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Yes, we know it’s only October, and it’s not even Halloween yet, but you can’t hide from the fact that there's less than ten weeks until Christmas (cue screaming) and the venue recommendation requests have been sliding into our DMs recently. If you haven’t booked your office Christmas party yet, or are planning to head out with a gang of friends but don’t know where to go, now’s the time to start seriously thinking about it before you’re left with nothing but a plate of dry turkey in the function room of a dodgy hotel - or Milano's. If you love food, but dread Christmas gatherings for the aforementioned reasons, here are some alternative party venues. Eatyard's Cheese And Wine Festival Is it even Christmas if you don’t really know what day it is and spend half your time in a cheese coma?We have just the place for you. The Eatyard team are bringing a Winter Wine and Cheese Festival to Jam Park in Swords from November 21st to December 14th . Entry is priced at €15 each (or €100 for a table of 8), which is great value considering you’ll get wine and cheesy treats on arrival, and then access to pop-up wine bars and cheese shops, music and entertainment. Groups can add other options such as a wine masterclass, games packages, or Christmas karaoke if you’re feeling brave - who doesn't like cheese with their cheese? See www.wine-n-cheese.com for details and booking info. Christmas Afternoon Tea At Póg There’s no shortage of afternoon tea spots in Dublin, the only limitation is availability and budget. Póg’s Tara Street location is offering an afternoon tea that will cater for pretty much everyone in your group. The vegan option features sourdough with a range of dips and toppings, a vegan burger, acai and magik smoothie shots, and a selection of vegan desserts like mini Christmas puds, vegan cheesecake, and Christmas tree-shaped cookies. For meat-eaters, the vegan burger can be swapped out for the epic turkey, ham, brie, and stuffing sandwich and features non-vegan versions of the desserts. It's available 14:00 - 16:00 Monday to Sunday and is priced at €30 per person or €37 with a glass of bubbles - it’s a no-brainer. Booking is required, and groups of up to 60 people can be accommodated. Reservations can be made by contacting bookings@ifancyapog.ie. A Yard Of Pizza At Pizza Yard, Ranelagh Get the gang together and get down to Pizza Yard for a pizza that’s … you guessed it. A yard long. Pile on plenty of toppings and there’ll be something for everyone. The menu also includes pasta, starters, cocktails, and individual pizzas for anyone who doesn’t like sharing - although feel free to not invite them. For bigger groups, upgrade to the two yard version. That’s basically the length of Nicholas Cage. See www.pizzayard.ie for all the deets. Private Dining, The Shelbourne If your budget is on the more generous side The Shelbourne has a range of private dining options that will allow even the most discerning guest to host an unforgettable event. Four private dining rooms (The Constitute Suite, The St. Stephen’s Suite, The George Moore Suite, and the Adam & Deirdre Suite) offer dining options for groups of 8 to 80 and, as you’d expect, bespoke food and wine options. White glove service, fine china, and opulent surroundings is exactly how we’d like to kick off our festive season. Contact the hotel for more details. If your wallet doesn’t quite stretch to a private dining suite, The Shelbourne’s Christmas Afternoon tea is always one of our favourites (despite that pesky 90 minute maximum stay per table), but be warned that you need to book early. It’s everything you’d expect - extravagant, delicious, and eaten while listening to soothing piano music. If we ever needed an opportunity to get dressed up to eat cake, this is it. Bookings can be made online here . Food, Drinks And Dancing In The Well Since opening during the summer, The Well has been drawing in Gen Y and X in their droves. From dedicated co-working and collaboration spaces, hosted events, Dublin Pizza Company on site, and late-night DJs, we reckon this would be an ideal spot for a work outing that’ll suit those who are rushing for the last bus as well as those who want to stick around and dance into the small hours. Check out www.thewelldublin.ie for information and bookings. All The Mezze And BYO In Rotana Café While Christmas has always been a pretty significant holiday in Ireland, a lot of the more traditional aspects don’t lend themselves easily to organising festive nights out for more multicultural groups. One of our favourite spots with this in mind Rotana, a Lebanese restaurants offering mezze platters, Lebanese flatbreads, halal grilled kebabs, and ample vegetarian and vegan options. It’s BYO so a great way to keep costs down, while suiting everyone’s needs and preferences. Menu and booking details are available at www.rotanacafe.ie. Taste Of Dublin Festive Edition, RDS Proving that festivals aren’t just for the summer, the Taste of Dublin Festive Edition is coming to the RDS, kicking the season off early from November 28th to December 1st with a weekend of festive eating and drinking and cooking demonstrations. While outdoor festivals are great, very often the risk of rain can put a dampener on things, so we're welcoming the chance to keep warm and dry indoors, and because Taste of Dublin tends to bleed your bank account dry faster than an expensive drug habit, this is a great one for when work is paying - the Champagne packages obviously. Individual and group tickets are available from www.dublin.tastefestivals.com with bespoke private packages on offer for groups of 50-250. Vaulted Elegance At Stack A Restaurant, CHQ If a traditional sit-down meal is more your scene, Stack A Restaurant in the CHQ building is a pretty breath-taking place to do it. Part of Urban Brewing , Stack A is located downstairs and diners are seated in the network of vaults which can make even big groups feel like they’re in an intimate environment. The two-course lunch menu starts at €25, with three-course dinner options ranging from €45 - €55. Details are available by emailing welcome@urbanbrewing.ie

As much as it goes against our international reputation, not drinking is fast becoming "a thing", and it's no longer the vestige of the pregnant, in recovery or on antibiotics. Pubs like The Bernard Shaw , The Square Ball , and MVP have led the way in Dublin for non-alcoholic drinks options you might actually want to drink (with the latter hosting " sober Sundays "), but while mocktails and 0% beer are nothing new to Dublin, non-alcoholic wine is (and we're not talking about the brutally sweet supermarket grape juice). Turns out the Germans have been making the stuff for over 70 years. 'Eins Zwei Zero' is a range of alcohol free Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from award-winning German winemaker Johannes Leitz, using new technology that allows the alcohol to be vacuum-distilled at low temperatures, allowing the wine to keep more of its wine-like characteristics. We're not going to say that non-alcoholic Riesling tastes exactly the same as regular Riesling, but it's a major step forward. Interest sufficiently piqued? Here's where to plan your next lunch or dinner when you're on the dry. Coppinger Row Coppinger Row serve the whole Eins Zwei Zero range, and the smell of their garlic mussels with chargrilled ciabatta wafting out of the restaurant has been known to draw zombie-like diners in off the street (guilty). Pair them with the Pinot Noir rosé on the terrace when the sun's shining for all the Mediterranean vibes with none of the associated tipsiness. China Sichuan China Sichuan in Sandyford still feels like something of a secret outside food circles (or Sandyford), but those in the know make the journey for the waltip dumplings, ma po tofu, and man and wife beef slices. Food with any level of spice is notoriously hard to pair wine with, but the usual recommendation is something with a little sweetness to balance the heat. Try the sparkling Riesling with the chilli chicken - and you can drive home afterwards. Kerb Foxrock New Middle Eastern Foxrock spot Kerb wanted to serve a healthier take on the late night kebab, so everything from flatbreads to dips to falafel are made in house and ingredients are sourced locally. Sparkling Pinot Noir rosé and the mezze platter is a win. Ananda Ananda head chef Karan Mittal's tasting menu is a journey through electrifying Indian flavours carried by some of the best Irish ingredients. After we had his roast Roscommon goat leg with fermented rice patties and three different chutneys we thought of little else for weeks, and the Leitz non-alcoholic Riesling would be the perfect accompaniment for the fruity, spicy flavours. Shelbourne Social When Dylan McGrath's Shelbourne Social opened in Ballsbridge earlier this year it was the hot curd bread menu (as well as the sharing steak) that had everyone talking. Try the warm, buttery bread with chicken liver parfait, pickled grapes, crispy shallot and shaved foie gras with a glass of Pinot Noir rosé. Crow Street Crow Street 's pre-theatre menu is one of the best deals in town with two courses for €19.95 and three for €24.95. Some of their popular dishes include buffalo mozzarella with beetroot, orange and pistachio pesto, and braised pork shoulder tostadas with cabbage, avocado & pineapple salsa, but we'd be going for the maple & bourbon glazed short rib of beef with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also try the Eins Zwei alcohol-free wines in Beo Wine Bar , Pichet , Ely Wine Bar , 57 The Headline , Fade Street Social , Lao Chinese and Korean BBQ , Osteria 99 i n Monkstown, The Green Hen , Sweeney's D3 and loads more places outside Dublin, like Two Cooks in Sallins. If you're looking for a bottle to take home you can find it in practically every good specialist food and wine shop in the city, including Avoca, Lotts & Co, Redmonds in Ranelagh, Deveney's in Dundrum, Martins in Fairview, 64 Wine, The Vintry in Rathgar, Baggot Street Wines, Mortons in Ranelagh, Drinkstore in Stoneybatter, Blackrock Cellars, D-Six Harold's Cross, Donnybrook Fair, Thomas's in Foxrock, and McHugh's in Kilbarrack and on the Malahide Road. You can also order online from drinkstore.ie and wineonline.ie . Leitz non-alcoholic wines are distributed in Ireland by Mackenway Wines .

Portion size gripes, badly disguised digs and headache inducing playlists this week. In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness has some issues with the newly opened Commons at MoLI (Museum of Literature Ireland), calling the noise "cacophonous", the portions "stingy" and the prices "bullish". She could see its potential in dishes like the "excellent" Burren Smokehouse smoked salmon with fermented potato bread scones, horseradish crème fraîche and trout caviar, and the roast heritage and Iona carrots with organic buttermilk, dill and hazelnut dukkah - "perfection - balanced, nuanced, full of texture and flavour", but butternut squash soup was "bland and under-seasoned" and a braised beef blaa with Gorgonzola and pickled mustard greens had "the meerest smear of cheese". Despite the criticisms she gives the food 8/10, saying it's early days and she's sure the wrinkles can be ironed out. Read her review here . In the Sunday Times Niall Toner dissects the "contentless blather" at this year's Michelin awards ceremony, before dissecting new opening and former "proper boozer" Spitalfields . He liked the food, he liked the service, he didn't like the different music being played on two different levels - "an unintended mash up too far", and despite calling the food "lovingly crafted" he couldn't bring himself to a full four stars out of five, hovering at three and a half. Read that here . In the Sunday Business Post Gillian Nelis reckons she scored a coup by being the first person to pay for dinner at newly two-starred restaurant The Greenhouse on Dawson Street, after craftily booking the first table she could get post awards, and then rushing to summon the card reader before anyone else had a chance. If you weren't bothered about eating there before, you will be after reading this, with the canapés alone enough to make your eyes pop: "little globes of beetroot caramel filled with a cabernet sauvignon jelly; aged Parmesan custard tarts topped with preserved lemon; and gorgeous Flaggy Shore oysters from Clare with a cucumber emulsion, oyster chantilly and Champagne-pickled shallots." They soaked up "every drop" of "perfect, angular" sea bream with a langoustine farci, chanterelles, Jerusalem artichoke purée and brown butter sabayon, and also loved the hare with celeriac, sauce poivrade, pear and Timut pepper - "a crunchy, slightly sweet, smoky delight". Dessert of "perfectly-made" chocolate mousse with praline and coffee ice-cream was the best her friend had ever eaten, and she says the customers are going to be lining up behind them. Read the full review here . In the Sunday Independent Lucinda O'Sullivan L-L-Loved Lignum in Galway, calling it "the most impressive and important restaurant, showcasing Irish cuisine, to have opened this year" (in the worst veiled dig at Aimsir/Michelin/who knows in any media publication this year). To be fair, it sounds like a meal worthy of epic proclamations with dishes like raw seasoned shrimp in a hay-smoked bisque, ember-cooked plaice with juniper, seaside foraged herbs and XO sauce, and the one that's currently driving us to distraction - lamb shoulder on a vinegar based set smoked cream, with egg yolk jam. Pre-desserts and desserts were "stunning" and "spectacular", and she calls it "fine dining at its very best". Only 11.5 months until we find out if Michelin feels the same. (Review not currently online) In the Irish Times Catherine Cleary is on fine literary form in describing her solo trip to Everett's in Waterford: "The river flowed the money into this small city and the merchants built their houses on the hills rising up from their income stream." Although prices were "steep" she says it was exactly the type of "hearty cooking" she needed. Brown bread made with macroom flour was "terrific", Andarl Farm pork belly with coco de Paimpol beans, smoked barbecue sauce and a gooey poached egg was given maximum flavour with some bacon salt, and Kilmore Quay cod came with a "beautiful" prawn bisque and local buttered queens. A blackcurrant sorbet with candied hazelnuts and a lightly poached pear was a nice reminder that we're into Autumn, service felt like "a welcome hug", and she gives it 8.5/10, calling it "another delightful reason to visit Waterford". Read her review here . In the Irish Daily Mail Tom Doorley was at The East Room Restaurant at the University of Limerick, and wasn't quite as enthusiastic as Lucinda back in August was at who described it as "Michelin-level food". Tom calls it "excellent in parts", with a kitchen that's "skilled and ambitious ... when it's firing on all cylinders." The "excellent" included cured salmon with grapefruit jelly, cucumber, Doonbeg crab, fennel and smoked crème fraîche, and slow-cooked rib of beef with savoury barley, toasted hazelnuts, Jerusalem artichoke and herb butter. Other dishes showed a "lack of judgement", like pork belly with scallops gussied up with finely diced pineapple and chorizo, and a risotto of wild mushrooms and summer truffle with a crisp (not actually crisp) hen egg, under-cooked rice and "negligible flavour". Desserts of white chocolate bavarois and passionfruit tart were "ace", and he said it was unusual to find such careful judgement in some dishes, and a lack of it in others, but that there's "some excellent cooking going on here". (Review not currently online) No Examiner this week as it wasn't in the shops and it's not online. The digital desk must have taken the weekend off. It's Joe McNamee's week so it's most likely somewhere in Cork. More next week.

