Posts filed under 'Food and Drinks'
On Wednesday 22 August, Bud Rising commences in Dublin at 17.30 bringing three rebellious acts to whip your Wednesday into shape. The line up:
- Silversun Pickups 17.45
- Nine Inch Nails 18.45
- Foo Fighters 20.30
Silversun Pickups (also known as SSPU)
A well thought out opener to a well thought out festival – SSPU open the live music event at Dublin’s Marlay Park blasting out favourites such as Well Thought Out Twinkles and Kissing Families.
The band have been likened to The Smashing Pumpkins, so you know there’s no need for them to visit the School of Rock – well there wouldn’t be as band member Tanya Haden has already picked up tips from husband Jack Black.
Nine Inch Nails
Industro-rocky sounds and anti-US political messages are to be expected from Trent Reznor’s live ensemble at the gig at Marlay Park.
The release of the latest Nine Inch Nails album, Year Zero, in April is part of a concept album and spin off reality game that aims to capture the imagination of future generations.
Reznor’s album envisages an Orwellian existence and is a reaction against the Bush administration and US Military – so music fans should be prepared for some speeches and stunts dotted throughout the performance.
Previous NIN gigs saw Reznor plant flash drives randomly for fans to find – so who knows what to expect at this live event in Dublin.
Find out more about the Year Zero spin-off game
Foo Fighters
Foo fans will be anxious to hear new material from the Foo Fighters when they play live in Dublin. The band’s latest album Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace, is set for release on September 25, 2007 and marks a reunion for the band with record producer Gil Norton. Gil helped produce The Colour and The Shape in 1997.
Foo Fighters front man and lead vocalist Dave Grohl also has links with funnyman Jack Black as they appeared dressed in drag as frisky rednecks on the video for Low which was banned from MTV! Grohl also played drums on Tenacious D’s 2001 debut album and played the devil in the video for Tenacious D’s song Tribute.
Get a sneak preview of The Pretenders, the first single to be released off the new Foo Fighter’s album
For the latest Foo music news and tour dates, visit the main site
No patience? Book tickets to see them headline and kick off this Bud-tastic live music event in Dublin
August 6th, 2007
Tante Zoe’s has a highly suitable motto for the Temple Bar leisure and pleasure zone of inner Dublin. It reads: “Let the good times roll.”
No better place to start than this Cajun-Creole restaurant where the menu is peppered with Southern style flavoursome dishes. Even the darne of salmon is seasoned with Cajun spices. For an out-and-out Louisiana dish, try the roast breast of duck which is glazed with honey and mustard and topped with crisp bacon slices.
It would be wrong to assume that this restaurant is geared to American visitors, welcome though they are, the truth is – holiday makers from many nations, and the local population, find its menu especially appetising.
With 220 tables on three floors, Tante Zoe’s is in serious business on a large scale serving such lovely items as Plantation Cheese Log, Alabama Rissoles, Cajun meatballs, served fondue style with a hot spicy cheese sauce; or Cajun Calamari. Inevitably Surf and Turf features, but worth exploring is the Jambalavas section which offers Lou-Lou Mae for €19.50. What’s Lou-Lou Mae? It consists of turkey, pork, ham and a spicy sausage. This is a real meat-lover’s dish served with garlic bread and tossed salad.
Steaks also have a significant place on the menu. Of course Rib Eye merits its place. Convincingly, the Cajun-Creole Restaurant, with a large capacity for business, proves a point – Southern Cajun food is popular in Dublin.
TANTE ZOE’S
T e l : 679 4407
July 26th, 2007
Trastevere restaurant is centred around the largest terrace area of the Temple Bar Square. Visitors congregate at this vibrant outdoor focal point to do what human beings do best – relax, eat, drink, chat, absorb the ambience and enjoy the efficient service rendered to their needs.
Being a public square you could be serenaded by a virtuosic busker while you enjoy your meal.
Generosity and the craic characterise the social interaction inside the Trastevere restaurant. The white timber chairs add vibrancy in the dining room.
The menu is a delight for the taste buds.
Little touches make a difference like mozzarella cheese topping on the garlic bread. Wild mushrooms, beef or pork meat balls, chicken wings (with chilli sauce), calamari fritti and mussels are available. That’s just for starters.
In the pasta range, customers are spoiled for a choice with more than a dozen items conforming to classic Italian style especially the spaghetti and ravioli dishes.
