sunday 8th May, 15:00 - 16:00 Where? Stillgarden Distillery, Dublin 8 How much? €55 (+ €4.58 booking fee) 5) Fermentation Workshop: Kimchi & Kefir, Glenageary Researchers have uncovered an abundance of information on the benefits of friendly gut bacteria in maintaining a healthy digestive system and mind - try chicory root for prebiotics and kimchi and kefir for probiotics. Learn to make kimchi and sample homemade kefir at Helen Cassidy’s Fermentation Workshop - your gut microbes will thank you. When? Saturday 14th May, 11:00 - 12:30 Where? Foodhugs Kitchen, Glenageary, Co. Dublin How much? €48 6) Grow Your Own Gourmet Veg, Dublin 9 Today's youth claim to be on a quest toward culinary transparency, but nothing is more local or sustainable than growing your own produce. Learn how to Grow Your Own Gourmet Grub , from the essentials of crop rotations to tips for staving off pesky pests in the National Botanic Gardens, and bonus - it's one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit. When? Saturday 14th May 2022, 11:30 – 13:00 Where? National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Dublin 9 How much? €50 7) Taste and Listen with Crash and Imbibe Coffee, Dublin 8 Crash Ensemble and Imbibe Coffee Roasters are collaborating on an event curated as part of Music Town 2022, exploring the parallels between the aural and the oral. Imbibe will host a cupping demonstration in their roastery, while Crash will perform a live soundtrack inspired by contemporary Irish music. When? Sunday 11th May, 11:00 - 12:30 & 13:00 - 14:30 Where? The Millennium Centre, Dublin 8 How much? €20 8) Vins de Copain, Note They say that good things come in threes, and Le Caveau, Veraison and Brian’s Wines are a trinity of independent wine importers proving this theory. Their Vins de Copains pop-up is happening in Note in Dublin, The Universal in Galway, and L’Atitude 51 in Cork, with an evening of food served with 36 natural wines - 12 from each importer. Contact hello@notedublin.com to reserve your space. When? Monday 16th May, 17:00 - 19:00 Where? Note, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 How much? €20 9) Foraging, Wild Food & Herbal Extractions Workshop, Dublin 9 The forests and parks are dappled with vibrant florals and fruit now that spring has finally sprung, and 'Wild Síog'’s next Foraging, Wild Foods and Herbal Extractions workshop provides the skills required to put the wild flora to use. Learn basic foraging skills, and how to make tonics, honey and cosmetics from wild herbs, hips and berries, in her three-hour workshop. When? Saturday 21st May, 10:00 - 13:00 Where? The Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun, Dublin 9 How much? €45 10) A Taste Of Sicily Cooking Class, Dublin 2 If the scenes of chaos at Dublin airport are deterring you from international travel - for now at least - then stay local and book a space at Pinocchio’s Italian School of Cooking. Classes range from pizza and calzone-making to A Taste of Sicily - AKA the home of cannoli and the source of some of the best Italian citrus dishes around. When? Saturday 21st May, 14:00 - 16:30 Where? Italian School of Cooking, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 How much? €60 11) Czech Wine Tasting, Dublin 8 The Embassy of the Czech Republic is spearheading a movement to highlight the country's breadth and diversity of wines. While places like Prague are typically affiliated with Pilsner, many Czech regions are home to low-intervention wineries, including Moravian Milan Nestarec. Learn more about Czech Wine at their free upcoming wine tasting in The Radisson on Golden Lane. When? Monday 30th May, 12:00 - 19:00 Where? Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 How much? Free 12) Dublin Gastronomy Symposium, TU Dublin, Dublin 7 Similar to the way in which food assimilates through our bodies, recipes and ingredients migrate across the globe bringing exotic cuisines to new places. This year, the Dublin Gastronomy Symposium returns with a two-day conference and gala focused on the theme of Food and Movement, and you can watch online or attend talks in person. Register for the symposium here . When? Tuesday 31st May - Wednesday 1st June, 09:00 - 18:00 Where? TU Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 How much? Tickets start at €30 for online access, €230 for regular attendees, and an additional €110 for the gala dinner. 