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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BITESIZE WORDS Martina Murra
y A TASTE OF THE SUNNY SOUTH EAST IN RATHMINES MED INSPO AT L-BLANK MEZZE Over on the city’s northside, L-Blank Mezze has been taking sharing plates to a whole new level as it settles into its new home at Cloud Café in Clontarf. The fledgling weekend supper club boasts an expansive menu inspired by the flavours of the Mediterranean and the wider Middle East that includes eight different small plate mezze options, with three fixed menu options also available. Based on the philosophy that food tastes better when shared, choices include generous portions of delicious Hunker Begendi, Imam Bayildi and Spicy Ezme, with wines including Mediterranean classics such as Alvarinho, Nero d’Avola and Rueda priced from just €7 a glass to €28.50 per bottle. All dishes are available for takeaway, while the space can also be booked for private parties of up to thirty people. Prebook for either Friday or Saturday, when first sittings start from 6.30pm. 43 North Strand Road, Dublin 3. @LBlankMezze Having enjoyed many good times in the sunny south east over the years, we were delighted to see siblings Clifton and Louise Foyle bring a touch of Waterford hospitality to Dublin with the opening of their new culinary venture here in the city. The co-owners of the Strand Inn Hotel in Dunmore East marked their arrival in Rathmines with the launch of a gorgeous set of menus, featuring a bountiful selection of seafood and fish, including an enticing daily fish special, succulent Duncannon Mussels, and rich Seafood Chowder. Also on offer is an outstanding Sunday Lunch menu featuring a brace of signature roasts. Choose from Free Range Chicken with Onion and Sage Stuffing or Dry Aged Roast Beef with Buttermilk Yorkshire Pudding, both served with Duck Fat Roast Potato, Seasonal Greens, Confit Garlic and Gravy. In addition to the incredible food on offer, the drinks menu includes a selection of gorgeous wines, signature cocktails and classics with a twist, making a few hours in this comfortable neighbourhood bar and restaurant more than worth a few hours of your time. 196 Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6. @dunmored6 SO SOLID KREWE Four years after bringing their New Orleans inspired mardi gras to Capel Street, Krewe South continues the party on the southside in Charlemont Square. The menu, created in collaboration with Head Chef Niall Smyth, takes inspiration from the flavour of Cajun creole cuisine from classic jambalaya to OG po’boys. “We tasted the best of food around the French quarter Po-Boys in Turkey & Wolf; Killer Po-Boys in Erin Rose; Jambalaya in GW Finns; Famous Fried Chicken in Willie Mae’s; Pecan Pie in The Camellia Grill and Beignets in Café du Monde,” say the ownership trio of Conor McCrohan, Michael Monaghan and Belinda Kelly. Zurdie has executed a bespoke graffiti wall outside the front of the venue and inside two very large scale pieces have been completed by Irish artist sumsone. Krewe also continues its buzzy interior trend with a disco ball in the unisex toilets. Starters start from €9, mains start from €14, cocktails start from €13. Opening hours are Monday – Sunday 12 noon until late. MMcD krewe.ie 38 WE’RE LOVIN... The arrival of the annual Dublin Lunar New Year Festival, which this year celebrates the Year of The Dragon with a host of colourful culinary events including show-stopping banquets, ancient tea-ceremonies, and a wealth of opportunities to learn more about the various cultures who celebrate this centuries-old tradition. The joyful springtime festival takes place across the city from Saturday February 3rd to Sunday Feb 11th, and details of the full programme are available at dublinlunarnewyear.ie @dublinlunarny AMURI BY DAY Poplar Sicilian restaurant Amuri opened a new day-time deli offering on Chatham Street just before Christmas, and word has it that the bill of fare there is totally bellissima. Featuring a menu entirely inspired by the tastes and flavours of the old country, visitors can look forward to picking up a selection of authentic arancini, cannoli, cured cheeses, meats, and panini made specially to order. Open Tues to Sun, 8am – 6pm. Pronto! @amuribyday_dublin