Dublin Restaurants
Karen Selwyn
recommendations for good restaurants in all price ranges. Chapter One is
the restaurant which generates the most consistently positive comments.
Beyond that lone decision, I'm open to suggestions.
Our hotel is located near St. Stephens Green; however, we'll be
traveling throughout the city so lunch places keyed to tourist sites
would also be appreciated.
Unless someone can make a compelling case for eating at a restaurant
featauring non-Irish cuisine, I'd prefer to stick with Irish
restaurants. The buzz I've read is that Irish cuisine has become quite
appealing with an emphasis on quality local ingredients and simple
preparations.
The Taste of Dublin will occur while we're in Dublin. Is that a
worthwhile experience?
Thanks.
Karen Selwyn
Padraig Breathnach
>We're going to be in Dublin for five days, and I'd love to hear some
>recommendations for good restaurants in all price ranges. Chapter One is
>the restaurant which generates the most consistently positive comments.
>Beyond that lone decision, I'm open to suggestions.
>
Definitely worth a visit. Expect to pay plenty. Cuisine is French in
character. They have had good deals in early bird menus, but I do not
know their current practice. It's conveniently near the Gate Theatre
if such interests you. Booking essential.
>Our hotel is located near St. Stephens Green; however, we'll be
>traveling throughout the city so lunch places keyed to tourist sites
>would also be appreciated.
>
>Unless someone can make a compelling case for eating at a restaurant
>featauring non-Irish cuisine, I'd prefer to stick with Irish
>restaurants. The buzz I've read is that Irish cuisine has become quite
>appealing with an emphasis on quality local ingredients and simple
>preparations.
>
Irish cuisine? There isn't really one. It's international cuisine
marginally adapted. Best ingredients are beef, lamb, and wild salmon.
Don't order Irish Stew: it should be made with mutton, and mutton is
virtually unobtainable; it's not the same made with lamb. Bailey's
cheesecake or ice cream are novelties, and harmless fun. There are now
some very good Irish farmhouse cheeses, often served too cold.
>The Taste of Dublin will occur while we're in Dublin. Is that a
>worthwhile experience?
>
You should find some good promotional deals.
A couple of places I like that are easily findable:
- 101: It is at 101 Talbot Street, quite close to O'Connell Street.
Clattery, busy, interesting food, booking advisable. Perhaps better
for lunch than for dinner -- it's easier to spend an hour there than
two.
- Nico's, Dame Street. Italian, but a Dublin institution. Decor like a
bordello of the early twentieth century. Great steaks, good sauces.
I have just realised that I don't really know the lunch trade in
Dublin any more. I'm not into lunches -- coffee and a sandwich, and
save the appetite for dinner. The café/restaurant in The Lower Yard of
Dublin Castle used to be good, and good value, but I have not been
there for a while.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Trish
"Padraig Breathnach" <padr...@MUNGEDiol.ie> wrote in message
news:jsa262hs00fcfs36j...@4ax.com...
<snip>
> A couple of places I like that are easily findable:
> - 101: It is at 101 Talbot Street, quite close to O'Connell Street.
> Clattery, busy, interesting food, booking advisable. Perhaps better
> for lunch than for dinner -- it's easier to spend an hour there than
> two.
I don't think the 101 does lunches anymore. Evenings only. I like it -
always a wide ranging menu, with great choices for vegetarians.
I agree on the Chapter One recommendation.
--
Trish
Dublin
*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***
Karen Selwyn
> It's conveniently near the Gate Theatre if such interests you.
We obsessively do that on London visits, but we haven't yet done much
planning about our trip.
Okay. Now that I've searched the Gate theater web site, I have more
questions than answers. The list of upcoming productions only repeats
the information about current performances of WAITING FOR GODOT as part
of its Samuel Beckett festival. Aside from the fact that we're slated to
see GODOT as part of our local theater subscription next season, Gate's
production will be over prior to our arrival. The Gate web site doesn't
list any performances beyond May 27, and we'll be in town after that.
