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February's monthly 9 giveaways await your eyes, and is it just us or does this line up get better every month? Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders will be automatically entered into the draw, and making 9 of our Insiders' days is the highlight of every month. If you're one of our supporters, we heart you. Everyone subscribed by midnight tomorrow, Thursday 17th February will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Friday 18th February. Here's what we've got for you this month... 1) Dinner With Cocktails And Bubbles At Big Fan It's been a big month for Big Fan , who have been officially added to the Michelin Guide for 2022 . They're going to be celebrating for a while, and they want to invite one of you plus three of your mates to celebrate with them, with dinner and a bottle of bubbles on the house. They'll also throw in a round of their new cocktail 'Ho Lee Fook' - a classic Negroni filtered tableside through ground coffee beans via a Vietnamese coffee filter. These guys never stop pushing, so expect to find new dishes each time you visit, including the just added tiger dumplings (tiger prawns, pork and chives) for the year that's in it. 2) Raw Bar Tasting Menu At Saltwater, Terenure Saltwater Grocery in Terenure started as a specialty food and wine shop, but it's their recently opened raw bar that has us looking up the number 16 bus times. From Klaw's Niall Sabongi and chef Karl Whelan, Saltwater serves a 12-course, frequently changing tasting menu four nights a week, with a mixture of raw, cured and cooked seafood, aged fish and seasonable vegetables. There's also an optional wine pairing by sommelier Tara Deery (formerly at Uno Mas and Bastible), and great non-alcoholic options. Saltwater have given us dinner for two at the raw bar with the wine pairing for one of you lucky people this month, and honestly we're quite jealous. 3) A Preview Of The New Weekend Roast From Margadh T hose guys at Mamó and Margadh in Howth never seem to stop coming up with new ideas, and their latest creation is the answer to our lazy Sunday dreams. Their new weekend roast starts at the end of February (but can be ordered now ) and will be available for delivery across Dublin on Saturday and Sunday. For €49 for two (with plenty of leftovers) you'll get a prepped and brined roasting meat, three sides, sauces and dessert, and there'll be optional wine pairings. We're going to be giving one of our Insiders the first chance to try it, alongside two bottles of wine to really boost your weekend enjoyment levels. 4) A €100 Voucher For Taco Libre We recently reviewed new opening Taco Libre at the end of Capel Street and were really impressed at the level of Mexican bar food their head chef Bruna is sending out of the kitchen, with practically everything from tacos to tortillas, salsas to queso fresco made in house. They're given up a €100 voucher so one of you can head in, order the whole menu, add on some beers, wine or cocktails, and if you're after something sweet to finish don't miss the margarita milkshakes . 5) A Brunch Tasting Menu For Four At Brother Hubbard Ranelagh They was plenty of southside-based excitement last month when Brother Hubbard revealed they were opening their fourth location in the restaurant-spoilt suburb of Ranelagh. They're going to be working with some brilliant suppliers like The Village Butcher across the road, Pigs on the Green, Garryhinch Mushrooms, Sean Ring’s Farm and some of the best Irish cheese makers, and there's going to be loads of new treats and drinks to try. Brother Hubbard Ranelagh is due to open in the next few weeks, and they've given us a brunch tasting menu for four (featuring most of the new menu) accompanied by cocktails, plus a copy of the Brother Hubbard cookbook to give to one of you this month. They've advised that the winner comes hungry... 6) Dinner For Two With Bubbles At Póg, Howth Póg in Howth have just launched a new dinner service from Thursday - Saturday, which is great news for the seaside village. The Italian-influenced menu from chef Antonio Dedola (formerly head chef at Rosa Madre) features dishes like savoury panna cotta with parma ham, fig jam and pane carasau; pappadelle with pork and sausage ragu, parmesan cream and truffle; and Sicilian cannoli with lemon ricotta and crushed pistachio, and three courses will set you back €40, which is pretty good value by current Dublin standards. To celebrate dinner at Póg they've given us a three course meal for two with a bottle of bubbles to give away to one of our Insiders this month. 7) A Two-Month Seafood Subscription From SSI Sustainable Seafood Ireland deliver ethical, local and ultra-high-quality fish nationwide, and their seafood subscriptions are ideally for shaking up your weekly meal routine. Boxes can be delivered weekly, fortnightly or monthly, with fish coming vacuum-sealed in compostable bags, perfect for quick cooking or freezing. What you get depends on what's in season and just caught, and you can also add on luxury items like oysters or lobsters if you've got a special evening coming up. One of our Insiders is going to win a month-long seafood subscription, with two deliveries worth €100, and a chance to flex your fish muscles in the kitchen. 8) Afternoon Tea At The Parlour In Haddington House Let's face it. Most afternoon teas are too sweet, too boring and too expensive. So colour us very interested in the new afternoon tea menu at The Parlour in Haddington House , Dun Laoghaire. Beetroot meringue with foie gras parfait and chicken skin? Panipuri with homemade ricotta, blood orange and kimchi? Rhubarb & grapefruit cheesecake macaron? Yes, yes and yes. At €50 including a glass of Champagne (actual Champagne, not some fizzy imposter) and loose leaf Ronnefeldt tea served in fine bone china, and in luxe surroundings with sea views for miles, we think this sounds like an ideal way to spend an afternoon. The Parlour Afternoon Tea is served every Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 - 16:00, and one of our Insiders is going to be heading off with a plus one to experience it for themselves. 9) Poulet Bonne Femme For Your Office Poulet Bonne Femme , the free-range rotisserie chicken specialists, are celebrating the reopening of their Suffolk Street store, just off Grafton Street, and want to offer one of our Insiders lunch for them and five of their favourite colleagues - and if you're self-employed don't worry, you can just bring your mates. Choose from a free-range chicken, pork or ham sandwich, with their rotisserie roasted potatoes and a drink, while you catch up on all the office (or non-office) gossip. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for February will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out directly from us.

March's monthly 9 giveaways are live! Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders will be automatically entered into the draw, and there are few things we love more than doling out awesome food and drink prizes. Without your support we couldn't do what we do, so if you're one of our favourite people, thank you. Everyone subscribed by midnight tomorrow, Thursday 17th March will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Friday 18th March. Here's what we've got for you this month... 1 ) Dinner with cocktail pairings from Man Street Kitchen at Roe & Co Distillery The D-8TE restaurant pop ups at Roe & Co put the Dublin 8 distillery on the map last year (and was our first chance to try Filipino pop up Bahay ), and they're back for 2022 with a brand new line up. They kicked off with The Salt Project , and next week Man Street Kitchen move in, with a menu inspired by Asia, the Middle East and the USA, including hot-smoked salmon baby gem tacos, and whiskey-glazed pork ribs. The menu is €40 per person, and the mega mixologists at Roe & Co have created cocktail pairings for each course for another €30, or you can free-style. It's also outdoors, so ideal for the covid-conscious. We've got a table for four with drinks pairings to give away for Man Street Kitchen at D-8TE which is running Thursday - Sunday until the 10th of April. 2) A three-course dinner with cocktails at The Pier House, Howth The Pier House in Howth have just launched their new Spring menu and it is looking good. They opened on West Pier in 2020 (the year that shan't be mentioned), as a new modern Irish dining option for the seaside village, with plenty of fish (of course), but also free-range pork from Andarl Farm, and vegetarian options like barbecued white asparagus with romesco and cashew nuts. From head chef David Walsh's new menu we're loving the sound of the citrus cured & smoked salmon with miso crème fraiche, kohlrabi and lotus crisp; the grilled halibut with smoked potato foam and Dublin Bay Prawn tortellini; and the Andarl Farm pork ravioli with tomato fondue and oregano burnt butter, and two of our Insiders will be going off for a three-course meal for two plus a welcome cocktail to try it out for themselves. 3) A Praline Chocolates hamper You've probably seen Praline's amazing looking chocolates on your social media feed or in your favourite newspaper - everybody seems to be talking about them, and now we are. Chocolatier Norma Kelly has just launched a new signature range of handcrafted chocolates available to order online for nationwide delivery - perfect timing for Mother’s Day and Easter. There are six specially created fillings, each inspired by local food producers, like the 'Vanilla Salted Caramel' using Irish Atlantic Sea Salt, 'Heather Honey & Orange' using honey from The Galtee honey farm, and 'Toffee Apple' using apple juice from The Apple Farm in Co. Tipperary. We've got a chocolate-packed Praline hamper to give away to one of you this month, with two boxes of their new signature collection, their full range of artisan bars, and a €50 voucher to spend online at www.praline.ie . 4) A €120 voucher for The Village Butcher, with nationwide delivery It's no exaggeration to say that people drive long distances to get to The Village Butcher in Ranelagh, because their direct, small farm focused meat sourcing is amongst the most impressive in the country. Dermot Allen's Duroc pork; Feighcullen Farm's organic, free-range chickens; goat, venison and boar from Dizzy Goat Farms - eating less meat but better is easy with a butcher like this, and we dream of a day that every village has one. If that's not enough to get your excited, their sausages are handmade with no preservatives or sulphites, rashers are cured in house, and they make their own guanciale and bone marrow butter. And in the best news our petrol tank has heard all month, they've just launched nationwide delivery , and they've given us a €120 voucher to give away to celebrate. 5) A €100 Voucher For Canal Bank Café Canal Bank Café on Upper Leeson Street, named after its view of the Grand Canal, has been going strong for an amazing 11 years, and they've just launched a new menu inspired by their head chef's recent trip to LA. They've added loads of healthier options, like rose harissa gambas with cucumber tzatziki & fresh herbs, and an heirloom tomato & Macroom buffalo bocconcini salad with black olive & sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, but their famous chicken wings with Cashel Blue cheese dip are staying put, as are Korean-style BBQ ribs with gochujang marinade, and the chargrilled, porcini-rubbed Delmonico Ribeye steak w/ pickled wild mushrooms, caramelised shallots, roast garlic & herb butter, and frites. Canal Bank Café have given us a €100 voucher to give away to one of our insiders this month, and whether you go healthy or otherwise is entirely up to you. 6) A month's worth of garden boxes from Harvest Day Few things make us happier than presses fill with Irish products, so we felt a warm glow when we saw that Harvest Day , the nationwide vegetable box delivery service, have just extended their offering of Irish products. Now you can add sourdough, organic milk and eggs, and lots of lovely pantry essentials to your fruit and veg order, like The Merry Mill's oats, Heather honey from the Wicklow Mountains Beekeeper, and Nutshed peanut butter - our current morning obsession. Support Irish growers and producers, eat the freshest food, and you don't even have to leave your house - what's not to like about that? Harvest Day have given us a month's subscription of their Seasonal Garden Boxes to giveaway this month - a weekly delivery of freshly picked, organically and naturally grown vegetables and salad from local growers, plus artisan sourdough bread from Sugarloaf Bakery in Co. Wicklow. 7) A bottle of Glendalough's 7-year-old Mizunara cask whiskey Glendalough Distillery has just launched a 7-year-old, Irish single malt whiskey, aged in rare Japanese Mizunara casks sourced from the island of Hokkaido, Japan, and the spirits world is in a spin over it. They say they searched for the most flavourful, sought after oak in the whiskey world, and found Mizunara in the volcanic north of Japan. Glendalough's is the first Irish whiskey to use this type of oak, which costs ten times more than the average cask, and they say the result is "wonderfully different ... vivid but delicate with seamless depth and an exceptionally long finish." They've given us a bottle of their Mizunara 7-year-old Single Malt (RRP €85) plus a NEAT whiskey glass and coaster set to give away to one of you this month, and for the rest of you, find it in O'Briens , Celtic Whiskey Shop and all good independent off-licences. 8) Foraging walk for two with With Nádúr Collective We're completely in awe of expert foragers, and three of the best are chefs Dave Gallagher, Niall O'Sullivan and Paul Quinn from Nádúr Collective , who run foraging walks in Wicklow when they get a break from the kitchen. Their wild food walks teach you how to find edible plants, with practical uses in cooking and preserving. They cater for beginners to professionals, but want people to learn in an informative, relaxed and fun way, leaving with lots of inspiration for how to transfer what you've found to the plate. Their next foraging trips are coming up in April and May and they've given us two places (€50pp) to give away to one of our Insiders this month. 9) Dinner for four with drinks at Dosa Dosa in Stoneybatter Did we dosa before Dosa Dosa ? Did we parotta or uttapam? Not to the best of our recollection. Dosa Dosa's South Indian street food, served out of a van off Grand Canal Street, was something properly fresh for Dublin, and despite their out of the way location, queues formed quickly and never really stopped. So it's very good news that they've just opened a second location in Stoneybatter, at the back of Hynes Bar on Prussia Street. You'll find the full menu there from Thursday - Sunday, 16:00 - 21:00, and one of our Insiders is going to win dinner for four with drinks, including a dosa and parotta each. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for March will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

April's monthly 9 giveaways have landed! Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders will be automatically entered into the draw, and once again we've got some incredible prizes to thank you for your support each month. Everyone subscribed by midnight on Sunday 17th April will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Monday 18th April, for a very happy Easter. Here's what's in the line up this month... 1) Dinner at Rare 1784, Kinsale, with an overnight stay at the Blue Haven Hotel If you've been following us for a while, you'll know about our deep, unending love of West Cork, in large part because of all the places we love to eat and drink there, and since our last visit there's a new kid on the block in Kinsale - Rare 1784 at the Blue Haven Hotel . Head chef Meeran Manzoor serves a 5-10 course tasting menu that he says is rooted in his hometown of Cheenai in India, but inspired by Kinsale and the incredible food producers in the region, and serves dishes like octopus corndog with caviar crème fraîche, and John Dory with bouillabaisse and a potato terrine. Reports from some of our readers who've eaten there in the past few months made us sit up and add it to the "must visit" list, and we've been advised not to miss the bespoke cocktails either. We are delighted (and not at all jealous) to be able to give one of you lucky Insiders a one night stay at the Blue Haven Hotel this month, with breakfast and a five-course tasting menu at Rare 1784 . Can you take us with you? (Not redeemable on bank holidays) 2) An overnight stay in Faithlegg House with cocktails and bar bites in Bar 1783 The beautiful Faithlegg House has just opened its very plush new cocktail and whiskey bar, Bar 1783, and we're taking this as a sign to explore more of the food and drink scene in Waterford (including recently featured Tramore which is just 20 mins away). It's named after the year the original Faithlegg House was built, and is perfect for afternoon cocktails in the bay windows, pre-dinner apertifs, post-dinner digestifs, all of the above. The new cocktail menu takes inspiration from the stories, surroundings and figureheads of the house over the years, and showcases Irish ingredients from nearby, like Micil Poitín, Glendalough gin, Clashganny organic apple juice and homemade elderflower syrup. And to go with all of that? A bar bites menu from head chef Jenny Flynn, designed as a taste of the local region, featuring dishes like Mooncoin beetroot hummus with wild garlic oil and nori crackers; Kalamata olive tapenade with Knockanore cheese biscuits; and Ardcavan Dexter beef croquettes with horseradish cream. We're sending one of you off to Faithlegg House for an overnight stay with cocktails and bar bites in Bar 1783, and breakfast the next morning, and remember - we are always available as travel companions. (Not reedeemable on bank holidays) 3) A €100 voucher for Crow Street to celebrate Dining Week Next Tuesday sees the start of ' Dining Week ', powered by Early Table , and we've got a €100 voucher to give away for Crow Street in Temple Bar to celebrate. Dining week runs from Tuesday 19th - Thursday 28th April and is a great excuse to eat out (as if we needed any more), with 25% off the food bill at loads of restaurants around town (and nationwide) when booked through Early Table , including Crow Street , Hen's Teeth , Charlotte Quay and Dillinger's to name a few. A €1 charity donation will also be added to each bill for St Vincent de Paul . Vist the dining week website to see who's involved and book your table. 4) Food & cocktail pairings for four at Curated by Karen, Roe & Co Distillery We've featured the chef pop ups at Roe & Co Distillery in Dublin 8 before, and now it's pastry chef Karen Smith's turn to step into the kitchen, for Ireland's first dessert and Irish whiskey tasting menu. Starting this weekend and running until the 24th of April, ' Curated by Karen ' will feature a menu including Airfield Jersey milk ice-cream with nasturtium flowers; nettle & dandelion Intelligent Tea jelly; carrot cake with fennel meringue and ginger jelly; and a Valhrona dark chocolate and seaweed dome, paired with cocktails including a mango and hazelnut bellini, and a carrot cake milk punch. The menu costs €35pp, with optional cocktail pairings €30pp (you can book here ), and we've got a table for four with food and drinks to give away to one of you this month. 5) Dinner for four with wine and beer from Salt & Vinegar, Rathfarnham Salt & Vinegar in Rathfarnham opened in January in a blaze of smoked cod, fish fingers sandwiches and pints of prawns with lemon mayo. The guys behind it are Conor Kavanagh (ex-owner of Bresson) and Nicky Higgins (ex-manager of Allta and Fish Shop), and they opened the city's newest hipster chipper to deliver "the freshest, most delicious fish and chips in Ireland", with everything cooked to order. Katy McGuinness in the Irish Independent called it "q uite possibly some of the best fish and chips in Dublin", and we're giving away a meal for four including a selection of starters, four mains with chips, sides and dips, plus three bottles of wine from Le Caveau (a crémant rosé, white and a magnum of red) and an 8-beer selection from Grand Cru that they've picked especially to match with seafood and chips. Summer evening dining sorted. 6) A celebration cake worth €100 from Cake Box We recently featured Cake Box 's stunning, floral-inspired Mother's Day cupcake s , and this month we've got a mega celebration cake to give away to one of you. Owner and master baker Marta Wincenty is going to make the winner a personalised celebration cake (15-18 servings) with edible flowers and delivery included (within Dublin), worth €100. Cake Box is based in Dublin 8 and Marta grows her own flowers for her creations, and forages others. She uses seasonal and local ingredients, a lot less sugar than commercial cakes, and she caters for allergies and vegans too. Everything is made from scratch, and she's all about classic, natural designs, using seasonal fruits, flowers and herbs, with no sugar fondant in sight. Check out her beautiful creations here . 7) A €100 voucher for Picnic Park, Malahide One massive positive to come out of Covid was the increase in food trucks and outdoor dining in general, and Picnic Park in Malahide Marina is one of the best things to happen to the seaside village's food scene in years. We've waxed on about El Milagro's tacos (and if you haven't tried them what are you doing), but there's also Paddy's Pizza Pies serving the best Neapolitan pizza for miles around, and Puck Burger with their freshly made burgers and breakfasts - and a plant-based burger coming soon. Lick Ice-cream has just joined the party too so dessert is covered, and all of the food trucks offer click and collect - which is very handy if you're impatient. We've got a €100 voucher for Picnic Park to give away this month (spread across all vendors), so one of you can head down and enjoy seaside dining, twinkly lights and a bit of everything, and if you're northside beach bound this summer you know where to stop for food. 8) A €100 voucher for Sprout Sprout were serving up flavour-packed, colour-filled salads long before it was cool, and recently they opened their largest location to date (as well as the first outside Dublin), in Kildare Village . To celebrate they've given us a €100 voucher to give away to one of you, which will easily cover lunch for four, including salads and warm bowls, cold pressed juices, speciality coffee and tumblers of wine. Watch your food being prepared in the open kitchen, with ingredients grown on their organic farm down the road at Rathcoffey, before tucking into their local seasonal menu. Read more about Sprout here . 9) Gin, glasses & passes to the new Gin School from Tribe Gin There's a new small batch gin in town, and it's inspired by ingredients from the west of Ireland. Tribe Gin , founded by four friends and based in Galway, uses locally sourced seaweed and botanicals from the West coast, along with lemon, heather, cassia and cardamom in their blend, and soon they're going to open Galway's first gin school, in Salthill. Visitors will sample Tribe Gin , learn about how it's made, then get to work creating their own unique gin blend - which sounds like a great excuse for a visit to the 'City of the Tribes'. We've got a bottle of Tribe Gin, two glasses, and two passes for the soon to open gin school to give away this month, and if you need any inspiration on where to eat when you're there, check out six places you need to eat in Galway here . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for April will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