In the Trastevere, you even have the privilege of designing your own pizza. Don’t get alarmed. You don’t have to make it. You select the ingredients from tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, artichokes, spinach, olives, red onions … the list is extensive.
The menu includes a good selection of top quality meats – beef, pork, lamb and chicken. Fish is fresh from the market on a daily basis.
Fine Italian wines dominate the shelves. Ask for an Amorone!
Contact the Trastevere on T e l : 01 670 8343.
July 12th, 2007
The idyllic grounds of Stradbally Hall may not seem like the most obvious place for a music festival, but since 2004 the Electric Picnic has brought some of rock’s biggest names to these rolling fields.
Since it began as a one-day event, the Electric Picnic has always been unique among music festivals. And not just because of the mix of music.
At the Electric Picnic, you can enjoy the 24-hour cinema, watch some great plays, get a makeover in the Pamper Palace and even fire off a few rounds at paintball.
If you’ve ever thought festival food consisted of dodgy kebabs and burgers, the Electric Picnic will change your mind. There is plenty of high quality, organic food, including mouth-watering barbequed steaks.
All the traders at the Electric Picnic will be using Fair Trade ingredients where possible and the festival is doing all it can to become carbon neutral.
This year the Electric Picnic has teamed up with Act for Climate. Their ‘Adopt a TD’ scheme will help ensure Ireland’s politicians get the message about global warming.
The Electric Picnic could well be the world’s most ethical music festival. Looking at the line-up, it will also be one of the most entertaining.
The 32,500 fans who were lucky enough to get tickets for the Electric Picnic’s three-day weekend will get to see an unbelievable range of acts.
Other festivals may say they have a diverse line-up, but few can compare to the Electric Picnic. It’s not often you get to see Iggy Pop play on the same bill as the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.
The festival has always made a point of including many up-and-coming acts, making it a great stepping stone for younger bands. It also features classic acts such as Sonic Youth, ensuring there is an older audience compared to other festivals.
The Electric Picnic runs from the 31st of August to the 2nd of September.
July 11th, 2007
Dublin has a lot to offer throughout the year, and summer probably has more than its fair share of events to entertain visitors and locals.
There is fun for all the family at the various Activity Days. Throughout July, venues around Dublin will be hosting a selection of live music, circus workshops, puppet and magic shows, face painters and bouncy castles.
Each activity day starts at 3 pm and they will be on at:
1st of July at Bunting Road
8th of July at Fairview Park
22nd of July John Paul Park
29th of July Johnstown Park
And that’s not all. There is a great range of concerts throughout the summer. The Lunchtime Concerts series is on at 1 pm – 2 pm and features:
The Army Band – 4th July – Merrion Square
The Garda Band – 10th July – Herbert Park
Mary McEvoy & Friends – 11th July – Civic Offices
Avondale – 18th July – Wolfe Tone Park
The Niall Toner Band – 25th July – Civic Offices
Crofton Folk Band – 1st August – Herbert Park
If you have the energy for shopping after all that, you should see the Smithfield Summer Market. Opening in August 3rd, this is the biggest open air market Dublin has ever seen.
As well as stalls selling something for everyone, the Smithfield Market hosts street entertainment and kids’ activities. There is also a picnic area so you can relax.
The Smithfield Summer Market is open every Friday and Saturday until September 1st.
If you want a taste of the exotic, the Eurocultured Festival is sure to satisfy you.
This free festival features the best in European art, dance, music, performance and cuisine at Smithfield Plaza on Saturday August 18th.
Over 150 top performers from across Europe will be coming to Ireland for the Eurocultured Festival. Expect to see street art, flamenco dancing, DJs, live music, workshops and much more.
The summer in Dublin is always filled with activities, and there is a lot more to do in 2007 as well as the options here.
June 25th, 2007
Situated canal side in Portobello The Lower Deck in the upper echelons when it comes to the traditional Dublin pub.
A pleasant paved civic area in Harbour Square enhances The Lower Deck’s environment.
The black and white pictures of old Dublin at the entrance to the pub set the scene. The panelled mirrors and the
dominance of timber have resisted the advance of modernity. In fact there is only one important exception – the TV screens.
This intrusion is allowed because the clientele love their sport and especially the G.A.A. teams of Tipperary and Dublin.
The floor area is not like the big pubs in which you could land a jumbo jet no bother. The Lower Deck opts for intimacy, with comfortable enclaves which cater for groups of 8 to 10 people. It is an ideal venue for visitors seeking a live music scene and a party night out.