> Irish cuisine? There isn't really one. It's international cuisine
> marginally adapted. Best ingredients are beef, lamb, and wild salmon.
SAVEUR magazine waxes rhapsodic about Irish cuisine in its March issue.
I'm using their definition of Irish cuisine: local ingredients simply
prepared.
> Don't order Irish Stew: it should be made with mutton, and mutton is
> virtually unobtainable; it's not the same made with lamb. Bailey's
> cheesecake or ice cream are novelties, and harmless fun. There are now
> some very good Irish farmhouse cheeses, often served too cold.
Why should Irish restauranteurs be exempt from doing what most
restauranteurs do when they serve cheese too cold?
> You should find some good promotional deals.
Actually, I was really trying to gague whether I should devote a couple
of hours to doing this in lieu of visiting other Dublin destinations.
Taste of Dublin would never win over the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle,
or the Writers Museum, but I could be persuaded to skip the Museum of
Natural History if Taste is worthwhile.
> I have just realised that I don't really know the lunch trade in
> Dublin any more. I'm not into lunches -- coffee and a sandwich, and
> save the appetite for dinner.
Sandwich or salad is precisely the sort of lunch recommendation I was
looking for. I've eaten some pretty desultory sandwiches and salads in
the vicinity of tourist attractions which is what prompted my question.
Thanks.
Karen Selwyn
Miss L. Toe
"Karen Selwyn" <kselw...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:svk8g.10943$8q.3330@dukeread08...
> Padraig Breathnach wrote:
> > It's conveniently near the Gate Theatre if such interests you.
>
> We obsessively do that on London visits, but we haven't yet done much
> planning about our trip.
>
> Okay. Now that I've searched the Gate theater web site, I have more
> questions than answers. The list of upcoming productions only repeats
> the information about current performances of WAITING FOR GODOT as part
> of its Samuel Beckett festival.
they were playing that the last time we went to Dublin - do they do anything
else ?
>
> Sandwich or salad is precisely the sort of lunch recommendation I was
> looking for. I've eaten some pretty desultory sandwiches and salads in
> the vicinity of tourist attractions which is what prompted my question.
>
Sorry I couldn't help with food - but we haven't found anything worth
writing home about on our trips.
Apart from a small vegetarian place (we are not veggies) in Temple bar - but
I cant remember much about it.
and avoid the big green Trandition Irish food place in temple bar - if it is
still there.
Padraig Breathnach
>Padraig Breathnach wrote:
>> It's conveniently near the Gate Theatre if such interests you.
>
>We obsessively do that on London visits, but we haven't yet done much
>planning about our trip.
>
>Okay. Now that I've searched the Gate theater web site, I have more
>questions than answers. The list of upcoming productions only repeats
>the information about current performances of WAITING FOR GODOT as part
>of its Samuel Beckett festival. Aside from the fact that we're slated to
>see GODOT as part of our local theater subscription next season, Gate's
>production will be over prior to our arrival. The Gate web site doesn't
>list any performances beyond May 27, and we'll be in town after that.
>
Possibly they will have Godot's Arrival. Herself and I find that the
Gate has a lot of worthwhile productions; we visit it more than any
other Irish Theatre. Perhaps you should check closer to your arrival
date. Advance booking is pretty well essential.
>> Irish cuisine? There isn't really one. It's international cuisine
>> marginally adapted. Best ingredients are beef, lamb, and wild salmon.
>
>SAVEUR magazine waxes rhapsodic about Irish cuisine in its March issue.
>I'm using their definition of Irish cuisine: local ingredients simply
>prepared.
>
I'll accept that as reasonable. There are few true Irish dishes, but
we have some good ingredients.
>> Don't order Irish Stew: it should be made with mutton, and mutton is
>> virtually unobtainable; it's not the same made with lamb. Bailey's
>> cheesecake or ice cream are novelties, and harmless fun. There are now
>> some very good Irish farmhouse cheeses, often served too cold.
>
>Why should Irish restauranteurs be exempt from doing what most
>restauranteurs do when they serve cheese too cold?
>
Because the cheese can be very good, and deserves better treatment.