May's monthly 9 giveaways are live! And what an exciting line up we've got for you again this month. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders will be automatically entered into the draw, and while we wish everyone could win, we're grateful to be able to randomly thank some of you for your support each month. Everyone subscribed by midnight on Tuesday 17th May will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Wednesday 18th May. Here's what's up for grabs... 1) An overnight stay with dinner at The Wicklow Escape Dining destination The Wicklow Escape have just launched their spring menus under new head chef, Mark Ahessy, focused on hyper-local sourcing and the freshest, seasonal ingredients from their own gardens . They've got two restaurants, the outdoor wood-fired restaurant The Fiery , and the " Long Table " for more fine dining, and some of the new dishes include turbot with Jerusalem artichokes and brown shrimp, and Ridgeway wagyu with potato fondant and béarnaise sauce. You can visit for lunch or dinner, or book yourself in for an overnight package with all kinds of breakfasts, lunches and picnics, and did we mention the hot tub? We're going to be sending one very lucky Insider off to experience The Wicklow Escape for themselves, with one night's accommodation for two people sharing, dinner at The Fiery wood-fired restaurant including wine pairings, and breakfast the following morning. Eh, you are welcome... (Dining at The Fiery takes place on Wednesday and Friday nights so the prize is only available on those nights, subject to availability) 2) A gold table for you and 5 friends at 'Picnic At The Manor', worth over €400 At The Manor returns to Palmerstown House Estate this June Bank Holiday weekend for Picnic At The Manor . With acts including Spring Break, Smash Hits, Mack Fleetwood and Qween in the line up, food from the Disco Diner vendors Cali Cali, Bullet Duck & Dumpling, Kerala Kitchen, Burger Republic and Pizza Truck, and a cracking weather forecast on the horizon, bank holidays don't get much better. Tickets are on sale now via the At The Manor website , and we've got a VIP gold table to giveaway to one Insider plus 5 friends on either the June bank holiday or the weekend after, worth over €400! You'll get a reserved table in the gold area, access to luxury toilets (no portaloos around here) and premium drinks table service ensuring maximum chillout time. Follow them on social for up to date news. 3) A three-course lunch with wine at Mamó in Howth Mamó in Howth has just reopened after a big refurbishment, with the former downstairs dining room now a bar and waiting area, and all of the tables moved upstairs, complete with views over Howth harbour. Diehard fans (hi there) will be glad to know that the big changes haven't applied to the menu, so the cod chip, Lough Neagh eel tart and homemade pasta dishes remain, as does the legendary wine list and service. We're still over here sighing about summer lunch on the lovely terrace last year, but a window seat upstairs is next on the list. You can choose where to want to sit if you win this month's prize of a three-course lunch for two with a bottle of house wine. 4) An 'All In Menu' for two with wine at Lucky Tortoise Lucky Tortoise have just opened their second location in Temple Bar, serving dumplings, pot stickers and okonomiyaki seven days a week from 17:00 - 23:00. Their all in menu is €28 per person, taking all the decision making out of dinner, or plates can be ordered individually or as add-ons. They also cater for vegans and coeliacs, so if you have either in your life add it to the list. One of our Insiders is going to be heading in for pork siu mai, pajeon and Sichuan aubergine dumplings this month, as we've got an all-in menu for two plus wine to give away. 5) A €100 voucher for Tang Tang open their third location tomorrow morning on Cumberland Street South in Dublin 2, with more of the flatbreads, salads and granola bowls we know and love. This one has a summer-ready, sun-drenched courtyard which will no doubt will be prime summer lunch seating, as well as tables and counter seats inside. They're starting off Monday - Friday from 08:00 - 16:00, but hope to extend to Saturday opening soon. Between this and Note across the street, visitors to Holles Street (or Pearse Street) have never had it so good. To celebrate their opening we've got a €100 voucher to give away this month, and if you spent the whole thing on their unequaled peanut butter we wouldn't judge you in the slightest. 6) Four tickets to Dash Burger's pop-up with George Motz This Thursday, Dash Burger are bringing the smash burger King, George Motz , to Urban Brewing in the IFSC as part of his world tour. Owner Barry Wallace has often cited Motz as the inspiration for his juicy, dripping smash burgers, all too frequently mentioned as the best in Dublin, and the event will see guests meet both the Irish and US smash burger pros with an outdoor cookoff, followed by a generous helping of Motz's version of the historic Oklahoma onion burger, and beers. We've got four tickets to the sold-out event to give away, plus a €50 voucher for Dash Burger so you can relive it all again. 7) A €100 voucher for Eathos Eathos are always brightening up our feeds with their acai bowls, picture perfect pastries and mountains of brightly coloured salads. The city centre café and patisserie serves thoughtful, wholesome food using Irish produce that's made to make you feel good (and naturally uplifted when you see the plates), and their suppliers list features some of the best producers around. They serve breakfast, all day brunch and lunch in their two locations on Baggot Street from Monday to Friday, and we've got a €100 voucher to give away this month, so one of you can take a deep dive into their menu of seriously feel good food. 8) Four 'Whole Hog' tickets for The Big Grill The Big Grill is finally back from the 11th - 14th August, and what a line up to return with. The four day fire extravaganza will see appearances from outdoor expert Ray Mears, Hometown Bar-B-Que's Billy Durney, Food Network US star Christina Fitzgerald, and Mike Johnson from the Sugarfire Smoke House in St Louis - and that is quite literally the tip of the line up iceberg - see the full eye-popping details here . There's going to be BBQing demos, talks and long-table dinners, not to mention pop up restaurants from Lignum, Liath and Austin Texas' Valentina's to name a few. There's plenty for kids in the Little Grillers sessions (under 12's go free), and there's going to be 20 Irish craft breweries on site as well as great wine and cocktails. We've got four (sold out) whole hog tickets to give away this month, giving you and three friends access for the entire four day event. 9) Tickets To Taste Of Dublin With Moutai Prince Taste of Dublin is back next month and there's a new prince visiting this year - Moutai Prince . The newly released distilled Chinese liquor, a style of 'baijiu' with fresh and sweet aromas of apple and pear, is perfect consumed neat or as a base for cocktails, and we're giving one of you a bottle so you can start experimenting. We're also giving you two tickets to Taste of Dublin with Moutai , for a day of cocktails, games and prizes. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for May will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

June's monthly 9 giveaways are here! And every month we think it's the best one yet. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for June will be automatically entered into the draw, and it's through your support that we're able to remain #ad, #collab and #invite free, so if you're one of our supporters we salute you. Everyone subscribed by midnight on Friday 17th June will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Saturday 18th June. Here's what's up for grabs... 1) Four Tickets To Otherside Festival With A Banquet From Happy Endings, Slane Happy Endings are heading for Slane this July to host a Middle-Eastern inspired banquet style feast, Zhug, at Otherside Music & Arts Festival . Inspired by trips to the Middle East & Africa, and using the "zero kilometre" food movement by sourcing ingredients from Rock Farm and the Boyne Valley, the menu includes dishes like sumac burrata and jalapeno zhug; baharat white bait with calamansi and garlic aioli; and Rock Farm chermoula beef onglet with miso onions. We've got four weekend camping tickets for Otherside to give away, with music, comedy and hot tubs running from sun up to sun down, as well as a table at Friday night's Zhug banquet, worth a whopping €850. Get tickets for Otherside here , and tickets for the banquet can be found here . 2) An Overnight Stay With Dinner In Aloft, Dublin City Centre How better to end a night in town than by flopping into a hotel bed, after maybe one last cocktail. The four-star Aloft , in the heart of The Liberties, with its cutting-edge design elements and modern in-room technology was built to stand out from the rest, and we're sending one of you off for an overnight stay, with dinner and a cocktail in Tenters Gastropub and breakfast the next morning. If you time your stay right you might even catch one of their monthly live gigs on the 7th floor, in collaboration with Hotpress magazine. Check out Aloft here . (Prize subject to availability and not available on blackout dates) 3) Dinner For Two With Cocktail Pairings, Big Fan @ Roe & Co. Big Fan are popping up at Roe & Co for three weekends only, and we could not love their promo video any more. The menu includes all the head-spinning flavours we've come to expect from the Michelin-recommended Aungier Street resaurant, including Irish razor clams with pickled lotus and okra, and charcoal bao with braised beef, vinegar-pickled cabbage and salted plum, and the Roe & Co mixologists have been working their magic to come up with the perfect drinks pairings. We've got a tasting menu with cocktails for two to give away on the date of your choice between now and the 2nd of July, and if you can't wait, bookings can be made here . 4) Cocktails And Food On The Belvedere Terrace At The Shelbourne The gorgeous terrace hidden away upstairs in five-star The Shelbourne Hotel has just relaunched as "The Belvedere Terrace", serving the premium vodka's new organic range, infused with 100% organic and fruits and botanicals as part of the new drinks offering. It's the ideal city centre hideaway, perfect for an ultra comfortable, al fresco drink whatever the weather, and we've got a prize of cocktails for four from the new Belvedere cocktail menu (two each), with a choice of the Belvedere blackberry and lemongrass spritz; pear and ginger spritz; or lemon and basil 75, or you can keep it classic with a regular or espresso martini. They'll also serve up two sharing platters of food (a choice of shellfish or meat and cheese), to round off your Shelbourne summer evening in style. 5) Two Tickets To The Italian Wine Dinner At Fallon & Byrne June is Italian month at Fallon & Byrne , and to celebrate they're holding an Italian Feast in the Fallon & Byrne Ballroom on June 23rd. For one night only, wine writer Leslie Williams and wine importer and Venetian native Enrico Fantasia of Grapecircus will host an Italian Feast - an evening full of flavour with specially selected wines and entertaining anecdotes from two characters who have an impressive, combined knowledge and expertise in the finest Italian wine and food. Tickets for the Italian Feast are €75 per person, and we've got a pair to give away to one of our lucky Insiders this month. 6) A €100 Voucher For Dorian, Donnybrook Dorian Wine Bar and Restaurant in Donnybrook have just launched their new summer menu from new Head Chef Rowen Babe (formerly of Relais & Châteaux in London ), and we're sending one of you to check it out. The neighbourhood bistro in the heart of Dublin 4, which takes décor inspiration from the roaring 20's, aims to embrace the flavours of the seasons, and use as much local produce as possible. The new summer menu features dishes like fennel cured mackerel, courgette, basil, garlic and chilli oil; and Korean cauliflower “Wings” with spicy gochujang sauce, crispy shallots, sesame & coriander, to go with Dorian’s extensive wine and cocktail list, from mixologist Dorian (no jokes). We've got a €100 voucher for Dorian to give away to one of you this month, and we expect a full report. 7) A Case Of Natural Wine From Wines Direct You know we love us some natural wines, and Wines Direct have been dabbling in them for almost three decades. They've been working with many of their winemakers since the day they opened their doors, and at this stage are working with the second or third generation from some families, many of whom see natural winemaking as second nature. They created their new Au Naturale Case to showcase these winemakers who deeply respect the land they live off, and whose wines showcase their ethics and beliefs perfectly, and deliciously, and we've got one to give away this month. Be warned, once you go natural, it's hard to go back... 8) A €100 Voucher For Neon Whenever we do an article about the best restaurants to eat with children , Neon always gets a mention - amazing what the promise of a free post-dinner ice-cream cone can do for good behaviour. Neon have been serving relaxed Thai food in an informal setting on Camden Street for an amazng 10 years, and their €10.95 lunch deal of any main, drink and ice-cream is an ideal option for when you need to save those pennies. We've got a €100 voucher to give away for Neon this month which will go a long way. Whether or not you bring the smallies is totally up to you. 9) A Hamper From Folláin F olláin is the Irish word for wholesome, and they've been producing preserves in West Cork for nearly 40 years. We love their no added sugar jams, relishes and traditional fruit preserves, and our eyes lit up when we saw their recent limited edition series of jams and curds. We've got a gorgeous Folláin hamper to give away this month, full of traditional preserves like strawberry, blackberry and whiskey marmalade, some no added sugar relishes for your summer BBQ, and two new products to hit the shelves this summer - Passion Fruit Curd, and Raspberry and Pink Gin Jam. Available nationwide and online at follain.ie . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for June will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

July's monthly 9 giveaways are here! This month we've got a break in West Cork, wine, chocolate, and multiple restaurant visits to give away. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for July will be automatically entered into the draw, and it's through your support that we're able to remain #ad, #collab and #invite free, so if you're one of our supporters we bow to you. Everyone subscribed by midnight on Sunday 17th July will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Monday 18th July. Here's what's up for grabs... 1) Two Nights With Dinner At The Kinsale Hotel and Spa We're just back from West Cork and already have itchy feet to get back down there before summer's over. If you're feeling the same, you could be this month's lucky Insider heading off for an overnight stay in the Kinsale Hotel and Spa . Set in 90 acres of woodland with stunning views over Oysterhaven Bay, it's the perfect retreat in a part of the country we consider food heaven, in easy reaching distance of Cork city and the rest of the west. We're sending one of you off for a two night stay in a spacious room with breakfast each morning and dinner in The Rockpool restaurant on a night of your choice, and the leisure centre and spa, with panoramic views of the bay is ideal for unwinding between meals. See more about the Kinsale Hotel and Spa here . 2) Neighbourhood Wine Block Party Giveaway This weekend, Neighbourhood Wine and their nearest and dearest on Upper Leeson Street and Sussex Terrace are teaming up for a block party in the sun, and get ready for this line up... Neighbourhood Wine have a list of 'rare gems' on by the glass; Dublin Cocktail Lab will be doling out 3fe Nitro Tonka Espresso Martinis and Pink Peppercorn Negronis; Forest Avenue Wine Bar will be outdoors on the BBQ with their famous Kebabs, The Sussex Restaurant are on the fish and chips, 3fe will have special 99's; Canal Bank Café are bringing the wings; and O'Brien's are on the scoops and spritz! The lounge will be open, the terrace will be rocking, and there's no need to book. To celebrate the block party to end all others, Neighbourhood Wine & Dublin Cocktail Lab have given us a summer backyard essentials prize worth €150, full of Pet Nat, Rosé, Reds and some A-rate batched cocktails to give to one of you. Party with them this Saturday from 13:00 - 22:00, or find Dublin Cocktail Lab there all weekend, and we've got a free Espresso Martini for ATF Readers on arrival (while stocks last). Look out for that email in your inbox later today. 3) Gaucho Rodizio BBQ Experience, Bah 33° We're having a bit of a moment for Brazilian BBQ right now, and the Gaucho Rodizio BBQ experience (€49.90) at Bah 33° , just off Grafton Street, has been on our list for a while after some positive reports from those in the know. It works in slots of two hours, where the food is unlimited, starting with traditional starters, free reign on the salad bar, hot dishes including Gaucho stewed beans, pampas-style rice and potato salad, and the main event - the meats (all Irish). Servers pass through the restaurant with Picanha (rump cap), Vazio (flank), Paleta de Ovelha (lamb leg) and loads more (including smoked pineapple) and you'll end with coffee. We've got a gaucho experience for two with a drink each at Bah 33° to give away this month, and if you win this we hope you go very, very hungry. 4) €100 Voucher For The New Bar Bites Menu At Kinara Kitchen, Ranelagh Ranelagh favourite Kinara Kitchen has just announced a weekly night of cocktails and Pakistani bar bites, with award-winning mixologist Paul Lambert at the helm. Every Wednesday from 5pm, the brand new cocktail menu will be available along with weekly changing bar bites, including lamb chops, homemade samosas and Kurkuri Machli (spicy fried fish), with prices starting at €7.95. Paul Lambert (creator of the ready-to-drink Mr. L's Cocktails ) will be on hand to bring the drinks menu to life or create bespoke cocktails to your taste, and some of the options on the menu include the Mango & Hibiscus Bellini , the Byzantine with basil infused gin and passionfruit, and a creamy Roasted Hazelnut Espresso Martini . To celebrate the launch we've got a €100 voucher to give away for a cocktail and bar bites experience on a Wednesday of your choice. 5) Food And Merch Hamper From Grumps, Foxrock Grumps in Foxrock seems to be every southside local's favourite coffee shop, and they're gearing up for summer with a new summer menu of gelato, milkshakes and homemade slushies, as well as branded water bottles, keep cups and mugs. They've given us a hamper full of summer goodies to give away to one of you, with all the merch, a treat bag and their brand new Grumps coffee at home retail bags. Gelato, slushies and milkshakes unfortunately won't travel so you'll have to go to Foxrock to try them. 6) Butler's Chocolate Factory Tour & Hamper We've all dreamt of visiting Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, but unfortunately that doesn't exist. What does exist is Butler's Chocolate Factory in Dublin 17, and it's just reopened for visits. You can secure your golden ticket online and see how ingredients are turned into luxury chocolates, bars, fudge, toffee and hot chocolate. The 90 minute tour includes a movie on the origins of chocolate, time to soak up the facts in the chocolate museum, a bird's eye view of the factory from a glass-panelled walkway, and of course plenty of chocolate tasting along the way. You'll finish by decorating some chocolate, before having it wrapped up to take home (if it lasts that long). We've got a pass for four people to give away to one of you this month, as well as a chocolate hamper to sweeten the deal. 7) A FitzPicnic From The 5-Star Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin’s 5-star Fitzwilliam Hotel has just launched their summer FitzPicnic , available to enjoy in the oasis of city centre calm that is St. Stephen's Green Park. They'll pack everything you need into a luxury wicker basket, before you're escorted there by your own hotel concierge - how posh. They'll pick the perfect spot and get you set up to sit back, relax and enjoy your al fresco picnic, full of savoury and sweet treats. It's served with a Pimm’s cocktail or homemade lemonade, and Prosecco or Champagne can be added on. The Fitzpicnic costs €45 per person or €130 for a family of four, and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance by calling 01 4787000 or emailing enq@fitzwilliamhotel.com . We'll be sending one of you off to enjoy a Fitzpicnic for two with a cocktail or glass of bubbles before the summer's over. 8) Cacao Hamper, Nibbed Have you jumped on the cacao ceremony vibe yet? If not this could be your month. Fresh from celebrating World Chocolate Day last week, Wicklow-based artisan organic bean-to-bar producer, Nibbed , will be introducing one ATF Insider to the world of cacao, by giving away their entire range of products. Their best-selling Pure Organic Cacao Blocks, hand-crafted in small batches in their roastery in Wicklow, use ethically sourced, fairly traded and certified organic single-origin cacao beans from the Dominican Republic, are completely free of additives, sugar, dairy and soy, and are vegan. As well as its rich, intense flavour, pure cacao also has proven health benefits and is high in theobromine, antioxidants, fibre and many other essential nutrients. As well as the blocks they're giving away Cacao Teas, Dark Chocolate Barks, Melting Spoons, and Cacao Nibbles, and they've even thrown in a locally made ceramic cup for you to enjoy your virtuous drinks in. See Nibbed's full range here . 9) A €150 Voucher For Nights At Surge, Clontarf Surge in Clontarf might be known for coffee, Greenville Deli sandwiches and Medialuna croissants, but you can now add cheese and wine into the mix. They've started opening at night from Thursday - Saturday until 22:00, serving some of our favourite natural wines, as well as housemade charcuterie, cheese and paté from Old Street in Malahide. You can book online here or just drop in, and we've got a €150 voucher to give away to one of you this month, so you can drink the really good stuff. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for July will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

