Dublin You Saucy Minx

If you follow my instagram (extra spirit points if you do), then you probably sussed out that I was in Dublin for about a week at the end of the summer. It's quite amusing now that I seem to be frequenting my second home on a semi-annual basis, seeing as one of the major reasons for moving back stateside was my frequent reverse trips back to the Queen City. I have to say I don't mind it one bit having excuses to fly back such as weddings, MT, holidays, etc. Really if money were no object I would probably spend at least one week per month in the Big Shmoke!

Going back every so often does allow me to "speed date" all the new fun foodie spots, also. Luckily my Dublin gang are all like-minded, or at least indulge me, in checking out new eateries and liquid establishments.

Where am I going with this diatribe? A round-up of my most recent Dublin delectable discoveries, that's where! So here we go.

Look at that juiciness.. and this it not even a good snap!

What: Bunsen with CMc & Nosh lunch sesh
Where: Temple Bar
We Ate: Burgers with cheese (that's their shtick) and shoestring fries
The Verdict: CMc and Nosh... and pretty much everyone else in the Dubs, have been clamoring on about the Bunsen burger. And for good reason. The all-Irish beef patty was juicy, tender with a nice savory aftertaste. I always order a burger with cheese for fear of the beef falling flat, but fear not at Bunsen. I totes get it now. And you should get to Bunsen for a 'ger ASAP. I haven't had a better better anywhere else. FACT.

"Healthy choice"

Baked beans and then some

Look at the joy in my face pouring HC!

What: Brother Hubbard fresh off the plane with MT (holding hands)
Where: Capel Street
We Ate: Home-baked Beans w/ Soft-fried Egg, Whipped Feta & Chorizo, Spelt Pancakes w/ Mixed Berry Compote, REAL Hot Chocolate
The Verdict: Even being ridiculously jet-lagged (legit right off el plane-o) this meal tasted da bomb. I had been planned (and drooling) to go to BH for months, nay YEARS and I finally did. He certainly did not disappoint. Rich tomato and chorizo flavors cut by silky whipped feta with lemon...oh lawd. MT gave an astounding twelve thumbs up for his pancakes, even though they were "healthy spelt". Oh and then the HOT CHOCOLATE. Individual pouring decadent chocolate pots to mix into separate warmed milk. Take me back NOW.

steamed..buns..oh yes

potstickers

Ceviche the way the gods intended

What: Soder+Ko with CMc & SM for ladies of leisure
Where: South Great Georges Street
We Ate: Scallop Ceviche, Pulled Pork Steamed Buns, Sweet Potato Fries, Chicken Potstickers
Verdict: Delicious cocktails set the tone early for the ladies. The ceviche was executed perfectly, tart and fresh. Pork steamed buns were a taste explosion and like nothing I've ever had before! Everyone has a first time with kimchi I suppose. The sweet potato fries got approval from all around with an even hint of truffle. Potstickers were the perfect mouthful... Great space, both in size and decor. Definitely check it out especially if you partook in late-night Dragon debauchery!

Gnocchi so fluffy it'd make you blush

Champs for a reason... or thirty

What: Last call at Manifesto
Where: Rathmines
We Ate: Award-winning Mammy Pizza, Gnocchi in Creamy Tomato Sauce
Verdict: Manifesto has been around for years and has consistently won awards, yet I had never visited until this trip. You feel like you're right in Italy with the ambiance and then you taste the pizza and you are in Italy. There's a lot of amazing Italian spots in Dublin (driven by a vast number of italiano ex-pats!) and therefore a lot of fantastic restaurants. Manifesto I would say is not just one of them, but one that leads the pack.

Oh Dublin, how my taste buds and soul miss you...

The Dublin List

In Dublin's fair city...

On numerous occasions during my nearly five years living in the "Big Shmoke," friends and co-workers would ask me for recommendations for places to wine and dine when visiting NYC. I was always more than happy to oblige and felt great pride in being able to share some of my favorite spots across the city. It allowed me to reminisce about my college years: late nights in alphabet city, dangerously bumpy rides on the RamVan up to the BX followed by even later nights in the Tri-Bar. And Puglseys. (a post for another time!)

Now the coin is flipped, and people are asking me for tips on Eire. One of my Dad's best pals recently took a two week escapade to Ireland. The stakes were high for this list as "Dougie" is a great world traveller so I really wanted to blow him away with an amazing selection.

Luckily, it appears I may have succeeded in my task. Upon Dougie's return, not only did he rave on the recommendations but apparently he had shown THE LIST to the bartender at The Exchequer to which the bartender said, "this girl absolutely knows how to do Dublin." High compliments as The Exchequer rates as one of my favorites to both to dine and wine!

Anywho, see for yourself if you head across the pond. And if you're already over there, lucky you because these joints are all fabulous!

South Side:

The Exchequer http://www.theexchequer.ie/ Great gastro pub, extensive wine & beer list. Sunday Roasts!

Fallon & Bryne http://www.fallonandbyrne.com/  Independently-owned niche grocer.The wine bar in the basement is the best! Mondays they do free corkage.

Fade Street Social http://www.fadestreetsocial.com/ Have both a restaurant & tapas bar section, inventive Irish-interpreted food!

Marks & Spencer Rooftop Restaurant http://www.menupages.ie/dublin/city_centre/city_centre_south/the_restaurant_marks_and_spencer Right on Grafton Street, great lunchtime shopping respite, especially if sunny!

The Saddle Room @ the Shelbourne http://www.marriott.com/hotel-restaurants/dubbr-the-shelbourne-dublin-a-renaissance-hotel/the-saddle-room/79682/home-page.mi Well worth the price & visit the Horseshoe bar after!