From Wednesday to the weekends the diversity of music tastes is catered for with sing-along cabaret shows, plenty of rock music and the monthly traditional Irish music showcase.
Tasty sandwiches are available at lunchtime. If you are a smoker, you can enjoy the relaxation of the square which was once a harbour.
Inside or out, life is good on The Lower Deck.
June 22nd, 2007
But it’s not an emergency. Fire is a remarkable new restaurant – occupying part of the 18th century Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Apart from the luxurious surroundings, what is remarkable about Fire? It is the wood fired oven incorporated into the high-ceilinged 200-seater dining room. This really comes into its own supreme is in the provision of Flatbreads – a la Naples Style Pizzas.
And the rest of the menu also commands respect. The special section for salads brings positive clarity to an oft vague area. The signature dish of the house is a prime aged Irish Bone in Fillet.
It has been “aged” for 21 days through which time it has been maintained with Tuscan olives, garlic and seasonings. Fillet with a bone? A contradiction? Not at all, it enhances the already mouth watering taste.
The customer demand for the special sense of occasion and culinary delights that goes with a meal at Fire is so strong that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, two sittings have been arranged – 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Al fresco meals on the terrace appeal to many because the buzz of Dublin’s vibrant night life is en suite on Dawson Street. Lunch is available on Saturdays but the Fire is quenched on Sunday nights.
To book telephone Fire’s Manageress Catherine Connolly at 01 676 7200.
June 19th, 2007
Dublin is always bubbling with activity during the day and also during the night. There are 100s of different types of pubs in Dublin. Davy Byrnes is one such safe example and is best known as “Dublin’s most famous literary pub”. Situated in the centre of the city and first licensed in 1789, Davy Byrnes is synonymous with the literary giant James Joyce who mentions this proud establishment in both Dubliners and Ulysses.
In the last ten years, Davy Byrnes has been most reputable for its excellent pub food. This Dublin pub boasts seafood as its specialty. Every lunchtime until late evening customers can enjoy and sample a broad range of seafood… Visit Davy Byrnes Pub for complete description about its services and amenities.
March 15th, 2007
Triple House Restaurant is a quiet little restaurant in County Louth that is quite popular among the locals. The restaurant is located in a converted farmhouse that is almost two hundred years old. The farmhouse is situated in beautiful gardens, giving the whole place a serene atmosphere. On winter nights, the log fires keep you warm and cosy while you study the menu, having a hard time deciding what to choose from among the excellent dishes. Seafood that is bound to make you salivate with hunger includes fresh prawns, crabs, and Port Oriel Pot-Pourri, a uniquely conceived dish. Smoked loin of pork with a nectarine & Calvados sauce is quite popular among the customers of this restaurant. It is especially hard to get tired of eating Boyne salmon with orange and dill. Spinach-filled crêpes will simply win over the hearts and minds of vegetarians. The quality of the various types of cheese available at this restaurant is much sought after by those who delight in stimulating their taste buds with new and fascinating tastes. The wine list is quite extensive and reflects a preference for top quality wines.
March 2nd, 2007
Kingfisher is a traditional Indian restaurant in Portlaoise that is worthy of a visit. The scents and spices of the Indian food are pretty exotic and act as great appetizers, forcing even people who are not hungry to take a bite and savour the heavenly taste. People enjoy the samosas here immensely. The tomato based lamb dish is described as lovely, warming and gorgeous by many satisfied customers. It’s not too spicy and tastes just right to stimulate the taste buds into believing that they are in contact with something truly heavenly. The delicious chicken korma is highly appreciated for its satisfying appeal. Mushroom rice is also a treasured delicacy here. The wine list is carefully chosen for quality and the coffee is very soothing. Service is impressive to say the least. A perfect restaurant if you ever wish to eat a perfect meal.
March 1st, 2007
Knoxs is an old style emporium in Ennis. Here one can find affordable prices without being constrained by menu choices. Steaks, exotic and standard fish dishes and house specials are cooked with fresh ingredients with such finesse that the food seems to have transformed from imagination into reality. Good food and drink are not the only highlights of this place. Live entertainment is routinely provided here, making this a very popular meeting place. Another fine place to eat out at is Linnane’s Lobster Bar. This restaurant has received many rave reviews from local and international food critics. The restaurant is located in a fishing village. Hence it is no great surprise that the menu is mainly based on seafood. Lobster is the specialty here. There are some vegetarian options in the menu along with a small selection of good quality wines.