August's monthly 9 giveaways are live! This month we've got a Dublin city hotel stay, a wine club subscription, cocktails and copious dinners and lunches to give away to you guys for supporting what we do. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for August will be automatically entered into the draw, and it's through your subscriptions that we're able to remain #ad, #collab and #invite free. Everyone subscribed by midnight on Wednesday 17th August will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Thursday 18th August. Here's what's we've got for you... 1) An overnight stay at The Hendrick, Smithfield Fancy making a night of it in the city? Of course you do. We've got an overnight stay for two at The Hendrick , Ireland's first street art hotel to give away this month, home to a vibrant ground floor bar, outdoor courtyard space and over 270 works of Irish and international street art for guests to enjoy. Situated between Smithfield Square and Stoneybatter, The Hendrick is a short walk from some of the best dining and entertainment that the capital has to offer - we're talking Grano (and their new wine bar A Fianco ), Fish Shop, Variety Jones and No Messin' within a very short walking distance. After check-in, you and your lucky plus one will be treated to your choice from The Hendrick's new summer cocktail menu which features only Irish spirits from distilleries across the country, and before you check-out you'll enjoy breakfast in the hotel's courtyard. Check out The Hendrick here . 2) Sunday Lunch for two at Bresson The terrace at Bresson is one of the most idyllic outdoor spots for a swanky lunch in Dublin, and Head Chef Peter Byrne's menu takes the best Irish ingredients and spins them in the direction of classic French cookery. Their lunch menu (€49.95 for three courses) is served Thursday - Sunday and features dishes like Slow Cooked Rabbit Leg, King Oyster Mushroom and Vin Jaune Sauce; Gratinated Scallops, Chaudrée of Smoked Haddock, Alsace Bacon and Brown Shrimp, Pommes Duchess, Buttered Leeks and Gruyere; and Poached Rhubarb, Coconut Rice Pudding, Pistachio and Strawberry Ice Cream. We're sending one of you off to enjoy a three-course Sunday lunch for two with a bottle of wine up to the value of €50, and we strongly advise booking in while it's still terrace weather. 3) Dinner for Four at B Skewers BBQ Shop We were completely charmed by B Skewers BBQ Shop on Bolton Street when we visited last month (read the once over here ). The steak skewers, the burger, the vinaigrette, the prices, the lovely owners - it's the most excited we've ever been about Brazilian food in Dublin. We're delighted to have a meal for four to give away this month comprising of a combo for four with two bottles of wine. That means nine skewers (choose from steak, pork belly, sausage, chicken hearts and more), six sides and four sauces, and you should definitely throw on a burger for good measure. See more about B Skewers , book a table or order online here . 4) A Secret Pairing for two from ELY Wine Bar ELY Wine Bar on Ely Place has just launched their brand new experience - ‘A Secret Pairing’ . Each week the team select three of their favourite wines, and Head Chef Luca comes up with a selection of seasonal plates to match them to. Each pairing is explained only when they arrive, so this is one for food and drink lovers who like to live dangerously, and have open minds (and palates). They've also introduced weekly changing wine flights for €18, with themes based on regions, grapes, producers and more. 'A Secret Pairing' is available from Tuesday - Saturday from 17:00, costing €59 per person, and we're got an experience for two to give away this month. Check out ELY Wine Bar here . 5) A three-month subscription to Boujee Booze's Wine Club Looking for an excuse to learn more about wine, and what food to have with it? We've got a three-month subscription to Boujee Booze's monthly wine club to give away to one lucky Insider this month. You'll receive a surprise package of three very different, unique wines to get your teeth into each month, and they could be white, red, pink, orange or fizzy, with a heavy emphasis on the natural, organic and biodynamic. Each case comes with tasting notes and all the information you'll need on where the delicious juice you're drinking comes from. They also send an exclusive food pairing for each bottle, including a recipe, recipe video and even a takeaway pairing for when you don't want to cook but still want to drink great wine. See more about the Boujee Booze wine club here . 6) Dinner and cocktails for two at Zampas Bar And Restaurant's Summer Fiesta One of our Insiders is going to be enjoying the final days of summer with a table for two at Zampas Bar and Restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotel Dublin , for their first Summer Fiesta , taking place on Thursday 25th August from 18:00 til late. They're promising an electric atmosphere with a jam packed line-up of music and entertainment from Sabor Cabana & The Strictly Salsa Club, Coisa D'Preto Samba Orchestra, the Yeoo DJ stage show and street performances from The Fire Angels. We've got a table for two in Zampas Bar and Restaurant (bringing Lima to Lord Edward Street all year long) where you'll start with a Pisco Sour before being served three courses of Peruvian food with an Irish accent. Check them out here . 7) The full range of Mr L's bottled cocktails Mr. L’s Bottled Cocktail Collection is a brand new pre-mixed selection from award-winning mixologist Paul Lambert, who's been behind the drinks at The Blind Pig speakeasy since the start. It’s just gotten a lot easier to enjoy his classic creations at home, with the release of four new bottled cocktails - the 1930's Cosmo (a zippy, more refreshing, prohibition era version of the classic); the Pina Colada (pineapple blended with sweet coconut and Caribbean white rum); the Whiskey Sour (Irish whiskey, sharpened with lemon juice, sugar and bitters); and the P*rnstar Martini (vodka, passion fruit juice and vanilla flavoured syrup). We're got a bottle of each to give away this month as well as a shaker, jiggger and strainer for your own creations. Check out Mr. L's on Instagram or buy them online from selected retailers, like this one . 8) A €100 voucher for Farmer Browns Farmer Browns have just relaunched their "free kids main with every adult main offer", and we've got a €100 voucher for their Bath Avenue location to give away to one of you this month, which will feed an army of big and small eaters. Their kids eat free offer is available all day, seven days a week at their Clonskeagh and Kilternan locations, and at off-peak times in Rathmines and Bath Avenue (all day Monday - Thursday, Friday until 18:00 and Sunday after 16:00). Spacious interiors, outdoor terraces and Irish ingredient-led menus can be found at all four locations, and to see their menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, or to book head to their website . 9) Two Tickets to Lilith's first birthday party Stoneybatter's best wine shop Lilith turns one this weekend and they're having a little party to celebrate. They're setting up shop in Hynes' beer garden to pour natural wines from their favourite producers, while Dosa Dosa are serving the food. They're bringing their best and most interesting bottles from the shop and making them available at shelf price plus a small corkage fee once your get through your drink tickets, and there's going to be a raffle full of great prizes in support of the Capuchin Monks. Tickets are €50 and include a port and tonic on arrival, four glasses of top wine, and a plate of food from Dosa Dosa, and the party's on from 14:00 - 19:00 but you'll probably be having so much fun you'll want to hang around till closing. Get the last few tickets here . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for August will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

September's monthly 9 giveaway is live! This month we've got so many chances to visit new restaurants and bars, try new menus in established ones, and someone's going to Oktoberfest, all to thank our ATF Insiders for supporting what we do. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for September will be automatically entered into the draw, and it's through your subscriptions that we're able to remain #ad, #collab and #invite free. Everyone subscribed by midnight on Saturday 17th September will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Sunday 18th September. Here's what's in this month's line up... 1) A €250 Bar Tab At Tapped What was formerly Porterhouse Central on Grafton Street reopened as ' Tapped ' last week, serving over 50 beers, wines and cocktails on tap from their 15 metre bar. Specialising in local and craft beers (Rascals, Trouble Brewing and Porterhouse to name a few), organic wines, and a cocktail list curated by sister company Dingle Distillery , the venue has had a brand new fit out, and plans to host some of Dublin's best DJs. Dublin Pizza Company are in charge of the food, with a menu of pizza, salads, wings and smash burgers, and plenty of sides, dips and desserts, and the brilliantly located venue is open seven days a week. To celebrate the opening of Tapped we've got a whopping €250 bar tab to give away to one of our Insiders this month, and we don't think anyone will have a struggle finding friends to join them for this one. 2) Dinner For Four At Nomo Ramen Nomo Ramen got off to a flying start in the city with their compact menu of ramen and sides, featuring Dave Chang's favourite wavy noodles flown in from the US, but now they're scaling up with more additions to the menu. Newbies include miso-butter corn with a sous vide egg, shitake croquettes with chashu and kimchi mayo, and there's a new ramen in town - the Shoyu Paitan with glazed chicken breast, 24-hour marinated egg, scallions, leeks and spinach. We've got a table for four at Nomo Ramen to give away this month with a starter, main and dessert of your choice - just make sure you take friends who share food. 3) A €100 Bar Tab For The New Cocktail Menu At Bar 1661 Following on from winning Bar of the Year 2022, Bar 1661 has just launched their brand new, much awaited 32 drink cocktail menu, with the menu reading " Staunchly Irish, Fiercely Independent ". You probably know we think this is the best cocktail bar in Dublin (maybe in the country), and love that these guys make drinks based on flavours alone (they don't take big kick backs from alcohol brands to use their products - a rarity), so we're uber excited to send one of you in with a €100 bar tab to start working your way through their newest creations. 4) A €100 Voucher For Soup Two We're forever answering your questions on the best restaurants to eat early in the week, so were big time thrilled to see that ramen specialists Soup Two in Smithfield can now be added to the list, and in case you needed any more convincing to visit, they're also running early week deals. On Mondays you can get a bowl of Kimchi Mussels (with chipotle chili, kimchi sake cream and chargrilled bread with garlic oil) and a pint for €20, and on Tuesday it's small plates and €10 cocktails, including favourites Aperol Soup, Lemonchillicellos and Tennis Balls. We're got a €100 voucher for Soup Two to give away to one of you this month, which will go a long way with those offers. 5) A Table For Six With Drinks And Food At Eatyard's Oktoberfest After a sad couple of years for all of us on the events front, Eatyard in Drumcondra is bringing back Oktoberfest for an entire month! There will be steins of beer, there will be currywurst, there will be pretzels, and in true Bodytonic style you can also expect Hasselhoff Karaoke, Lederhösen Limbo, and Blind Beer Tasting. For non beer drinkers there'll be german wines on tap and 'Bavarian Winter Warmers', and other food on offer will include bratwursts, schnitzel burgers and Bavarian cheese and charcuterie boards. Oktoberfest runs at The Bernard Shaw from 30th September - 30th October on Friday and Saturday evenings, and we've got a table for six to give away including two drinks each and a massive Oktoberfest platter. 6) A €100 Voucher For Aperitivo Cicchetti On Nassau Street Aperitivo Cicchetti has just opened its doors on Nassau Street opposite Trinity College, serving Italian small plates (Apertivo) alongside classic Aperitif cocktails, and what we're promised are amazing Negronis (four different types). The interior of the 20-seater restaurant has been designed to offer an intimate experience, making diners feel as if they've been transported to an Italian swing joint in the 1950s, and the well-priced small plates mean you can try a bit of everything, from 'fritti' to 'pasta' to 'panzerotti'. We've got a €100 voucher to give away to one of our Insiders this month so you can fill your boots with Proscuitto San Daniele, fritto misto and arancini. 7) Graham Herterich's New Book 'Bake' And A Hamper From The Cupcake Bloke Graham Herterick has just released his first cookbook ' Bake ', which he calls "traditional Irish baking with modern twists", and we wasted no time putting the stunning recipes to the test . From soda bread and scones to instructions for making his famous tea brack, it's a book we're sure everyone will love, and we've got a signed copy to give away to one of you this month, along with a hamper of some of his favourite baking bits - a Joseph Joseph Rolling Pin, Tea Towel, Wooden Spoon, Measuring Spoons, Bake Spices, Nelsen & Massey Vanilla, Masterclass Baking Tins & a Mini Blowtorch, with the whole thing valued at €150. Time to get baking. Buy Bake here . 8) A €100 voucher for Vice Vice has just opened in the city centre close to Trinity College, and aims to introduce Dubliners to the art of pairing pizza and chicken wings (free-range ones thankfully). Bobby Lawn (formerly at Pichet and Osteria Lucio) feels strongly that these two foods go together like macaroni and cheese, and wants to take "an elevated approach to familiar favourites". Sourdough crusts have 'finishes', like white sesame or everything bagel, and toppings include fennel sprinkled cheese and chilli-infused pineapple, while wings come with lemon pepper, buffalo and gochujang sauces. Vice is open seven days a week on Merrion Street and if you win the €100 voucher we're giving away this month you can go any time you like. 9) A Boozy Brunch For Four At Mad Y0lks We're big fans of brother Hugh and Eoin O'Reilly's egg sandwiches at Mad Yolks in Smithfield (read our recent once over here ), and can think of few better ways to ease into the weekend (or ease off a Sunday morning hangover, or spend a lunch break) than with a 'Fresh Yolk', halloumi fries, and a portion of nachos con carnage. Beers, mimosas and Aperol Spritz are optional but recommended. We've got a boozy brunch for four at Mad Yolks to give away this month including an egg sandwich or burger, side and drink of your choice, which would be a very nice way to ease those end of summer blues. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for September will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

In March of this year, after being told so much about how hopping Belfast's food scene was, we jumped in the car, high-tailed it up the M1 and rubbed our bellies in anticipation of three days of very good eating. That very day the ROI went into lockdown, with the North following a week later, so while we managed to stick to the food plan we weren't able to publish it, as everywhere was shutting their doors. We've been sitting on it for five long months, but can finally share our guide on where to eat in Belfast, in partnership with Discover Northern Ireland . *As this is a fast moving and sometimes daily changing situation we'd always advise double checking with any restaurants you want to visit that they will be open at the time you're there. Breakfast/Brunch The Pocket , just off Belfast's Victoria Square, has it all going on. Iced coffee, freshly baked cinnamon scrolls (do not miss), and savoury and sweet brunch dishes that will have you gladly jumping out of your hotel bed in the morning. We really loved the Piña Colada french toast, a properly unique twist on a classic brunch dish, with coconut and vanilla toast, sweet lime mascarpone, glazed pineapple, shortbread crumb, toasted hazelnuts and basil syrup - have you booked that train ticket yet? The blackberry granola comes packed with juicy blackberries, homemade honey and spiced granola and natural yoghurt, and the chorizo brunch comes with Bara Bakehouse sourdough, a poached egg, sundried tomato sauce, crispy kale, halloumi, homemade pickles, chilli oil and dukkah - and if that sounds like too much going on, it's not. Welcome to flavour-town. The Pocket opens Monday - Saturday from 08:30 - 15:00, and Sunday from 10:00 - 15:00. Established Coffee 's pie and drip menu has become a thing of legend around these parts, mainly due to their untouchable Instagram game. We're glad to confirm that the weekly changing pies taste as delicious as they look, and the coffee, from a variety of roasters like Origin, Heart and Calendar Coffee, is first rate. There's also a full brunch menu if you're feeling less sweet and more savoury. Currently they're only back open from 09:00 - 14:00 Monday - Saturday but watch this space. Lunch If you've got wheels (or are happy to jump in a taxi) head for Noble in Holywood, 15 minutes outside the city. You can also get the train from Belfast Victoria Station to Holywood (a 5 minute walk to the restaurant), and there's the option of a lovely walk along the North Down Coastal Path from Holywood to Bangor afterwards, to walk off all the food before getting the train back to the city. Noble's intimate upstairs dining room was shot into the spotlight in 2017 after a gushing review from Jay Rayner in The Observer , and it's been a mainstay of the Northern dining scene ever since. Owner Saul O'Connell is usually found in the dining room looking after guests and being generally charming to everyone who walks in, and it manages to feel cosy yet occasion-worthy. Coming from the capital, the lunch menu feels like sensational value, with four courses for £25. We loved the fresh, crispy scampi with aioli, the braised beef with mustard remoulade, the gnocchi with ricotta, braised leeks and hazelnut gremolata, and the frangipane tart with plum ripple ice-cream. And the beef-dripping chips. Always the beef-dripping chips. You could also do a lot worse than ending your meal with one of their affogatos. Noble is open for dinner from Thursday - Saturday, and for lunch Friday and Sunday. Book here . Another brilliant lunch option is the Michelin-starred Muddlers Club on Warehouse Lane in the city centre (we do love a good Michelin-starred lunch). Since reopening in the first week of August they're offering tasting menus only at lunch (Thu - Sat) and dinner (Wed - Sat), costing £60 for food and £50 for the wine pairing. They also do a children's option of grilled fish or steak with potatoes/chips and vegetables for the bargain price of £5, so you can bring your mini-gourmet with you - more of this please restaurants. Expect seasonal, locally-sourced food, with a vegetarian menu that looks just as good as the meat and fish based one. We loved a dish of mackerel, buttermilk, dill and potato, another of lamb, squash, cabbage and dukkah, and a dessert of rhubarb, blood orange and white chocolate, but it was all tastefully executed and came across as effortlessly elegant - even if a lot of effort actually went into it. Book a table here . Wine For a glass of wine (and a very serious cheese plate) head straight for Ox Cave , at the side of Michelin-starred Ox. All wines (yes all) are available by the glass, carafe or bottle, the room feels more like you're on the banks of the Seine than the Lagan, and the staff are nothing short of delightful. Put yourself in their hands when it comes to what to drink and gaze out at the candlelit room, basking in smugness that you found the best wine bar in the city. (c) Ox Cave Dinner Bia Rebel , Belfast's most talked about ramen bar on the Ormeau Road, has been eulogized by everyone from Jay Rayner in The Observer ("an £8 bowl deserving of poetry") to Catherine Cleary in the Irish Times ("a perfect bowl of food"), and we'll have to join the reverential ranks by saying they're both correct. The ramen here is almost unimaginably good, with the hours and hours of work that go into it self-evident from the flavour, and while the 'Belfast Original' (pork shoulder chashu, leeks, tamago egg, fermented bamboo shoots and nori seaweed) is one you won't want to miss, the 'Truffle Parmesan' (pork shoulder chashu, sesame kikurage, mushrooms, leeks and truffle butter) should also be on your hit list. Sides like 'crack chicken' and bao buns are well worth your time and calories, and slurping is encouraged. The bad news is that if you were planning a trip in August, Bia Rebel is closed for ramen until September - you can find them at the back of Levi's pub in Ballydehob, Cork for the month of August - but if you're heading north from Autumn onwards you'll be very happy you stopped here. Somewhere that's very much open and very much in demand around these parts is Bo Tree Kitchen , close to Queen's University. There's a fascinating background to this place which you can read in this FT article , but in a nutshell Helen O'Malley (front of house) and her ex-husband Surthat (in the kitchen) have run a Thai restaurant together in some form for 25 years (while married and divorced - impressive), starting in Oxford and ending up in Belfast - lucky Belfast. They fly in herbs and spices from Thailand on a weekly basis and it shows - there's zero imposter syndrome going on here. The menu is extensive, with lesser known dishes like Krua King (spicy, dry, curried minced pork with turmeric, peppercorns, kachai and chillis) and Pad Ped Taleh (stir-fried mixed seafood with Thai herbs, lime leaves, lemon grass and oyster sauce), but features plenty of dishes you'll recognise, like Pad Thai, Chicken Satay and Massaman Curry - they're just a lot better than other versions you've tasted. As if it couldn't get better, it's BYOB with a corkage charge of a ridiculously cheap £2.00 per bottle of wine and 90p per bottle of can of beer/pre-mixed cocktail. Booking is essential as this is a very popular spot with locals. Book by calling them on +44 2890507544 or emailing thaibotree@gmail.com . Last but most definitely not least, Michelin-starred Ox is the place to chalk in the diary if you're in need of a treat - and who isn't over the last few months. We didn't get there this time but visited late last year and couldn't have loved it more. Owner and chef Stevie Toman loves to make vegetables take centre-stage, and co-owner Alain Kerloc'h has been a sommelier and restaurant manager in some of the world's best restaurants, including L’Arpège and Mirazur, and it shows in the level of service you can expect when dining here. Ox opens for lunch and dinner from Thursday - Saturday, with dinner only on Wednesday. They're at reduced capacity right now so be sure to book here in plenty of time. (c) Ox Where To Stay We stayed at the Radisson Blu at The Gasworks, which was perfectly situated in the middle of everywhere we wanted to eat, and a 10 minute walk to both the city centre and places like Bia Rebel and Bo Tree Kitchen, on or just off the Ormeau Road. They're closed until the start of September due to the pandemic, but pre-paid midweek rates from then start at £71.60 a night for a standard room, going up to £154.28 a night for a junior suite with a balcony. Check dates and rates here . If you want to go sooner, other accommodation options that come highly recommended are the Grand Central Hotel , Ten Square Hotel and the Malone Lodge Hotel . (c) Grand Central Hotel This article is in partnership with Discover Northern Ireland , but everywhere in this article was chosen by us after extensive research and the bending of many ears. Check out Discover NI 's brilliant website dedicated to exploring the North here , with recommendations of places to stay, things to do and where to eat. Also look out for the ' We’re Good To Go ' mark. When you see a business is ‘Good To Go’ you can be reassured that they’re fully compliant with all Covid-19 government and public safety measures. That includes social distancing, following recommended cleaning processes and agreeing to undergo spot checks. You'll find the logo displayed on their premises, as part their communications, and next to their listing on the Discover Northern Ireland website .

