WJ Kavanagh, Dorset St.
Now here’s something that I couldn’t be more pleased about – the opening of WJ Kavanagh’s on Dorset St., by the people who brought you L. Mulligan Grocer. The Mulligan’s crew have done nothing short of redefine what it means to be an Irish pub with Irish grub and Dublin is a better place because of their endeavours. The new premises is bigger and brighter than L. Mulligan’s and (as co-owner Seáneen describes it) the menu will be lighter to match. There will be lunches, there will be coffee (with the assistance of coffee meisters from 3FE), and jam jar cocktails will join craft beer, whiskeys and whiskies on the drinks list. There will also be afternoons – many I hope – spent in the nook by the fireplace. I’m happy because it’s here and even happier because it’s near.
Before I nestle into the nook in Kavanagh’s and get too comfortable to ever move again, I suppose I should let you in on a few other bits of Dublin dining (and wining) news that have come my way this week:
Dine in Dublin
Dine in Dublin returns next week, running from March 26th to April 1st, with over 50 restaurants in and around Dublin city centre offering value-for-money special set menus, and with many of the participating restaurants also hosting events and activities throughout the week. You’ll get the low-down on the offers available – including a €15 raw lunch menu at Rustic Stone and a €45 five course tasting menu at Pichet – on the Dine in Dublin website. Meanwhile I’m still digesting after a lovely sampler brunch hosted at Café Novo in The Westbury and which featured mini-versions of all dishes on their Dine in Dublin menu. Five desserts in one sitting? Oh go on then.
Dine in Dublin sampler at The Westbury's Café Novo:
top left: chicken liver parfait, sticky slow cooked ribs & caesar salad
top right: daube of beef, catch of the day & rack of pork;
bottom left: crème brûlée & lemon posset
bottom right: pear & almond tart, warm chocolate brownie, rhubarb & ginger crumble
Jacob’s Creek ‘Wine & Dine Experience’ Roadshow
Following on from last year’s outing at the crypt in Christchurch Cathedral, the Jacob’s Creek ‘Wine & Dine Experience’ will visit Dublin, Cork, Galway and Waterford during March and April. For one night in each location, 50 guests will take part in a free wine tasting masterclass, under the guidance of wine expert David Whelehan, and an award winning chef in each county will create a three course dinner menu to match the wines on offer.
Events kick off in Dublin on March 27th, followed by Cork on April 4th, Galway on April 19th and Waterford on April 26th. To request a reservation, visit facebook.com/jacobscreekireland and enter your details on the ‘The Wine and Dine Experience’ tab or email jacobscreek@idl.ie with Jacob’s Creek ‘Wine & Dine Experience’ in the subject line, your name, date of birth, and contact details for you and a guest. Also please include which county event you would like to attend. Places are limited and guests will be chosen at random.
Zenato Wine Tasting
In association with Premier Wine Training, Alberto Zenato will present a tasting of Zenato wines in Dublin on Sunday evening, April 15th, in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel on Golden Lane.
Zenato is one of Veneto’s most illustrious wine families and famous for its award-winning Amarone. Alberto will introduce and taste nine Zenato wines, both white and red. Space is limited and places, which cost €20 per person, must be booked in advance via www.premierwinetraining.com.
Vive La Superquinn French Wine Sale
The Superquinn French wine and food sale will be happening in store for three weeks from March 28th. As part of the event, Jean Christophe Novelli will be cooking up some French-themed dishes using Irish ingredients at in-store demos on Friday 30th March (Kilkenny), Saturday 31st March (Lucan, Swords and Sutton) and Sunday 1st April (Bray, Blackrock and Knocklyon).
You know how much I loved their first place! I can’t wait to get back there to try the new one!
I do know Lori – you will have to visit the new place whenever you are back here (and of course I’d be very happy to accompany you!)
I have been to visit your Restaurant, nice and delightful. Non Drinker but in case of your restaurant I enjoyed too, had nice service.
Hi Tony – it’s not my restaurant but glad you liked it all the same!
I’m really glad Dublin is finally getting the gastropub buzz sorted, just in time for me to move back from London. Been hearing great things about L Mulligan, thrilled there will be two places for me to try next time I’m home!
Hey Canalcook, I’m glad Dublin is getting its gastropub buzz sorted too :) Hope you enjoy both spots when you get home!