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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY CULTURE BITE AT THE COMMONS
INCOMING: KICKY’S “Know me, come eat with me.” Leopold Bloom’s wise words resonated during a recent wander around the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), sparking a leisurely post-cultural pit-stop at the museum’s restaurant. The beautifully designed Commons at MoLI is located in the original student dining halls of UCD’s Newman House, where two of Dublin’s most enduring culinary stalwarts have conjured up a menu featuring a nice selection of salads, toasties, soups, and hot pots. Literary early birds can tuck into a breakfast selection featuring Skillets of Eggs and Toasted Blaas, while lunchtime visitors are also well catered for, with toasted sandwiches made on Tartine Sourdough, and hot curries for those whose appetite runs to something more substantial. Sisters Domini and Peaches Kemp have ensured the availability of a nice selection of baked goods, teas and coffees which, depending on your preference, can be enjoyed inside or in the outdoor courtyard garden seven days a week. The restaurant and the museum are both open late (until 9pm) on First Fridays, an initiative that sees free admission to the Museum on the first Friday of the month. Last entry on those days is at 8pm, and the next one takes place on Friday September 1st. @thecommonsmoLI Mediterranean-inspired food cooked over fire, hand rolled pastas and signature cocktails… that’s the concept behind Kicky’s, a new dining spot coming soon to the premises that was previously home to the much-loved San Lorenzo’s on George’s Street. The new venture is a labour of love between chef Eric Matthews and business collaborator Richie Barrett, which has been in the mix for a couple of years now while they tried to secure a suitable location. Matthews, who previously spent a decade as head chef at the Ross Lewis owned Chapter One, says he is currently designing a menu and testing simple savoury dishes in the space which is quickly shaping up to be the kind of place he’d like to go to on his day off. We look forward to kicking back there with him when the design work is completed and it’s finally up and running later this autumn. @kickysdublin SUPERSONIC BERRY GOOD As açai bowls continue to gain popularity worldwide, this autumn sees the arrival of Oakberry, a health-conscious Californian brand specialising in bowls and smoothies made using the small but mighty Brazilian superfood. Its creators reckon that their antioxidant-packed brand is an ideal fit for the city’s food lovers, and say that they are very much looking forward to giving Dubliners a taste of their take on ‘an authentic Brazilian açai experience’. “We firmly believe that Dublin’s vibrant food scene and the growing demand for healthier, yet delicious options make it the perfect city for our açai venture. We take pride in using sustainable practices and locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible, ensuring that every bowl we serve is not only tasty, but also aligned with our commitment to the environment and community.” In addition to treating Dubliners to a nutritional punch via a healthy selection of signature açai bowls, customisable options, and açai-based smoothies, the brand also promises a welcoming and cosy ambiance when its first Irish store opens on South Anne Street in the coming weeks. @oakberry.ireland WE’RE LOVIN... Tacolicious Tuesdays, a riot of fun at El Silencio, purveyors of some of the finest Mexican eats and drinks in the city. Their tasty tacos come served at a bargain €6 on Tuesdays, a welcome reward for those who manage to find the hidden bar, which prides itself on being one of the best kept secrets in Dublin. Shhh! @el_silencio_fff As part of their efforts to celebrate great Irish flavours and fragrances, mixed drinks company Poachers recently launched two colourful, bright new sodas made using Irish ingredients and bottled in the sunny South East. Billed as Supersonic Summer Sodas, the cool new thirstquenchers feature a zingy serving of Lemon Soda with Irish Mint grown on the Poachers site in Wexford and refreshing Grapefruit Soda made with Irish Sea Salt, sourced from Achill Island. We particularly love the cool labels, which feature stylish bright colours in an abstract print, very much in keeping with founder Brendan Colbert’s approach to colourful, fun branding. Delicious served solo or paired with tequila, vodka or whiskey, the duo look set to pour perfectly with this month’s eagerly anticipated blue skies. Check them out at stockists including Lotts & Co., Evergreen, and Nolan’s, or order online at poachersdrinks.com. 39