Well ladies and gents, the big day is almost here and it's come around in lightning speed. What we always think will be a nice, relaxed run into Christmas has once again become one of the most hectic times of the year. For us, like many, it’s only in the days after Christmas that we really get to put our feet up. This is especially true for all of the lovely people working in our bars and restaurants who are run off their feet right up until Christmas Eve, so the days in between Christmas Day and New Years are a time when we don't begrudge them shutting up shop and having some well-deserved time off. Which is great sure, but where are they (and we) supposed to go if everywhere is closed?! We're asked this question every year (incessantly) so if you're only getting around to meeting up with your pals on the 28th, or if you’ve been avoiding social contact before spending Christmas Day with family, we've found some places taking one for the team and keeping their doors wide open …. at least until 8pm. Sigh... Mamó, Howth Starting off strong with one of our favourite restaurants for any occasion, Mamó is open from December 27th – 31st and would be a great way to round off festivities. Their food is primarily sourced locally in North Dublin and the cooking is some of the most exciting around. We've visited a few times and haven’t come across a dish we didn’t like, but a must order is their signature cod chip. Read our once over here . One Pico, Dublin 2 We’re big believers in the age-old Irish proverb, ‘sure f*ck it, it’s Christmas’, and like to live by this until at least January 10th. If you’re like us and want to keep the festive gluttony going, One Pico is the place for you. While it’s always been a ‘special occasion’ spot, when we visited recently we thou ght the food was the best it's ever been. It's the perfect place for a long, languid lunch in the city, and to keep the party spirit going when they reopen on the 28th. Nightmarket, Ranelagh By now you’ll likely have had a couple of Christmas dinners and countless leftover sandwiches, so you’ll be wanting a bit of a change – enter Nightmarket in Ranelagh. The food in this vibrant, Thai restaurant is consistently great – always fresh, always spicy, and never boring, and they're re-opening on December 29th and running into the New Year. Pichet, Dublin 2 What better way to reward yourself after a day trawling the Christmas sales than heading into Pichet for lunch or an early dinner. It's been a mainstay of Dublin dining for years but it got a new lease of life in 2020 with the arrival of Harry Quinn as head chef. With a number of Irish institutions under his belt including Chapter One and Clanbrassil House, as well as multiple impressive kitchens in London, he's revamped the menu and we’re impressed. They're re-opening on December 28th after a very short break, so on the off chance you don’t spend all your pocket money in the shops, make a beeline here. Coppinger Row, Dublin 2 Another place to wet your whistle after some retail therapy is Coppinger Row , and this may be the last time you get to walk through these doors (sob). They announced their closure as the building they lease is being redeveloped (tenner bets on another soul-less hotel), so they'll be closing their doors for the last time on New Years Eve. Pop in for a meal and to say your goodbyes to this lovely spot from the 28th - 31st. Pala Pizza, Foxrock We recently visited outdoor pop-up Pala Pizza in Foxrock village and were delighted by the Roman style pizza. The base is crispy, but not too crispy, and every topping was delicious – and yes, we did try them all, you can too as they’re served by the slice. They don’t take bookings but we didn't have an issue getting a table, and since our last visit they've also added blankets and heaters to keep you nice and toasty. They’re back open from the 27th through to the 31st. Spitalfields, Dublin 8 Nothing says "antidote to Christmas" like bao buns with roasted bone marrow and pickles, or Iberico pork secreto schnitzel with peas and smoked garlic potatoes. Both can be found at Spitalfields in The Coombe with bookings from 15:00 - 18:30, along with their famous cock-a-leekie pie, if you haven't had enough poultry yet. Dudley's Pub, Dublin 8 Relatively new opening Dudley's in the Liberties is a welcome addition to the area. They have a small bar bites menu for the moment, mainly consisting of croquettes (no complaints here), but are adding larger plates as they go. These guys are barely taking their foot off the gas as they’re back open on Stephen’s Day so pop in here to support the new arrival. The Pig's Ear, Dublin 2 Can't take another mouthful of turkey and ham? Escape to The Pig's Ear on Nassau Street for Parker House rolls with whipped St. Tola; slow-cooked lamb shepherd's pie, and a s trawberry & 'Birds' custard sandwich for dessert. La Maison, Dublin 2 If you can nab a heated table outside French restaurant La Maison , you'll have one of the most coveted people watching perches in Dublin. Relax with a glass of wine and some Coquilles Saint-Jacques and watch the world go by again from the 28th. The Wine Cellar @ Fallon & Byrne The cosy wine cellar hidden beneath Fallon & Byrne ’s food hall on Exchequer Street serves up a menu of charcuterie boards and Mediterranean small plates alongside heartier pizzas and pasta, so you can pop in for a quick bite with a glass of wine or make a full meal of it. Pro tip: they have €1 corkage on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays which you can take advantage of when they re-open on Tuesday 28th. Big Fan, Dublin 2 If you’ve followed us for any period of time you’ll know how much we love Big Fan , we even held two ATF Insiders events here earlier this year. We’re clearly not the only ones as the Michelin Guide endorsed them in the last week, announcing them as one of the latest additions to their guide, and they're back serving their sharing plates from December 29th. See our once over for a full run down on what to order. Chimac, Dublin 2 We have been big fans of Chimac since they opened in 2019 and the love has never really wavered. There were a lot of takeaway orders over the lockdowns (sidenote: it travels very well) and we’ll take any chance we can get to get our hands on their signature KimCheese chicken burger. This is fast food at its best – excellent ingredients and all made in-house so you know you’re getting the freshest of the fresh. They’re back open on December 28th for you to quench your Korean fried chicken cravings. And A Couple Of Options To Ring In The New Year Circa in Terenure are not letting an 8pm curfew get them down. They're pushing ahead with their New Year's Eve event with The Boatyard Distillery, and a six-course tasting menu with an optional cocktail pairing. Dishes include trout with coriander, olive and grapefruit, and turbot with hen of the woods and cavolo nero. There's now only one sitting at 18:00, and spaces are available in the restaurant or in the heated garden area. See the menu here , and book by emailing info@restaurantcirca.com or phoning them on 01 5342644. And firm favourite Note are holding a grower Champagne tasting on New Year's Day from 16:00 - 20:00. Tickets are €40 and include a French 75 cocktail and three champagnes, and they'll have a specialised snack menu paired on the day. They'll also have more champagnes by the glass and bottle. Get tickets here .

We're got a serious case of the green-eyed monster for anyone living in Stoneybatter. Grano, Hakkahan, L Mulligan Grocer, The Belfry, Love Supreme - it hits well above the average suburb - and now it's getting another feather in its cap, as Bahay are moving in until March. The Filipino food truck is taking over the back of The Glimmerman pub, while Vietnom (ironically the food truck that inspired them to do their own) take some extended holidays, and they're soft-launching this Friday 17th and Saturday 18th from 17:30. After that they'll be back from the start of January until mid-March, from Thursday - Saturday. Their menu this time is focused on locally grown, seasonal Irish produce, with Filipino flavours and cooking styles. They'll have street food options, small plates and weekly specials, all depending on what comes in that week. They're promising everything from hearty Filipino stews to brussel sprout slaw with calamansi dressing, and occasional "filthy" items, like longanisa hot dogs and pork buns. Bahay kick off in The Glimmerman at 17:30 this Friday, and the space at the back is fully outdoors, so wrap up well and go hungry. Bahay The Glimmerman, 14 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 www.instagram.com/bahay_dub

In the final part of our ATF Christmas gift guide, we've rounded up some of the gadgets and kitchen stocking fillers that we'd most like to get this year, from sourdough starter kits to recipe journals, one-time purchase wine openers to bento boxes... An Enrich & Endure Apron We found the perfect pressie for your fashionable friend who also loves to get their hands dirty in the kitchen. Enrich & Endure 's aprons are 100% Irish linen and handcrafted in Ireland, and they have loads of fun colours, but we especially love the one that they’ve created in collaboration with cookbook author Molly Yeh. Check it out here . A Pasta Maker The perfect gift for a friend who likes to show off their prowess in the kitchen, a pasta maker is great to add a little oomph to their dishes. And hopefully they’ll do the polite thing and have you over to sample the finished goods. We found a good option here but most good kitchen stores should have them. Bannetons and Blades Know someone who used the pandemic to develop their sourdough skills, or has been looking enviously at everyone who has? Apart from flour and water, they'll need a banneton, liner and a blade. Start them off with a set like this , or buy individual bits here , or in most good kitchen shops. Toast Tongs Okay, bear with us on this. This very simple gadget was a gift to us and what we initially thought was the most random thing we’d ever received swiftly became the most used tool in our kitchen. No longer will you have to risk burnt hands (or electrocution if you’re like us and often fish a broken piece of bread from the toaster with a fork). This is the handiest little device to have around and great for the toast lover in your life. If you can find one with a magnet to secure it to the side of the toaster that’s even better. We found ours here . Meater Wireless Meat Thermometer No home cook's kitchen is complete without a meat thermometer, but having to open the oven every time you want to check a temperature is a major pain. Meater's wireless meat thermometer connects to your smartphone, and you can set the app to any type or cut of meat you might have in the oven, to ensure it's perfect every time. Find it in Harvey Norman . Raclette Set We are very fond of a bit … okay, a lot, of raclette when we hit the slopes, and now you can bring that Alpine feast to the Emerald Isle with a raclette set. This isn’t too spenny so go all out and pair it with some raclette cheese which most decent cheese shops will have to top off a great gift. We sourced a good one here . An Instant Pot A pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and yoghurt maker, this is the multi-function pot every kitchen needs. Chefs love it , it can make a meal out of anything, and it's perfect for anyone who's short on time during the week but still wants to eat well - just dump everything in and it'll be ready when you get home. Find it here . An ATF x Badly Made Books Notebook We've teamed up with Cork-based Badly Made Books to put together a collection of gorgeous notebooks, with covers made from food waste and pages made from recycled coffee cups. A lovely gift for anyone still in the habit of using pen and paper, and your food-loving friend will appreciate the quirky covers. Check them out here . A Recipe Journal We’ve all had the notion of taking our most loved recipes and collating them in our very own recipe book for handy referencing, but have never quite gotten around to it. This lovely recipe book would be a great gift for anyone you know who loves to get creative in the kitchen, and will give them a nudge to record those delicious creations. Bento Box This could be one for your office-mate who consistently brings in droolworthy leftovers for their lunch. An aesthetically pleasing lunchbox can take their lunches to the next level, and bring them a little bit of joy each day as they tuck into their food. We love this minimalistic bento box , and as a plus it’s dishwasher safe. Le Creuset Wine Opener You will probably balk at the price of this, we definitely did, but having seen this wine opener in action we think it could be worth every penny. It makes light work of any cork and will keep going for years and years. Take a look here for more detail. A Barista-Level Coffee Machine One thing the pandemic brought to light was just how much we all spent on coffee as part of our daily commutes. Tonnes of you seemed to invest in a professional coffee machine over the past year, with none more popular than the Sage Bean to Cup range . Irish roasters Velo are currently having a sale on their four models, from €525 to €1999, and if you're feeling generous towards the coffee lover in your life this year you can check them out here . You can find our other gift guides here: Part 1 - Cookbooks, memoirs and classes Part 2 - Experiences and subscriptions Part 3 - Edibles and Drinkables

It’s that time of year when there is truly nothing we rather do than curl up in front of a fire with a juicy book and a scalding hot whiskey, alas, it’s Christmas, and there are places to go and presents to buy. Fear no more. We’re here to heat your mittens and feed your bellies with a selection of Dublin’s best winter warmers. Most have added booze but we've included a few non-alcoholic ones (marked NA) in case you need to keep a clear head. Mulled Wine & Cider Mulled Apple Juice At The Cake Café The Cake Café is a little haven, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Camden Street with indoor and outdoor seating. Along with mince pies, gingerbread men, and the peanut butter cup , their mulled apple juice is the perfect complement to a Saturday brunch or a weekday lunch. Mulled Wine at Provider Fine Foods, Harold’s Cross Provider Fine Foods is the kind of establishment where you go in for a pint of milk and end up coming home with an assortment of nut butter, a selection of pastries, and a trendy condiment or two. You might as well pick up a mulled wine while you’re there - it is the season after all. Mulled Wine at Bestseller, Dawson Street You've shopped until you're ready to drop and now you need sustinance. Bestseller is a few minutes walk away from the chaos of Grafton Street, and the perfect place to warm your bones with a cinnamon-infused mulled wine. Red and White Mulled Wine at Margadh, Howth Experience some of the best views in Dublin by throwing on your winter woollies, hopping in the car and travelling to Howth for a scenic walk. Once you’re finished pop down to Margadh for a mulled house wine (available in white and red) because you deserve it. Mulled Wine at The Orange Goat, Killester & Ballsbridge Based on either side of the Liffey in Ballsbridge and Killester, The Orange Goat have put together a festive menu with plenty of baked goods and citrusy mulled wine. And if that’s not to your liking, they do an After Eight hot chocolate. Mulled Wine at Old Street, Malahide Old Street has officially been decked out for Christmas with Jean Holland’s Christmas puddings and hampers that make the perfect gift to impress your in-laws. They also serve up one of our favourite mulled wines, chock full of amaretto and spices. Mulled Chardonnay at Soup, Smithfield Soup in Smithfield is one of our go-to spots for a casual dinner and a drink. The ramen is the best around, they make a mean Bánh mì, and the mulled Chardonnay is a nice alternative to the conventional mulled red. Whiskey The Fancy Frankie at Vice Coffee, Wigwam, Dublin 1 The Irish coffee at Vice is so damn good that owner Tom Stafford won an award for the World’s Best Irish Coffee in 2015. The aforementioned signature cocktail, the “Fancy Frankie” contains Teeling Small Batch and 3fe espresso, and it's the crème de la crème of the category. Hot penicillin at Urbanity, Smithfield “I promise it’s not COVID”, she exclaims as she mops her face with a Kleenex. This winter is particularly rife with sniffles, but keep nasty bugs at bay by enjoying an immune-boosting Jameson and ginger mixed with lemon and honey from Urbanity . Please note: we are not health professionals. Please get tested if you present any signs of COVID-19, and don't just depend on hot alcohol for the cure. Hot Chocolate & Coffee Chilli Hot Chocolate At Roe & Co, Dublin 8 Roe & Co. Distillery has teamed up with Crepes in the City for a festive feast for those with a sweet tooth. For €15 per person, diners will enjoy a sweet or savoury crepe, along with a hot chilli chocolate with toasted marshmallows and chilli Chantilly cream, from the distillery's creative bartenders. Marshmallow Bomb at Three Twenty Ice-Cream Lab, Drury Street (NA) Feeling indulgent? Head to Three Twenty Ice-Cream Lab for melted hot chocolate with a fluffy, blow-torched marshmallow crown. Feeling extra indulgent? Order the waffle and dip it into the oozing melted marshmallow. Hey, it's been a rough year. Boozy Hot Chocolate at L. Mulligan Grocer, Stoneybatter Step into L. Mulligan Grocer and feel your winter blues fade away. The menu is laden with ultra-comforting foods (like scotch eggs and Kievs), and the boozy hot chocolate is spiked with Power’s whiskey and topped with scorched meringue to ensure you leave merry and snug. Peppermint Mocha from Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street (NA) Fallon & Byrne is the perfect place for the annual Christmas shop, from their extensive cheese counter and wine cellar to their fresh chestnuts and homemade cranberry sauce. It will take some serious willpower to be able to ignore the adorable gingerbread men and Christmas cake squares, but the peppermint mocha overflowing with cream and candy cane pieces is a non-negotiable. Spiced Boozy Hot Chocolate at Stillgarden Distillery, Inchicore, Dublin 8 The Stillgarden Distillery in Inchicore has mixed its very own Christmas cake gin with hot chocolate and marshmallows to make a sweet and spicy edition of a classic. They’re also serving “gince pies” if you want to do it properly. Hot Chocolate from the Fat Fox’s Festive Christmas Truck, Greystones (NA) The Fat Fox is not technically in Dublin, but it is only a stone’s throw away and is well worth mentioning. Based in Delgany and Greystones, the Fat Fox Christmas Truck has popped up with outdoor seating, seasonal treats, mulled wine and creamy hot chocolate complete with a toasted marshmallow and a gingerbread man. Something Different The Picantea at The Fourth Corner, Dublin 8 The Fourth Corner has prepared an extensive winter drinks menu with mulled wine, hot port, hot whiskey, Irish coffee, Bailey’s coffee, Bailey’s hot chocolate, and the real bombshell: the Picantea. This flaming cocktail pairs tequila with lemon-peel syrup and ginger-lemon tea - the perfect airway cleanser.