Towne Bar & Grill http://www.townbarandgrill.com/ Nothing like it’s Buffalo namesake, this place is great Irish produced food & right across from the Dáil (Irish Parliament) so lots of politicians schmooze there!

Bang http://www.bangrestaurant.com/ Great food, also do afternoon tea on Saturdays & Sundays

Matt the Thresher http://www.mattthethresher.ie/ Best place for oysters & Guinness and all things seafood

Bite http://www.bitedublin.com/ Great fish place, different twists! A "bite" of a club vibe

Green 19 http://www.green19.ie/ Simple easy burgers, etc

Neon 17 http://neon17.ie/ Delish Thai street food sitdown/takeaway  & right next to Green 19

Darwin’s http://www.darwins.ie/ Best steak in Dublin

L’Ecrivain http://www.lecrivain.com/ Michelin-star French…lives up to its star for sure

                *O’Donohoes http://www.odonoghues.ie/ GUINNESS!! & usually musicians

                *The Long Hall https://plus.google.com/115330642335993063204/about?gl=us&hl=en GUINNESS!!! Rumored to have a direct pipe from the factory!

*Anseo https://plus.google.com/108270250304561419066/about?gl=us&hl=en  the pub sandwiched between Green 19 & Neon… my #1 pub in Dublin definitely worth a look. Anseo means “here” in Irish

                *37 Dawson http://37dawsonstreet.ie/ great cocktails, also does nice tapas. Trendy crowd.

North Side:

Taste of Emelia https://plus.google.com/110791399930822255296/about?gl=us&hl=en Feels like you are in Italy!

The Winding Stair http://winding-stair.com/ Irish fare, but not so traditional. Great view overlooking the Liffey

Yamamori http://www.yamamorisushi.ie/ If in the mood for sushi... or sake!

Chapter One http://www.chapteronerestaurant.com/ Michelin Star, at top of O’Connell St

                *Sin è http://www.yelp.com/biz/sin-%C3%A9-dublin-3 Funky pub on the quays

*The Cobblestone http://www.cobblestonepub.ie/ In Smithfield near the Jameson Distillery, very historic and music sessions every Sunday

Have you been to any of these spots here? Let me know what you think! I'm planning on evolving and tailoring THE LIST for different focal points and keeping them up to date. Dublin's food and pub scene is really dynamic at the moment with lots of new, fresh places popping up all the time!Slainte!

Hipster Housewarming Redux

My co-host/partner in crime, Nosh, hipping it up

Happy Labor Day weekend friends! I am struck every so often by time and how quickly and seemingly unnoticed it passes. This weekend is definitely one of those moments as I think back over how much has changed in the last twelve months. A year ago today, my old roommate/amigo Nosh and I threw a Hipster Housewarming bash at our house in Portobello along the Grand Canal. I sit writing this post from another new apartment across an ocean in New York. My oh my.

Reward your guests for theme excellence

With memories swirling around, I thought I'd share some key tips from this successful party so that you, dear readers, may be able to host your own memorable party! To start off, a good party needs a good mix of invitees. Luckily, Nosh and I are very social creatures and we have friends from different areas of our lives: he has a close group from Galway, a university crowd, his traveling buddies and work; myself I have groups from my State Street days, Ranelagh roomies and the extended gals, and a shared work group with Nosh. We ended up having a guest list of over 60 people and I'd say we ended up with close to 35 showing up! A mezcla of peeps from various backgrounds equals great conversations and antics!

The next step for a swinging soiree is controversial: a theme. I've heard adamant protests against the usage of a theme, but I've thrown a number of parties in my day and found that it's really only a vocal minority that doth protest. We chose to have a "Hipster Housewarming" with prizes for Best Hipster Chick & Best Hipster Hunk. The competition was fierce, and I have to say the ensembles were stellar!

Another key ingredient is the food! You should definitely have soakage, especially if your party is boozey.  I've included my tried & true guacamole and sangria recipes below!

Guacamole (for approx 30 people)

12 ripe avocados
2 garlic gloves, minced
2 limes
1 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
*fistful cilantro(coriander), finely chopped

Peel and de-pit 6 of the avocados, saving the pits. Mash together with the garlic and add lime once in a chunky and almost smooth mixture. If you do not have a mortar & pestle, a potato masher works just as well! Add the olive oil and some salt/pepper. Chunk the remaining avocados and mix in. Add the chopped cilantro if desired. To store, put the pits in with the avocado to keep the guac green. Serve to your delighted guests!

Homemade Sangria: Nectar of the gods

Sangria (for approx 30 people)

3 litres boxed red wine (a Cabernet or blend usually works)
1/2 cup white rum or brandy
1 tbsp sugar
1 naval orange, sliced
2 apples, sliced
1 lemon, sliced

Mix the sugar with the rum and add the fruit, bruising slightly. Empty the boxed wine into a large jug or pitcher and add fruit mixture to it. Stir all together and store in a fridge for up to 12 hours prior to party kick-off. I've used these proportions several times with great success. You can use any combination of fruit, some people like strawberries or pineapple in their sangria - go for it! Experiment til you find the elixir mixture you like!

Making my hip guests comfortable whilst schooling them in flipcup

Lastly, and possibly the most important aspect to throwing a successful party, is to relax. Once you've done all the shopping, decorating, cleaning and prep you are good to go! You may be anxious or nervous for how the event may unfold, but don't let it show. Take a deep breath and smile when your first guests arrive. You want your  guests to have a great time and they will certainly if the host is relaxed and happy!

Cheers y'all, and thanks for indulging in my little trip down memory lane! Enjoy the recipes and let me know how they turn out!