Look for Ardrahan, Gubbeen, Bellingham Blue, Cáis na Rí, Cashel Blue
only if it is mature (that's another annoyance: many blue cheeses are
consumed too young).
>> You should find some good promotional deals.
>
>Actually, I was really trying to gague whether I should devote a couple
>of hours to doing this in lieu of visiting other Dublin destinations.
>Taste of Dublin would never win over the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle,
>or the Writers Museum, but I could be persuaded to skip the Museum of
>Natural History if Taste is worthwhile.
>
The Writers Museum (located in the same building as Chapter One) tends
to disappoint people. The Natural History Museum (known to Dublin
children as "the dead zoo") has been under-resourced for decades, and
might also disappoint you. The National Museum, on the other hand, is
worthwhile (and free).
>> I have just realised that I don't really know the lunch trade in
>> Dublin any more. I'm not into lunches -- coffee and a sandwich, and
>> save the appetite for dinner.
>
>Sandwich or salad is precisely the sort of lunch recommendation I was
>looking for. I've eaten some pretty desultory sandwiches and salads in
>the vicinity of tourist attractions which is what prompted my question.
>
I know a good place on Dame Street, but I cannot remember what it is
called!
Mark Hewitt
"Miss L. Toe" <missltoe...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4461e2ab$0$16391$892e...@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net...
>
> and avoid the big green Trandition Irish food place in temple bar - if it
> is
> still there.
The one on the north side of the street, where you had to go upstairs? It
was okay, nothing different to what you'd get in any resaurant anywhere in
the world really.
Miss L. Toe
"Mark Hewitt" <ma...@markhewittDotCoDotUk.spammers.will.die> wrote in message
news:e3sr95$ct6$1...@ucsnew1.ncl.ac.uk...
We ate downstairs - dunno if there was an upstairs - so it might be a
different place.
Mark Hewitt
>
> We ate downstairs - dunno if there was an upstairs - so it might be a
> different place.
I think it is a different place, we ate at a place situated on a corner, the
street of which on one side takes you directly down to the river.
There was another green place across the road quite nearby. We did consider
going in there as it looked quite good.
Myself I was happy to have a pizza but wor lass thought that since we are in
Ireland we should try some Irish food :o)
Karen Selwyn
>
> The Writers Museum (located in the same building as Chapter One) tends
> to disappoint people.
Even people who were English majors in college? I suspect my husband,
the scientist, would react to the museum like "most people," but I
learned the canon.
> The Natural History Museum (known to Dublin
> children as "the dead zoo") has been under-resourced for decades, and
> might also disappoint you. The National Museum, on the other hand, is
> worthwhile (and free).
Thanks for sharing your perspective on these museums.
We'll be visiting a total of four days in two two-day blocks -- plus
dazed walking around on our arrival day. One of those days, we'll spend
visiting Newgrange and the other sites in the Boyne Valley via Bus
Eireann. That leaves three days in Dublin. We like art, history, and
architecture equally. Any recommendations for our itinerary?
(In between these two stays in Dublin, we'll be visiting Ennis and,
then, Kilkenny as bases for touring. This 10-day period of time is
already arranged.)
> I know a good place on Dame Street, but I cannot remember what it is
> called!
If you remember...
Thanks.
Karen Selwyn
Mark Hewitt
>
> We'll be visiting a total of four days in two two-day blocks -- plus dazed
> walking around on our arrival day. One of those days, we'll spend visiting
> Newgrange and the other sites in the Boyne Valley via Bus Eireann. That
> leaves three days in Dublin. We like art, history, and architecture
> equally. Any recommendations for our itinerary?
You'll have plenty to do in Dublin then, especially on the south side of the
river.
My suggestion - as ever. Get the open top bus ride, it will show you a load
of places which you can then walk to.
The jail was a particular recommendation by the guide on our bus, especially
if you are interested in the history of how the Republic of Ireland came
into being.
David Horne, _the_ chancellor of the duchy of besses o' th' barn and prestwich tesco 24h offy
Did you take a daytrip out of the city in the end?