13) Oldbridge Floral & Food Fair, Meath Situated on the grounds of Oldbridge, where the Battle of the Boyne took place in 1690, is the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre and the historic space that will host the next Oldbridge Floral and Food Fair. Chef Lu Thornely will lead an Indian Street Food cooking demonstration, while Rosemary Mulchrone will showcase seasonal florals in a floristry workshop. When? Sunday 29th May, 11:00 - 16:00 Where? Oldbridge, Co. Meath How much? Free 14) The Bective Seafood Festival, Meath The Bective Restaurant in Meath will host a three-day seafood festival as part of the 2022 Boyne Valley Food Series. Expect a medley of Dover sole, lobster, oysters, bream, and hake with a curated wine pairing - the perfect way to escape from Dublin for the long weekend. When? Friday 29th April & Saturday 30th April from 17:00, Sunday 1st May from 15:00 Where? The Bective Restaurant, Kells, Co. Meath How much? Pay as you eat/drink 15) The World Potato Congress, RDS Just when we thought Ireland had reached a culinary awakening, the World Potato Congress comes back to haunt us. Now in its eleventh year, the congress dedicated to the starchy spud, will feature some of our favourites, from Tayto Snacks to Keogh’s crisps, and is in reality an extremely niche event that will only appeal to people in the biz. Ticket prices vary and can be booked here . When? Monday 30th May - Wednesday 1st June, from 15:30 - 17:45 on Monday and 09:00 - 18:15 on Tuesday & Wednesday Where? The RDS, Dublin 4 How much? Tickets range from €450 for early bird for students to €790 total price Our eyes are firmly fixated on Scéal Bakery’s Sweet Pastry workshop and Sarah from the Cake Café’s Baking Classes . Unfortunately, both are fully booked but keep an eye on their social media and newsletters for upcoming openings.

Over the past decade in particular, the Irish food scene has changed vastly for the better, and we're seeing more and more restaurants open without a Eurocentric approach to dining. While Chinese and other Asian restaurants have been popular since the early nineties, they haven't always been respected as places of fine or elevated dining, but many have been hanging their own duck, making their own condiments, butchering their own meat and truly cooking from scratch for decades. It's now the norm to see places like M&L, Lee's Charming Noodles, Lao, Pickle, 3 Leaves in Blackrock and many more identified as top dining experiences across the capital, and we were more than ready for the changing restaurant scene. Richie Castillo and Alex O'Neill of Bahay In my research for this piece, I spoke to Richie's Dad, Lito Castillo, on what it was like to get Asian ingredients when he first moved to Ireland from the Philippines 30 years ago. "Asia Market was the only place you could buy anything. The selection was very limited at the time, you couldn't get Indian, Thai or Filipino stuff, it was mostly just Chinese. There were so few immigrants here at the time. But now you can get everything you need." Lito was the first Filipino to work at The Mater Private Hospital, where he worked until 2019, and Ireland has changed hugely since he first starting walking the wards. Bahay We know diners have become more adventurous, and over lockdown when many of our favourite international spots were closed, people got braver with their home cooking. Asia Market on Drury street has been filled with Gen Z's picking up the latest product that's gone viral on TikTok, young professionals grabbing their Korean ramen packs, everyone buying dumplings, and I've noticed that my favourite fermented pickles, chilli oils, shrimp pastes and spiced vinegars are more frequently out of stock. While we love to see it, we want people to try more, so started doing Asian Market guides on Instagram , which have been getting 10-15k views apiece. To help you eager and intrepid home chefs, we've put together a guide to our top Asian stores across Dublin, local businesses who are importing the best of Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and of course, The Philippines. There are so many more we couldn't include in this particular feature, but keep an eye on our Instagram feed where we'll continue to post quick guides to the most popular places, and the lesser known ones. Special shoutout to Oriental Emporium on Abbey Street, which recently closed since being open since 1991! They continue to operate their shop in Rathmines, which we'll be sure to visit soon. 1) Pinoy Sari Sari, Mary Street Pinoy Sari Sari is a gem. The owner is a warm and welcoming older lady from the Philippines, who has her family and friends working alongside her. This place is pretty small, but jam-packed, with every corner of the shop stacked with pretty much anything you