It was delicious! I love the atmosphere of this place and it is so much fun taking food off the belt. We sat at the counter and I found it so much more social then a booth.
Sunday 30 September 2012
Sushi Sunday!
Lunch in Yo! Sushi today.
It was delicious! I love the atmosphere of this place and it is so much fun taking food off the belt. We sat at the counter and I found it so much more social then a booth.
It was delicious! I love the atmosphere of this place and it is so much fun taking food off the belt. We sat at the counter and I found it so much more social then a booth.
Long day!
Early start yesterday up at 6.30am to get on the road to Belfast for the Smart Car Rally.
Here's a report written by Amy for the Smart Car Rally Facebook page:
September 2012 Belfast Trip Report: Enid & I left Dublin at approximate 7am and arrived at the Boucher Crescent Smart/Mercedes garage at 9.30am. Coincidentally we arrived at the same time as Gerry & Shay from the Dublin Smart Car Rally!We were greeted in the garage by some lovely folk from the Ulster Cancer Foundation who took our donation and gave us the clues for the rally. We then were directed to another garage to the staff restaurant where we had a fantastic Ulster fry to keep us going for the day. (quick aside: we had Bones the dog with us who made a show of us by climbing up on to the table - he never does that - and was immediately turfed out by chef. Silly Bones!). We poured over the clues and saw that we it was a considerable length - 156miles in total!
Quick media photo outside and we were off! Very convenient for E&I we were behind Gerry, who was behind Shay & Alice, so we let them lead the way and we enjoyed the scenery. Stopped off halfway for a scheduled stop (part of the rally) for soup and sandwiches. Another media photo shoot and we resumed tour.
We finished up in the Carn Smart garage in Portadown where we had some lovely refreshments - tea, coffee, sandwiches, sausage rolls & chicken goujons. Had nice chat with a few Smartie people. We did not meet any people from this page :-( Prizes and goodie bags were given out and Enid and I then set off home.
We arrived him approximate 8.30pm that evening. It was a long days driving for poor Enid! Next year we would probably stay over...
Overall a great day. Fantastic hospitality as always from Smart of Belfast. Met some lovely people and saw some beautiful parts of Northern Ireland.
Anyway on the subject of next year - we hope to arrange a 2013 Dublin meet up! Probably along the lines of: meet in the Phoenix Park for a "tailgate party" - to chat about Smarts, have a look at everyone's car, some eats and tea :-) and then a Smart parade/convoy drive around the Phoenix Park. Watch this space!
Here's a report written by Amy for the Smart Car Rally Facebook page:
September 2012 Belfast Trip Report: Enid & I left Dublin at approximate 7am and arrived at the Boucher Crescent Smart/Mercedes garage at 9.30am. Coincidentally we arrived at the same time as Gerry & Shay from the Dublin Smart Car Rally!We were greeted in the garage by some lovely folk from the Ulster Cancer Foundation who took our donation and gave us the clues for the rally. We then were directed to another garage to the staff restaurant where we had a fantastic Ulster fry to keep us going for the day. (quick aside: we had Bones the dog with us who made a show of us by climbing up on to the table - he never does that - and was immediately turfed out by chef. Silly Bones!). We poured over the clues and saw that we it was a considerable length - 156miles in total!
Quick media photo outside and we were off! Very convenient for E&I we were behind Gerry, who was behind Shay & Alice, so we let them lead the way and we enjoyed the scenery. Stopped off halfway for a scheduled stop (part of the rally) for soup and sandwiches. Another media photo shoot and we resumed tour.
We finished up in the Carn Smart garage in Portadown where we had some lovely refreshments - tea, coffee, sandwiches, sausage rolls & chicken goujons. Had nice chat with a few Smartie people. We did not meet any people from this page :-( Prizes and goodie bags were given out and Enid and I then set off home.
We arrived him approximate 8.30pm that evening. It was a long days driving for poor Enid! Next year we would probably stay over...
Overall a great day. Fantastic hospitality as always from Smart of Belfast. Met some lovely people and saw some beautiful parts of Northern Ireland.
Anyway on the subject of next year - we hope to arrange a 2013 Dublin meet up! Probably along the lines of: meet in the Phoenix Park for a "tailgate party" - to chat about Smarts, have a look at everyone's car, some eats and tea :-) and then a Smart parade/convoy drive around the Phoenix Park. Watch this space!
Friday 28 September 2012
Arthurs Day/Marketers Day?!
Really enjoyed "Tuesdays with Morrie" last night. Thought it was an excellent production. In particular I thought that Terry Byrne who played Morrie was brilliant.
On the way home we drove through the city and up Camden Street. It was crazy!!! The Village had a live band on for Arthurs Day and 2FM were there recording it. Every pub on the street was packed and there were people all over the place, even walking on the road. Traffic had come to a complete standstill.