--
David Horne- http://www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
http://homepage.mac.com/davidhornecomposer http://soundjunction.org
Mark Hewitt
"David Horne, _the_ chancellor of the duchy of besses o' th' barn and
prestwich tesco 24h offy" <this_address...@yahoo.com> wrote in >
>> The jail was a particular recommendation by the guide on our bus,
>> especially
>> if you are interested in the history of how the Republic of Ireland came
>> into being.
>
> Did you take a daytrip out of the city in the end?
Yes, in fact we took two.
On Sunday we hired a car and drove to Belfast. Was surprised as to how close
it actually was. The drive up there is quite nice and I wanted to take a
look at the UK's only land border, which is a weird place as the only sign
that you've crossed it is a speed limit sign! Belfast was closed when we got
there! But the open top bus ride was very interesting, pointing out lots of
places we'd only seen before on the news. The city centre looked quite nice
too but we didn't have long to stay there before we had to drive back to
Dublin to drop off the car.
Second trip we took was on Tuesday, got the bus from O'Connell St out to
Malahide Castle. Wasn't that impressed with the castle tbh, mostly because
we were saying all the way through "This isn't a castle!", it's just an old
stately home, and not a very impressive one at that. However the trip itself
made up for it, we saw a lot of the bay and the coast and the driver gave
commentary all the way through, didn't take too long, we were back in Dublin
by 13.30. Although on refelection I would have preferred to do this trip by
car, and miss out the (not a) castle.
Funny that, every day we were there involved a bus trip of some sort, yet
when I'm at home I wouldn't been seen dead on a bus, or contemplate long
distance tourist journeys by them!
Padraig Breathnach
>Padraig Breathnach wrote:
>>
>> The Writers Museum (located in the same building as Chapter One) tends
>> to disappoint people.
>
>Even people who were English majors in college? I suspect my husband,
>the scientist, would react to the museum like "most people," but I
>learned the canon.
>
I suppose the best thing is that you decide for yourself.
>We'll be visiting a total of four days in two two-day blocks -- plus
>dazed walking around on our arrival day. One of those days, we'll spend
>visiting Newgrange and the other sites in the Boyne Valley via Bus
>Eireann. That leaves three days in Dublin. We like art, history, and
>architecture equally. Any recommendations for our itinerary?
>
Art: three major galleries, collections nat as big and important as
you might get in places like London or Paris, but some interesting
stuff. Choose according to your taste:
- National Gallery, Merrion Square -- mostly pre-1900 European art;
- Municipal Gallery, Parnell Square (near Chaper One, and perhaps a
place to go after The Writers Museum) -- mostly modern art as modern
was perceived from about 1920 (i.e. includes impressionism)
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Kilmanham -- truly modern stuff,
the sort of challenge to which I don't rise.
I note that Mark recommends the open-top bus tour. I second that. As
well as getting you a good general orientation, it is a hop-on hop-off
trip, and it gets you to places like IMMA and Kilmanham Jail (that's
the one Mark means) which are slightly awkward to get to by walking or
by public transport with which you are not familiar.
Convenient to your hotel: St Stephen's Green is a very pleasant park
in which to take a stroll. Newman House, modway along the south side
of the Green, is a fine Georgian building which can be visited, and is
worth looking at.
>(In between these two stays in Dublin, we'll be visiting Ennis and,
>then, Kilkenny as bases for touring. This 10-day period of time is
>already arranged.)
>
If, when in Ennis, you get a grey day that is not suitable for
visiting scenic places then you could consider Bunratty Folk Village,
half-way between Ennis and Limerick. It includes a visit to Bunratty
Castle without the evening banquet thing. It gives a good view of life
in Ireland 100-200 years ago. Craggaunowen, nearby, shows a lot of
earlier stuff. Ask locally for directions, as it's off the main road.
Even without a grey day, both are worth a visit.
The best thing in Kilkenny is the castle. If you plan to go south
towards Waterford, allow time for visiting Lismore, a very attractive
small town with a castle that is (I am told, but I haven't been there)
worth visiting.
