We're going Italian heavy this week with a creamy cod croquette, Irish oysters meet Calabria, and the most beautiful maritozzo inspired by the Amalfi coast. Here are the five thing we most want to eat in Dublin this week, while we ponder whether we even need to go abroad this summer...
1) Oysters with spicy sardella, A Fianco
A Fianco in Stoneybatter have fresh Connemara oysters on the menu right now, topped with spicy Sardella di Crucoli emulsion - a sardine/chilli mix locally known as the caviar of the poor. They've hit just in time for the Irish summer (that may or may not have already happened), and there are few things better in the sunshine than a rake of fresh oysters and a cold glass of flinty white - which they can also provide.
2) Amalfi Maritozzo, Berri Lab
Italian microbakery legends Berri Lab are masters of the maritozzo, and look at this beauty they brought out in honour of the scorcher we had last weekend. Let's hope this lemon curd, whipped cream and mint combo sticks around.
3) Irish Wagyu ribs, Hang Dai
We're not ashamed to say a little bit of drool slipped out when these 14-hour Irish wagyu ribs from Hang Dai appeared on the feed. Served with a beef chilli paste, a tangy pickle daikon done kimchi style, and soft steamed buns, they look fall off the bone tender, and will be living inside our heads for the remainder of the week.
4) All you can eat sushi, Panda
Skip the Irish Mammy salads this summer and head to Panda in Dublin 8 for all you can eat sushi. There are two sessions every day from 18:00 - 20:00 and 20:30 - 22:30, and €40 per person will get you as much salmon temaki, dragon rolls and tuna sashimi as you can handle - just make sure to book in advance. Sashimi and sushi rolls over jars of beetroot and shop-bought coleslaw any day.
5) Creamed Cod Croquettes, Grano
Check out these crocchette di baccalà mantecato from Grano in Stoneybatter - aka Venetian creamed cod croquettes served with roasted pepper cream and a red onion gel, that would surely convince even the croquettes haters. Best of luck trying to get a table, but with food like this is it any wonder they're always jammers.