If you're not already thinking about where to get the turkey, ham and mince pies for the 25th then it's time to turn off the news, put away the antigen tests and focus on something much more enjoyable. From at home boxes covering the whole dinner, to our favourite places for individual sides, sweets and pies, here's where we'll be doing our Christmas Day food shopping this year. The Main Event - Christmas Dinner Margadh, Howth & Dublin 2 Head to Margadh if you want to do the turkey and ham yourself but have someone else do all the heavy lifting when it comes to the sides. Their Christmas shop has everything from d uck fat roast potatoes with confit onion, garlic & thyme , to gratin dauphinoise & applewood smoked cheddar ; g lazed fresh stem carrots with spiced honey butter & pistachio s, to g lazed brussels sprouts, chestnut & sage brown butter , and there's sticky toffee pudding if you're not into desserts full of dried fruits. Collections from Howth or their RHA site in town. Order here . Beach House At Home One of our favourite lockdown food experiences was Beach House in Tramore's weekly food deliveries, packed with pork rilettes, seafood stew and leeks au gratin, and for their sins they're now offering to provide your Christmas starters, sides and dess erts. You can get treacle cured Gravadlax with marinated beets, horseradish cream & homemade brown bread; trimmings of gravy, bread sauce, pork, sage & onion stuffing, cranberry & blood orange relish; and desserts of their signature almond tart with clementine cream, and mince pies with brandy custard. Get it all or mix and match here . Old Street, Malahide Old Street have the whole thing covered, with their family Christmas dinner box serving 4-6 people with leftovers. For €269 you'll get a boned, rolled and stuffed turkey; a whiskey and ginger braised ham; sausage and chestnut stuffing, duck fat roast potatoes and dauphinoise, various fancy veg like brussel sprouts with a spiced cranberry crumb, and braised red cabbage with apples, gravy, cranberry sauce, mini desserts and a Christmas pudding. There's also a full instruction and timings booklet. What could possibly go wrong. Order it here . Fallon & Byrne Fallon & Byrne is a one-stop upmarket shop for the starters, dinner, snacks, drinks - because what even is Christmas without turkey and stuffing crisps and a Christmas coffee blend. From the truffle mash to the chocolate chip and amarena cherry panettone, it's Christmas with notions, and if you're having a smaller than average gathering and don't want a full turkey, they do boned, rolled and stuffed turkey breasts for two. Spend all of your money here . Le Poulet Bonne Femme B ad news. Poulet Bonne Femme 's Christmas feast has sold out, but you can still get slow-roasted, free-range Irish bronze turkeys, and honey-roast hams. They come fully-cooked, so no brining, braising or glazing will have to take place, and this is one for when you just can't deal, which is most of us right now. Order here . The Village Butcher If you're searching for something different this year, The Village Butcher in Ranelagh have goose, pheasant, beef Wellington, and even capon - a French chicken fed on milk or porridge that's said to have a richer flavour. They've also got every type and joint of ham and turkey you could possibly want if you're sticking with the tried and tested. Order here . McNally Farm N ow that we've got our own order in, we can tell you that McNally Organic Farm in North County Dublin is the absolute best place to get your Christmas veg from. Everything is grown on the extremely impressive farm, and can be collected from the farm shop or at one of their markets in Stillorgan and Glasnevin. They also sell jams, relishes, homemade yoghurt, dried goods, and McNally Christmas puddings, amongst others. Order on their website . Eatto Meal delivery service Eatto has everything from just the trimmings to the full feast, and individual side options too if you want to pick and mix. There's also vegan nut roasts, veggie lasagne and desserts. Delivery dates are going on a first come first served basis so don't hang around if you're interested. See what's on offer here . Drop Chef If you want to do the cooking yourself, but find the whole thing a bit intimidating, Drop Chef will deliver you all the ingredients plus recipe cards for their free-range, Irish woodland bronze turkey, brussel sprouts with bacon and shallots, and homemade stuffing. There are loads of add-ons like West Cork ham, smoked salmon and Irish cheeses, and there's a plant-based roast stuffed with chestnut, cranberry and mushroom if there are any non-meat eaters at the table. See the menu and prices here . Dessert No Messin' W e've yet to be convinced there's a better mince pie in the country than No Messin 's suet filled, crumbly pastry wrapped, Highbank Orchard's brandy butter topped masterpieces. Pre-orders have sold out but they'll be available in Proper Order Coffee Co. every day in December, and you can still order their puddings, brandy butter and butterscotch to be packed and waiting for you. Order here . Bread 41 For another Christmas baking masterclass, head to Bread 41 's online shop to tie down your Christmas eve pastry pick up. Mince pies, morning buns, sausage rolls - what a way to wake up on the 25th. You can also fill the freezer with bread for all of those turkey and ham sandwiches. Order here . Bragadeiros For an after dinner treat with a South American twist, Bragadeiros sell box sets of the beautiful Brazilian truffles in different flavours, as well as choccotone, and Brazilian honey cakes. They also have DIY gingerbread men kits, which would be fun to make on Christmas eve and leave out for Santa. They deliver nationwide or you can collect in Dublin 1 for free. Order here . Mud Bakery Mud are good, that's all you need to remember, and we're expecting their Christmas puddings and mince pie filling to be no different. Puddings are available for nationwide delivery, or you can pick up both at their stand at Honest 2 Goodness market in Glasnevin. Hopefully you'll get lucky and also manage to grab a Crimbo cruffin with spiced custard, clotted cream, pan-fried pudding and a gingerbread star. Order here . Cream Of The Crop We've already told you about this one as we gave it away to one of our lucky ATF Insiders last month, but we're still reeling over the rum and raisin gelato stuffed panettone - imagine unveiling that on the 25th. Also in Cream Of The Crop 's deluxe dessert hamper you'll find four limited edition flavours of their gelatos, and the Irish food products that inspired them, like Harry's nutbutter and Katie's kombucha. Available for delivery in Dublin up until the 18th December. Order here . Bistro One's Christmas Pudding There are few things more convincing than the words "family recipe", so when we saw Bistro One were selling Granny O'Connor's christmas pudding, made by chef Rory Shannon's mum Vivienne, we knew we'd be onto a winner. They'll be ready for collection from the Foxrock restaurant from the 15th December and you can order one here . Coconut & Moo Moo's Cheesecakes Can't understand the dried fruit fascination at Christmas? Looking for something (anything) different for Christmas dessert? Coconut and Moo Moo 's Basque burnt cheesecakes come in original, Belgian chocolate, coconut mocha and matcha latté flavours, and for Christmas they've launched a limited edition with gold leaf on top - if you're into that kind of thing. They're delivering in Dublin on Christmas eve, or there's a collection in Sandyford on the 23rd. Order here . A Cheese Box From Iciar If you don't fancy a trip to your nearest cheesemonger for some slabs of their finest, there is an easier option. Iciar is a new Blackrock-based cheese venture by Parisian Julien Comte, who is living up to his birthname impressively. Everything is French, and options include the Paris box with five cheeses, the Lyon box with mixed cheese and charcuterie, and the Courchevel box, made for that Raclette machine in your stocking. Cheeses come beautifully presented so it's just a case of opening it up and popping it on the dinner table. The perfect option if you're tasked with providing the cheese for Christmas dinner, but also a great gift for the host. See the range here .

In part three of our ATF Christmas gift guide, we're looking at the best edible and drinkable gifts, because how better to say it (anything) than with food! Or wine. Or cocktails. Or stuff to eat them off and drink them out of. Here are our top picks for the year that's in it... Edible A Dolce Sicily Panettone Italian café Dolce Sicily are selling not one, not two, but seven different types of panettone this Christmas, from pistachio to chocolate, fruits of the forest to one that's supposed to resemble a volcano. Supermarket panettones might tick the box, but these are the ones to buy for someone special. Toonsbridge Cheese & Cracker Hamper Toonsbridge has plenty of different hamper options this season, but we love the cheese and cracker hamper - very affordable at €32, and who doesn’t love cheese?! The perfect hostess gift for any get-togethers, it comes with three cheeses, crackers and some chutney, and if that doesn't float your boat you can see their full selection of hampers here . Lilliput Christmas Hampers Our favourite food-filled treasure trove never disappoints at Christmas time, full to the brim of pantry favourites for your loved ones (and yourself). Lilliput Stores are running their annual Hamper Market for two weekends this December so you can potter down and pick up your favourites to create your own, or if you prefer them to do the work for you there are plenty of pre-selected hampers at varying price points available on their website . Hen's Teeth Hampers You can always count on Hen's Teeth to get you out of a last minute gift jam, they have all the cool stuff, and Christmas is no different. They have three hampers from €50 - €125, or you can make up your own, but we love the €50 'Ah you're very good' option, with Hey Yum gummies, a bottle of Craft Cocktails, Ocelot chocolate, Piccolo contemporary garden seeds, and a Clean Slate candle. They'll even let you swap out items for something else, which is very sound. Buy them here . An Olive Oil Tasting Club For the budding chef or general food obsessive in your life, Sarah and Olive's tasting club will deliver top class olive oil to them throughout the year (one every three months) along with tasting notes, food pairing suggestions and recipe ideas. Sign us up please. A Flavour Of The Boyne Valley The Boyne Valley seems to be Ireland's newest food destination, with growers, producers and makers everywhere you look. Boyne Valley Flavours have put together some great gift boxes at different price points featuring loads of local food companies, like Bán goat's cheese, Oriel sea salt and Bakealicious' Christmas puddings - it's like going on a food tour over Christmas, but not having to get dressed at any point. Buy them here . A Jam Selection Box If you know someone who loves jam as much as we love jam, this limited edition Christmas box of Irish Folláin jams and marmalade is the business. Featuring flavours like mulled wine and winter berry, Christmas spiced marmalade, and spiced Irish apple jelly, as well as two jam serving spoons (the spoon we never knew we needed), it's currently €25 reduced from €30, and it comes wrapped and ready to go under the tree. Buy it here . The N atural Bakery's Gingerbread House Perfect for the child (or adult) in your life who needs occupying over the Christmas season, this gingerbread house from The Natural Bakery comes either pre-constructed or to be assembled at home , but where's the fun in the first option? Weekl.ie Hamper Weekl.ie is another great spot to pick up a hamper containing so many of our favourite things, like Assassination Custard's piccalilli, Cocoa Atelier's cranberry marshmallows, and their own homemade cookies. They range from €35 for a small one to €145 for large, and you can order on their website . Drinkables Craft Cocktails Christmas Collection We could credit Craft Cocktails with getting us through a few lockdowns over the past 18 months - the zesty cocktails we ordered for our birthdays eased the sting of the fact that we were celebrating it on the couch...again. They've just added some festive flavours to their core range which is just another reason to place an order. The Yuletide Negroni, Gingerbread Punch and Festive Old Fashioned are available in a small 2-serve bottle for €12.50, or large 7-serve bottle for €35. They are available in over 20 independent retailers around Dublin or online . Boujee Booze Boujee Booze was set up by two best friends who worked in hospitality and just love food and wine. It shows in their online shop, which they would probably describe as "full of bangers" - and they'd be right. They've got gift sets ready to go with just wine, or wine and food, but the fun starts with their food pairings and recipe sections. Buy someone a bottle or six and they can go online and see what to cook or order with it. We'd suggest buying this for your other half so you can reap the rewards of all that experimentation. Vice Coffee's Espresso Martinis We loved Vice Coffee's Irish Coffee kits last year, but this year is all about the Espresso Martini. It's a bit of a faff to make at home, so these pre-made bottles with their house espresso, cacao infused Absolut Vodka & Kahlua are ideal - just decant into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake until your hand's about to fall off, and strain into a chilled glass. €25 buys you four serves and you can order them here . Kombucha Brewing Kit All About Kombucha are all about that gut health, and if you know someone who dreams of having a kitchen filled with scobies, this gut box is for them. They'll learn how to ferment tea (i.e. make kombucha), as well as pickle food, all intended to improve your gut, and the box contains everything they'll need to get started, including the scoby, jars and teabags. They also deliver nationwide. Ely Wine Club Know someone who wants to learn more about wine? Without actually picking up a book? Ely's 'Sommelier Selection' wine club sends out three or six bottles a month with a specific theme or from a particular region or variety, along with winemaking details, tasting notes and food pairings. Would also make a great 'gift to self' for getting through the past 18 months. Sign up here . Virgin Mary Christmas Kits If you’ve followed us for any length of time, you’ll know that we love a tipple or two (three?!), but the recent transformation in the non-alcoholic market has had us reaching for the Seedlip on more than one occasion when we start to feel thirsty. The Virgin Mary Bar is one of our favourite spots to go when we want a cocktail sans hangover, and they've put together a few kits for the non-drinkers amongst us. This would be an amazing gift for a tee-totaller, but it’s also just a very handy collection to add to the bar cart alongside the usual spirits. Christmas Kits range from €40 to €450 but their online shop also has a variety of drinks available by the bottle. Take a look here . Stuff To Eat And Drink With Fermoyle Pottery If you've been lucky enough to nab a table in Ichigo Ichie or Allta you've definitely admired their uniquely beautiful tableware. Fermoyle Pottery is where the best of the best go to complete the experience they're creating for their customers, and for good reason. Hand-thrown and hand-built, each piece is one of a kind, making them even more special. The Christmas webshop opened on December 5th so move quickly if you want to nab something special. Note's Glassware We can't stop staring at this glassware from Kinto , Japan, available at new wine bar Note on Fenian Street. When you're there you can drink out of it at the Bureau in the morning, then take some home to put under the tree. Loose Canon Wine Glasses The Loose Canon swimming pool glasses have been the camera subject of practically everyone who's visited since the summer, and now they've made them available for purchase. They're €50 for a set of six and are collection only, because they ain't putting glass in the post - wise. There's an Instagram story highlight here with more information. You can find our other gift guides here: Part 1 - Cookbooks, memoirs and classes Part 2 - Experiences and subscriptions Part 4 - Gadgets and stocking fillers

In part two of our ATF Christmas gift guide, we've rounded up some of the experiences and subscriptions we'd like to find under the tree this year. We're all trying to limit how much 'stuff' we have, and studies every year show that consumers increasingly value experiences more than physical items, so considering classes, tours and food-based breaks away is always a good idea, and the subscriptions are all consumable, so minimal waste and clutter will be created in the giving of these gifts. Experiences A Stay At The Wicklow Escape Save this one for someone you really love, and maybe book yourself a slot too because fair's fair. This site was previously The Elbowroom Escape, a well known yoga retreat, but The Wicklow Escape is a brand new destination with fêted Northern Irish chef Danni Barry running the kitchen. The food is the main event but the grounds and accommodation don’t let the side down either. This is somewhere to relax and be fully taken care of from the minute you walk through the door, with all of your meals taken care of, from wood-fired dinners to picnics in the woods. There are different experiences available and stays start at €246 per person, but vouchers from €50 are available and they now accept Blue Book vouchers too. Find out more here . River Run Ferments Fermenting is a life skill that we could all benefit from, and who wouldn't love having pickles, sauerkraut or kombucha in the fridge, ready for flavour emergencies. River Run Ferments run fermentation workshops on drinks (kombucha, ginger bug, water kefir, and plant milk kefir), kombucha and kraut, and sourdough bread-making to name a few, and there's even a class on making koji, miso and amazake for the fermentationally advanced. You can book January classes now on their website . A Slane Food Circle Tour The Boyne Valley in Meath is full of passionate food producers and growers, and the Slane Food Circle tour is a brilliant way to get a (literal) taste of what's happening there. The fully guided tour provides the opportunity to meet four local food producers at Rock Farm, Mullagha Goat Farm, Newgrange Gold Oils, and The Cider Mill, and try their products while they tell you all about what goes into making them. With access to working farms and a tasting plate to top it all off, this would be a brilliant day out for anyone interested in learning more about where their favourite foods come from. Take a look at the full package here . Howth Foraging Trip We've been watching Nicole Dunne's foraging tours in Howth for a while now and are amazed at the colours and varieties of plants, berries and mushrooms she's been unearthing in North Dublin. Her foraging trips involve identifying and collecting wild foods, learning what plants are edible and which have medicinal benefits, followed by a cookery lesson and lunch, for €50 pp. Tours change with the seasons, and up to date information on what's coming up can be found on her Facebook page. She sells gift vouchers too, perfect for the wannabe forager in your life this Christmas. Delicious Dublin Tours Ketty Quigley comes from the Loire Valley in France but has made Dublin her home. She's also made knowing the best places to eat and drink in the city her business, and has been running Delicious Dublin food tours for a number of years to showcase the best the city has to offer. An afternoon spent walking around Dublin, stopping at award-winning eateries and food shops in the city to taste some delicious food, would be right up the street of any food-loving friend or family member, and tours are €62, including the food along the way. Find out more information and book here . Subscriptions ATF Insiders A shameless plug perhaps but a subscription to ATF Insiders is a brilliant gift for someone interested in keeping up with the hottest news, openings and events on the Dublin scene. Insiders get automatically entered into our nine monthly giveaways for restaurant vouchers, gourmet breaks and food gifts, and get exclusive invites to our events, as well as access to our writers' knowledge bank for any questions about where, what and when to eat. It's the gift that keeps on giving for just €4 a month or €44 a year, and we'll send a postcard welcoming them to the club either by email or in the post. Find out more here . Calendar Coffee Calendar Coffee are a seasonal roastery in Galway. This means the coffees and origins they work with are always changing, depending on which countries are harvesting and the coffees that tastes best that month. Their subscription service starts from €16 a month and is tailored to each person's tastes and needs. Read more about it and sign up here . GIY Grow Box Have a wannabe gardener in your life? Sign them up for a GROWBox from GIY in Waterford. These guys are so passionate about getting people to grow their own that it's infectious, and their seasonal subscription (89.99) involves four deliveries a year of seeds, pots, compost discs, growing guides and plant labels. It starts in early Spring with tomatoes, chillies, beetroot and lettuce, and ends in Autumn with rocket, Oriental greens, radishes and spinach, and dedicated green fingers will end up with a lot of homegrown produce for that initial investment. See more and order here . Molly Baz Recipe Club Chefs are changing the way they interact with their followers and Molly Baz , a veteran of the Bon Appetit test kitchen, is a case in point. While she published her first cookbook earlier this year she has also launched a Patreon-backed Recipe Club which you can join for €4.50 per month. Her cookbook is a joy, both recipe-wise and aesthetically, and we have no doubt that her weekly recipes which she sends exclusively to Recipe Club members will be no different. Sign yourself or someone else up here . Bean & Goose Chocolate We don’t know anyone who doesn’t love chocolate, and if they’re out there we don’t want to know them. Wexford-based Bean and Goose is the best around, made with sustainable ingredients and hand-tempered on marble slabs. Subscriptions are available in 3 month, 6 months and 12 month options and the recipient will get two 70g bars of chocolate each month. Find out more here . The Little Cheese Shop What is life without cheese? Sad, that's what. You can ensure that someone you love won't run out of cheese for months with The Little Cheese Shop 's monthly cheese subscription. Each month the Dingle based shop sends out generous portions of four Irish cheeses, crackers and a chutney (€38), and while it's certainly limiting to stick to just cheese from this island, it will open your eyes to just how many wondrous wheels of beauty are being made from Irish cows, goats and sheep. Deliciously educational, and one best saved for someone you live with, for obvious reasons. Sign up here . Bean Delivered Bean Delivered deliver coffee from a different Irish roaster to your door each month, ensuring you never run out (depending on how much you drink), and get to discover who your favourites on the Irish coffee scene are. A three-month subscription is €65 and a six-month €115, and you can add a keep cup for another €15. The first delivery from Christmas orders will arrive in the first week of January, and you can see more and sign up here . Interested in giving the gift of cookbooks, memoirs and subscriptions this year? See part one of our Christmas gift guide here .