Never has a Michelin awards ceremony been filled with as many tense Irish people as last night's in The Hurlingham Club in London, but the palpable anxiety in the room was rewarded with the news that Ireland has two new two-starred restaurants.  The Greenhouse on Dawson Street was elevated from one to two stars, while  Aimsir in Kildare went straight into the guide at two stars - something that rarely happens. Before yesterday  Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud was the only two-star in the country, since Thornton's lost their second star in 2005 (they lost the remaining one in 2015 and closed the year after.) Mickael Viljanen, head chef at The Greenhouse almost combusted following the announcement, a mixture of disbelief and total relief on his face as he walked towards the stage. He lifted Raymond Blanc into the air with elation, which ended in them both falling to the ground - luckily no chefs had to be hospitalised in the making of this award. He was so overcome that he forgot to pose for his official photograph, and had to be called back after being interviewed on stage by cringe-inducing presenter Amanda Stretton. There probably would have been a revolt if Aimsir in Kildare hadn't gone straight in at two stars but luckily no one had to storm the stage. Chef Jordan Bailey, formerly head chef at three-starred Maemo in Oslo, and wife Majken Bech-Bailey appeared genuinely stunned, with Bech-Bailey in tears. The other big Dublin winner last night was  Variety Jones  who were awarded a star for their open-fire cooking on Thomas Street just nine months after opening (you can read our VJ once over here ). The team only got the call telling them they were invited last Wednesday, and rumours were circulating on Twitter yesterday that they had cancelled all reservations for the start of this week. It also transpired that Irish Times food editor Marie-Claire Digby's teasing tweet earlier in the day referred to the Variety Jones team. The whole team celebrated later at The Laughing Heart in Bethnal Green.  There was confusion amongst the Irish media and some watching at home when Damien Grey from  Liath wasn't announced as a new star holder. The assumption had been made that Liath was a new restaurant, and therefore would be announced as a new one (or two) star, but when the awards ceremony ended with no mention of them there were a few minutes of panicked messages and glances, followed by a run outside to grab the guide, which confirmed that the team had been awarded a star. It was classed as a retention from Heron & Grey which is why it wasn't announced on stage. New stars were also awarded to The Oak Room in Adare Manor, Bastion in Kinsale and The Muddlers Club in Belfast. There were no starred deletions from the guide this year, meaning that Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud has held onto their two stars, while  Chapter One  and L'Ecrivain held on to their one. Enda McEvoy from Loam in Galway won a new Michelin award for sustainability, while Jurica Gojevic from Adare Manor took home a new sommelier award. The Michelin guide 2020 is undoubtedly going to further help put the spotlight on Ireland and Irish food as something worth travelling for, and if things keep going the way they are expect more stars next year. In Dublin we'll be keeping a close eye on Potager , Bastible and Niall Davidson's Allta , and would like to see Liath elevated to two stars, but 12 months is a long time in restaurants. Who knows where else could be a contender by next October.

In a week where tensions are high and Michelin-related rumours are rife, once again this weekend's reviews are all about the new openings - and at least a couple have the potential to be at the centre of next year's rumours. We'll be posting live from the Michelin awards in London tomorrow so head over to our social media channels from 16:00 for all the goss. In the Irish Examiner Leslie Williams is the third critic to give their verdict on  Spitalfields  in The Coombe, despite it only opening two weeks ago. Like Gillian Nelis last week he also comments on the prices, calling some dishes "a little steep" - like the devilled eggs with two halves of an egg for €6 - ouch indeed. He very nicely says that it was only the third night and that often portion sizes end up getting tweaked, but paying punters might not be so forgiving. He calls everything from the pastry section "outstanding", especially the warm sourdough with dried leek powder Cuinneog butter, and that beef cheek and bone marrow Parker house roll starter was "the dish of the evening" - although the cock-a-leekie pie for two was a close second. He bravely asked for off-menu chips and they obliged - he recommends everyone does the same as they were "chunky but crispy and fluffy". Crème caramel was "wobbly and creamy-rich", while coconut & lime sorbet had "a perfect balance of flavours". He calls the meal "almost perfect ...particularly impressive so early in their run", giving the food 8.5/10 and value 7/10. Read his review here . In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness calls the food at Potager "delectable", saying it's made Skerries "a destination". She praises the "hyper-seasonal approach", and the fact that they're using "some of the best growers in the area" to make dishes including "exemplary" bread with fresh ricotta and kale pesto. "Iridescent-skinned" cured mackerel with greenages and cucamelon was "art", wood pigeon "paired beautifully" with beetroot, blackberry and chocolate, and a tangy Velvet Cloud sheep's yoghurt sorbet with figs, lemon curd and honeycomb was "delightful". She calls it "a sophisticated food experience without appearing to try too hard", and gives them 9/10 for food, ambience and value. Read her review here . In the Sunday Independent Lucinda O'Sullivan is lamenting Dun Laoghaire's deteriorating main street and "general air of down and out", calling new opening Caspar and Giumbinis "a very welcome addition", but you might call it a meal of two halves. Starters bombed, with a prawn cocktail containing "mushy, watery and overcooked" prawns and a "dreary Marie Rose sauce", while dressed crab was not classic dressed crab, but two "quenelles of a flavourless crabmeat" on sourdough. After that things improved with "beautifully cooked" Dover sole, "excellent" steak frites and a dessert of lemon curd, raspberry sorbet and pink peppercorn meringue which was "really lovely", while service was also "excellent". (Review not currently online). In the Sunday Times Dara Flynn (deputy lifestyle editor) is in the restaurant reviewer's chair this week, and does a decent analysis of Le Perroquet on Leeson Street. Apart from the too dim lighting and the OTT mock-vintage posters covering the walls she liked most of the food (just don't mention the poor carrots). Read her review here . In the Sunday Business Post Gillian Nelis was in new Italian  Ripasso in Bray, where "value abounds" and food was "generously sized". Highlights included squid with chargrilled fennel, rigatoni all’amatriciana with guanciale, and a satisfyingly wobbly burrata which produced "distinctly orgasmic sounds from across the table" - SBP apparently not so PG. A Nutella and ricotta cannolo with pistachios was too good to share but the chef's selection of desserts was a mixed bag, with a tiramisu custard tart "okay" and a vegan chocolate mousse "very good". Between the value, the friendly service and the other things on the menu she wished she'd ordered, she says she can see herself eating there regularly. Read her review here . In the Irish Daily Mail Tom Doorley says the arrival of  Goldie - Fish and Ale in Cork is "one of the most exciting things to happen in food in the city for a very long time." He calls it "a very cool contemporary restaurant run by young, cheerful people", and says they're succeeding "superbly" on delivering a short, local seafood based menu with "no cheffy faffing about". A nibble of prawn cocktail, crisps, cultured cream and seaweed "set the tone for the meal", and was followed by seared, devilled sardines "as fresh as the morning dew" (below), while whole roast Dover sole with caper noisette and kale was "first rate fish cooked perfectly". A dessert of mascarpone and espresso mousse with a chocolate marquise brought out all the superlatives, including "considerable brilliance", "decadent" and "utterly indulgent", and the only thing he bemoans is the "perfunctory" wine selection. (Review not currently online) Finally in the Irish Times Catherine Cleary calls The Muddlers' Club in Belfast "one of the city's best restaurants", with food that over-delivered from the "terse list of bare bones words" on the menu. 'Seatrout, caesar, broccoli' tasted "so deliciously of river and sea" with Caesar salad sauces and swirls, meaty, savoury, smoked broccoli, and anchovy cream for "tang". Crab bisque had "sweet threads of the freshest crabmeat", and a courgette plate featured more iterations of the vegetable than we could imagine. A plum, white chocolate and coconut ice-cream dessert (below) brought everything "to a lovely end" and she says that The Muddlers Club owner and former Ox chef Gareth McCaughey has "learned from the best to do his own very impressive thing." She gives it 9/10 and you can read the full thing here . More next week.

The entire menu at Double 8 in Bray. The handmade dumpling shop only serves four varieties (for now) so easy to have it all, and all four were demolished, but the Kung Pao chicken and randomly the banoffee were the standouts - Lisa The Burrata from Crudo. It’s huge, dotted with hibiscus leaves, and served with a fennel and coriander marmalade that cut through the creaminess of the cheese beautifully - Helen A pumpkin spiced doughnut from Minetta deli in Sutton. Crunchy, sugary and pretty huge, but could have done with a bit more spice - Lisa The Crème Brûlée ice-cream from Three Twenty Ice-Cream Labs. After walking off a lunchtime sandwich we engaged our dessert stomach (the one that stays empty for dessert, no matter how much food you’ve already consumed) and went for one of our favourites, the crème brûlée that’s finished with a torched sugar top. Would have liked a little more crunch on this one - Helen A raspberry and almond financier from The Garden House in Malahide . Dense and fudgey, but at €5.95 you won't have much change from a tenner after adding on a coffee - Lisa Taiwanese chicken from Only Oriental Bakery on Middle Abbey Street. After a tip off from food writer Mei Chin, we made a beeline in here and enjoyed the juicy, spiced chicken, the posh chicken sandwich and the boba teas - Lisa S’mores from Kelly Lou Cakes. We popped in to the Intercontinental hotel this week to mark the launch of Taste of Dublin Festive Edition which is taking place in the RDS from November 28th to December 1st. The s’mores cookies and cupcakes, and the marshmallow toasting station went down a treat. Kelly Lou Cakes has two retail shops in Portlaoise, but you can also find them at events throughout the country - Helen

We did a straw poll amongst our friends and family and unsurprisingly established that there are two types of people when it comes to eating alone; those who love the peace and solitude and would happily luxuriate for hours at a table for one, and those who see it as an introvert’s nightmare, only to be undertaken when necessity (i.e. extreme hunger) dictates. Eating alone has some up-sides though; you’re more likely to nab a space without a reservation, you can spend as long as you want staring at your phone, and you get to order exactly what you want. Any restaurant can accommodate a solo diner (how willing they are is another story), but some are that bit more suited to eating alone than others, whether because of the layout of the room, the menu, or the seating options. These are some of our favourites. Little Mike’s, Mount Merrion One of our favourite things to do while eating alone is to sit on a high stool, and watch the world around us, and the counters at Little Mike’s offers views out onto the street or into the kitchen to see the chefs at work. The menu features small and big plates so you’ll plenty to suit all appetites, there’s a decent choice of wines by the glass, and you’ll be welcomed so warmly that you’ll feel like you’re amongst friends. Pro tip: get the seafood bowl. Rarely will you have the opportunity to save something so delicious all to yourself. Gertrude, Pearse St With a selection of books available for anyone to pore over while they eat, Gertrude is the perfect spot to take a bit of you-time. The big communal table along the middle is regularly occupied by individuals and small groups, and the menu comprises a mix of snacks and full meals so you’re covered whether you want a quick bite or something more substantial. Another big plus is the desserts, all priced at €6 or under and the perfect portion for one. They've stopped opening in the evenings (we're not sure if that will return at any point), so breakfast, brunch or lunch are your only options for this one. Read our Gertrude once over here . Laine My Love, Talbot St Laine My Love on Talbot Street features some of the most adorable tiny tables designed for you and you alone. Perfect for when you don’t want to feel in the way, but still want really great coffee and food. It’s also right near Connolly Station so ideal if you’re catching a train and can’t face a pre-packed sandwich. Queen of Tarts, Dame Street and Cow’s Lane Both Queen of Tarts locations have plenty of little nooks so you can retire to a quiet corner, or sit outside on the Cow’s Lane terrace to soak up some buzz on a sunny day. The soup option changes regularly, the salads are fresh, and the cakes are famously good. Just make sure you order enough for the whole table. L. Mulligan Grocer, Stoneybatter It seems the whole word is in love with Stoneybatter right now, with Timeout recently calling it Dublin's coolest neighbourhood. L. Mulligan Grocer has long been setting out the D7’s neighbourhood’s stall as a destination for Irish food, and dining alone will be no barrier. The vibe in LMG is laid back and friendly, with a carefully curated drinks menu, and lots of food and drink options. Have a scotch egg in the snug, or chat to the friendly bar staff if you want a bit of interaction and an education on all things beer. Cirillo’s, Baggot Street Cirillo’s is ticking a lot of boxes for us lately with their freshly made pasta and pizzas that are up there with the best in Dublin. We recently discovered that they also have a pizza menu for take-away, so if you’re home alone and heading over there to pick up a pie, we'd suggest sticking around and enjoying it from a counter perch overlooking Baggot Street instead. Soup Ramen, Dún Laoghaire Soup Ramen in Dún Laoghaire is ideal when you want something fast, casual but above all tasty. There’s always an eclectic mix of diners, long table seating by the huge windows or counter seats looking into the kitchen, lots of great food and interesting cocktail and kombucha choices. Best of all, if you go alone, you won’t have to share the deep-fried kimchi with anyone. Read our Soup Ramen once over here . Loose Canon, Drury Street You’re never alone when you have cheese, and adding a glass of wine pretty much makes it a party. Eating for one means you’re more likely to elbow some space at Loose Canon ’s window, or grab the lovely bench outside on warmer days and watch Dublin stroll by. The vibes in here make it very conducive to making new friends. Mister S, Camden Street We love new arrival Mister S and would take any opportunity to go there and down a Fred Flintstone portion of the Angus shortrib without any help. Plus, we’re suckers for window seats and the ones here are some nicest in town. Read out Mister S once over here . As One, City Quay With a menu and space designed around wellbeing and gut-health, it’s no surprise that As One is the ideal place for you to sit back, relax and take your time over a bright plate of seasonal salads, or a hearty beef bone broth and think about what delightful company you really are. 777, South Great George’s Street Dining alone but not in the mood for peace and quiet? Head to 777 , get a seat at the bar, and tuck in to diverse Mexican dishes like pig's head carnitas and yellowfun tuna tostada's. Ask for the tequila list, strike up a conversation with your neighbours, and it could be the start of something special. Read our 777 once over here . Etto, Merrion Row & Uno Mas, Aungier Street No list on solo dining in Dublin would be complete without Etto , the go-to for many a solo diner over the years thanks to their lovely bar counter, excellent wine list, and great value. They’ve also replicated this in sister-restaurant Uno Mas on Aungier Street if you’re looking for a little Spanish flair. Mamó Howth newcomer Mamó has only just opened its doors but one of the first things we spotted was the lovely counter wrapped around the bar. It's a pretty idyllic place to sit having a few small plates of cod taramasalata on confit potato chips and lobster croquettes, sipping on lovely wines and gazing out at the harbour.

