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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BITESIZE Martina Murray 1. A
lternative Valentine’s The creative souls at Overends Kitchen in Airfield Estate have come up with the perfect solution for those looking for an alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day dinner-à-deux. Chef Luke Matthews, pictured, has devised a unique, communal style, dining event featuring a five-course tasting menu centred on the best of what’s in season and locally available from their trusted artisan network. As an added bonus, a handful of little surprises look set to spice things up throughout the evening. Friday Feb 15. Spaces limited. Tickets €55 airfield.ie/events 2. 3. The Virgin Mary Bar As the city’s first alcohol-free bar opens on Capel Street this month, the cognoscenti is positively buzzing about the imminent arrival of The Virgin Mary. While the notion of a Dublin boozer with no actual booze may once have seemed like heresy, in the hands of pioneering trio Oisin Davis, Vaughan Yates and Anna Walsh it looks like an idea whose time has finally come. With room for about 30, the snug new venture promises a carefully selected range of non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirit alternatives, alongside some tasty, vegan cocktails. 54 Capel Street, D1 @thevirginmarybar City Food Tours The city’s guided food experience scene continues apace, with experts such as awardwinning Fab Food Trails championing the terrific array of artisan produce to be found here now. Meanwhile, the more recently established Vegan Dublin Food Tour zones in on the growing number of city eateries with menus devoted exclusively to plant-based foods. The threehour walking tour takes in five to six stops under the auspices of a friendly vegan guide, with opportunities to check out a tasty selection of vegan snacks, drinks and desserts. veganinireland.com 4. New Look at Ely Wine Bar The lovely folk at Ely have kicked off year-long celebrations marking 20 years in business by unveiling a stunning new look at the iconic wine bar in the heart of Georgian Dublin. The result is a contemporary, bright and inviting space that provides the ideal backdrop for enjoying their signature bar bites, delicious cocktails and exciting range of hand-picked wines. With things buzzing across the river at Ely Bar and Grill and the opening of a new wine bar further afield in Maynooth, 2019 looks set to be a particularly liv-ely one. Follow developments at #ely20yrsyoung elywinebar.com 5. Chinnery Gin Cocktail Evening Ireland’s burgeoning gin scene continues to gift us with some elegant elixirs, the latest of which comes in the form of a dry Dublin gin inspired by the old China trade and the travels of a Georgian painter. In crafting their bespoke botanical mix, the makers of Chinnery Gin follow in the footsteps of artist George Chinnery, travelling to the markets in the Southern port city of Canton. There they sourced a special variety of oolong tea, and the distinctive results can be savoured at a special cocktail evening celebrating the Chinese New Year at the Big Romance Bar on February 13th. €12.50, including two cocktails, via Eventbrite Pssst – Got some food ’n’ drink nuggets you’d like to share with Totally Dublin readers? Feed them to us for consideration… Email: MM@hkm.ie 62