could want for a Filipino feast. While the array of goods she imports directly from the Philippines can only be described as vast, she also makes space to include locally made products from Filipinos here in Ireland, with fresh baked pan de sal, pan de coco, siopao and hopia from Gold Ribbon Bakery on Dorset Street. Every Saturday she has freshly made chicharron, puffed and golden pork skins that are delivered fresh (sometimes still with residual heat), that are always snapped up within hours. If you're feeling adventurous, and I mean really adventurous, they often have Balut , which I'll leave the reader to google themselves. They often have fresh, home-cooked ready meals if you want to try some classics from a Filipino kitchen, as well as locally made langonisa, which is a sweet smoked sausage (similar to chorizo in flavour) but it must be cooked as it's not cured. They have the best selection of savoury snacks, including Boybawang and Ding Dongs. Grab any packet you see and be ready for your new salty snack addition to take hold. Bahay's shopping list: Calamansi (fresh or juice). Sauteed Bagoong. Datu Puti Soy and Sugar Cane Vinegar. Pinkaurat Vinegar. Chicharron. Ube (purple yam, used mainly in dessert and what gives Filipino sweets the incredible purple colour). Ding Dongs. 2) Asia Market, Drury Street & Ballymount Founded in 1981 by Harrod and Helen Pau, Asia Market was the first of its kind to open in Ireland, and has grown and thrived in Drury Street the whole time. It is still very much a family-run business, and they've added a larger premises in Ballymount, as well as opening Duck restaurant on Fade Street. They source ingredients directly from producers in Asia - Hong Kong, China, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and more. They source a lot of their Asian vegetables from farms in Dublin, and import produce that can't be grown here directly. They also maintain a seasonal approach to many of their vegetables, which is great to see. They have a fantastic relationship with many restaurants and chefs, and are hugely respected in the community. They have pretty much everything you could need here, and if they don't have it, let them know and they will try to get it for you. Their noodle section is huge, and they have every spice and paste your heart could desire. We love their drinks selection and they've an excellent range of kitchenware and utensils. Bahay's shopping list: Fresh veggies and mushrooms. Golden Lion AAA Rice. UFC Banana Ketchup. TK NANG Crab Paste. Healthy Boy Light Soy. Pearl River Bridge Dark Soy. ABC Sweet Soy. Pretty much whatever Laoganma oil they have on the shelf. For a Friday treat - Tsingtao Beer. 3) Oriental Pantry Supermarket, Moore Street Oriental Pantry is huge and has a wide variety of products from all over the world. Their Asian and Middle Eastern section is particularly impressive, but they have a great South American section too. When I want to buy chillis, ginger, turmeric, galangal, and lemongrass in bulk, as well as pretty much any Asian vegetable we need, this is the first stop shop. They also have a huge selection of pretty hard to come by root vegetables, from all across Asia. In my experience, this is the best place to get the likes of bitter gourd, taro root, giant daikon radishes, green papaya, fresh bamboo shoots, as well as fresh fruits like kaffir limes, lychee, Asian pears and dragonfruit - although you have to be careful with quality sometimes, so make sure you're picking produce that looks and feels fresh. Like the rest of Moore Street, you'll find some brilliant characters in this place and sometimes you can feel a bit lost, but go in with a list and the staff will be happy to help. They also have a large fishmonger, but at times the aromas are not for the faint of heart. They've a brilliant frozen bread section, especially for Indian, Nepalese and Pakistani favourites; roti, stuffed paratha, kulcha, so many varieties of naan, chapati and more. If you see mooli paratha, get it! It's radish stuffed flatbread that's almost like a pastry. Delish with dahl. Bahay's shopping list: Stuffed frozen paratha and stuffed kulcha. Chillies! Every single one you could imagine, they have them all. Fresh turmeric, fresh ginger and fresh galangal root (Thai root spice, closely related to ginger and turmeric. Loads of health benefits!) We always pick up plantain here, as well as whatever new hot sauce we see. 4) Han Sung Asian Market, Strand Street Han Sung is one of my favourite spots for a couple of reasons. Its pretty small, but quality over quantity is something I