Like every food-obsessed person living in Dublin in 2019, we love the variety of different cuisines now available across the city. From Vietnamese to Japanese, Italian to Ethiopian, the city is constantly growing and diversifying its food options and we are 100% here for that. That said, there’s no denying there are certain dishes that are part of Ireland’s culinary story and deserve to be immortalised, and recently we've been seeing a lot of places incorporate some of Dublin’s traditional (and not-so-traditional) favourites into some new and delicious sounding dishes. 1) The Piggy Bag from The Legal Eagle The humble spice bag gets The Legal Eagle ’s signature 1970’s treatment. Their 'Piggy Bag' has chips with bacon dust, battered sausage, smoked black pudding, and a brawn fritter with apple ketchup and piccalilli. Offal may not be something we see on many Dublin menus, but this is a great way to incorporate it into your diet. 2) Confit Potato with Taramasalata from Mamó Mamó opened in Howth last week and even at this early stage we reckon this is the destination restaurant the seaside village has been waiting for. Jess D’Arcy (ex-Etto) and Killian Durkin (ex Chapter One/Thornton’s/Charlotte Quay) are serving contemporary European food with a solid focus on fresh seafood in a stunning location, and this confit potato topped with taramasalata is their grown-up take on fish and chips. 3) Crab and Grilled Cheese Toasted Sandwich from Klaw Interesting fact: you’re never more than two metres away from a toasted sandwich in Dublin. Okay, that’s (probably) not true, but toasties have definitely earned their place as one of Dublin’s most iconic dishes. However, familiarity breeds contempt and we’ve all been on the receiving end of a soggy plastic cheese and watery ham number on occasion. Klaw ’s crab and cheese version looks like it would restore your faith in the classic. 4) Apple Crumble Hotcakes from Two Boys Brew Nobody likes to miss an opportunity to eat apple and blackberry crumble and thanks to Two Boys Brew there's now another way to squeeze it into your day. Their all-day brunch menu always features hotcakes and they've just been updated for autumn with this version incorporating everyone's favourite dessert. We need. 5) Peanut Râyu Brownies from The Bakery A potentially controversial one, but we think peanut râyu deserves a place on our list of Dublin’s favourite foodstuffs. While it may not be a traditional staple, Katie Sanderson’s salty, spicy, peanutty condiment arrived with such a bang when it was launched a few years ago that we will fight to the death that it deserves a place among the greats. While we usually eat it with fish, steak, or eggs (or directly from the jar using a piece of leftover pizza as a spoon- don’t judge us) we’re very grateful to The Cupcake Bloke for combining it with our other great love - brownies. These squares of nutty, spicy, chocolatey loveliness are available in the Cupcake Bloke’s ' The Bakery ' in Rialto.

Sprezzatura, a new pasta bar making fresh semolina pasta daily opens tomorrow on Camden Market, where Grantham's café used to be. Open seven days a week from 12:00 - 22:00, none of the dishes will cost over €10, so whether you want a quick, inexpensive lunch or dinner, or want to order all the food, it sounds like it's going to tick the box. Sprezzatura say they're focusing on Italian ideas using the best Irish ingredients, and their extensive suppliers list reads like a who's who of Irish food. Amongst the names listed are Killenure Dexter beef, Andarl Pork, Kilkenny Rose veal, Achill lamb, Skeganore duck and chicken, Goatsbridge trout and caviar, Harty and Kelly oysters, Lough Neagh smoked eel, Mooncoin beetroot, Ballymakenny broccoli and potatoes, and cheeses will come from Durrus, Toonsbridge or St Tola. They're going big on sustainability, with all drinks on tap (meaning no glass or plastic bottles), all packaging compostible, and only renewable energy being used. They're also completely paperless, with menus written on blackboards, no receipts and no kitchen dockets, and they're using Wicklow rapeseed oil instead of importing olive oil, something that may prove controversial to the anti-rapeseed brigade. They're also planning on keeping food waste to a minimum by selling 'trash pasta' at lunchtime, made using any off cuts and extras. Sprezzatura opens tomorrow at 12:00 and their website should be live by the end of the week. Sprezzatura 5/6 Camden Market, Dublin 2 Mon - Sun: 12:00 - 22:00 sprezzatura.ie

Chameleon in Temple Bar has announced they're closing this week after 25 years in business. Owners Carol Walsh and Kevin O'Toole shared the news on their social media channels yesterday, which came as a shock to many in the industry, as well as to their customers. Chefs, restaurateurs, critics and diners sent their best wishes throughout the evening, with the restaurant saying that some customers had been on the phone crying. Their statement said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Chameleon restaurant after 25 years. We did everything we could to create a unique restaurant in Dublin, a special place, with heart and soul and we did everything we could to prevent it from closing. Special thanks are due to our wonderful teams, front and back of house, past and present. You’ve been like family. In a quarter century of service at the heart of Temple Bar we’ve had our highs and lows. We have introduced new flavours to Dublin’s dining scene and we’ve made a lot of friends along the way. We’ve always believed that this is what hospitality is all about - showing and sharing - and we would be delighted to share with our patrons for one last time." Earlier this year Chameleon underwent a brand refresh to coincide with being 25 years in business, changing the restaurant's facade from black to bright blue, and having a brightly coloured mural painted on the shutters. The chatter was enough to draw two restaurant critics back in (Katy McGuiness in the Irish Independent and Leslie Williams in the Irish Examiner ), both of whom wrote very positive reviews of the food and atmosphere. Kevin was also named "chef of the year" by John and Sally McKenna at the end of 2018, who said he was "a chef at the top of his game". They're inviting diners in for their last week of service from Wednesday to Saturday this week, before finally shutting up shop. Tables can be booked by emailing book@chameleonrestaurant.com

All about the new Dublin-based openings this week, and the poor guys at Spitalfields barely had the curtains open without two critics barging through the door in search of cock-a-leekie pie and bone marrow parker rolls. Their takes on the new "pub with a restaurant" in The Coombe" however were slightly different... Tom Doorley showed up on night two and spends most of his review apologising for it, issuing many, many caveats about how early it was to be judging a new opening - something that doesn't appear to bother some of his fellow critics. He says Spitalfields has "lots of character and charm", and that there's "nothing average" about it, but that not everything was perfect. Something that was perfect was a simple dish of Poulard clams with 'nduja and parsley served with toasted sourdough - "brave, refreshing and simply lovely", but a hollowed out avocado shell with crab, guacamole and trout caviar could have had more flavour. Iberico pork schnitzel with smoked eel and gremolata was "juicy, intensely flavoured acorn-fed pork", which he "loved every scrap of", but a slip sole with girolles, grapes and brown butter still had pin bones in it, which was "pretty unforgivable". Apart from that it was "a decent dish". Crème caramel for dessert was "rich and smooth", while aged comté was "a generous slice", and he calls it "an impressive performance given how early our visit was". (Review not currently online) Gillian Nelis in the Sunday Business Post also liked the "spruced up" pub, but had a few gripes with some numbers on the menu. She calls the food "tasty but pricey", saying a starter of beef cheek Parker House roll with bone marrow gravy was "a nice dish", but she's "not sure it was 14 quid nice". Four smoked purple potatoes at €6 fell into the same category. She "loved" the Old Dublin gravadlax, the "delicious" pork iberico secreto schnitzel, and the cock-a-leekie pie to share was "the standout dish of the night". Desserts were "good", with a sharing millefeuille stealing the show, but she thinks the pricing and portion sizes of some dishes needs to be tweaked. Despite this she says their "great" cooking and "warm welcome" will ensure they're there for the long haul. Read her review here . A worse weekend for new Indian Doolally , whose food Lucinda O'Sullivan says "didn't deliver" - are you bored yet of this being the summary of every review of every new Press Up opening? Ground lamb cakes (below) were "dense, dry little patties", lentil dumplings were "chalky and hard ... like mini golf balls", and a bowl of broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and spinach tasted like "a 1970's country hotel". Lamb chops marinated with raw papaya was "the only saving grace", and Keralan veal fillet was "good", but a rice kheer pudding for dessert was "very light-weight". She ends by saying don't come here for the food, but if you're after "a fun see-and-be-seen night out" you might like it. An alternative to The Ivy perhaps. (Review not currently online) In the Irish Times Catherine Cleary says Soup Ramen in Dun Laoghaire is serving "the best ramen in Dublin", a sentiment we also made recently . She says their deep-fried kimchi is better than chips, cauliflower with peanuts and lime is "exactly as delicious as it sounds", and a halloumi spice bag "thrilled" a non meat eater. The ramen was the knockout, with bright flavours, a pork broth that was "milky and nutty", a "comforting broth" and a seasoned egg which was "fresh and funky". The only disappointment was a seasonal salad with peas, broccoli and pickled cucumber - "almost flavour free" - but a black chai ice cream affogato topped with candied pistachios was "a feel-great end to a gorgeous meal". She calls Soup Ramen "a stunner", saying it should be a destination restaurant, and you can read the full thing here . In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness finds Lilliput Evenings at Lilliput Stores in Stoneybatter "charming", with staff who are as "simpatico" as she's encountered in ages. Despite the plates of food arriving too fast, making them eat quicker than they'd like, it sounds like they ticked all of the seasonal/well-sourced/deliciousness boxes. She suggests pouncing on the Elmhurst tomatoes with aioli, sardines and black olive on bread, as well as the baba ganoush with pickled cucumelon and radish, and butterbeans with caramelised leeks, roasted fennel and gorgonzola. Baby potatoes with dill were the only "bland" downside, and dessert of poached pears with creme fraiche, orange custard and a ginger and cardamom biscuit had interesting flavours but "grainy" fruit. She gives them 8/10 for food and value, saying the food is good and the vibe is charming, and you can read her review here . In the Sunday Times Niall Toner reckons you're going to lick the plate clean at Mister S , calling it fine dining at its casual-est. Unusually they didn't order any meat, sticking to fish and veg dishes, but he says the gambas with flatbread and bisque butter induced involuntary pleasure sounds, and describes the sauce as "dreamy, sexy". Just gonna leave that one there. Read his review here . Finally in the Irish Examiner Joe McNamee was making a solo return visit to the Green Room Café in Springfield Castle, Limerick, after first discovering it on a food writers tour. He couldn't look past whatever was on the Agentinean-style Asado grill, which was the roast beef ‘mega sandwich’, with local "deeply flavoursome" Hereford beef, horseradish, gravy, "excellent" fresh leaves, tomatoes and earthy beets, but he wasn't impressed that it was served on batch loaf. He suggests sourdough might do the meat more justice, but "excellent" crispy chips somewhat compensated. Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake was "decent", beer and coffee was good, and he says although they're still finding their feet they deserve a leg up. Read his review here . More next week.

Mamó , the new restaurant from ex- Etto staff member Jess D'Arcy and ex- Chapter One and Thornton's chef Killian Durkin opens today in Howth. They describe it as "a contemporary European dining experience in a relaxed and friendly setting", and want to highlight North County Dublin produce, as well as lesser known fish, coming straight from the boats each day. The harbour-facing dining room has indoor and outdoor seating (prepare to fight for those next summer), and counter seating, so perfect if you want to pop in on your own for a few plates and a glass of wine. The opening menu features dishes including taramasalata on confit potato (their take on fish and chips), soused herring with candied lemon, lobster croquettes and forkbeard ceviche with crisps - a lesser known fish known as bycatch because fishermen find it harder to sell. There's also a Howth honey tart for dessert made from honey collected up the hill from the restaurant. The couple met 10 years ago while working for The Mermaid Café, and always planned to open their own restaurant, but in the meantime Jess worked front of house at Pichet , The Butcher Grill and Etto , while Killian went from fine dining in Chapter One and Thornton's to the more casual Charlotte Quay . This is the first solo venture for both. Mamó (pronounced Maaa-mo) is the Irish for Granny, and with Jess coming from a family of Gaelgoirs she wanted a name with an Irish connection. Mamó will open for lunch from Wednesday - Sunday, and for dinner from Tuesday - Sunday (long lunches or early dinners only on Sunday as they close at 19:30). Their website is due to go live this evening with online booking available, but if you can't wait until then you can book by emailing hello@mamorestaurant.ie or calling them on 01 8397096. Mamó Harbour House, Harbour Road, Howth, Co. Dublin Tue 17:00 - 21:30. Wed - Thu 12:00 - 14:45, 17:00 - 21:30. Fri - Sat 12:00 - 14:45, 17:30 - 22:00. Sun 12:30 - 19:30. Ph: 01 8397096 www.mamorestaurant.ie

