Dublin Dining chronicles my food & drink experiences during six months living in Dublin, Ireland.
Breakfast Caesar with charred Cos, crispy ham, eggs, pickled onion, and salad cream
I wasn’t sure if upscale brunch would be as popular in Ireland as it is in the States, but Super Miss Sue made it clear that Dublin takes the leisurely weekend meal just as seriously. And if I know anything about brunch, it’s that most of the best ones start with a great Bloody Mary. This one was exceptional: lots of peppery spice and savory worcestershire kick, plus brine from the pickle and char from the shrimp. It felt classic and fresh all at once.
Classic Bloody Mary with a prawn and pickle
My entree veered even further away from tradition. It was a breakfast version of a Caesar salad, so poached eggs landed atop croutons, dressing, and charred romaine leaves. Crispy ham and pickled onions rounded out all the different textures, and also added more color to an already beautiful plate. I wouldn’t normally choose a salad in the morning, but this one definitely satisfied. And closing out the meal with coffee and gelato is never a bad idea, especially when one of the trio of flavors tasted just like Ferrero Rocher.
Coffee, vanilla, and ferrero-rocher gelato with coffee
The details:Super Miss Sue, 2–3 Drury St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
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Foie gras crème brûlée, with pork crackling brioche and glass of rosé, Duck and Waffle
Before I go into any further detail about my weekend in London, I must explain this first photo. Duck & Waffle is a 40th-floor restaurant with panoramic views of London; it’s also open 24 hours a day. When I called to make a reservation, I was told that 12:45 was available. As in, 12:45 a.m., a reservation time that has never occurred to me as a possibility. But we took it, and were later whisked up 40 floors in a glass elevator for our late-night meal. A second revelation was soon to follow: this 24-hour menu listed foie gras crème brûlée as an actual dish you could order. My mind could barely conceive of this decadent combination, but there was no way I could pass it up. It had the texture and caramelized sugar shell of a crème brûlée, but the meatiness of foie. As strange as that sounds, it worked really well, and the brioche on the side even made it feel more like a appetizer. My glass of dry French rosé was much needed to cut through the richness. And of course, the lovely nighttime city views heightened the whole experience.
Rainbow of meringues, Meringue Girls at Broadway MarketChorizo scotch egg from Finest Fayre and Vietnamese iced coffee from Cà Phê VN, both at Broadway Market
On Saturday morning, we strolled through the Broadway Market and were able to sample several offerings from local vendors. I was greeted almost immediately by the most gorgeous, colorful display of meringues I had ever seen. I tried the watermelon variety, complete with decorative black sesame seeds, and the flavor was spot-on as well. Next, an array of scotch eggs appealed to my savory breakfast cravings. I opted for chorizo, which was just a little spicy and anchored by a perfectly soft-boiled egg. I got my caffeine fix from an excellent version of Vietnamese iced coffee, whose stall also had a nice seating area. I saw a display of Persian stuffed dates, and couldn’t help but try one – the orange mascarpone, burnt almond, and pistachio were such an unexpected treat together. I was also pleasantly surprised by our donut selection: I knew I’d appreciate the banana cream and the sea salt caramel, but the mild tang of the chocolate sourdough base made it much more interesting.
Persian dates with orange blossom mascarpone, burnt almond, and pistachio, Zardosht at Broadway MarketSea salt caramel and banana cream donut, Crosstown Donuts at Broadway Market
Sunday brunch was also quite special. Dishoom has a few locations in London, and serves cuisine inspired by the Irani cafés of Bombay, India. I was enticed by the dry-cured, cold-smoked bacon in the bacon and egg naan roll, and it was the perfect fusion of breakfast flavors: the classic bacon and egg alongside chili jam and cream cheese, all wrapped up in puffy naan bread. The side of masala beans were richly spiced and almost smoky. To drink, I had a bottomless cup of Dishoom’s incredible blend of house chai.
Bacon & egg naan roll with masala beans and bottomless house chai, Dishroom
I snagged some enormous figs at the fruit market on Brick Lane, also charmed by the adjacent sign that called pomegranates “pommys.” And I couldn’t leave London without a classic, fruit-filled Pimm’s cup. The version at Marksman Public House was just the refresher I needed after braving the crowds at the famous Columbia Road Flower Market.
Figs and “pommys” at Brick Lane Fruit MarketPimm’s cup, Marksman Public House
Dublin Dining chronicles my food & drink experiences during six months living in Dublin, Ireland.
Sesame-glazed pan-fried chorizo with goat’s cheese bon bons with spiced hazelnut, rocket salad, and soused onion; lemon and tahini roast carrot with fresh herbs
A local friend suggested we check out Sister Sadie, an eclectic little café launched by another popular restaurant called Brother Hubbard. Sister Sadie had just recently started supper service three nights a week, and once I read a few early reviews, I was sold. The menu itself was small but ambitious, with a focus on creative seasonal ingredients and warm Middle Eastern spices. We shared several dishes, each with unique character. Rounds of sesame-glazed chorizo and seeded goat cheese joined an unlikely combination of hazelnut, roasted red pepper, pickled onion, and mixed greens in a way that worked incredibly well. Soft, herb-roasted carrots with zingy tahini sauce and a heavy dusting of za’atar were what every vegetable side should aspire to be.
The baked salmon salad excelled in both texture and flavor: citrusy, sumac-crusted salmon and plenty of crunch from pickled fennel, spiced seeds, and greens. I also enjoyed Sister Sadie’s version of shakshuka (baked eggs, also a favorite at Avec brunch in Chicago) – the rich, chunky tomato sauce and feta cheese tasted great with both the eggs and the accompanying za’atar flatbread. The service was easily the most attentive I’d had so far in Dublin, and we were even sent home with a pastry for breakfast the next morning.
Warm salad of sumac and citrus-spiced baked salmon fillet with pea and roast cherry tomato salad, turmeric pickled fennel, and spiced seeds; shakshuka-style baked eggs with feta cheese, coriander, and za’atar flatbread
The details:Sister Sadie, 46 Harrington St., Dublin 8, Ireland.