always think about when I'm in here. The shelves and freezer are packed with Korean household favourites and they have one of the best Japanese sections here too. They have some really fun items, like every single flavour of snack you can imagine, as well as some crazy hot sauces. There's an extensive selection of ramen, as well as everything you could think of to jazz up your noodles. This is where you'll find the TikTok revered Kewpie Mayo, as well as huge bags of dried mushrooms and seaweed, every kind of sesame variety you could look for, and a great selection of frozen dumplings, wonton wrappers and cases. They have a huge variety of ferments, pastes and broth bases too. The restaurant at the back of Han Sung is always so busy and filled with locals grabbing authentic Korean food. The food here is properly delicious, and the free miso soup you get with every meal is rich and full of flavour. I love ordering the Japchae here, and all of their Jjigae broths are incredible, especially the kimchi jjigae and yukgaejang. If you've room for dessert, try the pistachio cheesecake, its divine! Bahay's shopping list: Nongshim Shin Ramyun. Indomie Mi Goreng noodles. Samyang Noodles (SO SPICY!). Samyang hot sauce (INSANELY SPICY!). Housemade kimchi. Miso paste. Sesame paste. Yopokki. Doenjang paste ( a little bit like a Korean version of Miso, fermented soybean paste with a brilliant umami flavour). 5) Super Asia Foods, Capel Street This is a jewel in the shining crown of Capel Street. No, really! Super Asia Foods is the home of White Rabbit Korean Fried Chicken , a favourite amongst lunch-goers, students, office workers and foodies alike. They have a lovely bubble tea shop at the front entrance, and the place is always full of a real mix of people. The shop itself can be a bit cluttered, and may not always have everything in stock, but it has a great variety of condiments, sauces and pantry staples like oils and pickles. They have one of the best Laoganma chilli oil selections in the city, and always have a great mix of authentic Thai, Chinese, Filipino, Malaysian and Japanese cooking staples. Their fridge section has a brilliant selection of sweet drinks, and we love to pick up cans of thick, rich mango juice, fresh coconut water and they sometimes even have cans of calamansi juice. They have a great dried ramen section and a large variety of sweets and snacks. Bahay's shopping list: Aloe King drinks. Pickled enoki mushrooms. Pickled Szechuan peppers. Frozen dumplings. Frozen bao buns. Pancit canton noodles. Boba bubble tea. Also worth a visit: Golden Beach Supermarket, Parnell Street Golden Beach is a large, 24-hour Chinese supermarket that stocks a wide array of Chinese products and items. They also have authentic Chinese BBQ for takeaway, and while we haven't tried it yet, it looks legit and always has a queue. They've a great tea section, and I pick up dried mushrooms here a lot - Lion's mane, reishi, chaga - which are all superfoods and delicious in broths, ramen and stews. Halal, Clanbrassil Street For middle eastern groceries, we love going to Halal on Clanbrassil Street. This spot is wonderful, it has a great butcher and often has fresh middle eastern breads. The staff are brilliant and are part of the community of the area. They've a massive spice section, a freezer section stocked to the brim with samosas, stuffed parathas, delicious breads and vegetable sides, and they have every kind of eastern tea you could think of. Try the cardamom, it's like a fragrant black tea and is delicious with milk and honey. Shop Easi, Clanbrassil Street Also on Clanbrassil Street (working at Bastible and Clanbrassil House will get you very familiar with the area!) we love to drop into Shop Easi . They have a great selection of Asian grocery staples, as well as a lovely range of incense and candles. We love their sweet treat section and drinks selection, and they've a load of spices and dried goods here too. Don't miss the stacks of Indian mangoes when they're in season. You'll want to buy them by the box. Bahay is a Filipino pop up run by Richie Castillo and Alex O'Neill - read our once over here . From Wednesday 27th April they're collaborating with Happy Endings on a 'Filly Bistek' sandwich for a month - a Filipino take on the Philly cheesesteak, with beef cured in soy, calamansi and black pepper, onions and Coolea cheese sauce. They're also popping up at Hen's Teeth in Dublin 8 on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May, with a menu of small plate street food and cocktails. We'll bring you more details on that when we get it.