This week, all the superlatives - one of the best restaurant openings of 2019, probably the best Middle Eastern food in the country, and a café that gives a glimpse of a better future, plus, food that's just a bit Doolally. In the Irish Examiner , Leslie Williams is as enthused about Mister S as we were , calling it "a joy", and "one of the best openings of 2019". Smoked chicken had "creamy, rich, smoky flavours", the Tomahawk pork chop was "a densely flavoured succulent wonder", and his favourite was the Angus short-rib - "a big meaty slab of ever so slowly cooked beef with complex smoky flavours." They liked both desserts, and the "gorgeous" wine, and he says that Mister S is serving "some of the best tasting and best-value barbecue food in the country". He gives the food and value 9/10, and you can read his review here . In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness gives the new menu at  The Old Spot  the once over, finding "properly tasty" gambas pilpil, "impeccable" roast Texel lamb and pork belly with silky mashed potato, cabbage and morteau sausage - "all manner of savoury deliciousness". It wasn't all good news though. Monkfish was let down by under-seasoned pea risotto, and crispy hen's egg with smoked haddock brandade was "strangely bland", but a choux bun with praline, chocolate and salt caramel for dessert, and some gluggable, natural gamay got things back on track. She says The Old Spot is "exactly what a gastropub should be", giving the food and value 8/10, and you can read her review here .  In the Sunday Times Niall Toner is first in the door of new Press Up opening Doolally , and thought the mild curries, eye-wateringly expensive fit out, and the whole five prawns in his €24 jalfrezi was, well, Doolally (flashbacks to those Old Post Office Reviews). He does however heap praise on some bone marrow naan, the non-alcholic drinks, and a rose and pistachio rice pudding, comparing it to ambrosia (of the Gods, not of the Bird's Eye). Read that here . In the Sunday Independent, new opening Ripasso in Bray managed to impress  Lucinda O'Sullivan , who thought their alcoves were "snazzy", their calamari "looked cool", and their paccheri pasta with scampi and stracciatella was "a show-stopper". Burrata was "light and fresh", lamb cutlets were "deliciously tender", and a vegan chocolate mousse for dessert was "robust" - not sure if that's good or bad. Service from "bearded" (read: hipster) owner Gabriele Recchia was "welcoming and easy", she reckons the wine list has plenty for Italian wine buffs, and calls it "a good day at Bray all round". (Review not currently online) In the Irish Times Catherine Cleary thinks that Cork's Good Day Deli offers "a glimpse of a better food future", thanks to the sustainable ethos driving the café. She says it's easy to forget the flavour when you're focusing on virtue, but that's not the case here, with fresh, zingy fish tacos, nutty crisp chips, and a financier meringue with "the juiciest raspberries" she's had in decades. She says Good Day Deli is "full of these kinds of connections with Cork’s plentiful supply of gardeners, growers and makers", and is "a delicious education in sustainable food". She gives it 9/10, and you can read her review  here . In the Irish Daily Mail Tom Doorley makes the bold claim that Mezze in Tramore, Waterford, "probably has the best Middle Eastern food in the country". Chicken shawarma was nothing like that in fast food joints, with "succulent", "generously seasoned" meat, salads were "glorious", and falafel were the best he's had "outside of North Africa". Hummus was "excellent", quinoa "delightfully nutty", and zhug (green chilli hot sauce) "electrifyingly effective". He calls it "a splendid lunch full of flavourful surprises and new experiences", and says the falafel and salad plate is a bargain at €8.50. (Review not currently online) Finally in the Sunday Business Post , Gillian Nelis says don't go to The Olde Post Inn in Cavan looking for experimental cooking, but do if you’re after "the culinary equivalent of a great big bear hug."  A bacon and cabbage terrine with leek cream was salty, flavoursome and buttery, a herb-crusted loin of venison was "beautifully cooked", and Dublin Bay prawns in filo pastry with red onion marmalade and mango mayo were "a seafood triumph". A rhubarb baked Alaska was as good as her granny used to make, and she says that businesses in our border counties need as much support as they can get over the next while, so it's a good time to think about paying them a visit. Read her review here . More next week.

Beaufield Mews in Stillorgan, Dublin's oldest restaurant, will close at the end of the month, after 70 years in business. First bought as a derelict house in the 1930's, Beaufield has served everyone from sitting presidents to Bono, and hosted the wedding of author Marian Keyes. Third generation owner Julie Cox said it would be "difficult to step away", but that it was time to give more to her family, and wanted to bow out on a high after a great summer. She paid tribute to Paddy Rice, head waiter at Beaufield Mews for over 50, and head chef Colm Wyse, as well as their "gifted" staff and loyal customers. She described her 20 years in charge as "a great privilege and quite a roller coaster ride", but said that all good things must come to an end. Beaufield Mews 's last day of trading will be Sunday 29th September, so if you'd like to pay them one more visit, we'd advise making a booking as soon as possible.

In our never-ending quest for carbs, we frequently find ourselves craving pasta just like mama used to make. Not our mamas, because we were raised in 90's Ireland; a land where 00 flour didn’t dare to tread and our mammies relied on value bags of Roma, but these days we’re spoilt because there are plenty of Dublin restaurant kitchens turning out lovingly-made fresh pasta that we don’t always have the skills or time to do ourselves at home. We have a theory here in ATF: if a restaurant is taking the time and care to make their own pasta, a relatively cheap and easy to source ingredient, because they know they can do it better, they’re probably taking the same level of care with everything else they do too. So with that in mind, here's some of the best places in Dublin to eat freshly made pasta. Host, Ranelagh Did we even know what a cappellacci was before Host ? Nope. Did we even care? Nah. Do we care now? Absolutely. These pillows of fresh silky pasta stuffed with caramelised pumpkin and walnut are one of our favourite things to eat in Dublin - us and everyone else. They also turn out lots of other beautiful pastas, like the tagliatelle for their rump bolognaise. Read our Host once over here . Grano To be fair to Grano , we could probably dedicate an entire article to their pasta alone, such is the range of fresh varieties on offer from their kitchen in Stoneybatter. Recent highlights have included a rabbit ravioli, pig cheek rigatoni, and basil tortellino stuffed with burrata and tomatoes. There isn’t a dish on their menu that we don’t want to try, and seeing it hand-rolled in front of you at the pasta counter makes it taste all the sweeter. Read our Grano once over here . Osteria Lucio When two acclaimed chefs (Ross Lewis and Luciano Tona) come together to create a neighbourhood Italian, you know it’s going to be good. Osteria Lucio is a hug in restaurant form. A short stroll from Grand Canal Dock Dart station, it focuses on simple ingredients with maximum flavour like homemade squid ink fettuccine with Irish prawns and baby squid. The solid wine list and friendly service make it somewhere we're happy to linger, probably long enough to make room for a tiramisu. Read our Osteria Lucio once over here . Michael's Picture the scene; you walk in to one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, are handed a menu listing pretty much every type of fish that came within a 4km radius of the Irish coast that morning and you decide to order the pasta. To share with someone else who's ordering the seafood platter of course. You haven't gone completely crazy. Michael's owner/chef Gaz Smith's wife Rita makes their homemade agnolotti stuffed with mozzarella and parmesan, with as much love and care as the fish dishes, or you can pop down the street to Little Mike's and you might be lucky enough to find fresh tagliatelle with crispy pig cheeks. One Pico Ciaran McGill’s team in the kitchen of One Pico consistently produces food with great care and attention, so it’s no surprise their pasta is freshly made, like the lobster ravioli with crab bisque and lobster oil topped with a very generous scattering of fresh truffle. A version with parmesan that’s been aged for 36 months also features from time to time. If only every restaurant in the Molesworth Street/Dawson Street area was working their kitchen like this. Crudo The customers continue to flock to Crudo in Sandymount, and now it’s even easier to find thanks to the signage change over the door. Inside, you’ll find a menu of fresh pasta that changes frequently and sounds simple, but delivers a serious hit of flavour, like their summer truffle cacio e pepe. Dall'Italia Just off Camden Street, Dall’Italia has carved out a solid following in Dublin, thanks to the tasty food, but also the versatility of the menu. In addition to the usual suspects like lasagne, you can customise your preferred pasta, topping, and sauce. Spaghetti aglio e olio with aubergine and bacon? Nice one. Penne pesto with bacon and spinach? Sure, why not. Carbonara with chicken and mushrooms? You’ve pushed us too far now. It’s basically pick ‘n’ mix for pasta. Cirillo's Cirillo’s is just the kind of place we love - understated, under the radar and building a solid reputation through word of mouth. Anywhere that proves their pizza dough for 30 hours gets our seal of approval, but our main draw here is the pasta and gnocchi made on-site. Grab a glass of wine, a seat looking on to Baggot Street and feast on dishes like duck egg spaghetti carbonara, prawn raviolo with straccitella, and gnocchi with spring vegetables. Variety Jones Chef/owner Keelan Higgs has ensured Variety Jones is perpetually fully booked with his whole fish, venison and duck cooked over charcoal in a corner of the kitchen, but the handmade pasta, like comté ravioli and spaghetti al fredo proved to be an unexpected bonus. He perfected his pasta skills in a two-Michelin starred restaurant in Tuscany, and Dublin's all the richer for it. Read our Variety Jones once over here . Allta Wine Bar - Coming Soon We’ve been excited about Niall Davidson’s new opening Allta pretty much forever. We had hoped we’d see the wine bar open by the end of the summer, and while that hasn’t happened, the flurry of recent activity on their Instagram page is giving us some glimpses at what we can expect. If this hand-extruded bigoli with spider crab and a juniper-smoked egg yolk is any indication of what’s to come, it's going to be worth the wait. Also, tease alert: A new pasta bar is coming to Dublin very soon, and from what we know, we think it's going to be joining the hype train. More news when we're allowed to spill.

Seeya, summer. You’ve been a blast but wow, you’re a lot of effort. Sure, making the most of longer days, sunshine, and salads is great but the months now end in “-ber” and that’s our inner klaxon to think about slowing things down a little bit. We’re not quite ready for stews and chicken pot pies, but we do want to mark the move into cooler days, slightly longer nights, and the return of our favourite reality TV shows. These five dishes look like just what we need to eat our way into Autumn. 1) The Baked Swede From Bastible It’s no secret that Bastible is hitting it out of the park in recent months, particulary since Cúán Greene took over as head chef, and this art-like plate of baked swede, pumpkin seed mole and pickled girolles is exactly why. Simple ingredients beautifully prepared (and photographed) is everything we love about the Dublin food scene right now. 2) Yuzu Curd Doughnuts From Tiller + Grain These big on taste but bite-sized yuzu curd and mascarpone doughnuts from Tiller + Grain are just the perfect mouthful of citrus and sweetness when you want a doughnut hit but can’t face a wall of sugar and sprinkles, or a 30 minute queue in a Blanchardstown carpark. 3) The Blue Cheese Gougères From Craft All summer long Craft has been showcasing a range of bright plates on a menu that changes regularly. We’re interested to see what the shift in seasons brings, but we’d very much like to start with these gougères (a baked savoury choux pastry) filled with Cashel blue custard and topped with fig jam and even more cheese. It’s basically a cheese éclair stuffed with cheese custard. Dreams do come true. They're part of the snack selection which changes regularly so get in quick before they’re gone. 4) Knafeh From Shouk After a two week hiatus for a little facelift, Shouk is back and still drawing the crowds with their massive mezze plates, colossal cauliflowers and huge batatas. We figure there’s just enough heat left to merit grabbing a spot in the outdoor seating area to enjoy a piece of this syrupy knafeh stuffed with mozzarella and topped with pistachios. We’re shook. 5) Nachos from Loose Canon Cheese and Wine Craving the crunch of crisp autumn leaves? We’re not quite there yet, but Loose Canon ’s crunchy combo of nachos, Young Buck Blue cream, and a homemade tomato sauce will make you forget that summer was even a thing. New season, who dis?

We've updated our Monday night eating list, because it's probably the question that most regularly slides into the DMs (that and where to eat on Sunday night). Feel free to ask, but we've compiled this lovely list so we can avoid repeating ourselves 100 times a month. For those who work in the hospitality industry (or any others that don't shut down at the weekend), Monday is essentially their weekend, and after an actual weekend of working day and night, a lot of restaurants close on Monday to give their staff a break. For those with that night off, it’s easy to be stuck for somewhere to eat, so here's our guide to where to eat on Mondays, whether you're in need of sustenance on your day off, are looking for an early week excursion, or can't face saying goodbye to the weekend just yet... 1. Etto Etto must be one of the only restaurants in the city that regularly books out on Monday nights, so don't get cocky and just show up thinking you'll walk straight in, but those nduja mussels, that côte de boeuf and those crispy potatoes feel particularly indulgent on a Monday. Read our Etto once over here . 2. Uno Mas If Etto's booked out try their Spanish sister restaurant Uno Mas , which luckily for us also opens on Mondays. Gildas, squid á la plancha and gooey Spanish tortillas will alleviate all thoughts of the week ahead. 3. Mister S The capital's newest spot for food cooked over fire serves tomahawk pork steaks, slow-cooked shortrib and charred hispi cabbage with spicy sausage at Monday night prices. So you can afford to drink more wine. Read our Mister S once over here . 4. Osteria Lucio Grab a stool at one of the high tables in the front or sink into the cave-like space at the back for some handmade pasta, woodfired pizza or steak tagliata, and if you get there before 18:45 you can take advantage of the pre-theatre menu at €27 for two courses or €32 for three. Read our Osteria Lucio once over here . 5. Chimac Everyone's favourite Korean fried chicken joint Chimac opens seven days a week, serving kimcheese burgers, Korean barbecue wings and ice-cream cookie sandwiches. An excellent choice if you're still suffering from the weekend. Read our Chimac once over here . 6. Lucky Tortoise Lucky Tortoise on Aungier Street serve their €20 all in dinner deal from Monday - Sunday, meaning that gyoza, peanut kimchi and okonimyaki are never that far from reach. 7. The Seafood Café Niall Sabongi’s Seafood Café in Temple Bar is a welcome respite from trad music and pricey pints in the capital’s tourist trap. Reasonably priced with a menu suited for sharing, it’s a friendly, laid-back place to enjoy fresh seafood. 8. Pi It’s no secret that we think Pi 's Neapolitan style pizzas are the best in Dublin (see our once over here ). The classic margarita and zuccha are our favourites, and the salty-sweet desserts are as perfect as the pizzas. 9. Fish Shop, Benburb Street Fish Shop 's Benburb location is an easy spot for a seafood dinner and a glass of wine. The menu is short, simple and changes frequently, but the fish and chips and fish burger are always on. Interesting, natural wine list with one of the city's best selection of sherries, and Monday night is wine club night, meaning a limited number of bottles at stupidly good prices. 10. 777 If you’re looking for a more lively night out, 777 always comes with a buzz. The 2 margaritas for €14 on Mondays can be dangerous, but there are plenty of tacos, tostadas and tortilla chips to soak them up. Read our 777 once over here . 11. Loose Canon Cheese and Wine The city centre natural wine and cheese shop always planned to open on Monday nights to cater to the trade, and it's rare to find it not completely jammed. Being in the tiny shop feels like having wine at a friend's house, and it's perfect if you’re not looking for a full meal. They make charcuterie and cheese plates up from what's in the fridge that day, and also do daily changing small plates, like panzanella with grilled courgette, confit tomato and Toonsbridge sheep cheese. 12. M & L Chinese One of the few places in Dublin to get authentic Sichuan food, the dumplings and fried green beans with chilli at M&L have been the start of many addictions over the years. Corkage is €5 but go easy on the chilli oil if you're taking something nice. Read our M&L once over here . 13. Piglet Piglet ’s supper menu is easy going, with pasta, fish and côte de boeuf for the very hungry. It's a cosy spot for a plate of food and some great wine, and if you find yourself in Temple Bar surrounded by camera bearing tourists and “The Auld Triangle” ringing in your ears, it's a good place to run for cover. Try the tapas with goat bacon or duck gizzards, with whatever wine pairings the staff recommend. 14. The Pig's Ear Classic Irish, contemporary dining on Nassau Street from Chef Stephen McAllister. The Pig's Ear has bright, airy dining room overlooking Trinity College, and nostalgia-inducing desserts like hobnob cheesecakes in jam jars and homemade walnut whips. 15. Terra Madre Rustic country Italian food with no frills, basement level Terra Madre is hidden out of view but worth a trip downstairs. Charming service, seriously good pasta, and many of the wines and ingredients are brought over from Italy especially for the restaurant. 16. Pichet French style bistro Pichet has been a staple in Dublin for years. It’s always reliable for a good meal with a buzzy atmosphere, and has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the past nine years. 17. L'Ecrivain The only Michelin starred restaurant in the city open on a Monday, if you’re looking for a blow out. Derry and Sallyanne Clarke have held onto their star since 2003 and the standard of food at L'Ecrivain is always reliably good. 18. One Pico Classic cuisine from the same restaurant family as The Greenhouse , with head chef Ciaran McGill serving seasonal dishes like beef cheek with girolles, cep purée and truffle, and mackerel with greengages, almond and yoghurt. The pre-theatre menu is the more affordable option, with two courses for €30 or three for €38. 19. Ananda Fine dining Indian restaurant Ananda in Dundrum serves innovative Indian food from varying regions using the best Irish produce, like roast Roscommon goat leg with fermented rice patties and chutneys. Head chef Karan Mittal has wowed everyone since taking over the kitchen last year, and won 'Rising Star of the Year' at the 2018 Food & Wine Awards. The dining room is pleasant and service is always first rate. 20. Ka Shing Our current favourite city spot for dim sum opens seven days a week, so there's no restriction on your ability to get 15 different types of dumplings, barbecue pork buns and fried turnip cake. The wine's not up to much so perfect if you're trying to stay off the booze after a heavy weekend. Read our once over here .