I think Arthur's Day has only been celebrated for the last few years - the cynic in me is beginning to see it as just one big marketing opportunity even though it is great for all of those less well known bands who get to play in all of the great venues all over Dublin.
I think the whole concept of Arthur's Day just leaves me a little cold.
On the way home we drove through the city and up Camden Street. It was crazy!!! The Village had a live band on for Arthurs Day and 2FM were there recording it. Every pub on the street was packed and there were people all over the place, even walking on the road. Traffic had come to a complete standstill.
I think Arthur's Day has only been celebrated for the last few years - the cynic in me is beginning to see it as just one big marketing opportunity even though it is great for all of those less well known bands who get to play in all of the great venues all over Dublin.
I think the whole concept of Arthur's Day just leaves me a little cold.
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Tuesdays with Morrie
Tomorrow we are going to the theatre to see the play "Tuesdays with Morrie" (or should that be Thursdays with Morrie?!)
This book was turned in to a film and now obviously a play.
Ciaran very much enjoyed the book, as did I. He passed it to a good friend of his who passed it around his whole family while on a big family holiday. It is possibly the only book he has read that he recommended to someone else, other then "A catcher in the rye".
I hope we enjoy the play - I saw the film and did not think it was up to much in comparison to the book.
It is on in the Draiocht theatre which is close to my work and where we used to live. Before we moved house we used to regularly go to the theatre with a meal beforehand in a little Italian restaurant next door to the theatre. We would walk from out house (or cycle) and we always commented how civilised it was to have a theatre so close to our house! I miss that..... :-(
If you are on Facebook check out ODKM's new office furniture (supplied by Kube) - looks great but I don't think Bones will be happy to hear he is banned from going near it!
BTW, tomorrow night is Arthur's Day, hope you enjoy it!!! Raise a pint of the black stuff for me and I'll do the same for you!
This book was turned in to a film and now obviously a play.
Ciaran very much enjoyed the book, as did I. He passed it to a good friend of his who passed it around his whole family while on a big family holiday. It is possibly the only book he has read that he recommended to someone else, other then "A catcher in the rye".
I hope we enjoy the play - I saw the film and did not think it was up to much in comparison to the book.
It is on in the Draiocht theatre which is close to my work and where we used to live. Before we moved house we used to regularly go to the theatre with a meal beforehand in a little Italian restaurant next door to the theatre. We would walk from out house (or cycle) and we always commented how civilised it was to have a theatre so close to our house! I miss that..... :-(
If you are on Facebook check out ODKM's new office furniture (supplied by Kube) - looks great but I don't think Bones will be happy to hear he is banned from going near it!
BTW, tomorrow night is Arthur's Day, hope you enjoy it!!! Raise a pint of the black stuff for me and I'll do the same for you!
Sunday 23 September 2012
Celebrity alert in Dublin!
Here's 2 pictures you might like to look at!
It's when Amy and I met Cuba Gooding Jr.
It was in the Shelbourne Hotel Bar. He was having a quiet drink with his wife and we were sitting beside him. He happily agreed to pose for a picture with us and told us how much he was enjoying Ireland. He had been on the Late Late Show the night before so we told him that we had watched it and thought he was great. He was in Ireland promoting a movie.
We had been out for dinner and were on our way to a party when we decided to pop in for a quick drink in the Shelbourne. Dinner had been so nice that we wanted to continue the great vibe. Well it certainly made out night to get a photo with this great actor! What a nice guy!
One of my favourite films is Jerry Maguire - who hasn't uttered the immortal line "Show me the money" at appropriate times in your life??!!! He is a legend!
It's when Amy and I met Cuba Gooding Jr.
It was in the Shelbourne Hotel Bar. He was having a quiet drink with his wife and we were sitting beside him. He happily agreed to pose for a picture with us and told us how much he was enjoying Ireland. He had been on the Late Late Show the night before so we told him that we had watched it and thought he was great. He was in Ireland promoting a movie.
One of my favourite films is Jerry Maguire - who hasn't uttered the immortal line "Show me the money" at appropriate times in your life??!!! He is a legend!
The Key West Picture Show!
The Key West Picture Show.......have you seen it?!
It's a movie that was filmed in Key West in the 1970's and it has such a great feeling to it. I probably like the scenes about the bicycling culture on the island.
You can buy it here if you are interested!
I bought my copy in Key West in the store next to Blue Heaven in the Bahama Village.
It's a movie that was filmed in Key West in the 1970's and it has such a great feeling to it. I probably like the scenes about the bicycling culture on the island.
You can buy it here if you are interested!
I bought my copy in Key West in the store next to Blue Heaven in the Bahama Village.
Friday 21 September 2012
Oktoberfest!
Oktoberfest in Dublin was quite crazy! It started off sedate enough and then the music got going and it went wild. The place was packed and everyone was singing, dancing and drinking. I believe that the beer was very strong which might explain the girl being taken away by paramedics at about 8pm.