We're all about the food here at ATF (in case that wasn't obvious from the name), but we're also partial to a pre-dinner stop for a great cocktail. Whenever we’re thinking of where to go for dinner, we're generally checking if there's a decent spot nearby for a pre-dinner tipple, and while Dublin is not short on pubs and bars, we’ve been caught out by places serving mediocre drinks at premium prices more times than we’d care to admit. These days, we're more careful about where we're spending our beer money, so we've curated a list of old reliables and some new kids on the block where you’re certain to get the cocktails, service and ambiance you deserve... Bar 1661, Smithfield It’s no secret that we're smitten by Bar 1661 , and will think of any excuse to visit this talent-filled spot in the heart of Dublin 7. They won 'Best Cocktail Bar in Ireland' at the Irish Craft Cocktail Awards in 2019, and with the creativity and innovation they put into their drinks it's not hard to see why. Their menu is uniquely Irish, using poitín in some of their cocktails and having a really impressive range of Irish-made gin, whiskey and wines, and because they're not tied in with a big spirits conglomerate their bartenders have carte blanche when it comes to getting creative. For us this is the bar to beat right now. The Sidecar at The Westbury, Dublin 2 If you’re in the mood for a bit of glamour, head straight for The Sidecar in The Westbury Hotel. The 30’s style, dimly-lit bar feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street, despite being a stones throw away. They have a great cocktail menu including a dizzying array of G&Ts which now includes their very own Sidecar Gin, as well as a martini trolley. They also give you a little glass of bubbles while you wait for your chosen concoction, and between this and the nuts and olives they provide, you get surprisingly good bang for your buck. The Sitting Room, Camden Street This very aptly named bar above Delahunt restaurant really does feel like you’re stepping into someone’s ‘good room’ when you first arrive. The high ceilings and well-chosen furniture in The Sitting Room make for a really pleasant setting, and while it’s a small space and walk in only, anytime we’ve visited we’ve been able to get a seat. The cocktails are masterfully made with great service, so make sure to add this to your list for when you’re next in the area. Note, Fenian Street One of the newer additions to the city, Note has quickly become one of our regular haunts. The natural focused wine list is the big draw, as are the creative small plates, and you could happily settle in for a full evening but it’s also the perfect place to pop into for a loosener before dinner. While the wine gets much of the coverage, the cocktails are worth a detour too - ours is a 'Cherry Cherry'. The Blind Pig, Suffolk Street We remember the manic hype about The Blind Pig speakeasy as if it was yesterday. You had to book a table before getting the address, then descend a set of stairs beside Pacino's Italian on Suffolk Street, pull on a pig's snout, and a bookcase would part in front of you letting you in. It's no less cool now than it was then, and the drinks are still amongst the best in the city. Dashi, Smithfield A new addition to the Dublin cocktail scene, ramen specialists Soup recently turned the basement of their Smithfield restaurant into a dog-friendly, music-filled bar called Dashi . The cocktail list is properly original - try the 'Milkshake Penecillin' with Maker's Mark Bourbon, ginger & rosemary syrup, lemon vermut and milkshake IPA, or cool down with a gin cherry rooibos soda slushee. Peruke & Periwig, Dawson Street Once the coolest cocktail spot in town, Peruke & Periwig is still a solid choice for a pre-dinner drink, especially if you like a bit of theatre with service. The cocktail list has a music theme, ranging from pop to jazz to alternative, and they do a clever range of dessert cocktails if you feel like something sweet after dinner. The Big Romance, Parnell Street Located on Parnell Street, The Big Romance has become something of a mecca for music lovers in Dublin since opening in 2018 due to their vinyl-only policy, custom sound system and casual vibe. They have an outstanding draught craft beer selection, and their cocktails are also super tasty, so everyone in your party will be taken care of. The perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink, but with the amount of guest DJ’s they host, it might be even better for a post-dinner drink when the music takes over. 9 Below, St. Stephen’s Green From the team behind House, Xico and 37 Dawson Street, 9 Below is the sophisticated older sister of the group. It’s hidden in a basement off Stephen’s Green so you won’t be short of food options nearby, but give yourself enough time to bunker down and enjoy the space. It's