Under the heading of "reviews we weren't expecting but actually why are we surprised" this week, Lucinda O'Sullivan in the Sunday Independent doesn't hold back when it comes to Frank's on Camden Street. The problems didn't relate to having to wait two hours for a table - they actually got right in - instead they consisted of "drisheen-style pudding" masquerading as morcilla, a small €12 plate of girolles, parmesan, chicken wings and aubergine, and the "cow fingers" in a dish of spiced beef barbacoa - a cut of cow she thinks is only suitable for "cooking, mincing or dog food!" More disgust that it was left on the bill after she complained. No comment on dessert of charred apricots, caramelised yoghurt shards and heather honey - presumably a good thing - but she wasn't a fan of their system of not changing your glass between wines and cutlery between dishes, saying "there's something ugly and intrusive about having your big dirty knife and fork sitting up beside you between courses". She says she's had small plates with better ingredients and lower prices elsewhere, and wonders if it's all a case of the Emperor's new clothes. This in contrast with Catherine Cleary calling it her "new favourite restaurant", Tom Doorley calling it "sheer unalloyed delight", and Leslie Williams calling it a "wonderful addition" to the city. Can't win 'em all. (Review not currently online) In contrast, the restaurant Lucinda loved last week, Le Perroquet , is on a winning streak, with both Catherine Cleary and Gillian Nelis falling for Nick Munier and team's French shtick. In the Irish Times Cleary says it feels like it's "been here for an age", with the savoury Parmesan French toast "one of the best dishes in the place". A fig and goats cheese salad was simple but made with the "good stuff", while lamb with crispy seaweed potatoes was "excellent", but she warns that the express €16 lunch menu would have left her hungry, and additional drinks, dessert and coffee can make the bill rack up. Despite herself she says she likes Le Perroquet a lot, saying "there's proper kitchen talent here", and giving them 8/10. Read her review here . Gillian Nelis is in the same camp in the Sunday Business Post , saying she had "a most enjoyable evening" at Le Perroquet, also picking that savoury French toast as her favourite dish. She too loved the lamb dish, saying plate-licking may have occurred, and enjoyed a beef tartare with smoked sour cream, a chicken and mushroom ballontine, and a strawberry and ginger mille feuille for dessert. There's also an interesting bit of history about absinthe and how it developed into pastis, Le Perroquet's drink of choice. She reckons she'll be back again soon for more of their "inviting" small plates, and you can read the full review here . In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness gives Little Mike's in Mount Merrion 10/10 for food, saying the famous seafood platter is "the stuff of dreams". She says the theme amongst starters of crispy soft-shell crab, seared scallops and prawns on toast, tempura ray wing, grilled Donegal octopus and wild sea trout with oat fed mussels was "deliciousness", with generous portions and not a notion to be seen. The platters sent them into a very happy food coma, and she calls Little Mike's "the best place to eat seafood in Dublin". Needless to say the team were very happy with this one. Read her review here . In the Irish Daily Mail Tom Doorley says the baked Alaska is reason enough to visit French bistro La Maison on Castle Market, and that lunch there was "a splendid, unashamed wallowing in culinary nostalgia". They ate "pretty as a picture" seabass ceviche, gazpacho that was "simple, refreshing, delicious", and lamb rump that was "juicy and properly seasoned", although slices of duck breast were "a little overdone". That baked Alaska, set alight at the table, was "huge and wonderful and dreamy", and they couldn't finish it, and he says it was good to go back to La Maison after a few year hiatus, because it never disappoints. (Review not currently online) In the Irish Examiner Joe McNamee was at Izz Café in Cork, owned by a Palestinian couple who were formerly in direct provision, but eventually managed to start selling their traditional dishes at a farmer's market, before opening Izz earlier this year. He says their tabbouleh with fresh herbs, pickled cucumbers, green chillis, olives and baby aubergine stuffed with walnuts, garlic and chilli is currently his "favourite thing in the world to eat", and "superb value" at €11.50. They were "besotted" with all of the makdous - Palestinian flatbreads - their favourite being topped with chicken, sweet braised red onions, pine nuts, and sumac, and he said that while "heartwarming stories are all well and good ... they don’t necessarily fill hungry bellies", so he was happy to report that it was "an extraordinarily inexpensive yet delicious repast. Read his review here . Finally in the Sunday Times Niall Toner went all the way to Galway for the pancetta and pistachio lasagne at U Liotru , but it wasn't on the menu. Stinger. Luckily the regular lasagne, arancini and canoli meant it wasn't a wasted trip. Read his review here . More next week.

An almost exclusively Dublin-based set of reviews this week, after last week's hiatus when everyone seems to be on their holidays, with the exception of a jaunt to Brittany and another to Greystones - but the Dart does goes that far if you fancy some Indian goat (more on that below). In the Sunday Independent Lucinda O'Sullivan says she can't get enough of Nick Munier's new opening Le Perroquet on Leeson Street, but not before a swift dig at the "Twitter glitterati" who swamped social media with selfies during their soft launch nights. Ever restrained Lucinda waited until the first weekend they officially opened to show up, and thinks it's going to keep the "affluent neighbouring socialites" happy. Co-owner Chris Fullam will no doubt be delighted to have been described as a "hot young chef", executing food "exquisitely in his own style", like the rice crackers topped with mussels, crispy chicken skin crumb and oyster cream - "a superb crunchy blend of sea, sand and samphire". Other small plates of egg yolk, micro mushrooms, leek, potato and panko-crumbed anchovy sticks (where have those been all our lives), and a duck croquette are described as "divine", "succulent" and "incredible value", while lamb leg for mains was "superb", and she loved her charred monkfish with celeriac, sweetcorn, tarragon and a light curry sauce. A strawberry and rhubarb mille-feuille was up to French patisserie standards, and she says they've brought "a splash of Parisian kitsch to D4, but with chic, contemporary food". Read her review via Le Perroquet's Twitter feed here . In the Irish Daily Mail Tom Doorley finally got around to visiting Korean fried chicken purveyors Chimac , and he liked it, but perhaps not as much as some of the other critics, saying it beats Mad Egg , but just by a whisker. He thought the burgers were "good", with moist flesh and a crispy exterior, while scallion kimchee was "excellent". Kimcheese fries were "irresistible", but he's not a fan of leaving the skin on chips - regardless he says he'd skip the chicken for enough of these. He would have liked the wings to be crispier, but they were "no hardship", and despite his tablemates stating a preference for Mad Egg, he's team Chimac (but only just). Review not currently online. In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness braved a sea of green jerseys in Crudo , Sandymount after an Ireland rugby game at the Aviva, where highlights included housemade focaccia with whipped ricotta and a green herb oil, linguine with clams, mussels, bottarga and pangrattato, and a good tiramisu, but she had plenty of notes too. A prawn linguine was "curiously bland", apricot and cumin ketchup which came with monkfish fritti was "a strange accompaniment", and a Clogherhead crab salad could have done with more texture and ideally some brown meat. Despite the marks taken off she calls Crudo "the neighbourhood Italian that everyone would like to have within walking distance of home" and gives it 8/10 for food and value. Read her review here . In the Irish Examiner Leslie Williams was taking in the okra, dumplings and hair extensions on Moore Street, as well as eating some pretty good Vietnamese food in Bun Cha - which he thinks is the right name for it because it's its best dish. He says the crisp slices of barbecued, crisp pork belly with rice noodles and nuoc cham were "delicious", while cold rice paper rolls with prawn, beef and tofu were "perfect". Crispy spring rolls left "Chinese versions in the shade" and a pho bo soup with beef was "a food of the Gods", and while he can't confirm the menu's claim that Vietnamese food will ‘keep you looking young’ and give you ‘strong healthy hair’, he can confirm it is "delicious and you need to visit". Read his review here . In the Sunday Times Niall Toner was at The Blue Anchor on Meath Street, which is what Legit Coffee Co. turns into in the evenings. He liked the eclectic, at times experimental food, and the unusual wines, and gives it 3/5, saying he hopes they'll find a permanent space soon. Read his review here . In the Sunday Business Post Gillian Nelis says that while Chakra in Greystones isn't cheap, a meal there might have been the bargain of her dining year. A dish of Wicklow lamb (below) with spices, corn, corn milk and a corn pakora had "one of the most deeply flavoured sauces I’d had in ages", and she reckons their slow-cooked goat with garlic, cloves, spices, tomatoes and caramelised onions is the dish to head for if you need convincing about how delicious goat meat is. Seafood chilli masala was glorious, paratha was "worth every calorie", and a rose kulfi for dessert sent them home "waddling but happy". She calls Chakra a "Wicklow wonder" and you can read her review here . Finally in the Irish Times , Catherine Cleary was on her hols in Brittany, and thinks she's found what must be one of France's best value Michelin-starred dinners, at Hostellerie de la Pointe St-Mathieu , and at €40 it sounds it - especially considering it featured one of the best risottos she's ever had, with black quinoa, Parmesan, butter-fried chanterelles and deep-fried Jerusalem artichoke chips. Her husband's "discovery" menu was more classic French, with local crab, brill and artichokes, and two lobster courses - all good and "business as usual", but she says "France is changing. Some of those changes are sad, and some, like the direction this old restaurant is taking, are exciting", praising the young female chef in the kitchen leading old France into something new. If you're heading to Brittany any time soon you can read her review here . More next week.

Doolally , the plush new Indian restaurant from the Press Up Group has opened on South Richmond Street, opposite street food market Eatyard . It's Press Up's first venture into more exotic cuisines (there's a high-end Chinese to come later in the year), and they've enlisted Michelin-starred Alfred Prasad, Executive Chef of Tamarind in London, to help them design the menu. The group say they want to bring "a fresh concept in Indian cuisine to Ireland", celebrating authentic regional flavours and seasonal produce. The menu looks to be a mixture of lesser known dishes like Medu Vada - lentil dumplings with peppercorns, chilli and coconut chutney, aswell as mainstream options like Prawn Jalfrezi, Lamb Rogan Josh and Chicken Tikka Masala. The menu also features dishes that might be described as "fusion", like the Burrata Patta Chaat with burrata, kale tempkora, chickpea masala, sev, chutneys and pomegranate, and a Chicken Tikka Caesar Salad. Most of Doolally's chefs have been recruited from India, and the 220-seater restaurant, complete with open kitchen so you can watch them in action, has 71 staff members. Drinks include Indian inspired cocktails, a good wine list and plenty of non-alcoholic options like chai, lassis and sharbats. Doolally is open now for walk-ins only (but with 220 seats you won't have a problem getting in), for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and brunch at the weekend. They should have a reservations system set up in the next few weeks. Doolally The Lennox Building, Richmond Street South, Dublin 2 Mon - Thu 12:00 - 22:00. Fri - 12:00 - 23:00. Sat - Sun 11:00 - 22:00. Ph: +353 1 533 7562 doolally.ie