It’s that time of year again - fighting through the masses in town and wading through Black Friday deals online. It’s a tricky business and rarely a good time, so luckily for you we have done the hard graft and put together some of the best options for your food-loving friends, family and partners. Avoid the trepidation as they unwrap that perfume and body wash set you bought them in the pharmacy - will they love it? Spoiler alert - they won’t. Here are some of our favourite food related gifts that will be sure to wow them on Christmas day. First up - cookbooks, memoirs and cookery classes. Cookbooks and Memoirs Taste: My Life Through Food, Stanley Tucci We’re sure we’re not the only ones to fall a little bit in love with Stanley Tucci after the viral video of him calmly making his signature ‘quarantucci’ cocktail during lockdown. He was the cool, suave escape we all needed at a difficult time. Stanley has two cookbooks under his belt, and while this book does have some recipes throughout, it is actually a memoir of his life both in and out of the kitchen. As an instant New York Times Bestseller, this is sure to be under a lot of trees this Christmas. Find it your local book store, but we also found it online in case you can't get there. Growing Up In A Nyonya Kitchen, Sharon Wee ' Growing up in a Nyonya Kitchen ' was first published in 2012, but is being republished again this month after a scandal involving London-based chef Elizabeth Haigh, who has been accused of plagiarism in her cookbook 'Makan', which was pulled from shelves in October. Nyonya cuisine emanated from Malaysia and has influences from Chinese, Malay, Javanese and South Indian cooking, and the original has recipes for nasi biryani, curry puffs and pineapple tarts, as well as endearing stories from Wee's childhood and her mother's cooking. Buy it here . To Asia With Love, Hetty McKinnon Hetty McKinnon made a name through her community kitchen in Sydney where she earned the nickname ‘Salad Lady’. Her first three books follow this theme of salads, but her most recent book, To Asia with Love, takes a different approach and focuses on the food she grew up with. While this book isn’t hot off the press (it actually released in 2020), it is one of the most used cookbooks on our shelf and a perfect gift for someone interested in everyday Asian cooking. We haven’t spotted this in many Irish book stores but you can get it on Book Depository . Jew-ish, Jake Cohen We first came across this book when Cohen did an episode of The Sporkful podcast , and loved his stories of merging his Jewish food (based on Eastern European cooking) and his new husband's (based on Middle Eastern cooking), particularly the part about how quickly the women of the family accepted him when he asked if he could learn from them in the kitchen. The book is a mix of recipes spanning it all, with some up to date twists from Cohen, and while we're struggling to find ingredients like Matzo ball mix and amba in Dublin shops, there's plenty in here to make from what's readily available. We've earmarked the challah for some Christmas baking. Buy it here . The Blasta Books Collection, Various This quarterly collection of cookbooks came about through a Kickstarter created by publisher Kristen Jensen. The fundraising target was smashed, showing the enthusiasm for the cookbooks written by some familiar faces from the Irish food industry, like Lily Ramirez-Foran from Picado, and Eoin Cluskey from Bread 41. We would also buy the books purely for the beautiful illustrations by Nicky Hooper, and we were lucky enough to nab one of her pantry prints during the Kickstarter. You can pick one up here for €15, or splash out on the collection of four for €50. And For Mains, Gaz Smith & Rick Higgins It’s no secret that we (along with most people in Dublin!) are big fans of Michael’s in Mount Merrion, and this might be our chance to re-create some of our favourite dishes at home. Gaz Smith has paired up with his friend and butcher Rick Higgins to create a self-published book combining Gaz’s famous seafood recipes with Rick’s knowledge of meat and butchery. This is one for your carnivorous friend who loves a bit of a weekend project, and hopefully they’ll invite you over to taste the end result. The book can be found online and is also stocked in Higgins Butchers in Sutton and Michael’s. Heartburn, Nora Ephron This is an oldie but we recently discovered that Meryl Streep reads the audiobook, which made us appreciate its greatness once more. It's really a story of a marriage breakup, but it's interspersed with so many food anecdotes and recipes that we were hooked on a few levels. The fact that it's semi-autobiographical, based on the breakdown of her own marriage to Carl Bernstein makes it all the more gripping. Find it in Gutter Book Shop or Dubray Books . Cooking Classes Sourdough Bread Classes, Bread 41 No introduction needed for this business - if you haven’t had a chance to physically visit Bread 41 's café you have surely drooled over their pastries on their social media. They hold regular three-hour evening courses so it’s perfect for someone who dabbled in the sourdough trend during lockdown, and who would be interested in learning more. Participants will leave the class with their own sourdough starter and some of Bread 41’s own bread recipes. Hands-on courses ranging from €130-€150 per person depending on the number of people in the class and can be booked here . Indian Cooking Class, Rasam For something a bit different, Rasam in Glasthule village runs demo style classes where participants will watch their dinner being made while they learn about different types of spices, traditional Indian cooking methods, and have an opportunity to pick the chefs brain about anything they please. At the end, you get to enjoy the results with a two-course meal. This class needs a minimum of six people, so this would be a great option for a group gift instead of the normal kris kindle. Classes are €60 per person including your meal and they will send you off with some of their own spices to cook with at home. More information here . Silk Road, Kimmage Silk Road Café in the Chester Beatty Library is one of our favourite hideaways in the city for a relaxed lunch in a gorgeous location. They also run a cookery school in Kimmage, offering one of the most wide ranging class schedules we’ve seen - they’re all Mediterranean or Middle Eastern inspired but vary from ‘Vegan Mezze’ to ‘Moroccan Tagine’ to ‘All Things Kofta’. The hands-on classes are all €65 and would be perfect for a vegetarian or vegan friend, but they cater for all. See the full range of classes online . Dublin Cookery School Dublin Cookery School holds over 100 cookery classes a year in their Blackrock cookery school, from pasta making to handmade tacos, cooking for friends to classes just for the guys. There are evening and weekend classes, and you can buy gift vouchers on their website . See the upcoming calendar here . Pinocchio Italian Cookery School Pinocchio restaurant in Temple Bar do a sideline in Italian cookery classes several times a month. As you'd imagine, handmade pasta and pizza feature a lot, but there are 2022 classes focused on recipes from Rome, a full Tuscan dinner, and even a couple's Valentine's Day class where you'll prepare a three-course meal with your other half while sipping Italian wine. If you don't want to pick the class you can buy vouchers for one, two or three classes, and you can see what's coming up here . Howth Castle Cookery School Based in the original 18th Century Georgian kitchen in Howth Castle, this cookery school does cooking classes for no more than 10 people with topics from simple fish suppers, to nutritious family food, to DIY sushi. The setting is beautiful, and there are classes for every experience level. Gift vouchers are available on their website , and you can see what's coming up here . Teach Scoile, The Happy Tummy Co. The founder of Happy Tummy Co. Karen O’Donoghue caught our attention with an impassioned post about the true value (and cost) of the food we eat and the investments we should be making to nourish our bodies with the best we can afford. Her bakes (including her ‘magic poo bread’ for €25 a loaf - we’ll leave that with you to investigate more) are available to sample in her cafe and workshop in Westport and to buy online, but we're mostly intrigued by her ‘Bread as Medicine’ course. This would be a great gift for anyone tuned into what they put into their body and the ways in which we can use food to improve our health. A full day class costs €180 per person and includes drinks, lunch and some low intervention wine at the end of the day. It's in Mayo so if Dublin based they'll probably want to work in an overnight stay but all the more fun. Check it out here . Ballymaloe Cookery School Online Attending a week-long course in Ballymaloe Cookery School is a dream of many foodies, including ourselves, but unfortunately for us our budget doesn’t quite stretch that far. Until it does, we can make do with their online cookery school to get live demos from some well known faces including Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen. You can choose a one-off online class for €60 or splash out on a yearly membership for €500. Take a look at their offering here . Interested in giving experiences and subscriptions this year? See part two of our Christmas gift guide here .

Natural wine has gained a surge in popularity in Ireland lately, and we are here for it. The philosophy behind natural wine is simple: nothing additional should be added - except naturally occurring sulphites - and nothing should be removed, which is why you often end up with grainy sediment at the base of your last glass. Whether you see yourself as a connoisseur of biodynamics or have simply dabbled with an Austrian orange, then, oh boy, do we have the places for you. Note, Dublin 2 Note has barely reached its toddler phase, and bookings are already being snapped up at the speed of light. This gorgeous new space comes complete with a buzzing atmosphere and wines by the glass, the bottle, and our personal favourite: the magnum. Order the Ageno by La Stoppa and all the snacks and thank us later. The full restaurant menu is due to start in December. Table Wine, Dublin 8 Kevin Powell and Brian O’Keefe signaled the departure of famed brunch spot Meet Me In The Morning, much to public outcry, but have mitigated it somewhat with the arrival of brand new wine bar Table Wine . Open from Wednesday through ‘til Saturday, their new setup will combine a mix of local produce with some of the best natural wines on the market. They're not currently taking bookings but we're hoping that changes soon. Fish Shop, Dublin 7 We have been singing the good word of Fish Shop from day one, but natural wine lovers need to get in on their Monday Wine Club, where they pick a selection of bottles to serve by the glass at half their usual price. Their latest rendition consisted of a Jura takeover, and we heard through the grapevine that attendees enjoyed a taste of some EXTRA special and much sought after wines, limited to 50ml per person as quantities were so limited. Keep an eye on their Instagram feed for what's coming up each week. Margadh, Howth and Dublin 2 Margadh has branched out from its roots in Howth to overseeing the restaurant space at the RHA gallery, so city folk can finally get a taste of the goods. Their Croque Monsieur is a thing of beauty oozing with bechamel, ham and mustard, and the Arndorfer Grüner Veltliner is the perfect bottle for sharing. If you're feeling spendy pick up a bottle of Laherte Frères grower Champagne. It's worth the price tag. Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8 Killian Walsh and the Hen’s Teeth crew have been churning out some of the most aesthetic and appetising dishes that we’ve clocked our eyes on recently. Equally as eye-popping is their extensive selection of natural wines with some of the big hitters in the industry, including Frantz Saumon and DB Schmitt. Order a glass from the menu, or head to the shelves and check out the bottles for yourself. The Fumbally, Dublin 8 The Fumbally has transitioned from being the best coffee and brunch spot in Dublin 8 to becoming a neighbourhood grocery kitted out with McNally’s veg, Sheridans’ cheese and lots of tasty condiments and treats. We've missed their dinners, but they should be making a comeback in early 2022. In the meantime you can drink wine by the glass until 17:00. Loose Canon, Dublin 2 Wine shop/bar Loose Canon on Drury Street is a one-stop shop for all of your natural wine needs, with juice by the likes of Claus Preisinger, Gabrio Bini, Milan Nestarec and loads more. We highly recommend picking up the Triple Rose by Ballylisk while you’re there, and you can't leave without a toastie. Frank's, Dublin 2 Frank’s originally started as an intimate neighbourhood restaurant serving small plates but has since evolved into a bottle shop and natural wine bar selling everything from Aroa’s Le Naturel (a good entry point into natural wine) to Meinklang’s delicious Prosa. The team certainly know their stuff, so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation, and if you’re based beyond The Pale, Frank’s also deliver nationwide. Piglet, Dublin 2 Hidden away on Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar, Piglet has garnered a reputation as the place the hospitality industry (and the rest) go to drink good wine. Tables are only available outdoors (due to the pandemic), but it is worth layering up and grabbing a table under the heaters to experience the list. Try a glass of the Garganega Riva Arsiglia by Menti Giovanni, and before you know it, you might end up ordering the whole bottle. 64 Wine, Glasthule Based at 64 Glasthule Road, 64 Wine is an award-winning wine bar and deli specialising in artisan wines from a wide variety of small winemakers, and all of the natural big hitters are here (and have been for years). Currently they have four tables outside on the terrace (Monday - Saturday) and have limited tables indoors from 17:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, when you can drink anything off the shelves for €15 corkage. From Monday - Thursday it's a more casual affair with sandwiches and pastries, and no - that's right, no - corkage charge if you want to drink a bottle outside. Reservations for indoor seating are essential and can be booked here . The Wine Pair, Dublin 8 Despite launching only three months before the pandemic erupted in Ireland, Canice and Mags McKee survived the storm and continued serving and selling wines to locals in Dublin 8. Though The Wine Pair 's wine list is extensive, the menu is minimal, but perfect for accompanying a bottle between friends. You can drink any wine off the shelf for €10 but get there on a Sunday to avail of free corkage. Amy Austin, Dublin 2 A relative newcomer on the block, Amy Austin had a stop-start opening last December before having to close their doors once again due to the restrictions put in place by the Irish Government. We firmly believe it was worth the wait. Led by the team behind Dillinger’s, 777 and The Butcher’s Grill, Amy Austin pairs contemporary cuisine with an eclectic mix of wines on tap and by the bottle. Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 2 The Exchequer Street Cellar beneath Fallon & Byrne has served as a fantastic resource for wine lovers since its inception in 2006. Today, over 300 wines grace their shelves from all corners of the globe. Dublin might be quiet from Sunday - Tuesday, but the cellar transforms into a hive of activity when thrifty drinkers flock there to take advantage of their €1 corkage. More Options For Takeaway If you’re looking for takeout rather than drink in, you can also check out Pete’s Provisions in Raheny, Lennox Street Grocer in Portobello, Neighbourhood Wine on Leeson Street and in Dun Laoghaire, Brindle Coffee & Wine (will be doing drink in soon), and our longtime favourite Green Man Wines , who will reopen their brilliant instore wine bar in early 2022. Chin chin.

Things have started very early this year, with the first sightings of turkey, stuffing and ham sandwiches appearing at the start of November. In previous times this would have been considered heresy, unthinkable, we're barely past Halloween for God's sake - but these days we'll take our joy where we can find it, and these five sandwiches look like a whole lot of joy... 1) The Santa Baby From Goat's Gruff Drive through coffee shop Goat's Gruff were first off the mark this year with the return of their "Santa Baby" in the second week of November. We can think of no better reason to get in a car this week than their sourdough ciabatta with baked ham, turkey, stuffing, brie and cranberry sauce. Grab a coffee, head for the Phoenix Park and have yourself a lovely winter picnic. Plus plenty of miles to walk this monster off afterwards. 2) Greenville Deli's Christmas Special Good news for anyone eyeing up Greenville Deli 's Christmas special of carved roast turkey, maple glazed ham, homemade herby stuffing, cranberry sauce and mustard mayo on sourdough. You can not only get it in their Inchicore café, but also in the cafés they supply sandwiches to, like Bua in Drumcondra, Surge in Clontarf and Grounded in Clonskeagh. 3) The Honey Truffle Festive Sandwich At the risk of sounding like a Docklands builder with a dirty mouth, look at the cranberries on that - there's no fear of a dry turkey mouth with this one. Honey Truffle 's festive sandwich features home baked Irish ham, roast turkey, sage and thyme caramelised onion sourdough stuffing, ruby cranberry and port sauce, and mayo on Firehouse Bakery's sourdough. We're coming for you. 4) The Turkey, Stuffing & Cranberry From Provider Provider in Harold's Cross are going simple but effective with their turkey, stuffing and cranberry sambo - one for when you won't have the opportunity to retire to bed for a few hours after lunch. 5) The Christmas Sandwich From Hush The Hush Christmas sandwich is back in Rathmines, with turkey, glazed ham, herby stuffing, homemade gravy and cranberry sauce on toasted sourdough. If you don't want it toasted we're sure they'll oblige, but either way you may want to wear loose fitting pants for this one.

As winter gets closer and the nights get darker earlier, the colours around town are just getting more vivid! Here are the five bright and beautiful things we want to eat in Dublin this week... 1) Mackerel Tartare With Sour Cream And Waffles At Bastible Cold weather gives us strong Nordic vibes, and clearly Bastible are feeling it too by the looks of this sharing dish from their current menu. Mackerel tartare comes with preserved gooseberry & red meat radishes, smoked sour cream, Goatsbridge trout roe and glazed buttermilk waffles. Not sure we've ever wanted anything more. 2) Stuffed Calamari With Romanesco At Grano Trust Grano in Stoneybatter to bring the sunshine whatever the weather. This current dish of stuffed calamari comes with romanesco, red pepper mayonnaise, spicy sardella emulsion, and baked olive breadcrumbs, and they recommend a glass of their Calabrian Greco Bianco to go with it. We're willing to take one for the team. 3) Cauliflower Overload At Shouk What Shouk does with vegetables is nothing short of a modern miracle, and the latest addition to the menu is this dish of cauliflower (three different types) on a labaneh, tahini and amba (like a mango pickle) sauce. We're quietly confident that it's going to taste as incredible as everything else on the menu. 4) Scallop Ceviche At Dax Who says ceviche's just for summer? These words would literally never leave our mouths, so we're very happy to see that Dax have added this starter of Celtic sea scallop ceviche with dashi, créme fraiche and dillisk. 5) Too Savage Special From Coke Lane Pizza We're all trying to eat less meat, and while we'd generally rather eat vegetables than fake meat, we're really liking the look of Coke Lane 's new collab with Too Savage mayos. The marinara comes topped with plant-based pepperoni, pickled red jalapeños and cashew ricotta, and it's served with Too Savage's smoked garlic mayo. Meat or no meat, that sounds like a hell of a lot of flavour.