been carefully curated to create a romantic speakeasy vibe, with countless cubbies and corners to get cosy in. The perfect way to start or end your evening. Glovebox, Trinity Street If you’re looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary, the folks behind Allta have taken over the top level of a carpark and transformed it into the hottest ticket in Dublin. If you can’t get a spot in the restaurant (or if you can’t justify the prices), you can still get a piece of the action in Glovebox , their art gallery and cocktail bar on the same level. They have a small number of tables kept for walk-ins, but we'd recommend booking if you want to secure a seat. The Virgin Mary Bar, Capel Street Whoever thought that a pre-dinner cocktail needed to be laced with alcohol has obviously never visited The Virgin Mary Bar . Dispel any thoughts of the sugary mocktails that you’re used to seeing as an afterthought on a drinks menu, these cocktails are creative, fun and tasty, like your usual favourites, but hold the hangover. If you still feel like a bit of soakage would stand you in good stead, they’re collaborating with their Malaysian neighbour Kopitiam , to offer a small vegetarian street food menu for their guests. Three Storey, St. Stephen’s Green If you’re after something a bit lighter, a bit summery, a bit ‘spritzier’ if you will, look no further than Three Storey . The newly opened establishment spans three floors, with a cocktail bar at the top, a restaurant in the basement, and a Spritzeria on the ground floor. The ideal spot for a drink before lunch during the summer, and you can always come back for more and try their cocktail bar for the more hard-hitting stuff. IdleWild, Fade Street IdleWild took its inspiration from the infamous airport bar in New York, and it bears more than a passing resemblance to a New York style dive bar, on the ever-buzzy Fade Street. It’s small but perfectly formed, however its compact nature can sometimes make it tricky to nab a seat. If you can, perch yourself on the bar and watch the bartenders work their magic, and if you're looking to have a nibble with your tipple they have a tapas style menu. The Rooftop at The Marker Easily the city’s best view, The Marker Hotel 's rooftop is a pre-dinner drink worth getting into a lift for. Their G&T menu is robust if expensive, and the cocktail list ranges from classics to seasonal sips to new creations. Major "are we still in Dublin" vibes.

So many new bars, so many expensive drinks, so little time (and budget) to see where's worth spending your spondulicks. That's where we come in. We'll be doing the heavy lifting on the city's new bars and telling you whether the drinks, food, surrounds and service are worth dedicating a pre or post dinner drink, an office night out or a night catching up with that friend you haven't seen in an age. Lennan's Yard, Dawson Street Lennan's Yard , comprising a bar, restaurant and pub called 'The Lennan', opened on Dawson Street at the end of 2021, after a reported multi-million euro build . It's from the same owners as Asador in Ballsbridge, and the head chef came from the Press Up group and Shanahan's. The money that's been spent fitting this place out is very evident, from the exposed brick walls in the former stables to the red leather seats, the art work to the staff uniforms, and it's also evident in the pricing. Cocktails (from a menu that should have been spellchecked before printing) are between €14.50 and €15, which is heading towards five-star hotel territory, and while they read well and were pleasant enough they didn't deliver anything special in terms of flavour or excitement, and weren't particularly well balanced. The wine menu has little of interest either, apart from some random curveballs like Cucu's easy drinking Spanish Verdejo, and Luis Seabra's ultra complex Xisto Limitado from Portugal. Why anyone would pay €18 for a glass of Moet et Chandon when Note are serving grower Champagne for €17 a glass a 10 minute walk away we'll leave this earth trying to understand. From the snack menu we tried the Nocellara olives (good but €5 a bowl worked out at about 31c per olive), and an extraordinarily dry beef pie, which even some bone marrow gravy couldn't rescue. The ATF verdict: Somewhere to see and be seen, when the surroundings are more important than the substances you're consuming - ideally when something else is footing the bill. Three Storey, St Stephen's Green Three Storey has opened very quietly by all accounts and hasn't had a lot of coverage, but our interest was piqued by talk of their ground floor spritzeria - Dublin does not have enough (any?) spritzerias. On a quick visit we enjoyed their rhubarb version and the generally chill vibes about the place so much that we immediately earmarked a return to check out the upstairs cocktail bar, where the serious stuff