Mister S , a new barbecue restaurant cooking everything over open fire has opened on Camden Street. It's the second restaurant from Featherblade owners Paul McVeigh and Jamie O'Toole, with Daniel Hannigan, formerly of Richmond and a finalist in the Eurotoques Young Chef Of The Year 2019 , installed as head chef. Sous chef is Tim Geeves, who formerly worked at Smokestak in London, widely thought to be one of the best barbecue restaurants in the UK. Mister S is using predominantly Irish meat, fish and vegetables, with a stellar line up of producers including Andarl Farm for pork, Ridgeway Wagyu for beef, Castlemine Farm for lamb, and Sustainable Seafood Ireland for fish. Prices range from €8 for gambas, bisque butter and flatbread, to €15 for a marinated pork tomahawk. There's also the option of a whole brill with langoustine to share for €34, or daily sharing steaks. There are tables for two or four, wooden booths, and some window seats which will be ideal for solo diners (or anyone who wants to people watch). There's also a secret long table down the stairs at the back that you'll only see when you go to the toilet. They'll try to keep this for groups where possible so something to bear in mind for your next team outing. Currently Mister S is only open for dinner from Tuesday - Saturday (lunch will follow over the next few months), and it's walk in only, but before that raises a groan, they're using the same Quidini app that Pi use, so if there's a wait they'll take your name, let you go off for a drink, and text you when your table's ready. We had a sneak peak of the food earlier this week, and think this is one of the most exciting openings of the year to date. Get in fast before everyone finds out about it and it's Chimac-mania all over again. Opening menu below. Mister S 32 Camden Street, Dublin 2 www.instagram.com/mister_s_dublin

Whether you're eating out with the young or the old, want to go out but not 'out out' for dinner, or just are in need of a more affordable dining option, opting for an early bird is the answer, but not all are created equal. Despite their many confusing forms (pre-theatre, neighbourhood, set), some offer genuine value, offering benefits to both the diner and the restaurant trying to fill early tables, while some are just a bit rubbish, with separate menus using cheaper ingredients, thereby saving you nothing, and who's got time for that. We've scrutinised a LOT of them and these are our top picks for early dining inspiration. 1) Clanbrassil House The early bird in Clanbrassil House is pretty casual with the option to sit at their high stool tables or hang out in the back of the restaurant where all the cool kids sit next to the kitchen. 3 courses will set you back just €28, but you may spend more than you planned on their "give me one of everything" wine list. 2) Kinara Kitchen & Kajal Kinara Kitchen in Ranelagh and Clontarf, who specialise in Pakistani food, serve their early bird from Monday to Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm, with two courses coming in at a very reasonable €23.50. Their sister restaurant, Kajjal in Malahide, serves a very similar menu for the same price - but it must be noted that going here and not trying a traditional Pakistani biryani is something we wouldn't undertake lightly. 3) The Pig's Ear The Pig’s Ear on Nassau Street is great if you’re looking for simple, straightforward 'Irish' food with none of your airs, graces or white tablecloths. Dishes include starters like Earl Grey cured salmon with cucumber, horseradish and dill, and mains like line-caught cod with courgettes, borlotti beans, brown shrimp, pine nuts & sauce Maltaise (Hollandaise with blood orange added - swoon), and most of the dishes are also on the á la carte so you can be sure you're getting a bonefide bargain. See their early bird here . 4) One Pico One Pico , around the corner from their partner Michelin-ed restaurant The Greenhouse , is one of the city's top picks for a more refined early bird. A bit more on the pricey side (while nowhere near as pricey as full menu price), three courses will set you back around €38 a head (and with one of the dishes on the current menu coming in at €32 on the á la carte - you're basically saving money). See their latest pre-theatre here . 5) Etto We go on about Etto a lot (us and everyone else), and for good reason - you’ll always have a great meal here. This applies no less to their pre-theatre menu, with two courses for €28 or three for €32, featuring loads of the all time Etto classics like mussels with nduja and those red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone. It's served from 17:30 to 18:30 Monday to Thursday and you can see a sample menu here . 6) Crow Street One of the more affordable and relaxed places for an early bird with two courses for €19.95, three for €24.95 (leaving you with more opportunity to burn your money on drinks in Temple Bar). Crow Street also serve the menu for much longer, from 17:00 all night from Sunday to Thursday, and finishing at 18:30 on Friday and Saturday. Dishes include buffalo mozzarella with roast beetroot, orange and pistachio pesto, and a buttermilk chicken burger with chipotle aioli, lettuce, pickles & hand cut chips. See the current menu here . 7) Pickle Pickle ’s early bird is a bit more suitable for let’s say, a more sensitive Irish palette, and comes in at only €24 for two courses. Even if the menu sounds a bit more basic than the á la carte, you know that the flavours will be stand out. See their current early bird here . 8) Old Street Old Street in Malahide serves their neighbourhood menu all evening Tuesdays to Thursdays, and until 18:30 on Friday and Saturday, and their casual menu has a great supper vibe to it, with dishes like asaparagus and fig, and tagliatelle a la arrabbiata with bocconcini cheese. See their current neighbourhood menu here . 9) Locks Locks run their ' market menu ' (2 courses for €25, three for €30) until 18:30 every evening, with the same menu available at a marginally higher price post 18:45 on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Another rock solid option for a great dinner, and definitely a place for the aforementioned going ‘out’ but not ‘out out’. 10) Mr Fox Trusty Mr Fox is a handy north side spot to keep in mind when on that side of the Liffey. It consistently offers a high standard of contemporary Irish food, and their pre-theatre menu at €24.95 for two courses or €28.95 for three, featuring dishes like tuna, ponzu, navet, avocado, charred watermelon & tobiko, and roast barley risotto with pickled mushrooms & smoked ricotta is one of your best bets before an evening at the Abbey Theatre - but you totally don't need culture as an excuse to take advantage. 11) Chapter One Experience Michelin dining at a more pocket friendly price with two options; either go for their regular pre-theatre for €44, or else up a notch to their premium pre-theatre menu for €57. Definitely one for a special occasion when the full blowout dinner isn’t quite in your average Wednesday budget. See both menus here . 12) Pichet A Dublin staple off Dame Street, offering French bistro style food, Pichet has held firm as a reputable dining option throughout the years, maintaining its popularity and high standards. Their pre-theatre menu runs from 17:00 - 18:15, offering two courses for €23.50 or three for €30. 13) Riba Another casual neighbourhood spot that blends simple dishes with high-standards. There’s been a bit of a buzz around Riba lately, and with their ‘treat yourself Mondays’ offering three courses and a glass of prosecco for €27, and their regular early-bird at three courses for €26, there’s plenty of reasons to get here early. 14) Osteria Lucio Italian-style food in Grand Canal Dock from Chapter One's Ross Lewis and his Italian chef friend Luciano Tona. Their pre-theatre offers a simple but enticing mix of traditional Italian food like meatballs alla puttanesca, and more Irish elements like marinated Irish beetroot with goat cheese and black olive tuile, Osteria Lucio 's location is perfect for early evening people watching or before heading to a show at the Bord Gais theatre, and the pre-theatre menu is available from 17:00 to 18:45 with three courses for €32. Read our Osteria Lucio once over here . 15) The Old Spot Idyllically placed in the heart of D4, the Old Spot gives a no-frills, just good cooking approach that's guaranteed to warm your cold, winter-dreading heart. Their neighbourhood menu is only available from Monday to Friday, which makes it a great midweek spot that ticks all the boxes. Drop in between 17:00 and 18:30 and get three courses for €29. 16) The Legal Eagle The Legal Eagle offers a fun menu that plays a huge part in keeping the quality gastropub flame alive and well in Dublin. Their neighbourhood menu is available all day Sunday to Thursday, and from 12:00 to 19:00 on Friday and Saturday. Couple that with three courses for €35, including potted wild Wicklow rabbit & mushrooms on toast, and Irish OlivePork with nduja potato croquette, and you’ve got a comfortable spot in the heart of Dublin, with more than enough time to decide what you want to eat. Did we miss your favourite place for an early bird? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

Our bi-monthly list features the most talked about restaurants in Dublin right now. The ones the reviewers are reviewing, the instagrammers are instagramming, and where getting a Saturday (or any) night table can take military planning. These are the hottest restaurants in Dublin right now, in alphabetical order... 3 Leaves Where: Blackrock Market The tiny Indian in Blackrock exploded in 2018 with zero PR attached - just word of very satisfied mouths. Soon it was being called "outstanding" by Tom Doorley and "a revelation" by Katy McGuinness and it was firmly on the Dublin food map. Expect very tasty, very good value food, and the fact that you can BYOB is another reason it's difficult to get a table in. Read more about 3 Leaves here . Alma Where: Portobello The Argentinean café opened in mid-January with slick imagery and a very different menu to what's currently available on the food scene, and seems to have had a queue since day one. You have definitely seen the dulce de leche pancakes on social media and have probably stood on the SRC waiting for a table. No critic reviews yet but it is only a matter of time. It's got Catherine Cleary all over it. Read our Alma once over here . Bastible Where: South Circular Road Always a cornerstone of the Dublin dining scene, Bastible has been catapulted back into the limelight with the news that ex-Noma chef Cúán Greene is back in Dublin and their new head chef. Catherine Cleary was swiftly through the door, calling it "the start of something truly bloody exciting". Expect a stampede. Check out Bastible's hunger-inducing Instagram feed here . Bread 41 Where: Pearse Street Did cruffins even exist before Bread 41 opened last September? What did we have as a 'treat' breakfast? What did food bloggers pull apart for insta story videos? It's fair to say that Real Bread fanatic Eoin Cluskey's Pearse Street bakery burst onto the scene and shows no signs of slowing down. Watch the sad faces pile up around 10am when they find out that everything's gone and the next bake isn't till 11. Check out Bread 41 here . Chimac Where: Aungier Street Korean Fried Chicken fever hit the capital last month when Chimac finally opened, after a year of rumours. Queues down Aungier Street became the norm, and for the first week they didn't seem to be able to keep chicken in stock for more than a few hours. Katy McGuinness in the Irish Independent praised their commitment to free range chicken giving the food 9/10, and you can still expect a wait. Read more our Chimac once over here . Circa Where: Terenure The new neighbourhood restaurant from four industry friends has given city diners another reason to get on a bus to Terenure, with Leslie Williams in the Examiner saying Circa's "future looks bright", and Ernie Whalley in the Sunday Times calling chef Gareth Naughton's cooking "stylish with inspirational touches". There's an interesting drinks list too. Read more about Circa here . Clanbrassil House Where: Clanbrassil Street It's always a bit of a tie between who's getting more love - OG Bastible (above) or newer sibling Clanbrassil House, but between Cúán Green heading up the kitchen in Bastible and Clanbrassil head chef Gráinne O'Keeffe being named "best chef under 30" at last week's Food & Wine awards, we'd say they're pretty even right now. Read more about Clanbrassil House here . Crudo Where: Sandymount Dunne & Crescenzi 2.0 is from the owners' two sons, who've given the Sandymount site a serious face lift. They burst onto Instagram in January with multiple images of food that made us want to run for the Dart, and as we know, provide the excellent images and the critics will come. So far Lucinda O'Sullivan , Tom Doorley and Ernie Whalley have given it their stamp of approval and we'd say there's more to come. Check out Crudo here . Etto Where: Merrion Row Etto has been dream dining since opening mid-recession in 2013. One of the most highly rated, consistent restaurants in the city, no one was surprised to see them take home best restaurant in Ireland at last year's Restaurant Awards . Katy McGuinness reviewed them for a second time last February giving out a very rare 10/10, and saying she wouldn't change a single thing about it. Read more about Etto here . Fish Shop Benburb Street Where: Smithfield Simple seafood, sherry and natural wines have been drawing the crowds to Smithfield since day one, and it's one of the food & drink industry's favourite hang outs . Catherine Cleary likened it to "a world class tapas bar", Katy McGuinness called it "perfection", and their Monday Wine Club is without doubt the best value place to drink quality wine in the whole of Dublin. Champagne for €7.50 a glass anyone? Read more about Fish Shop Benburb St here . Frank's Where: Camden Street When Frank's butcher's shop on Camden Street became vacant, the owners of Delahunt a few doors up decided to take it over and turn it into a wine bar, leaving the butcher's frontage as is. Catherine Cleary in the Irish Times called it her "new favourite restaurant", and Aoife Carrigy in Food & Wine compared it to a cocoon, calling the food "top-class". Read our Frank's once over here . Grano Where: Stoneybatter We don't remember a new Italian restaurant ever having the impact Grano has in just two months since they opened, with 5 critics in already. By January they were booking out weeks in advance, and on the two occasions we ate there, countless people were turned away all evening. Catherine Cleary called it "terrific", and Lucinda O'Sullivan said if she lived locally she'd be there every night. Read our Grano once over here . Host Where: Ranelagh Host opened in Ranelagh in 2017 and was like a corridor of London transported into a street in need. Soon the neighbourhood had a new favourite hangout for handmade pasta, sharing steak and great wine, and more than one critic complained about not being able to get a table. Host is still killing it in the popularity stakes and their fans frequently travel across the city to eat there. Read our Host once over here . Liath Where: Blackrock When Heron & Grey announced they were splitting up late last year, anyone who's eaten there (or was never lucky enough to get a booking) sobbed inwardly, but when Damien Grey announced he was opening the restaurant under a new name, 'Liath', sighs of relief were heard across the city. It opened in March to raves all round, and expect reservations to be like hen's teeth for the foreseeable future. Read our Liath once over here . Little Mike's Where: Mount Merrion We didn't think it was possible for Michael's in Mount Merrion to be overshadowed, until little brother and wine bar Little Mike's opened a few doors up. It's left a clean sweep of critics swooning ( us included ), with Ernie Whalley describing the seafood small plates as full of sincerity and generosity, and Tom Doorley calling it "a delight". The counter seats with a view of the kitchen are the ones in demand, and the wine experience is at the same level as the food. Read more about Little Mike's here . Potager Where: Skerries There was a lot of excitement in the industry when it was announced in January that ex-Chapter One head chef Cathal Leonard was taking over the old Red Bank in Skerries. He and partner Sarah Ryan opened the doors in June and unusually Catherine Cleary from the Irish Times was the first in. She called the evening tasting menu "the best money you'll spend on food in Dublin", and after eating there we'd be inclined to agree Read our Potager once over here . The Greenhouse (New) Where: Dawson Street Never has a city begrudged the Michelin-guide more than when The Greenhouse didn't get bumped from one to two stars at last year's awards ceremony in London. The team, led by head chef Mickael Viljanen, were however named "best restaurant in Dublin" at the Food and Wine Awards last week, and there's always the 2020 Michelin-guide to look forward to. Read more about The Greenhouse here . Two Pups Where: Francis Street Casually going about their breakfast, lunch and brunch business since 2016, Two Pups is still one of the most sought after brunch spots in Dublin, and if you go on weekends prepare to queue. They're single-handedly responsible for one of the world's greatest pairings - avocado and garlic peanut butter, and the French toast with plum compote and white chocolate reached legendary status. Read more about Two Pups here . Uno Mas Where: Aungier Street The second, Spanish-influenced opening from the guys behind Etto almost kept us waiting as long as Gertrude, but from the day they announced they were opening at the end of November there's been a steady stream of critics, bloggers and just breathing humans coming out awestruck at the gildas, the mussels, the flan. It also has some of the best bar seating in town and some is saved for walk-ins. Jackpot. Read more about Uno Mas here . Variety Jones Where: Thomas Street The first solo opening from chef Keelan Higgs opened five days before Christmas with no fuss, they just got the fire going in the hearth at the back and swung open the doors. Pretty soon reports were coming in about some of the most exciting cooking in the city, and all seven national critics had paid a visit in the first two months. Almost all left very satisfied. Read our Variety Jones once over here . Ones to watch... - The guys from Featherblade with open Mister S on Camden Street very shortly. Expect meat and vegetables cooked over fire with the same great value to be found in Featherblade - Somewhere else that can't open fast enough for our liking is Spitalfields, the new "pub with a restaurant" in The Coombe from the team behind The Pig's Ear , with ex-Luna manager Declan Maxwell running the show. We've heard comparisons to The Harwood Arms in London, but before you get too excited about having a new place for the ultimate roast, we've been told they won't be opening Sundays (sad face). Current opening date is estimated to be Monday 9th September. - Press Up's first foray into the exotic, Indian restaurant Doolally , opens on South Richmond street on Wednesday 11th September. The critics grew weary of the painting by numbers menus in their other sites, but we'd bet they'll head in to check this one out, especially after the news that former Michelin-starred chef Alfred Prasad was drafted in to design the menu - Nick Munier and Chris Fulham's Le Perroquet has had one glowing review straight off the bat from Tom Doorley . Let's see if they can manage a few more And still waiting on all of these... - We're very impatiently waiting for Niall Davidson 's new opening Allta (Irish for 'wild'), now expected by the October, which will bring small plates and pasta to South Frederick Street - Ex- Etto staff member Jess D'Arcy and her husband were due to open Mamó in Howth in August, and we're told they're almost there - Amy Austin , the new wine bar from 777 and ex-Luna owner John Farrell is really dragging her feet but SHOULD be open in the next few weeks - Little Forest, the new Italian in Blackrock from the guys behind Forest Avenue and Forest & Marcy is delayed due to building issues, but we're eagerly awaiting news of an opening date