>> I know a good place on Dame Street, but I cannot remember what it is
>> called!
>
>If you remember...
>
I think that I don't actually know the name, just how to find it.
Karen Selwyn
>
> - Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Kilmanham -- truly modern stuff,
> the sort of challenge to which I don't rise.
In our guidebook, there's a photo taken inside the IMMA showing one of
Richard Long's chalk circle sculptures. I've been lusting to visit this
museum since seeing this picture. Disclaimer: I'm a docent at the
equivalent contemporary art museum in Washington, DC.
> I note that Mark recommends the open-top bus tour. I second that. As
> well as getting you a good general orientation, it is a hop-on hop-off
> trip, and it gets you to places like IMMA and Kilmanham Jail (that's
> the one Mark means) which are slightly awkward to get to by walking or
> by public transport with which you are not familiar.
Thanks for all your observations and recommendations. Sound like the bus
tour is a perfect activity for our arrival day. How much we hop off and
tour sites will be a function of our jet-lagged state.
Karen Selwyn
Mark Hewitt
> Thanks for all your observations and recommendations. Sound like the bus
> tour is a perfect activity for our arrival day. How much we hop off and
> tour sites will be a function of our jet-lagged state.
What we usually do is take the entire bus ride without getting on or off.
Then go and have something to drink for a while then revisit some places we
thought looked interesting. Either by walking or getting back on the bus,
the tickets are valid for 24hrs.
Karen Selwyn
>
> What we usually do is take the entire bus ride without getting on or off.
> Then go and have something to drink for a while then revisit some places we
> thought looked interesting. Either by walking or getting back on the bus,
> the tickets are valid for 24hrs.
Thanks. That's a great strategy for arrival day.
Karen Selwyn
wedon...@hotmail.com
think it was Saturday. It was right beside the Film School and had a
wide variety of food to eat as well as artisan products that we bought
and took home with us.We bought homemade bread, cheeses, tapenades,
jams, soaps and various oils. I would highly recommend the experience
if it's still on.
Sheila
Karen Selwyn
Thanks! I had read about the farmer's market at some point, but I had
completely forgotten about it.
My information says that the location is Meeting House Square. Does that
jibe with your best recollection of the place? We're in agreement on the
day being Saturday.
> and had a wide variety of food to eat as well as artisan products
> that we bought and took home with us. We bought homemade bread,
> cheeses, tapenades, jams, soaps and various oils.
You don't say where "home" is. I'm only curious to the extent that US
customs has all sorts of issues with importation of food. We bought a
lot of food in the Spice Market in Istanbul when we were there in late
March. Everything sailed through customs without a problem since the
place where we bought the loose food -- pistachios, dried figs stuffed
with walnuts, spices -- shrink-wrapped our purchases. We honestly
answered the customs question "Are you bringing any food, seeds, or nuts
into the US?" Then, I wrote "shrink wrapped" on the customs form.
Since we appeared to be over our customs allowance, we were vectored
over to the customs inspectors. I mistakenly went to the agriculture
inspectors instead of the duty agents. When I handed the ag fellow the
customs form, he asked if we were bringing in any meat. I truthfully
answered "no." He then waived us away as his colleagues were busy
confiscating loose mangoes, limes, and more from people who hadn't
shrink-wrapped their purchases.
> I would highly recommend the experience if it's still on.
Sounds like a nice addition to a day that's going to include Dublin
Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Chester Beatty Library.
Karen Selwyn
Padraig Breathnach
>Padraig Breathnach wrote:
>>
>> The Writers Museum (located in the same building as Chapter One) tends
>> to disappoint people.
>
>Even people who were English majors in college? I suspect my husband,
>the scientist, would react to the museum like "most people," but I
>learned the canon.
>
[Lunch]
>> I know a good place on Dame Street, but I cannot remember what it is
>> called!
>
>If you remember...
>
Over lunch today, I mentioned this discussion to Herself, and she has
an interesting addition: the Writers Museum houses a good cafeteria,
an excellent lunch venue. Less remarkable, it also has a good
bookshop.