Whatever the weather might be doing, summer is in full swing and outdoor dining continues to be top of our to-do lists.
Happily, the beautiful Intercontinental Dublin has just launched a new menu to be enjoyed on its elegant terrace and Blessington's Russborough House has opened a new café, complete with outdoor courtyard (perfect for living out all your Jane Austen dreams).
Plus as more of us try to buy Irish these days, a new collaboration makes it a whole lot easier, particularly if you're searching for Irish gifts to send abroad. Read on for more.
Dine in style
Outdoor dining has to be one of the highlights of the summer and InterContinental Dublin is making the most of it with a new menu to be enjoyed on its garden terrace and veranda. Created by Alberto Rossi, executive head chef, and his team the menu features a selection of small plates including a Dublin Bay prawn cocktail, and Irish beef sliders with brie and truffle mayo. The main menu features an Irish beef burger, grilled 10oz dry-aged striploin and more. There’s also a cheese and meat platter featuring a range of Irish cheeses and cured continental meats for sharing, a seafood platter tower with crab claws, smoked salmon, oysters, and there's an array of desserts too. To book a table, call 01 665 4000 or email [email protected].
Sweet thing
Spooney’s new ice cream parlour has opened in Lahinch, Co Clare and its cow-to-cone ice cream is pretty much as local as you can get. Chef-proprietor Denis Vaughan collects fresh milk every morning from Lacey’s Farm in Liscannor before pasteurising it in Vaughan’s Anchor Inn, the seafood restaurant founded by his parents. Spooney’s offers cones, wafer baskets, sorbets and milkshakes – and the standout Super Sundae (which you can see at the top of this article). They’re made with Spooney’s signature soft serve and finished with toppings and sauces such as Oreo and Biscoff. There’s also Sunday Collab coffee, churros, doughnuts, brownies and cookies. Open daily 10-7pm, for more follow Spooney's on Instagram.
Daily bread
Sarah Richards and Conor Naughton have opened a new Seagull bakery shop in Dunmore East, Co Waterford. Fans of Seagull’s sourdough will be happy to hear the new location offers a full selection, from white loaves to seaweed sourdough as well as baguettes, focaccias, an Irish grain heritage loaf. There is also a range of sweet baked goods and Roasted Brown coffees, along with an array of artisanal products. You can pick up My Goodness vegan and fermented foods, hand-made Corleggy cheeses, charcuterie from The Wooded Pig farm and more. A range of bio-dynamic and organic natural wines will also be available soon. See @seagullbakerytramore for opening times and more info.
Grand design
The historic Russborough House in Co Wicklow now boasts a beautiful new café in partnership with the award-winning LoveFood. (You can also opt to dine outside in the newly updated courtyard which is open for breakfast onwards.) The breakfast menu features the likes of poached free-range eggs, croque monsieur and buttermilk pancakes, while for lunch you can expect dishes such as homemade quiche, fish cakes, and gourmet sausage rolls. There’s also a range of desserts available along with coffees and home bakes at mobile coffee station The Russpresso Bar. Check out the new shops too, which offer homewares, glassware, ceramics and more. russborough.ie
The full Irish
A clever new collaboration takes the hard work out of trawling for authentic, Irish-made products and gifts. The Green Grocer’s Daughter has collaborated with Guaranteed Irish on a range of hampers that are, as you might suspect, packed with Irish fare. Each one features an array of artisan products, from cheese and crackers to sweets and drinks. The Guaranteed Irish Lough Derg Luxury Hamper Box, €100, pictured above contains the likes of Sheridans Cheesemongers cheese and crackers, The Green Grocer’s Daughter red onion and balsamic jam, Clintons Irish farm grown crisps, ALT+TAB Elderflower Cordial and more. Prices start at €52.50 and you can shop the complete range here.