After a pretty quiet summer, the food industry is exploding into September with about 5 million events planned over the next four weeks - okay that might be a slight exaggeration but they're coming at us like tennis balls on centre court lately. Here are some that might help ease the pain of the summer that wasn't coming to a miserable end... Sticks Johnny Boyle's Sticks pop-up, currently operating out of Storyboard in Islandbridge, is inspired by Japanese skewer culture, and as the name implies, everything is on sticks. It's loosely based on a Japanese omakase format, where the chef decides what you eat, but they're bringing in inspiration from other cuisines too, with the main aim being to create "delicious flavour bombs on sticks". They're currently living by the quote, "If you can create a dish that dispenses with the need for anything but fingers, you are winning", and you can experience that winning by nabbing a tickets for the next dinner on Saturday 14th September here . A Special Food For Thought Daniel Hannigan's Food For Thought charity dinners have gone from strength to strength over the past year, raising over €25,000 so far for 3Ts - Turn The Tide Of Suicide - and the next ones are taking place on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th September, with ex- Delahunt  and Locks head chef Dermot Staunton taking up the reigns. Dermot wanted to get involved in raising awareness of depression and suicide, for reasons which will be revealed on the night, and the event will take place in The Well on Stephen's Green. Tickets are €180 for a 16 course tasting menu with "theatrical elements", a curated playlist linking the food to the music, and special lighting. Fish will be blow torched at the table, lamb legs will be served whole, and they're promising surprises throughout the evening. Tickets are due to be released this week - keep an eye on the FFT Instagram feed for details. Land and Sea - Grálinn x Julia's Lobster Truck Grálinn started their supper clubs on Elmhurst Farm in Drumcondra earlier this year, and managed to impress Katy McGuinness in the Irish Independent  with the "joyous eclecticism" in their food, and on Friday 13th September they join forces with Julia's Lobster Truck (usually based in Clare) for a one-off Land and Sea dinner in The Fumbally . The six course tasting menu is promising to showcase some of the incredible produce the island has to offer, and costs €80 with wines available to purchase on the night. Get tickets here . Chef Knights Chef Knights is a collaboration between Hussey Fruit & Veg and the restaurants they supply produce to, to showcase the best of Irish food and raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. The first one took place in Richmond a few weeks ago, and the next one is on Monday 16th September in Circa , Terenure. Tickets are €50 for a 5-course tasting menu from Circa head chef Gareth Naughton, and most of the ingredients for the night are being donated by Hussey Fruit & Veg's producers, like Drummond House garlic and Ard Mhacha Shiitake mushrooms, so that as much as possible will go to charity. Tables can be booked directly through the restaurant here . Lobsterfest at Saba Saba 's lobsterfest is back from the 9th-22nd September, with Kilkeel Harbour lobster, Roaring Bay rope mussels and oysters from Carlingford Lough, all served Saba-style. The "celebration of everything lobster and shellfish" includes a steamed half lobster with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chilli for €29.95, paired with a Mayflower Martini, and a seafood platter for two featuring a whole lobster, squid, tiger prawns and swordfish, with stir-fried vegetables and fried rice for €56.95. Get more info and book a table here . The Cliff Townhouse Oyster Festival Another festival making its annual return (for its 8th year) is the Cliff Townhouse 's Oyster Festival, which runs through September. For the whole month you can get six oysters with a glass of Billecarte salmon for €30, and downstairs in Urchin you can get a seafood platter with two glasses of house wine for €60. We're also liking the sound of their jazz and oyster lunch on Sunday 29th September, starting with oysters and Champagne, followed by a talk and demo, then a three-course lunch, for €50 per person. Get more information or make a booking on the Cliff Townhouse's website .

Covering everything from Leprechauns to libraries, Dublin has long been a haven for museums, galleries, and cultural hotspots, and you’ll find no end of opportunities to learn about the city and world around us if you act like a tourist for the day. We like to think we’re a cultured bunch, but this is All The Food not All The Museums, so we’ve put together a list of culturally-adjacent cafés and restaurants that are worth a visit on their own merit, but also happen to be in, or under, some of our favourite cultural destinations in Dublin. Hatch and Sons, Hugh Lane Gallery & The Little Museum of Dublin Nestled away on the North side of Parnell Square, the Hugh Lane Gallery celebrates Irish art in contemporary and modern forms. If you’re visiting for an exhibition or lecture, and want to stick around for some food afterwards, Hatch and Sons are on-hand with breakfast goodies, salads, sandwiches, sharing boards, and lots of cake and coffee. They also hold a supper club showcasing Irish food every month. On the Southside, Hatch and Sons also has a basement location tucked away under the Little Museum of Dublin , if you’re looking to learn a little something about the city before grabbing a coffee for a wander through St. Stephen’s Green. Press Café, The National Print Museum A bit niche, but the National Print Museum in Beggars Bush is a lovely way to kill a few hours. It houses over 10,000 items that document Ireland’s history of printing; from large printing machines, to examples of calligraphy. You can even pick up one of their house-printed 1916 Irish Proclamations, if you’re feeling patriotic. The museum’s Press Café has built up a popular following with visitors and locals, for their menu featuring everything from banana bread French toast, to a slow-cooked lamb flatbread. They also have an outdoor area for alfresco dining. Ink Café, dlr Lexicon Dún Laoghaire’s impressive and expansive new dlr Lexicon library has everything; all the books, stunning views, a puntastic name, and Ink Café which focuses on zero waste, seasonal ingredients and food that aims to be accessible to all budgets, operated by FoodSpace . Menus are geared towards brunches, lunches, and snacks, plus there are supper club events throughout the year. Science Gallery Café, Science Gallery Science, art, and coffee collide in Trinity thanks to the Science Gallery Café opening in 2008, before Pearse St. became Dublin 2’s café mecca. There’s been a recent change of hands now that Cloud Picker have moved out and across the street, but the Science Gallery Café continues to provide breakfast, lunches, and coffees in a really funky café space. That said, you are within mere steps of Cloud Picker , Bread 41 , and Gertrude , so choose wisely. IFI Café Bar, Irish Film Institute The IFI Cinema and archive in Temple Bar feels like a real treat. The beautiful high-ceilinged building has three screens showing everything from new releases, to foreign language films and daily free screenings from the national archives. You can see an Oscar statuette up close, grab a (plastic) glass of wine or beer from the bar to enjoy through the movie, and then relax in the IFI Café Bar where there’s lots of choices for snacks and full meals, and a dessert counter featuring what may just be the best raspberry roulade in the city. The warm summer salad with crispy parmesan polenta croutons is definitely an upgrade from cinema-standard nachos with glow-in-the-dark “cheese”. Keep an eye out for regular “Feast Your Eyes” events where film tickets are paired with a specially devised main courses. Any culturally-adjacent eateries we've missed? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

A good marker of summer is the increase in reviews from around the country as the critics head off on their holidays. While usually there's a mass of moans about the majority of reviews coming out of the capital (which makes sense as we have the most restaurants), summer tends to be the opposite, and this week there's slim pickings for Dublin diners. There is however lots of staycation inspo. In the Irish Daily Mail Tom Doorley 's gone French for the second week in a row. Last week it was Nick Munier's new opening Le Perroquet, this week it's old school, under the radar bistro (at least for non-locals)  Le Pastis in Blackrock. Despite the "1980's feel" and "distinctly French menu", he says there's something "refreshingly of the new Ireland" about Le Pastis, and both oysters with lemon and a seaweed salad, and a gallantine of chicken with asparagus were "good" - he's also surprisingly forgiving at the appearance of sesame-honey noodles on the side of that gallantine, saying that Paris is bursting at the seams with noodle bars. A boeuf bourgignon was "exactly as it should be", despite the "confused" selection of roasted veg on the side, and lemon sole was perfectly cooked, save for an unnecessary smear of green purée underneath. A fresh raspberry mouse with raspberry ice-cream for dessert was "very lovely", and he says he understands why Le Pastis always seems to be busy, but thinks the kitchen could strip things back a bit, and resist the urge to add a "culinary go-faster stripe" to the plate. (Review not currently online) The only other review in Dublin this week comes from Niall Toner in the Sunday Times , who saved up all the fish-related puns for the last paragraph of his review of East Café in Howth. The upshot is that the food was pretty good, the service could have been better. You can read the full thing here  but proceed with caution if bad puns induce deep cringe. In the Irish Times Catherine Cleary is the latest person on the island to fall in love with  Little Fox in Ennistymon, saying that great food in small towns makes her "giddily optimistic about the world". She says it's the type of place "where menu descriptions deliver flavours in the way Instagram filters boost colour and contrast", singling out slow-cooked lamb with lemony hummus, haddock ceviche with the "freshness and zing of fresh coriander and lime", and "world-class" Clarinbridge clams and mussels in a fennel and tomato liquor. She says this is "quiet work done by people who believe it's worth doing things well" and describes Little Fox as "a beautiful idea which puts Ennistymon on the food map" - which we can attest to as we took a trip to Clare last month purely for the purposes of eating there after a summer of being taunted by other people's Instagram feeds. She gives it 9/10 and you can read her review here . In the Irish Examiner Joe McNamee is wondering if The Fish Basket in Long Strand is West Cork's best kept secret. After an entertaining opening about the restaurant's previous incumbent, and how it all went very badly wrong, he describes new owner Peter Shanahan's tray of whole Irish prawns and crab claws in garlic and herb butter with handcut chips and local leaves as "the quintessential seaside dining experience", while a sharing tray of battered hake and lemon sole, proper scampi and tender calamari with mushy peas, tartare sauce and chips was a "breathtakingly and sublimely rendered bounty". Fish tacos were the only weak link due to a "pappy wheat tortilla" and a tomato salsa "lacking chilli punch", but homemade treats from the chef/owner's wife were "a revelation", and he singles out the exceptional service. He gives the food 8/10, and the atmosphere 11/10 if it's a sunny day, and you can read the full review here . In the Sunday Business Post Gillian Nelis says that West restaurant at The Twelve Hotel in Galway are delivering "one of the best all-round hospitality experiences in the country". She praises dishes like barbecued Connemara langoustines with the "inspired addition" of salt and vinegar tempura nori, simple but beautiful organic mountain lamb featuring the loin, sweetbreads, braised belly and ‘lambcetta’ with peas and an onion soubise, and Connemara scallops with leeks, smoked black pudding, potato and dried seaweed terrine, and scallop roe cream - "one of the best dishes I’ve eaten so far this year." The service was just as good as the food, and she says it's an ideal place to Taste The Island this Autumn. Read her review here . In the Sunday Independent Lucinda O'Sullivan gives Michelin a bit of a roasting, saying they've always been "mean" with Ireland, before recounting two lunches in Kilkenny - one in Michelin-starred Campagne , the other in Lils at Avalon House . She calls the latter a "hip country-house hotel with stunning decor and an emphasis on food", and a "sassy" lunch menu. A salad of St Tola goat's cheese with figs, baby leaves, quinoa and beetroot dressing was "sublime", while fish pie with salmon, trout, hake and cod was "delicious", with its "fluffy charred potato topping". Michelin-starred Campagne is described as "cool and sophisticated, but delightfully unpretentious", with a "terrific" lunch menu. A lobster vol-au-vont was "fantastic", roast hake with confit fennel, aubergine and red pepper relish "superb", and a ravioli of mozarella and ricotta overflowing with smoked aubergine and pesto was so good she had to invent a word to describe it - "plumptious". An "insta-perfect" dessert of elderflower jelly, passion fruit ice-cream and a brown sugar tuille finished them off, and she calls Campagne "a gem". (Reviews not currently online) Finally in the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness is making us want to book another flight to London with her review of Irish export Robin Gill's new opening  Darby's , named after his late father. Leaving aside one surly server, it sounds like perfection from start to finish, with gildas featuring smoked eel instead of anchovies, brown butter waffles with smoked salmon and caviar, and an impeccably cooked whole turbot to share, with "flawless" sides of borlotti beans with herbs and greens, Cuore del Vesuvio tomatoes with Capezzana olive oil, and a "simple and perfect" green salad. The Truffled Baron Bigod - "essentially very posh cheese on toast" - is what we'll be thinking about for a good portion of the next week, and a passing waiter received serious bonus points by bringing them extra saying that their portion looked "a bit stingy". If only every restaurant had one. She describes it as "flavour, flavour, flavour in a room coming down with old-school glamour", and gives both food and value 9/10. Read her review here . More next week.

