Prime Real Estate Dublin 4

Percy Place is being developed.  It faces on to the canal. Next to the vacant spot are a few houses.  Some of them have knocked their garden walls down so their gardens end when they hit the water.  I like that!

I took these pics when I was out walking with Bones this morning.  We walked along the canal and when I got to the lower part I let him off his lead.  He would let me go on ahead and then he would run and catch up with me.  At one point I turned around to see that he had got confused and was running the other way.  The silly little dodo had got lost on a straight path!!!

I had to walk all the way back to try get him.  At this point he had made his way back up the canal steps and out on to the main road.  Thankfully when I got to the top of the steps who was there waiting for me but Bones.  Phew!  He really scared me.

He went straight back on to the lead after that!

Recycling Nespresso capsules

When I bought my Nespresso Coffee Maker I was concerned about the carbon footprint of my coffee habit.

On the one hand, by making my own coffee in my own cup, I feel that I have reduced the amount of waste I create since I stopped buying takeaway coffee in cardboard cups from Starbucks.

However, each time I have a cup of coffee I end up with  metal cup leftover.  I have read on the web how people reuse these cups.  They scoop out the old coffee, refill with their own coffee and then seal with aluminium foil.  

While I think it is great that people are reusing the cups a few times I don't think this would be for me, for two reasons.

1)  I think I would find refilling a cup to be too inconvenient - the whole reason I love making this coffee is the convenience.

2) I'm sure you would be voiding the warranty on your machine by reusing capsules that you have refilled.

I think most people also refill their cups in order to keep the cost of their coffee down.  They aren't actually doing it to reduce their waste production.  

For me I think that a cup of coffee for about €0.40 is not too bad at all!!

Anyway back to recycling....

Here is how I will be recycling the capsules that I use at home and in work.

When I bought my machine I was given this bag to fill and then return to Brown Thomas.

As far as I am aware the used capsules are recycled to make the sides of one of the coffee maker machines (I think it is the Pixie).  I think that is fairly awesome!!

Do you have a coffee maker?  How do you feel about the carbon footprint of it???

TART: Tshirts & Art

My twin sister and I are taking part in an upcoming festival in Dublin.  We will be selling wall hangings (created by Amy) and Tshirts.

 The wall hangings are very funky!  The below piece is very "mod".

These are the Tshirts we will be selling.  
I have already sold two - I will be shipping them to the USA tomorrow.

If you like these items, please click on our Facebook page to learn more about them!

If you want to purchase any of the above items, send me an email at eniddublin@hotmail.com and I will send you a price list and an invoice through paypal.  I ship worldwide - tell me what country you are in and I can quote you for shipping also!

Brioche Ranelagh

We ate in Brioche Ranelagh last night.  It's a fairly new restaurant which is only open about 3 months or so.  When we arrived we were greeted by the friendly hostess who took out coats and seated us.  When we got to our table we had a good look around.  The restaurant is cute, very "french" but quite small.  The style of the menu is small plates which are bigger then a starter but smaller than a main. They recommend you order about 2-3 plates per person.

You can check out pictures of what we ordered below.

Sure what would they be serving to start in "Brioche" but some Brioche bread?!

We ordered a bottle of French Pinot Noir - it was strangely pale!

Scallops with Dublin Pay Prawn

Oxtail Beignet

Fermangh Black Bacon served over cabbage & hazelnut salad.

Beef daube with pureed potatoes

Rabbit

We split a cheese plate instead of dessert - it was very very good!

Food was all deliciously flavourful - you can check out the menu here 
As well as really enjoying the food, we loved the ambiance.  It's a teeny weeny restaurant with really nice decor.  The staff are also extremely gracious and make you feel very welcome and do everything to help you have a great night! Our server introduced himself to us (this doesn't happen as standard in Ireland as in the USA) which was a really nice touch.  This is probably one of the best restaurants in Ranelagh in my opinion.  

Tie me up!

Here's Bones looking all smart in his new tie that I made him.

Once again I made it with poppers so it can click in and out.  I can switch it out with the pink dickie bow that I made him a few days ago.

We are going to a Communion Celebration later today so he will wear it then!

Let's go to work!

Today was productive!

I made Bones a collar and bow tie to wear to work with Ciaran.

I made it detachable.  Tomorrow I will make a smart tie for him!

He looks so hipster!

I made his bow tie pink so he can wear it to support the Giro D'Italia

Edit - When he wore his bow tie in to work today he received a few comments.   The intern laughed while one of the partners said he looked very dapper.  The other partner said he looked like a Chippendale!!!

The Gibson Hotel - Summer BBQ

Tonight Amy and I attended the launch of the Summer BBQ menu for 2014 in The Gibson Hotel.  Conveniently located beside the Dublin Port, the terrace on the 3rd floor had the most amazing view out to the mountains. Being within the Point Village the hotel is the ideal venue if you are attending an event in the 02 or in the Conference Centre.

The Gibson Hotel is super stylish and being less than 4 years old has a modern upmarket feel to it.  I wish I took more pictures of the actual hotel as it had some really nice spaces and bar areas.  It would be worth checking out their website to have a look.

All of the food was beautifully laid out in Bain Maries facing their internal courtyard.

There was so much food to choose from and it was all extremely tasty.  I think I liked every single thing that I put on to my plate!

The meat selection was quite incredible.  I really enjoyed the short ribs which just fell of the bone - many ribs served up in Ireland can be tough and fairly meatless but not these.  They were succulent meat covered in a sweet and tasty BBQ sauce.  Other tasty meat dishes included Limoncello Soaked Chicken (wow!), Szechuan Pepper Buffalo Wings.  There was also a fish option which was the piece de resistance in my humble opinion.  It was the Colo Colo fish parcels which were wrapped in Banana Leaf and steamed.  Just fabulous!

A variety of salads were served in the most adorable little serving dishes.  These included Italian Panzanell Salad, Pepperoni & Potato Salad (my favourite), Brocolli & Smoked Bacon Salad and the deliciously refreshing cubes of watermelon, mint & Greek cheese. There was also French green beans with a sweet chilli dressing which I didn't try (but I wish I had!)

Along with the meat and salads there were sides served alongside. These included Grilled Haloumi, Peach & Chilli, Grilled Sweet Corn, Patatas Bravas and Sweet potato, chorizo & chick pea (this was my fave.

Dessert options or as the Gibson calls them "Sweet Endings" included Mint & Lemon Soda Fruit Salad, Banoffee Mess and ice cream selections as well as mini macaroons.

The Banoffee Mess was quite amazing.  It was like a cross between Eton Mess and a deconstructed Banoffee Pie.  It was topped off with toasted oatmeal which was a very unique addition.  Pure genius by the Pastry Chef who created it!

If you are hosting an event this Summer I highly recommend you give The Gibson Hotel a call to discuss what they can offer in terms of your event!