Did somebody say…. ‘Christmas’?! We know, we know, we’re barely past Halloween, but there’s no denying it – the lights are up, the nights are setting in, and if you don’t have your Christmas dinners booked, give these places a ring… (introducing the ATF jingle). We LOVE Christmas, but it can be a tricky time to eat out, especially as most restaurants introduce a set menu for the month. We get it. Most of the bookings are big groups, some who don't eat out very often and might be happy with a starter and a G+T, and it makes it easier for the kitchen during a non-stop month, but it can be inhibiting (and annoying) to be forced into spending more than you wanted, and commit to multiple courses every time you eat out. So, we've rounded up a few of our favourite places where it's business as normal right up until Christmas Eve. Grano, Stoneybatter One of the best places in Dublin for fresh pasta, Grano is forgoing the set menu and offering its à la carte menu throughout the month. The premises is small and busy so get in touch with them as soon as possible to get a Christmas booking. They’re also closing from December 22nd to give their team a well needed break so bear that in mind too. Read more in our once over here . Bistro One, Foxrock This longstanding establishment in Foxrock village has been a local’s favourite for years, but more recently with the arrival of the owner’s son Rory Shannon in the kitchen, Bistro One has gotten the attention of the wider city. This is a bistro menu with a twist - traditional steak and guinness pie alongside lasagne fritti (which we regularly salivate over when it pops up on Instagram). Apart from their Sunday lunch menu which is always set, they’ll be running their à la carte menu throughout the season. Read our once over here . Volpe Nera, Blackrock Volpe Nera is another suburban spot who describe themselves as casual and cosy, but their food is way more refined than the average - wherever you live it's worth a trip to Blackrock. Owner/head chef Barry Sun is an Etto veteran and he has managed to emulate the same relaxed vibe with excellent food, and *those* hash potatoes. Read our Volpe Nera once over here . Token In our opinion Token might be the perfect place for a Christmas night out with your work crew – catch up over a burger or tenders (both with vegan versions available) and then battle out any office tensions in the arcade – win win! Rosa Madre Rosa Madre were busy over the lockdown introducing their packaged fresh pastas which you’ve probably seen in specialty food shops across the county, but they’re back open and offering their normal à la carte menu for the silly season. This Italian menu puts seafood prominently on their menu, has an extensive wine list and there’s always a fun atmosphere in their dining room. Soup One and Soup Two Our favourite ramen place, Soup is making things simple for us this Christmas and keeping their menus in Dun Laoghaire and Smithfield as standard for the season. The perfect place for a fun dinner with friends, and a break from the traditional meat and two veg that we’ll all be sick of by mid-December. Their excellent playlists set the scene for the night and make sure you don’t miss out on their small but perfectly formed cocktail list. Read our once over here . Michael's & Little Mike's December bookings for sister restaurants Michael's and Little Mike's in Mount Merrion opened last week, so we advise you to move quickly to secure a table. They've got some of the freshest seafood in town and their signature seafood platters are the stuff of dreams. A few of these for the table alongside some delicious wine and you have yourselves the perfect Christmas night out. M & L Chinese Sichuan restaurant M&L off O’Connell Street has become a bit of an institution over the years with many claiming it as the best Chinese food in the city. Their menu is extensive, so we recommend you stick to the Chef’s recommendation, or be adventurous and order a traditional Hot Pot, and for God's sake don’t forget an order of stir-fried French green beans for the table. As an added plus, their corkage is only €5 so you can bring festive wines and drink them at comparatively discount prices. Read our M&L once over here . Rita's Pizza is always a good idea and Rita's is sure to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters in your group. Delicious, affordable and right in the centre of Ranelagh – this is the spot to kick off a big night out. Big Fan Bao From our recent sold-out takeovers of this place, it’s clear that there's a lot of love for Big Fan Bao from both the meat-eaters and the veggies among us. You may have come across their at-home kits during the lockdown but now’s the time to get in there and work your way through the menu. They serve mostly small plates at decent value so a great opportunity to try a bit of everything if you’re with a group. Read our once over here . Featherblade So technically Featherblade are doing a set menu for diners from 4pm, but their lunch slot is à la carte so this is the perfect place if you’re angling for a daytime session. With such a central location, this is a great place to meet some friends for a special steak lunch (with all the sides) before finishing your Christmas shopping or checking out the windows all dolled up. Or just heading for a mini pub crawl. Hakkahan, Stoneybatter One of most recent once overs takes the final spot and we’re glad to see Hakkahan in Stoneybatter haven’t succumbed to set menu madness. They'll be sticking with their à la carte menu, including dumplings, chilli and salt squid, and Thai basil Silverhill duck. Please try the black pepper short rib of beef for us - it wasn't on when we visited and clearly we're still not over it. Read our once over here . And finally, if you’re a smaller group, try one of these places who only have set menus in place for larger parties: Shouk (set for 10 or more), Asador (set for 10 or more), l'Gueuleton (set for 8 or more), Spitalfields (set for 8 or more), Drury Buildings (set for 8 or more), Hang Dai (set for 7 or more).

Bars, restaurants and dating in person are back with a bang, and gone are the days of aimless ambles around the streets of Dublin in a bid to get to know a prospective partner. You both swiped right and managed to secretly verify one another through social media - now comes the time to assess your compatibility, and what better way to size someone up than through what they put in their stomach. Judgey? Us? Note Wine Bar, Dublin 2 Put your date’s natural wine knowledge to the test with a visit to new kid on the block Note . The shelves are stacked with bottles by some of the best producers, from Austrian Gut Oggau to renowned French winemaker Patrick Bouju. The full Bureau menu is yet to launch, but chef Essa Fakhry (formerly of 777 and Amy Austin) has designed a short spread of snacks made to be shared - quickly if you're not clicking. Read more about Note here . The Big Romance, Dublin 1 Meeting someone in real life for the first time can be daunting. However, The Big Romance have designed a dark and dim but inviting space to put those fears at bay. It boasts a spectacular selection of records from David Kitt (the inspiration behind the name) and Aphex Twin, combined with an extensive menu of Irish and international beers from Whiplash to Lervig. If you feel peckish, you can order a bowl of the Nocellara olives or share a gloriously cheesy Quattro pizza made and delivered by One Society . 1661 Bar, Dublin 1 Cocktails were so hot during the pandemic that the bartenders behind the Irish Craft Cocktails brand have now opened a cocktail factory in Dublin 7, Cuckoo Lane, to compliment their original Bar 1661 . The bartenders undoubtedly put on a show as they shake, stir, and serve, which acts as the perfect antidote to any awkward silences that might emerge. We recommend a cheese plate washed down by their house cocktail aptly named Green Street. The Virgin Mary Bar, Dublin 1 Of course, first dates aren’t all about booze; The Virgin Mary Bar has curated a menu using the finest alcohol-free spirits mixed with ingredients like fungi, adaptogens (herbal pharmaceuticals) and botanicals. The concept has become so successful that proprietor Anna Walsh and the TMV team are now preparing for their international debut in Abu Dhabi. Pair your mocktail with a Malaysian dish from neighbouring restaurant Kopitiam . A Stór Café, based in Soup, Smithfield, Dublin 7 We don’t expect you to break out terms of endearment on the very first date, but the Irish word for my treasure or my love might become a term to remember if sparks fly over coffee and cake at A Stór. Founders, Andrew and Jack, retain this Irishness by supporting and serving local roasters, including Bailies, Farmhand and Upside, and if the date goes well, you can stick around for dinner and a drink in Soup . But maybe don’t order the ramen, it might get messy. Margadh At The RHA, Dublin 2 The exit through the gift shop strategy usually means that museums and galleries end up with a bog standard café that masquerades itself as cultured through its association with visual art, but the RHA and, more recently, the Hugh Lane, are changing that. Break the ice by being immersed in contemporary art and pop into Margadh for a cheese selection and two glasses of the Prazo de Roriz red afterwards. Fish Shop, Dublin 7 Is there anything better than a salty aphrodesiac on your first date? Aside from the Kelly gigas oysters, Fish Shop serve up a feast of seafood with one of the best wine menus on the northside. Straight up fish and chips is always a winner but we dare you to take it a step further and order the whole baked fish which comes with chips and tartare to share. If the date’s successful, plan a visit to their sister restaurant in Tramore for your first anniversary. Vice, Wigwam, Dublin 1 Baby, it’s cold outside, and if those first-date fireworks aren’t quite doing the trick, head to Vice in Wigwam for a toasty Irish coffee. Tom and the Vice team have created modernised versions of this old classic with the Plain Jane, the Luxurious Linda, and the award-winning Fancy Frankie made with a drop of Teeling Small Batch and lashings of espresso. Loose Canon, Dublin 2 Yes, we just mentioned it’s cold outside, but the people-watching from Loose Canon just cannot be beaten. Get there before their acclaimed toasties sell out and indulge in some gloriously cheesy goodness with wines by the glass (or the bottle). Disclaimer: it is very likely that you will get spotted by a pal but it’s worth it. Vietnom, Dublin 7 Sometimes a first date is best spent with a pint of plain and some casual conversation. Thankfully, The Glimmer Man in Stoneybatter pour a perfect pint to enjoy in one of their cosy snugs. To keep ravenous bellies at bay, Milly and Alex from Vietnom churn out the tastiest Vietnamese small plates onsite, but be sure to order one of everything so that you don’t get food envy. Small plates are also a great way to find out if your date shares food - a deal breaker obviously. Where do you bring fellow foodies on a first date? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

We might not be American, but that doesn't mean we can't piggyback on their holidays. After all, they've taken "St Patty's Day" and made it their own haven't they (sigh). Here's where you can get involved with turkey day in Dublin... 1) The Merrion Hotel's Thanksgiving Menu For the plushest, no work needed option, head to The Merrion for their Thanksgiving menu, which is available from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th November. Start with New England clam chowder (€15), follow it up with turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, pumpkin crush with marshmallows, chestnut purée, brussel sprouts and cranberry sauce (€28.50), and finish with glazed pecan pie with Bourbon vanilla ice-cream (€15), all in five-star surroundings. To book email dining@merrionhotel.com or call them on 01 6030608. 2) Fallon & Byrne's Take Home Thanksgiving Dinner If you want to celebrate at home, Fallon & Byrne have a full meal for two available to take home in oven-ready trays with cooking instructions from their chefs. It's €35 and includes turkey breast, cranberry sauce, mashed potato, steamed green vegetables, maple roasted sweet potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, turkey gravy, and two individual pumpkin pies for dessert. It's available from Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th, and can be ordered here . 3) La Cocina Cuevas' Thanksgiving Tacos La Cocina Cuevas , the taco shack in the Naul, North County Dublin, wouldn't let something like Thanksgiving go by without throwing a few specials on the menu. Head north on the 25th and you'll be rewarded with turkey in mole rojo tacos, and three sisters tacos with spiced butternut squash and creamy pinto beans. 4) The Butcher Grill The Butcher Grill in Ranelagh is another place to head for if you want Thanksgiving dinner at home without any of the preparation. They'll give you dinner for two (€75) or four (€150), with instructions on how to heat and serve, including turkey crown, stuffing, mash potatoes, gravy, green beans with shallot butter, cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie for dessert. It's pre-order only for collection on Wednesday 24th, and you can add on cocktails too - why wouldn't you. Order here . 5) Beer Tasting and American Food at 57 The Headline Dublin City Brewing 's November tasting club just happens to fall on Thanksgiving, so it would be rude not to run with it. They've decided to collaborate with Michter's American Whiskey for a beer and whiskey tasting, with food from 57 The Headline. Tickets are €60 for two people and includes all tastings, as well a Thanksgiving themed food platter for two featuring Michter's sour mash glazed ribs, chicken wings, twice cooked fries, corn on the cob, Frank's & blue cheese dip and Michter's bourbon truffles to finish. It starts at 19:00 and you can get tickets here .

Dublin has a new wine bar as of 17:00 this evening, and we're staking a claim that this is the most exciting new opening for Dublin since before the virus we shall not name. The guys behind Note on Fenian Street (a four-minute walk from Pearse Street Station, in the building that previously housed Probus Wines) describe it as a 'Bar, Bistro and Bureau', and the space is unlike anywhere else in the city. Major London/Copenhagen/Parisian wine bar vibes. It's owned by brothers Essa (previously head chef at 777 and Amy Austin ) and Ahmad Fakhry (Creative Designer at AB Projects who are behind spaces like Hen's Teeth and Bastible , and now Note), as well as Andy Collins, who owns upscale lifestyle store and café Indigo and Cloth in Temple Bar. It's managed by Katie Seward (formerly at Neighbourhood Wine , Forest & Marcy and Brawn in London), and from what we've seen of the wine list so far we're planning on being in here a lot. The team say they want Note to be a fun place to share a bottle with friends, a mix of old favourites and new producers, but most importantly they're going to serve what they love to drink. They'll have 10 wines by the glass that rotate weekly, and nothing's off limits - the more dynamic and interesting the better. Expect a big focus on natural, as well as some big hitters for those with cash to splash. Note will start with the wine bar opening this evening, the bureau will follow soon - they'll be open during the day for specialty coffee, pastries and some high end retail - and the bistro should be open by the start of December. Until then they'll have bar snacks like olives, charcuterie and cheese. They describe the forthcoming bistro as a "place to eat delicious, seasonal dishes that take influence from Parisian bistros, Copenhagen wine bars and a collective ambition to offer the best produce in a fresh and unexpected way." A reservations system will be live shortly via their website , but they're going to keep daily space for walk ins, so consider that minute panic of "where should we go for a glass of wine with no booking" answered. Follow Note on Instagram here . Note 26 Fenian Street, Dublin 2 www.notedublin.com

Listen, we're still on the pumpkin buzz, it's absolutely everywhere, and honestly we're not even remotely sick of it. It's all going to change to turkey sandwiches and deep-fried brussels sprouts in a few weeks, so we're going to continue to gaze at gourds while we still can... 1) Squash, Goat's Cheese, Grapes & Sage At The Pig's Ear Things were quiet at The Pig's Ear for a long time, but Stephen McAllister and team are back with a new menu, and we very much want to eat this plate of grilled squash, St Tola goat's cheese, muscat grapes, seeds and sage. 2) Pumpkin And Barley Risotto From Shouk Shouk does no wrong - we've never had even a mildly disappointing dish there - and this pearl barley risotto with roast crown Prince pumpkin, toasted barley sage and harissa is the latest delicious sounding and looking addition to the canon. 3) Pumpkin Spice Cannoli From Toonsbridge J ust when we thought pumpkin spice was limited to pies, cookies and lattés, Toonsbridge bring out the big guns with these pumpkin spice cannoli. How could these not be on your pre-Halloween eating list? 4) Pumpkin Juk From Jaru We love a cheeky little Jaru order. Now that all the restaurant meal kits have dried up, they're a great go-to when you want restaurant quality food that's ready to reheat or cook at home, and they deliver Dublin-wide Wednesday and Friday. This pumpkin juk with steamed Hokkaido pumpkin, butternut squash and glutinous brown rice, topped with potato gnocchi, kidney beans & pine-nuts is the latest addition to their online ' Mart ', and it's natural, vegan and a steal at €5.20 5) Lamb Shank Braised In Barolo From Gigi's Gigi's in Ranelagh are bringing an autumn/winter mash up to the table this week, with this braised lamb shank in a spiced barolo red wine sauce, served on butternut squash purée and brussel sprouts (offensively early but we'll allow it) with gremolata on top.

Pumpkins have long been part of Halloween celebrations in Ireland, but in more of a decorative sense. Unlike our American friends it’s taken us a while to embrace their full culinary potential, but that seems to have shifted in recent years, with the humble pumpkin now appearing on our plates as much as our doorsteps. For those who appreciate it inside and out, here are some of the best pumpkin products on shelves right now to keep a triangular eye out for. Prunotto Pumpkin Pesto Find it: Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Fallon & Byrne, Fresh Avenue Ballinteer We love the rich flavour and warm, autumnal colour of this organic pumpkin pesto made on the Prunotto farm in the Piemontese Hills of Northern Italy. A liberal dollop is delicious on pasta with lots of black pepper and parmesan, and it adds a pleasantly mild sweetness to a cheese toastie. Assassination Custard's Spiced Pumpkin Piccalilli Find it: The Wine Pair, Evergreen, Daddy’s Rialto, The Fumbally, The Pepper Pot Powerscourt Shopping Centre, Hen’s Teeth, Camerino Merrion Square, Provider Harold’s Cross Is it even Halloween without it? Not for us anyway. A seasonal spin on Assassination Custard 's famous Piccalilli (which is available year round), we eagerly await news of this come October every year and are pleased to confirm that it’s back, but much a child's trick or treat haul it doesn’t last long, so grab a jar while you can. Risotto Alla Zucca Find it: Lennox Street Grocer It doesn't get much better than a thick, creamy risotto paired with a glass of Italian wine on a chilly evening - or does it? Lennox Street Grocer are stocking this autumnal version of one of our favourite comfort dishes and we're looking forward to adding it to our pantry. Add some diced, roast pumpkin, crispy sage leaves and grated parmesan on top for maximum chef points. Rossi Ravioli with Pumpkin Find it: SC Grocer, Italicatessen We love a bowl of ravioli, especially with unusual fillings, and this pumpkin-stuffed version is a wonderful combo of sweet and savoury. While you’re at SC Grocer , check to see if their pumpkin spiced croissants or spiced pumpkin soup are on the specials board. Patamore Fresh Pumpkin Gnocchi Find it: LaHoya Green, Fallon & Byrne If it’s more pumpkin pasta you’re after, these gnocchi should fit the bill - best served pan-fried crispy and golden, tossed in olive oil and parmesan cheese, with a nice salad. Cauliflower and spinach versions are available too. Sweet Pumpkin Porridge, Asia Market Find it: Asia Market Pumpkin for breakfast? More adventurous pumpkin heads might enjoy this sweet and soup-like pumpkin porridge . Asia Market also stock plain or green-tea flavoured pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top for extra flavour. La Tourangelle, Toasted Pumpkin Seed Oil Find it: Fallon & Byrne We recently discovered this slow-roasted, artisan pumpkin oil in Fallon & Byrne . Made in the Styrian region of Austria it adds a rich, nutty flavour to everything from salads and pastas to cheese boards and baked goods. We recommend a drizzle on a piping hot bowl of sweet potato soup. Fallon & Byrne is a bit of a one-stop shop for pumpkin in October. They’re selling fresh pumpkin pies in their bakery for the month, and this is the place to stock up on tins of American-style pumpkin puree, if you can bear to disturb their elaborate displays. Meridien Organic Pumpkin Seed Butter Find it: The Hopsack, Rathmines A superb source of organic, fair-trade and ethnic food, The Hopsack also stock a wide range of organic fruit and veg, and that of course includes a variety of Irish-grown pumpkins and colourful squashes. This pumpkin seed butter is pretty special stuff. Use it as a spread on some of their pumpkin seed bread, or mixed into a dressing or glaze. They also stock this Irish-made organic pumpkin seed oil produced in Tipperary. Pumpkin Ale From The White Hag Find it: The White Hag online store Naturally, you’ll be looking for something to wash all of this down with, so why not opt for a limited edition pumpkin ale. The White Hag describe their Samhain Pumpkin Ale as having hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, and it flies off the shelves each year - we all love a gimmick.