In the Irish Daily Mail this week Tom  Doorley is first in there with a review of Le Perroquet , Nick Munier's new pad on Leeson Street which only opened two weeks ago. It's co-owned by the Townhouse leisure group (La Cucina, The Green Hen), and he fesses up to thinking the food would be similar to their other venues - "from the good to the pedestrian" - but was pleasantly surprised by the "deliciously eclectic menu". His favourite dishes were roast cod with polenta and a beurre blanc - "summer on a plate" - French toast with Parmesan and shallot (above) - so good he wanted to cheer - and a side of aligot - creamy mashed potato blended with Parmesan. He calls Le Perroquet "bold and lovely and great for Dublin", and needless to say the team were very, very happy with this one. (Review not currently online) From the new and shiny to the more classic, Leslie Williams in the Irish Examiner was celebrating the Leaving Cert results at Caviston's in Dun Laoghaire, with fish that was "spanking fresh" and cooking that was "solid". One of the starters comprised of 15 (15!) queen scallops in chorizo butter, but other winners were a "pristinely fresh" tian of crab, and "chargrilled, robust sardines". Mains of John Dory, turbot and "properly cooked" king scallops all sound simple yet effective, chips were crispy and salad was well-dressed. All three dessert plates were scraped clean, and he ends with some solid restaurant gossip - Caviston's are opening a 120 seat space nearby by the end of the year. Wowzers. Read the full thing here . In the Sunday Business Post Gillian Nelis found "a deep bowl of deliciousness" with "layers of flavour" at The Ramen Bar on South William Street. Their tonkatsu ramen with "succulent pork" was the standout, while the garlic ramen with chicken, grated and black garlic was "very tasty but no tonkotsu". Starters were "a bit meh" with "mushy" salmon tartare and "forgettable" gyoza, but she says that tonkotsu ramen is now one of her go-to lunches in the city centre. Read her review here . In the Sunday Times Niall Toner battled against the odds to get a table in Host in Ranelagh, and says he kind of loves the happy place with happy food and drink. Read that here . In the Irish Times Catherine Cleary thinks Lily's On Church Street is the restaurant Wicklow town "badly needed". She says the hardworking place is somewhere "good sourcing and good cooking combine, and their three-course meal including gazpacho, hake "cooked butter crisp", braised Dexter beef shin and chocolate mousse was "delicious", "refreshing" and "lovely". While she says they hadn't pushed any boats out or "bamboozled anyone with small plates and the ordering anxiety they leave in their wake", Lily's "deserves to thrive in this lovely old building", and gives them 8/10. (Review not currently online) In the Irish Independent Katy McGuinness is in Galway for the third week on the trot, suitably impressed at how Gather are "walking the walk" when it comes to provenance and sourcing. A "strapping" burger is as good as you'll find anywhere, a fish special of plaice is "perfectly cooked", and organic green salad had the taste of "picked this morning" about it. She says Gather is a model for the type of restaurant that should exist in every Irish town, "supporting local farmers and growers, and acting as a hub for the community", and gives the food 9/10. Read her review here . Lucinda O'Sullivan  reckons Michelin-level food is being served on the University of Limerick campus, and before you fall off your chair it's not in the college canteen. She says that chef/patron Derek Fitzpatrick in the East Room restaurant, located in one of the 19th century buildings, is doing "an extraordinary job", taking much of his vegetables and herbs from UL's rooftop garden, and foraging for others. Foie gras was "picture perfect", cured salmon with grapefruit "divine", and violet artichokes with shiitake mushrooms "stunning", and she says she'd brave the M7 roadworks in a heartbeat to eat there again. (Review not currently online)

Is it just us or are pop-ups having a moment? Between female-chef inspired Forás and Japanese skewer inspired Sticks this month, and the three we're about to tell you about, pop ups are like the new doughnuts - blame the ridiculous state of rents and key money in the city centre stopping people who want to open restaurants from opening restaurants. Luckily for us that means they're having to get creative about how they feed us, and we're all on for that. Roots Chefs and partners Keith Coleman and Aisling McHugh used to run the kitchen at Fia , which was where Keith held his first pop-up " Roots " dinner in 2017 with Cúán Greene (formerly Noma, now head chef at Bastible ). Various versions of Roots have been held with different chefs since then, all leaving a trail of dazed and amazed diners in their wake, but it was when Keith did a residency in Green Man Wines in Terenure and scored a 9.5/10 from Catherine Cleary in the Irish Times that suddenly everyone knew his name. The latest version of Roots (and presumably the ultimate) sees Keith and Aisling come together in "a celebration of culture, heritage and native produce", starting with three dinners at the Hang Tough gallery in Portobello this week. Currently there are only tickets left for Friday night so if you want in be quick, or sign up to their mailing list for details of their next events. Feed The Pony Two of the team from Aimsir in Kildare are holding a natural wine night in Host on Monday 2nd September, with the chefs and winemakers flying in from Germany. Rose O'Toole is Aimsir's bar manager and Marty Cooper is front of house, and Marty's girlfriend worked for Noma and Kadeau in Copenhagen, before moving to Palsta in Berlin. Her and a fellow Palsta colleague will be in the kitchen on the night, and while the menu is TBC, they're teasing us with potential dishes like pickled green plums with mirabel plums, and ryebread with salted butter and burnt leek powder. Winemakers Daniel and Bianka Schmitt aren't currently represented in Ireland, so this will be a first outing for their biodynamic wines from Rheinhessen, and the €65 ticket includes five courses and five wines. Get tickets here . 4 Hands Food Studio Chef Rose Greene ran the kitchens of internationally renowned Coombeshead Farm in Cornwall and Michelin-starred In De Wulf in Belgium ( now closed ), before coming back to Ireland last year with her partner Margaux (who also worked at Coombeshead farm) to set up 4Hands Food Studio in Westmeath. They specialise in producing fermented foods like kimchi and kombucha, and want to hold workshops and events on site. As part of their return they're holding 3 dinners at The Fumbally in October, November and December, using food from their own larder, organic produce, fermented drinks and natural wines. They'll be using techniques like soaking, pre-digestion, sprouting, fermenting, dehydrating and slow cooking, saying it makes their food tastier, nutritious and easier to digest, and will only serve 25 people at each dinner to ensure they can engage with everyone. Tickets are €70 for what sounds like a lot of food and drink, and you get all the details here .

From petrol stations to 5 star hotels and every café in between, has a city ever taken an item so much in to their hearts (and breakfast menus) as Dublin has the humble scone? They’re the perfect vehicle to transport butter, jam, and cream (that’s right - we said “and”, there’s no shame in our scone game) into your face, and the Dublin scone scene is worth exploring. Also, good news, we’ve settled the debate and can now confirm that the word is 100% pronounced “scone” as in own, cone and moan. You’re welcome. Baa Baa by Blacksheep Foods Catering biz turned café, Baa Baa in Chapelizod has been blowing us away with so many scone flavour combos that we're struggling to pick just one. If we had to choose, it’d be the kale and cheddar, but honourable mentions go to strawberry and rosemary, and rhubarb and thyme. Basically, all the scones. Food Game On a stroll down South Lotts Road, you might happen upon a chalkboard outside Food Game telling you that “Dublin’s best scones are just out of the oven”. Big words (and they are really good) but, hey- who are we to fight with a sandwich board when they’ve already had enough trouble this month? Pepper Pot Café Take a break from shopping with a scone the size of your head while relaxing on the mezzanine of the Pepper Pot Café overlooking Powerscourt Town House Centre. Self-care in scone format. Coffee2Go Yes, that is Nutella on top of that scone on the left. Yes, Nutella. On a scone. It’s a Nutella scone. Brave the queues across any of the Coffee2Go locations (Mespil Road, Burlington Road, Blackrock) and even if the Nutella scones are all gone by the time you get there, you’ll be rewarded with lots of other options like pecan and raspberry. Fia Huge scone - check. Loads of Glenilen butter and berry jam - check. Outside seating where you can soak up some Rathgar buzz as you dine - check. Fia is a simple scone-eating haven. The Woollen Mills A scone so fruity, it almost doesn’t need jam. We’re adding jam anyway because we’re so extra, but it’s safe to say that The Woollen Mills scone will provide you with at least one of your five a day. The Art of Coffee In a city where our heads have been turned by cruffins and bircher museli, The Art of Coffee brings us back to our breakfast roots with their selection of fluffy fruit scones. Keogh's Many a bad morning/hangover/break up has been made better by an enormous raspberry, sugar-flecked scone from Keoghs Café on Trinity Street. For optimum scone-age get one while it's still warm (they always seem to be warm) with liberal amounts of Kerrygold on top and watch it melt in. Did we miss your favourite scone in Dublin? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

There’s been a few recent changes to the Creative Quarter, some sad, some exciting, so we’ve refreshed our guide to the area.... The Creative Quarter is the quarter you want to be in. The other three quarters? Well, we won’t even mention them. So clear your next day off and prepare for a day of great food, blissfully aimless shopping and too much coffee. Here’s how we would spend it... (and in case you're not sure where we're talking about, here's a map too) Morning... Start off in the Pepperpot Café in the Powerscourt Centre for breakfast. Whilst we’re big fans of their famous pear and bacon sandwich (it’s worth the hype), their scrambled eggs are also spot on. Afterwards, poke your head into homeware shop Article , before walking down South William St to Clement & Pekoe for coffee. The bench outside is one of the best places for people-watching in the city, if you can nab a spot. If it's too cold for that there's plenty of indoor seats too. Lunchtime... Head to Industry & Co. on Drury Street for Ottolenghi-style meats and salads, and have a browse around the shop afterwards. Earlier this year they started opening on Friday and Saturday evenings - details on that here - and while they've stopped for the while we hear they're due to start up again soon. If the weather is good, Blazing Salads is a great spot for a takeaway salad to bring to Stephen's Green. Alternatively, sit down with your salad in Sprout on Exchequer Street (below) who grow their own greens on their farm in Kildare. Get your afternoon coffee fix from Kaph on Drury Street, one of our favourite cafés in town. The seating upstairs is a nice place to get some work done but be warned, it can be packed. If you’re still feeling peckish, go for the quintessential pint and toastie in Grogan's . It’s nothing fancy but it hits the spot. Around the corner on Stephen Street Lower you'll find Sisu Izakaya where you can get yourself a great value bento box or some artfully decorated sushi to keep you going through your day of wandering, boozing and eating. During the day... Go to the Irish Design Shop , the Secret Book and Record Store or do a day course in Cook’s Academy . Have a stroll around Asia Market on Drury St and walk through George’s Street Arcade . Have a browse around upmarket grocer Fallon and Byrne and try to nab some of their truffle brie. They also do €1 corkage on any bottle from their wine cellar to drink in on Mondays and Tuesdays. For a caffeine top up, call into Grantham's on George's Street, where the coffee shop is in collaboration with Dunnes Stores and garden designer, Diarmuid Gavin, making for very Instagrammable coffee. Hungry again? The fried chicken gods have smiled upon Dublin town and blessed each and every one of us with Chimac , the Korean fried chicken joint using Irish, free-range chicken on Aungier Street with the ability to grant you happiness instilled in a mug of frosé. As feel-good as fast food gets. Feeling hot? ‘Gram some instant ice cream at Three Twenty Ice Cream , the ice cream shop that makes it on the spot using the science of liquid nitrogen. A bit on the pricey side but will it fulfil you inside? Kinda-maybe-not, but also it’s magic or something. Evening... To start off the evening with a drink, Loose Canon is perfect for a glass of natural wine and a plate of Irish cheese and charcuterie. Opened by the guys from Meet Me in the Morning , their small plates are great if you don’t want a big meal, but it's easy to accidentally lose track of every responsibility in your life, spend the evening here and rack up a very large bill. For a casual dinner, Pi has been one of our favourite spots since it opened. Even if there’s a queue, it’s worth the wait for this pi(e). If you want to push the boat out, head for Dylan McGrath’s Asian and South American influenced Taste at Rustic , for some wagyu beef sushi or salmon cooked over a robata grill. 777 on George’s Street is always a lively dining experience (you can read our review here ). It can be a bit pricey so if you’re conscious of your budget go on Sundays, where all dishes are €7.77. Or else go for Margarita Mondays where you'll get two margs for twelve beans. A cheaper taco alternative is Masa , on the corner of Drury Street, resulting in even more tacos and quesadillas to be had. If we were playing fast and loose with the Creative Quarter boundaries (see Chimac above), we might suggest some counter dining at Uno Mas , the Spanish influenced relative to Etto around the corner on Aungier Street - a no brainer for a good meal, but be sure to book ahead to avoid the fomo that you’re already having. Alternatively if your wallet is feeling a bit light this month go for dim sum in Lucky Tortoise next door and order everything from the menu for €20, including bao, potstickers and kimchi coleslaw. Good times guaranteed. Finish off the night with drinks at Idle Wild or No Name bar on Fade Street - the only indicator of the latter being a wooden snail hanging above the door. Alternatively, head for more casual pints and board games in P.Mac’s - the sibling to Blackbird and Cassidy’s. Then crawl off home to bed to recover, filled with a whole new sense of creativity. Have we missed any of your favourite Creative Quarter spots? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.