February 28th, 2007
A fine restaurant to reward your taste buds with in Kildare County is the Pickled Earl Restaurant. The brown bread made here has played an important part in spreading the fame of this popular restaurant. Seafood, homemade soup and steak are cooked here in interesting ways endowing them with unique tastes that the customers love to crave. Does prawn cocktail sound inviting? Is “smoked salmon salad and crab claws in garlic butter†the kind of food that makes your mouth water? Do you seriously fancy sinking your teeth in pan fried duck breast, wild Irish salmon or steak Diane? Does the mere mention of steak au poivre and fillet of beef start your stomach churning? If your reply to any of these questions is a resounding yes, you need to visit Pickled Earl Restaurant as quickly as possible to fulfil your fondest desires!
February 9th, 2007
The Bleu Note Bar & Club caters for lovers of Jazz every Friday and Saturday from 10.00pm to 2.30am. The Blue Note basement is bringing you the best of Dublin’s Jazz talents and International Jazz names in an intimate club atmosphere. With the best selection of Jazz, Funk, Soul and Blues in town, the Bleu Note Bar and Club is well worth a visit. For further details and queries, visit Bleu Note Bar & Club in the section of Dublin Live Music Venues.
February 8th, 2007
A restaurant that is bound to satisfy anyone’s palate is the Famous Grouse Country Inn in County Armagh. The atmosphere of this restaurant is very relaxed and friendly. Visitors are treated to a mouth watering experience that comes from the happy combination of good quality local produce and excellent cooking. Steaks, oriental kebabs and king prawns are some of the delicacies offered here. The bar also offers a great snack menu.
January 24th, 2007
Le Colosseo is a nice Italian and Mediterranean Restaurant in County Wexford. The home made pizzas available here are really good. Fish is available grilled or baked. The seafood, meats and pastas prepared here are all wholly delicious and definitely worth trying. The food is complemented by a fine selection of quality wines and beers. Freshly ground Italian coffee is a real treat here. Drop in here anytime for lunch or dinner or even just some light snacks. You won’t be disappointed.
January 23rd, 2007
Blueberry Tearoom and Restaurant is located opposite to the castle in Donegal Town. This restaurant is famous for its deliciously cooked lunches, sandwiches, snacks and desserts. The restaurant has a Mediterranean feel to it. One can always relax here with a steaming hot cup of coffee. Breakfast and evening meals can be had for reasonable prices. A cyber café is also available for the internet needs of the customers. Smuggler’s Inn is a nice place to enjoy the view of the beautiful beach of Rosnowlagh. The inn is made of stone walls and has a seafaring theme. The food and drinks of this restaurant have won many awards.
January 22nd, 2007
Jim’s Country Kitchen is a restaurant located in Portlaoise where you can sample some of the finest dishes available in this part of Ireland. To get some idea of the popularity of this excellent restaurant, just pay a visit on a winter’s day at lunchtime. The large number of customers inside the restaurant will prove to be a great source of astonishment at first sight but once you have tried the food, you will come to understand why those customers are there. The atmosphere at this restaurant during wintertime is truly heart warming. The restaurant is kept warm through bright fires blazing away while a central table serves salads and various dishes for the appeasement of the valued customers. Goat’s cheese with parsley pesto and tomato sauce will make you swear the taste is divine. Even minor things like sun dried tomatoes and fresh olives will make you want to soak up every last bit of oil with bread. In short, it’s almost a blasphemy coming to Portlaoise and failing to visit Jim’s Country Kitchen.
January 18th, 2007
Cafe Paradis is another great place for some fine Italian food if you happen to be in County Wexford. The taste you get here is claimed to be the authentic taste of Italy. The pizzas prepared here have thin crusts and fresh toppings. The pizzas are cooked to order so you can have them anyway you want. You can either eat the pizzas at the café or take them away to home. Hot and cold tapas are also served here. The wine selection is very extensive and includes one hundred and fifty of the best variety available from around the world. You can enjoy these fine wines with your food for a very reasonable price. International quality beers are also stocked here.
