RIP Robin Williams

One of my all time favourite films is "Good Will Hunting".  I watch it regularly and although I gave most of my DVDs to the library as donations this is one DVD that I will never get rid of.

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Robin Williams when I woke and checked facebook this morning. 

I will watch Good Will Hunting over the weekend in his memory,

Stepping in to Starbucks - Dog in the city!

I haven't been to Starbucks in ages since I moved job and also since I got my Nespresso Coffee maker.

This morning I took a jaunt in to the city with Ciaran.  He had to view a building and while he did that I went to Starbucks for a cappuccino.

Bones was so funny.  At first he was happy to sit outside but then he got a glimpse of me through the window and decided he wanted to come in and sit with me.  He would take a few steps then sit down.  I would put him back out and as soon as I sat back down he would start walking in again.  Eventually I just had to leave him and he stayed put half in the front door!

He is thinking that this spot suits him fine!  

He got lots of attention with lots of customers petting him as they went in and out.  So cute!

So Bones has a new ride - check his dog trailer out!

We were given this awesome bike trailer by friends whose dog had outgrown it.  All we need for the trailer is a hitch to attach it to my bike, which I have ordered on the Internet.  In the meanwhile I attached the trailer with cable ties to my bike.

We cycled down Waterloo Lane and on to Baggot street.  We even passed the Israel embassy (or possibly the ambassador's residence) where we saw a large protest against the attacks on Palestine and calling for the expulsion of the Israel Ambassador out of Ireland.

We also cycled past this great building  in Ballsbridge.  It currently is an Audi Service Centre but in the past housed Texaco Oil.  It is very retro looking and very cool!

We ended our cycle in the Schoolhouse where we got stuck while we waited for the rain to stop.

Lock 6 Coffee (near the Barge Pub)

Saturday started as such a nice sunny bright day.  We walked to Lock 6 near the canal for our morning coffee.  It's only about 10 minutes away from our house and for someone reason we had never thought to go here even though it is so close - I guess we always stopped at Nick's coffee and got no further!

When we ordered our coffee the barista very kindly offered double shots which I was very glad of as it was my first coffee of the day.

Bones enjoyed exploring the new area.  The yard area outside is nicely landscaped but it seemed that there are no seats inside.  Lucky for us the sun was shining so we were glad to be outside - but honestly how often is it raining in Ireland?!

Ciaran got a pulled pork sandwich.  I ate his lemon cous cous which was very nice.

Look at that lovely sun in the sky (it din't last long - there was a rain weather warning by lunchtime from Met Eireann!)

This plaque was on the wall of Lock 6.  It relates to Thomas Grubb who it seems was the founder of Grubb Telescope Company.

Wow Wednesday

Good morning to you!

For breakfast I had a creamy cup of coffee in my favourite "Billy" mug.  I also had strawberries and cream - delicious!

It's a beautiful day here in Ireland as it rained all night and it is bright and clear now.

What I am watching....

Hoop Dreams Documentary on Netflix - filmed in 1994 it is quite bleak in parts - life can be tough in USA 

What I am reading.....

"She's come undone" by Wally Lamb

I'm also dipping in and out of craft books for my Thursday morning crafting circle

What I am wearing....

Banana Republic in a aquamarine colour with a white print along with Banana Republic cut off trousers.  On my feet I am wearing my Bob's by Skechers.  Bobs (like Toms) donate a pair of shoes for every pair bought - love that concept!

Glendalough in Wicklow

We had planned on visiting Glendalough in Wicklow for a walk on Saturday but it was bucketing down rain so we left it until today which was beautifully fine.

The round tower (the monks bell tower is quite stunning) and Ciaran pointed out how amazing the church is with its stone roof.

I popped in for a quick visit to the cute little Information Centre.

Which housed these creepy stuffed animals!!!

I don't know if it was warm enough to go paddling in the water - but these kids obviously thought it was!!

The little cottage below is a craft shop and the larger building is the Glendalough Hotel.  It really is a very scenic area and we had such a good day!

We had such a lovely walk around the lake area it was the perfect end to a great Bank Holiday.

When the weather is good Ireland is the best little country in the world!!

Chapter One - Michelin dining in Dublin

This weekend is a Bank Holiday here in Ireland so we decided to visit Chapter One for lunch.  Located next door to the Hugh Lane Gallery we popped in for a visit before lunch.   I love looking at Francis Bacon's pieces on view here.  I find them hideously fascinating.

As we walked down the steps to the restaurant we both commented how nice it was and that we were in for a treat.

We chose the tasting menu and and also decided to have the wine pairings. 

Fresh cherry tomato jelly with salted cherries, sweet basil yogurt and cherry blossom vinegar.  This first dish was very surprising and an amazing entry way in to our meal.  However, I felt it was let down by the plate ware - I think a white dish would have been better to see the food and it also would have looked more appetizing.  A rosé wine was served with this dish.

Seared Blue Fin Tuna with black olive, green tomato, caper sprouts and pickled quail egg with onion and mustard dressing.  I thought this was a delicious dish but didn't eat the olive as I am not a fan.

Wood Pigeon Terrine with salted radish salad, fermented horseradish cream and foie gras parfait.  This was a controversial dish for us!  I loved the earthy pigeon and foie gras parfait but was not a fan of the radish salad.  Ciaran didn't like his food at all so I ate it for him!

John Dory with sprouting broccoli and pickled anchovy, shallot and mustard dressing, cured pink jowl.  Yum! Yum! Yum!  This was quite possibly my favourite plate.

Roast Salt March Duck Breast with burnt lemon puree, caramelised bonito flavoured sesame seeds and buttered leaf spinach.  The duck was extremely tasty and I think it was at this point that they finally served red wine which I was very much anticipating.

Gin palate cleanser - this was a big hit with both of us!!

Fresh Irish Strawberries with buttermilk ice cream, caramelised soda bread crumb, strawberry and apple balsamic vinegar gel and elderflower cream soda all served with a sparkling rosé wine.

So what's going on here?

Well it's only the server flambéing an Irish Coffee for the table behind us!

Pros:  Perfect amount of food was served - we were not hungry when we left.  The wine servings were extremely generous.  The time given to our meal meant that we had a very leisurely afternoon in the restaurant.
Cons: The smell of the heater from the flambé set up overpowers the area it is in and is quite unpleasant - they should consider an alternative heat source to what is currently being used.

A reader left a comment below where they ask would we go back and the answer is a definite Yes!  But not until we have tried a few more of the other top restaurants in Dublin!!