Toto, we're not in salad territory anymore. We're in duck confit onions rings, cheese sticks and truffle polenta territory. We always forget how much we like Autumn until dishes like these roll around again. Here's what we really want to eat in Dublin this week... 1) Confit Duck Stuffed Onion Rings From Soup We shared these on Instagram during the week but they need to be immortalised in print. Soup in Dun Laoghaire are stuffing onion rings with confit duck, and serving them with manchego cheese velouté and black truffled honey. It's not often we're speechless when it comes to food but we're just going to let this one breathe... 2) Roman Pizza From Pala Rory Shannon from Foxrock's Bistro One opens his new outdoor, Roman-style pizzeria Pala this Saturday, and the opening menu features a margherita, a classic hot pepperoni, and this classic bianca topped with stracciatell and mortadella. Everything is sold by the slice and we're expecting it to be as good as the rest of Shannon's food. 3) Halloumi Cheese Sticks From Umi W e often think of Umi Falafel as somewhere you happily eat vegan without even realising it, so our eyes widened when we saw these breaded halloumi cheese sticks with a mango sauce. What's a bit of oozy, melting cheese between plant-loving friends. 4) Kale, Onion & Potato Fritters From Street By Sunil When walking around in Autumn, you should always have some warm food in your hands. That's where the kale, onion and potato fritters from Street By Sunil's street food menu come in. Dusted with spice mix and gram flour before being deep-fried, you can use them to warm your hands, or your insides. 5) Andarl Farm Pork With Truffle Polenta At Oliveto Oliveto in Dun Laoghaire have just released their new Autumn menu and the star of the show is this slab of Andarl Farm pork with truffle polenta, roasted celeriac and a pine cone syrup glaze. It's hearty, it's sexy, it's piney. It's Autumn.

We've been lamenting for years about the lack of dedicated taco joints in Dublin, but now after so long of such little choice, there now seem to be options coming out of our ears (although there's still not enough corn ears going into freshly made tortillas for our liking). Of course any new venture can be hit or miss, so we've done the hard work for you (it’s a tough job) and rounded up some of our favourites to try on your next taco trail. In no particular order, let’s taco ’bout tacos… Los Chicanos Los Chicanos has been a labour of love for owner Scott Holder. He actually sourced this truck around four years ago in LA, but due to some unlucky shipping issues and a painstaking renovation process it only opened up this summer at Elliot’s Cash and Carry, off Camden Street. Despite the delays, they've been a roaring success so far with a dedicated following and even an invitation to cater at the Mexican embassy – can’t get a better endorsement than that. We loved the lamb barbacoa with tomatillo mint salsa, and the salsa macha cauliflower with jalapeño crema and white cabbage. El Milagro We posted about El Milagro making their mark in Malahide Marina a while ago and since then they've expanded to UCD's Thursday market and Herbert Park's Sunday market, giving you even more opportunity to try these sensational tacos. The owner Julian is originally from Mexico and it shows in the quality of the ingredients he uses and the flavours that pack a punch. The tortillas are handmade from Mexican-run Balam , and you can taste the difference. 777 The OG modern Mexican restaurant in Dublin, 777 is a bit more spenny than other places but the quality of their food is second to none and their margaritas are some of the best, and most potent, in town. You are always guaranteed a good time here - this is the place to go to kickstart a big night out. Órale One of our favourites, Órale operates out of Eatyard and have just launched their new autumnal menu, including a gorgeous McNally pumpkin taco which we can’t wait to try. We are also waiting with bated breath for their (hopeful) return to Dun Laoghaire when their pesky staffing issues are sorted. El Grito El Grito was one of our first experiences in Dublin of real Mexican food at reasonable prices. Their tiny shop in Temple Bar was always welcoming and we wondered would their move to a larger premises on Mountjoy Square cause them to lose some of the charm? Luckily on a recent visit, we found that they’ve managed to maintain the charm, their dedicated customer base, and their inexpensive price point. La Cocina Cuevas We are probably not the only people to have become mildly obsessed with crunch wraps when we first spotted them on our feeds, and we definitely attempted our own version with varying levels of success, but if you want the real deal, you’ll have to head to the Naul. You may have come across La Cocina Cuevas at their Ted’s Gaff pop-up in Rathgar over the summer which we would love to be a permanent fixture at some point, but for now we’ll happily make the trip. El Silencio What is it about secret doors that get us so giddy, and will we ever grow out of it? We hope not because by the time you enter this little venue hidden inside Pablo Picante on Clarendon Street you're already primed for a great night out, and the tacos and margarita menu only add to it. El Silencio is also one of the best places in the city to drink Mezcal, if that's your thing (it's ours). Masa When they opened in 2018 Masa was a welcome addition to the Dublin food scene as a casual, inexpensive place to meet friends, and over the years (and a pandemic) it's held on to its popularity. It’s generally busy but because of the fast service turnover is quick so it’s rarely an issue rocking up without a booking – something invaluable in our eyes in a city where seemingly everywhere decent needs to be booked weeks in advance. Fuppin Delish Fuppin Delish landed in Dinetown in May of this year much to our delight. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team who have worked in food for years doing everything from supper clubs to catering, and now they've joined the food truck brigade. They're clearly passionate about their food, even grinding their own masa for their tacos, and experimenting with different specials along with their usual menu - Mexican Tayto mashup anyone?! They've sadly just left Dinetown which is currently closed for works, but are eagerly searching for a new place to park their truck or a permanent site. Paco's Tacos, Greystones Okay, okay, technically not Dublin but we can’t let something frivolous like county borders get in the way of important taco news. Paco's Tacos is a new venture from the guys at The Fat Fox - they've turned the yard of their Greystones shop into a buzzy outdoor eating area with tacos served from a very cool renovated milk truck. The design is geared for Instagram shares so you could expect that the food may be lacking, but luckily the small menu and natural wines do not disappoint. Did we miss your favourite place for tacos? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

There’s never been a better selection of independent and specialist food stores in Dublin, with somewhere to satisfy almost any culinary craving, curiosity or cookbook you may own. In part two of our favourite grocers series, here's our pick of the new and old on the Southside of the city that we love a good potter around (i.e. spending far more money than planned). Lennox Street Grocer This sibling-run, super friendly Lennox Street Grocer on leafy Lennox Street has become an institution in Portobello. Their products - everything from oils and vinegars to antipasti and wine - is thoughtfully chosen, with plenty of support for local makers. Sandwiches from Greenville Deli are available during the week, along with an ever-changing selection of seasonal quiche and tart specials that always make us swoon when we see them on Instagram . Pastries are delivered daily from Bread 41 (the Morning Buns sell out on the regular so act fast) and are best enjoyed on the bench outside with a cup of Moyee Coffee. Hero Product: Revolution Ragu . The Upcycle Farm uses nutrient-rich leftover coffee grinds from Lennox Street Grocer to grow the oyster mushrooms that they transform into this tasty vegan sauce . Brindle Coffee & Wine, Portobello This quirky little store is a joy to browse, and only a few doors up from Lennox Street Grocer. As well as boasting an excellent wine selection, Brindle stock all sorts of fun merch to load up on (we love the ‘I heart Portobello’ tote bags). There’s dips, pestos, pâtés and pastes aplenty here, many of which are made in-house - be sure to leave with some of their olive tapenade and red onion marmalade. The deck chairs outside are a coveted spot to catch up with friends over a cup of Roasted Brown coffee, and our absolute favourite discovery is their Mixtape Series - a box of wines delivered to your home along with a cheesy Spotify playlist to pair them with. Hero Product: Brindle Chai Syrup - add some to your baking, tea or a cocktail. Evergreen, Wexford Street A pocket of calm on busy Wexford Street, a colourful array of locally-grown fresh fruit and veg welcome you into Evergreen , from donut peaches to organic mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. There are shelves upon shelves of spices and herbs to look through with everything from vegan feta cheese to gourmet preserves in this small but homely space. Coffee comes courtesy of McCabes and there are sweet treats like custard tarts at the counter. Hero Product: Nirvana Hazelnut Butter - seriously smooth with a hint of vanilla, this nut butter is gorgeous on a piece of sourdough toast. We also love the trippy branding by illustrator Ross Carvill. A Taste Of Spain, Camden Street A Taste Of Spain , which also has a branch on Capel Street, is the go-to for all the delicious things that make Spain a food destination - wine, Iberian chorizo, olives, Manchego cheese, paella mix - but it also caters to Spanish people living in Ireland, stocking the snacks, biscuits, breakfast cereals and even some beauty products that they may be missing from home. The wine selection is first rate, and they also put together beautiful, bespoke foodie hampers that make thoughtful gifts. Their ‘New Mum’ hamper in particular is a lovely idea. Hero Product: Their Bravas Sauce. You can also pick up traditional ceramic tapas bowls here to serve your patatas in. Liston's, Camden Street Camden Street grocer Liston’s passion for ‘honest, healthy food’ has made it the perfect pitstop for wine, cheese, charcuterie, ready meals and everything in between. With over 4,000 products on their shelves you’ll be well and truly spoilt for choice. The deli at the back of the store serves sandwiches, food platters and hot foods like quiche and sausage rolls, while pastries come from The Blackpitts Bakery. The artisan chocolate selection will stop you in your tracks. Hero Product: Fresh Egg Pasta from Rosa Madre, or the Rose & Tarragon Sorbetto from the Dalkey Food Company. Forest Avenue - Grocer & Deli, Leeson Street Forest Avenue have always been innovators when it comes to food, and like the restaurant that came before it, their grocer and deli is no exception. The hot food counter has rotating daily specials (comté, mushroom & caramelised onion quiche and New York-style hot dog with pickles when we last visited), there's a dedicated wine shop upstairs, a grab and go area, ready-meal section (suckling pig ragu anyone?) and Little Forrest pizzas in the freezer. They also have an on-site micro bakery whipping up breads, focaccias and sweet stuff like brioche croissants and hazelnut pain aux raisin. There’s lovely canal-adjacent outdoor seating, a stylish nook and counter seating inside. Hero Product: Housemade spiced pita chips. Use them to dip into some aubergine caviar, guacamole with tomato salsa and cucumber gel or white bean hummus & walnut salsa. Picado Mexican Pantry, Dublin 8 Lily Ramirez’s extremely ‘grammable Richmond Street store and cookery school Picado has been whole-heartedly embraced by Dublin’s Mexican community, as well as Irish appreciators of real deal Mexican food. Grab a Frieda Kahlo reusable shopping bag and stock up on tacos, tortilla chips, sauces, spices, sweets and every type of chilli you can imagine. Day of the Dead preparations were in full swing when we visited, with colourful pinatas dotted about the store, and we’re looking forward to the return of Lily’s in-store cookery demos and legendary supper club. Hero Product: Tortilla Cosies - use these stylish, insulated pockets to keep your tortillas nice n’ toasty. They make a great gift for the foodie in your life too. Asia Market, Drury Street The family-run Drury Street store, operating here for 40 years now, boasts one of Dublin’s most beautiful window displays with its distinctive Chinese lanterns and pretty Cherry Blossoms in Spring, but there’s plenty more to catch your eye inside. An afternoon ambling around exploring Asia Market 's aisles of beers, candies, cooking utensils, sauces and more is always one well spent. Its sister store in Ballymount is even bigger and well worth the trip to the burbs. Hero Product: So many things - the Lao Gan Ma crispy chilli oil, the Ajinomoto dumplings, the kimchi, every Asian herb, spice and condiment you can think of, all the noodles, and the Japanese Mochi . These doughy balls of sweet rice paste have become a viral sensation on Tik Tok, and the flavours on offer here include coconut, green tea and red bean. Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8 Part grocer, part gallery and part café, the effortlessly cool Hen's Teeth is one of the few places in the city where you can browse art, vinyl and wine all under the one roof. Smoked almonds and padron peppers are a must-try on the ‘all day treats’ menu, and the lunch and evening menus change regularly to keep diners on their toes - you could find anything from whipped tofu tart with edamame beans to Thai-fried cauliflower with pak choy, peanut & puffed potato when you visit. It all tastes good washed down with a Mikkeller beer or some of their natural wines. Their hot sauce selection is top notch too with an emphasis on the locally-made - try the Smokey Lemon from Ellie’s Kitchen. Hero Products: The recently introduced G’wan Ireland Hamper - a box of treats from assorted Irish makers like Bean & Goose Chocolate and White Mausu sauces. Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 2 If you’re looking for something particular, an unusual ingredient or product, chances are you’ll find it in Fallon & Byrne 's vast food hall. The choice at all the counters - from cheese and meat to antipasti and wine - is extensive, and the staff are super knowledgeable and helpful. There’s a wide range of baking products on offer, with various flours, sugars and casings - even edible flower packets. If you don’t fancy baking it yourself you can pick up freshly-baked baguettes, sourdoughs, cakes, pastries and coffee here too. Fallon & Byrne is particularly magical at Christmas with its twinkling lights, and atmospheric at Halloween too with a pumpkin patch on display in-store. Hero Product: The house-made Nam Jing dressing is perfect for giving salad an oriental twist. Marlowe & Co, Dublin 8 This couple-owned and operated Dublin 8 store Marlowe & Co , something of a community hub, is a wonderful place to spend any amount of time. As well as salads, meats, potatoes and butters, you’ll find prints and fresh flowers. Sweet stuff comes from the nearby Blackpitts Bakery with The Pepper Pot café providing savoury items like sausage rolls. We love the ‘Tenters Triple’ - three items of your choice from the store packed up in a handy, carriable cardboard box. Hero Product: The always in-demand Pan di Stelle hazelnut cocoa spread rarely stays on the shelf for very long. The Fumbally, Dublin 8 ‘Food and community’ is the ethos in this thriving Dublin 8 café and store, with an emphasis on locally-sourced, all-natural produce. The divine smell of fresh baking from The Fumbally wafts pleasantly throughout with breads, sandwiches and pastries all made fresh daily on-site. Their ‘Fumbally Ferments’ project features a rotating range of fermented foods to sample, and the wine is chosen with minimal intervention and traditional wine-making techniques in mind. You’ll also find your cupboard essentials, fruit and veg, as well as arts, crafts and ceramics to browse. Hero Product: Their sourdough brioche. Try it with poached eggs, smashed avocado and pickled onions for a breakfast to remember. Shop Easi, Clanbrassil Street If you feel a spate of Indian cookery coming on, head to 'International Grocery' Shop Easi on Clanbrassil Street for all the pastes, pickles and frozen parathas you can imagine. There's a good selection of hard to get fruits and vegetables, a Halal butcher, and Eastern European products. Do not miss the Indian mangoes in season from April/May Hero Product: The mangoes - Alphonso, Bedami, Kesar. Buy whatever they've got by the boxload and savour one each night after dinner - who needs cake. You'll dream of the sweet, floral, perfumed taste again until they're back next season. Did we miss your favourite southside city grocer? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

Pumpkin arancini, pumpkin tortelli, pumpkin pizza, even pumpkin cookie sandwiches are popping up on menus right now. Halloween is definitely on the way, and here's what should be on your October eating list in Dublin... The Zucca Zucca Pizza From Coke Lane Not content with just topping a pizza with pumpkin, Coke Lane are using it as the base in place of tomatoes, adding nduja & smoked scamorza for maximum flavour. Pumpkin Arancini From Two Pups Two Pups have just added sage & Autumn pumpkin arancini with Gubbeen cheese to their menu, and we've been obsessing over them a lot. Pumpkin Spice Buns From Sourdough And Beyond New pastry alert. Sourdough and Beyond in Dublin 15 have come up with these pumpkin spice buns with what looks like about 6,000 layers of flaky pastry. They deliver all over Dublin 15 or you can collect. Pumpkin Cookie Sandwich From Chimac It's not like Chimac to pass up the opportunity for a themed photoshoot, and Halloween is the latest excuse to get their famous nails out. Their pumpkin ice-cream cookie sandwich takes chewy pumpkin, cinnamon sugar and white chocolate chip snickerdoodle cookies, stuffs them with 3fe cold brew ice-cream and dips them in Belgian white chocolate and a cinnamon crumb. More sweet than spooky but we're not complaining. Walnut Parfait With Blackberries And Fig Leaf Oil From Bastible W e can't get enough of blackberries right now, but add in a walnut parfait and fig leaf oil à la Bastible and we're looking up bus times to Clanbrassil Street. Wild Mushroom Tortelli With Pumpkin From Osteria Lucio There are few things nicer than a big bowl of pasta when the weather turns cooler, and this wild mushroom tortelli with pumpkin, pistachio and sage from Osteria Lucio screams Autumn. Spiced Pumpkin Cruffin From Bread 41 Of course Bread 41 have a spiced pumpkin pie cruffin with brown butter and cinnamon crème pâtissière, crown prince pumpkin and maple purée, finished with pumpkin ganache and V alhrona dulce and salted pecan shard. What else would we expect from the seasonal pastry Kings and Queens of the city. Pumpkin Custard Tart From Locks Locks in Portobello are famous for their custard tarts, but this seasonal pumpkin version sounds like a great excuse to give new head chef Andy Roche's menu a spin. Blackberry Hotcake From Two Boys Brew I f you haven't had a Two Boys Brew hotcake what are you actually playing at. Their latest creation is blackberry and chocolate flavoured with cherry compote, fresh blackberries, vanilla mousse, sour cherry gel, and a white chocolate ginger nut biscuit crumb. It's Autumn in fluffy, pillowy pancake form. Wicklow Venison With Butternut Squash, Barley & Chestnut Mushrooms At Spitalfields Game is still only trickling onto menus in the city but we're very much here for this haunch of Wicklow venison with butternut squash, barley and chestnut mushrooms at Spitalfields in Dublin 8. Barmbrack From Bread Naturally Nostalgia alert! No word on whether there are any rings in there but they were always a choking hazard anyway. Bread Naturally are bringing the barmbrack everyday until now until October 31st. We can already taste it, piled with butter in one hand, cup of steaming hot tea in the other. Pumpkin Spiced Latté From Tír Tír's pumpkin spiced latté is not your average big-brand syrup, coffee and milk. Their homemade syrup is made from Irish pumpkins, sugar and spices including cinammon, star anise, ginger and nutmeg. If you're going to hop on a trend, do it right.