January 17th, 2007
The Olde Post Inn is a great place for dining in the Belturbet area of Cavan County. Delicious Irish and international cuisine presented here will make your mouth water. Special menus are available for children on Sundays. Small portions can be ordered here. Highchairs are used here. Sea food and steak is also cooked and served here. Another popular place to eat out is Casey’s Steak Bar. As you can guess, this place specializes in sizzling grilled steaks. There’s a nice comfortable dining room here. For starters, herring, soup or mushrooms are available. Chicken kiev and homemade burgers are also available. The steaks themselves are served with French fried onions, chips and mushrooms. A nice selection of wines is also offered.
January 16th, 2007
At the Teach Cluainin Guesthouse, the Lounge Bar is a very popular place to enjoy some great drinks and light snacks. Special lunch and a la carte menus are offered with some truly fascinating choices of food that you just want to munch immediately. The selection of wines is carefully chosen for best quality and impeccable taste. Oarsman Bar and Café is another awesome place to check out some truly delightful cooking gems. Superb sandwiches, perfect pasta dishes, fresh irresistible seafood and tempting puddings are the hallmark of this award winning restaurant. If you fancy grilled meat dishes, there’s no better place than the Barge Steakhouse in Carrick-on-Shannon. Famous for its delightfully grilled spicy barbecues, you will have a hard time stopping yourself from filling your stomach to the brim with the unbelievably sumptuous food. A children’s menu and a list of great wines make this a place definitely worthy of a visit.
January 15th, 2007
Reddy’s consists of a lounge, bar and restaurant. Traditional and international dishes are offered with steak and fish being a specialty. Expect to be showered with personal attention from the Reddy Family and their friendly staff. Whether it’s hot lunch or cold buffet, everything is served at this successful and long thriving emporium. The ingredients used are the freshest available and everything is home cooked to order. One can check out the Lotus Chinese Restaurant for some Oriental taste. Beams Restaurant is a top quality restaurant in Carlow with interesting menus and a nice selection of quality wines to choose from.
January 12th, 2007
Jim Edwards is a fine restaurant to dine at if you happen to be in Kinsale. A warm and friendly atmosphere is the hallmark of this establishment. Traditional Irish flavours can be sampled here in all their glory. Food and drinks are served in the lounge bar. An extensive bar menu is offered and lunches are available throughout the day. All the ingredients used in the dishes here are produced locally and freshly delivered every day. A fresh oyster and lobster tank is present from which the guests are free to choose their pick. You will find the evening candlelight dinner to be particularly charming. The White House in Kinsale is another great place to eat out at. Its popularity has raised it to the status of a landmark for generations of locals and visitors. Fine steaks are the specialty of this restaurant and an extensive menu is provided that includes fish dishes. The selection of wines is particularly satisfying.
January 11th, 2007
The Left Bank Bistro in County Westmeath is a nice place to enjoy some fine tasting food. The crispy garlic foccacia made here tastes awesome. Fried Halmoumi cheese with lime and caper vinaigrette will take your gastronomic pleasure to new heights. Tiger prawns with warm garlic and piri piri will stay in your mind and tempt you with their unforgettable and heavenly taste. Thai chicken with chilli, coriander and coconut is so succulent and tender. It can only be described as pure goodness. Mediterranean style tagliatelle with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and olives are so delicious that the mere thought of them will spark your appetite.
January 10th, 2007
Truffles is a fine restaurant in County Sligo that you will love to visit again and again. The cooking at this restaurant can only be described as sensational. The restaurant is decorated in a simple manner yet it is aesthetically pleasing to the soul. This creates an appealing atmosphere for dining that many other restaurants aspire to achieve but few actually succeed in accomplishing. The food tastes unbelievably good and is a source of boundless pleasure for the taste buds. The staff is committed and dedicated completely to ensuring that the customers get the best quality food and service possible.
January 9th, 2007
Chez Hans is the perfect place in County Tipperary to enjoy some delicious gourmet meals in a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Food portions are quite generous so you can look forward to a truly fulfilling meal. The Chef of this restaurant is greatly partial to sumptuous meals so that somewhat explains the reason for the excellent cooking involved in preparing the delightful dishes at this restaurant. Pumpernickel and brioche breads are fresh and crisp. Fine quail with wild mushrooms is quite tender and succulent. The taste of punchy gratin of mussels can only be described as exquisite. Fish lovers will marvel at the otherworldly effect, brill and turbot cooked and served with butter sauce, have on their palates. Excellent desserts like boozy soufflés will definitely not fail to catch your fancy. This restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy all those memorable special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, home coming dinners, celebrations etc.
January 8th, 2007
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