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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BITESIZE WORDS Martina Murra
y Achara OUT TO LUNCH Sole Seafood and Grill TOI! TOI! TOI! With buzz and drama at a premium in the city this month, there’s some terrific value to be had for those who enjoy their dining experience coupled with a show. Quayside Achara for instance, offers easy access to many of the city’s playhouses while also plating up a gorgeous Pre-Theatre menu for €25. Their bill of fare includes a selection of small plates such as Chicken Wings and Baby Kale Fritters, followed by a choice of larger plates to share including a popular dish of Wagyu Basil Chilli Beef Krapao made from McLoughlin’s Irish Wagu Beef Mince, Thai Basil, Chillies, and Green Beans. For afters there’s a dessert of Charred Pineapple, Whipped Sheep’s Yoghurt and Pistachio Crumble to share between two. Digest it over a short walk and the first act up the road at The Gate. @acharadublin Those heading to the Gaiety have traditionally had lots of dining options open to them, but in our view it’s hard to beat the cracking Early Bird menu at Coppinger where Snacks include lush Carlingford Oysters with a choice of Cucumber Dressing, Balsamic Migonette or Piri Piri at €3 each. Transport yourself to the Med with mains of BBQ Cod, Salmorejo, Mussel, Potato and Chorizo Dressing, while checking out a gorgeous side of Crispy Potatoes with Rosemary Salt and Aioli. Those managing to score the much coveted table in the window, will easily find the spontaneous people-watching as engrossing as any show. Available Tues-Fri, 5pm – 6pm; €37 for two courses, €43 for three courses. @coppingerdublin Meanwhile, pescatarians will be pleased to note that Sole on South William Street boasts a delicious Pre-Theatre offering seven days a week. Appetisers include West Cork Rope Mussels, with mains of Fish Pie and Roast Fillet of Monkfish. Two courses cost €42 with three courses for €47.50, from 5pm - 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 1pm - 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. @soleseafoodandgrill Coppinger Row As long-time fans of the art of brunch, we’ve been steadily ignoring rumours about the demise of the city’s appetite for the popular weekend dining staple. However, over on Chatham Street, one of our favourite veggie spots has already put brunch out to lunch. The innovative folk at Glas recently replaced their brunch offering with a special lunch deal featuring two courses for €25 or three courses for €30. In addition to some lovely plant-based gluten free choices, diners can also avail of a nice selection of vegan wines, cocktails and beers, from 12 noon to 2.45pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They’ve also hopped on a growing London-led trend for late night dining, with their new Late Bird Menu offering Dublin’s night owls a chance to enjoy the full menu at a discounted price. Available exclusively for Friday and Saturday bookings between 9pm and 9.30pm, the deal includes two courses for €32 or three courses for €36. glasrestaurant.ie THE OLD ORCHARD INN Head Chef Philip Hughes has just wrapped his first summer at The Old Orchard Inn, where he transformed the menu with choices ranging from Asian-infused starters to classic Irish mains, plant-based options, and decadent meat dishes. The piece de resistance was undoubtedly the weekly rotisserie roast in the garden, where locals enjoyed generous plates of slow-roasted pig served with lots of tasty sides. Fresh from this sizzling success, he says, “I’ve always believed great food should evoke both comfort and curiosity so I’ve designed dishes that surprise the palate yet feel like a homecoming with ingredients we all know and love.” A look at the menu bears witness to this philosophy, from breakfast featuring their signature grill with all the trimmings, a nice selection of poached egg dishes and Shakshuka, to lunchtime fare with a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers and salads. The dinner menu is similarly varied, with Fish and Chips, Lasagne, Vietnamese Chicken Salad, and Saffron Risotto. We were particularly taken by the Dublin Smokies, crammed with Smoked Cod, Coley, Haddock and Tiger Prawns, Gratinated Bisque Chowder and Rustic Ciabatta. You could do worse than spend Autumn in the Orchard. @theoldorchardinn 30 MESSY One of the undoubted highlights of the summer was the inspired pre-launch of Aoife McEwlain’s new cookbook through the medium of crowd surfing at All Together Now, accompanied by Lola Young’s smash hit and a riotous Sing Along Social crowd. The joyous new tome, which will be published by Nine Bean Rows this October, comes packed with twenty four simple recipes interspersed with musings on how to harness the joy of cooking. The former Totally Dublin food scribe is encouraging readers to ‘embrace the messy’, helpfully demonstrating how to go from chaos to craic in the kitchen. Coz (sing it now) we’re too messy… Pre-order at ninebeanrowsbooks.com