Dublin has become a surprising favorite of mine having visited twice in just under a year. Not only are the Irish warm and welcoming but they have a hunger and passion for the good things in life, whether that be a damn good pint of Guinness, dancing, fiddling, singing or storytelling. While Ireland may not be known as a global hub for food, Dublin’s restaurant scene continuously surprises me with one gem after another, its chefs taking the city’s culinary standards to a whole new level.
Last year, I wrote about Hugos, the coolest, hippest pubs in Dublin, great food in Dublin which includes restaurants: Bleu, Fallon & Bryne, Balzac Brasserie, Saba, Fire, Pichet, Chez Max, Rustic Stone, Winding Stairs (charming), Polish Bakery, Fafies Creperie, Johnnie Foxes, Cafe en Seine, Sam Sara and also, here’s another post on great food in Dublin.
This year, I extended my reach to three restaurants not on my original list: Town Bar & Grill, The FitzWilliam Hotel’s Citron (which is also where I stayed) and La Maison, suggested by the Irish Tourism Board.
Town Bar & Grill on Kildaire Street:
For starters, I ended up at the Town Bar & Grill solo before I was due to join a group of friends at a late night dancing venue, one that apparently went into the wee hours of the morning, something I’m not accustomed to on a regular basis, particularly given how early San Francisco shuts down. When I walked in, it felt like it was one of those establishments where old media and politicians might hang out twenty years ago and because it has become habit, they still do.
I wasn’t far off I soon learned as I began chatting to the man next to me, who was also dining solo; turns out he is a famous artist/sculptor. His work is stunning btw…..did I say stunning? While we talked about the art scene, I learned that a piece from Bono’s childhood friend Guggi (born Derek Rowen) (who I literally met the night before in a pub) was hanging directly behind me. (post about an art preview way back in 2002). Fascinating and engaging, Guggi shared with me stories of his wife’s Dragon breeding business and showed me photos of “yes dragons” in a variety of colors. Crikey was all I was thinking as I sipped on my Guinness slowly. Was this for real? It absolutely was and is in fact.
His artwork combined with one interesting story after another by my new pal, I also learned that a well renowned TV personality was sitting across from us, also dining solo. (not as uncommon in Ireland as it is in the states). Funnily enough, he was surprised I thought he looked like an artist since he felt he dressed low key, yet there’d be no chance in hell you’d find someone dressed in colored pants and a creative shirt that showed that he had fashion sense, in the states who wasn’t dabbling in some form of creative industry. And so while I sipped on my 2006 Amarone Allegrini Della Valpolicella Classico, I feasted on Irish history, Irish art, Irish personalities and the Town Bar & Grill’s menu.
I tried the prawn bruschetta con gamberetti (pan-fried prawns, white wine, chilli and garlic), followed by the Risotto Verde with Scallops, the spiced Quail Salad with bulgar wheat, and their yummy Gnocchi, served with chives, tomatoes, parmesan and basil oil. I also recommend the Coda di Rospo (monkfish, parma ham, wild mushrooms, smoked tomato fondue, and cauliflower puree) if you’re a fish lover.
For meat lovers, try the Loin of Veal, the confit of duck leg, served with plum chutney and a fondant potato or the Pancia Maiale-herb rolled belly of pork served with spiced red cabbage, puy lentils and apple compote jus.
The tiramisu didn’t blow me away nor did the wine menu by the glass – it would have been a different story if I was more than one and could have ordered a bottle. For other reds, they did have a Lombeline Grenache Syrah from France, a Guido Gualandi Chianti from Tuscany and the Nero d’Avola Borghi from Sicily (a common choice on many menus, Europe and state-side). For desserts, I’d recommend the honeycomb parfait with mixed berry compote served in a filo pastry or the cheesecake with a rasberry compote. I was in fact craving dark chocolate on that particular evening.
There’s also a sampler if you can’t make up your mind, which is a great choice if you’re two or more.
The waiters, who were incredibly gracious and knowledgeable, took turns bringing us dishes and sharing stories in that I’m Irish and will share a story whenever I get a chance, kind of way. We’d give all three restaurants a thumbs up, although in order of our favorites, we’d probably have to go with Citron first, followed by La Maison and then Town Bar & Grill. (This selection combines our feelings about both the quality of the food and the service).
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