happens. It's a full on lounge, complete with very comfortable seating, beautiful Georgian windows and really welcoming service. Every cocktail sounded good (see the menu here ), although it would have been nice to see some more unusual spirits on there as opposed to the Diageo all-stars, and both the Rhubarb Gimlet and the Birdy were excellent, and potent. There's an attractive sounding menu of small plates, from which we tried arancini (good but missing a molten centre), hummus on sourdough (pleasingly light and airy as if it had been whipped), and anchovies on toast which we would go back for again and again, and again. They've just opened their basement restaurant, the last piece of the trifecta, and we're very keen to see what's happening down there. The ATF verdict: We really liked Three Storey . Good drinks, good food, good service, a really nice setting. It feels special and swanky without any accompanying attitude. Also let's make 2022 the summer of spritzes. Winedown, Montague Street Meltdown , the site of *those* cheese toasties, announced at the end of 2020 (i.e. the year we're all trying to forget) that their Montague Street branch was going to start turning into Winedown at night - a relaxed wine bar with meat, cheese and sharing plates. A quick facelift, a few neon signs and multiple wine deliveries later and they were ready to go. Like everything else over the last two years their opening has been stop/start, buffered with some at home meal kits (we reviewed one here ), but in February of this year they announced they were back for good. Downstairs feels very café-like so make sure you're upstairs which is a nicer space to relax in, with booths, low tables and counter dining. We would have liked the lights lower and the music higher to give it a bit more atmosphere and plunge it more into sexy wine bar territory, but it was quiet when we visited so that might have had something to do with it too. The wine list is a mix of styles without a laser focus, featuring everything from very commercial to super natural - stick to the natural. We had the Fuchs & Haze pet nat which is a great sparkler, and the Ciello Bianco catarratto which was less interesting than previous vintages we've had, but the lovely manager gave us a taste of Fabien Jouves' orange wine which was electric. The menu reads very well with loads we would have liked to try, and there's a nice mix of snacks, small and large plates, and cheese and charcuterie - ideal if you're not looking for a three-course situation or if there are varying levels of hunger/different tastes among your group. We tried their famous 'mac mama' croquette with macaroni cheese, bacon and spring onions, as well as a small cheese plate with Délice de Bourgogne, truffled comté and Saint Agur, with grapes, chutney and crackers. It was all very good, with the only complaint being that the cheese was a little too cold, but a bit of patience and restraint would have fixed that - we just don't have any. The ATF verdict: Winedown isn't a 'serious' wine bar on the level of Note or Piglet, but it's laid back and fun, and not everyone is looking for an education with every glass. Dashi For our final stop of the night we hightailed it to Dashi , the new cocktail bar under Soup Two in Smithfield, in the company of a VERY grumpy taxi driver with some very dangerous driving skills. We stumbled out shaken and pissed off, descended some grubby, old man pub stairs, and floated into one of the best jazz performances of our little lives. Turn off reality and you could have been in New York/Berlin/Paris - were we really in Dublin 7?? As far we can see, live music is going to be a big part of the Dashi vibe, as well as the cocktails. The cocktail list is full of original creations using homemade syrups, infusions and delicious sounding spirits like sesame and butter-washed bourbon, and strawberry and camomile-infused rum. We tried the cachaca old fashioned with macadamia, dark chocolate, orange bitters, olive oil and a dilsk garnish, and a (face-grimacingly sour) whiskey sour, which weren't our favourites from the night, but we've had plenty of good cocktails from Soup before so are keen to try more. There's clearly not been a big interior design budget in here, and it's still throwing off major old man pub vibes, but they've done a good job with dried flowers, lanterns, and a Rolls Royce fender in front of the DJ box. There's no food but Soup Two is right upstairs serving deep-fried kimchi, ramen and an umami salad we dream about. The ATF verdict: We loved Dashi, particularly for its teleportation properties and exemplary taste in music. If we lived in Smithfield Thursday night jazz would be in the diary until the diary pages ran out. What bars would you like us to visit on our next bar crawl? Send us at email at info@allthefood.ie, or shoot us a message on social.