When you left the beer tent to go to the bathroom it took about 20 minutes to get back in due to the crowds. There was also a system where you exited one side and then went back in at the other side, this was causing a huge queue. Luckily my sister and I were able to bypass the line and enter through the exit by pretending we were event staff - made believable by the fact that we were wearing "Dirndl" style costumes!
It was actually hard to believe that we were in Ireland it felt like we were in Germany! It was such a great event - a really great day out in Dublin.
Beer lovers should take note of this festival and plan to visit Ireland in 2013 for it! Of course there will be loads going on this year in Ireland because it is the year of "The Gathering"
When you left the beer tent to go to the bathroom it took about 20 minutes to get back in due to the crowds. There was also a system where you exited one side and then went back in at the other side, this was causing a huge queue. Luckily my sister and I were able to bypass the line and enter through the exit by pretending we were event staff - made believable by the fact that we were wearing "Dirndl" style costumes!
The above and below are some girls in authentic Dirndls. They were all German Nationals who are currently living in Ireland.
It was actually hard to believe that we were in Ireland it felt like we were in Germany! It was such a great event - a really great day out in Dublin.
Beer lovers should take note of this festival and plan to visit Ireland in 2013 for it! Of course there will be loads going on this year in Ireland because it is the year of "The Gathering"
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Culture Night 2012
This Friday is Culture Night. I'm looking forward to it. Last year we visited the Book of Kells in Trinity College which was really great. We then headed to Kilmainham to the IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) to listen to live music. On the way to the IMMA we stopped off in the Winding Stair Bookshop to watch some performance poets recite their work. All in all a really great night! The atmosphere in Dublin was fantastic!
Monday 17 September 2012
Look what's happening!
We have heard rumours that a Marks & Spencers Foodhall is coming to Ranelagh. This is our favourite place to shop!
On Sunday a building was knocked down where supposedly M&S is meant to be built! We can only wait in hope and see what they build!
Here is the building next door to Russells. It is less then a 5 minute walk away from our house. Jason's Snooker hall used to be in this building.
I have been following this blog by an American in Ireland, it's a nice read and I enjoy seeing a foreigners perspective on life in Ireland!
Update 4th of Oct - we have now heard that an Aldi is going in here. :-(
We are not impressed.....
Sunday 16 September 2012
Key West
We holiday in Key West, Florida every year. You may have heard of Key West, it is the last of a chain of islands off the coast of the USA. The island is the most southernmost point in the States but it is actually closer to Cuba then to the mainland of America. It is 90 miles from Cuba (by boat) and 150 miles drive from Miami - the chain of the Florida Keys are joined by bridges from island to island (or key to key).
For such a small island (4 miles by 2 miles) it is surprisingly historic. Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West for awhile along with Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost. You can visit the house that Hemingway lived in with his wife Pauline. It is a really interesting tour and the polydactyl cats living on the grounds are quite a sight!
President Truman managed to base himself in Key West for much of his presidential term. The house that he lived in is now a museum and I thoroughly recommend a visit. I think I have been to see it 4 times and each time I learnt something new!
There are lots of other sights to see in Key West including the Southernmost Point, The Key West Lighthouse, The Butterfly Conservatory along with numerous art galleries.
Nightlife in Key West is mainly based on Duval Street and also along the bight. There are so many different different bars that there is something for just about everyone. I went to the Green Parrot Bar with my parents to watch a Blue Grass band which was a lot of fun. Sloppy Joes where Hemingway hung out also plays a mix of music with performers coming from all over the country to play here.
While on the island, we love to bike around checking out the sights and also getting out on the water and doing some fishing. Nothing beats coming home and throwing your freshly caught fish on the bbq and having a cocktail while cooking dinner!
Probably my favourite thing about Key West is the choice of restaurants. I love the fact that there are very few chain restaurants in Key West and an amazing selection of fresh seafood restaurants, little small quaint charming restaurants and also rough and ready casual eateries. All serving up great food and wine! My two favourite restaurants are 7 Fish and Santiago's Bodega. We also (surprisingly!) love the vegetarian cafe in KW - great healthy food in a very chilled out venue with very friendly staff.
If you do ever get to Key West my recommendation on where to stay is either in one of the cute B&B's in old town or to rent a cute conchy cottage through Historic Hideaways.
All in all I think Key West is a place unlike any other and I think you need to visit to see what it is like to vacation in Paradise!!!
Here's something further to read about Key West.
For such a small island (4 miles by 2 miles) it is surprisingly historic. Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West for awhile along with Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost. You can visit the house that Hemingway lived in with his wife Pauline. It is a really interesting tour and the polydactyl cats living on the grounds are quite a sight!
President Truman managed to base himself in Key West for much of his presidential term. The house that he lived in is now a museum and I thoroughly recommend a visit. I think I have been to see it 4 times and each time I learnt something new!
There are lots of other sights to see in Key West including the Southernmost Point, The Key West Lighthouse, The Butterfly Conservatory along with numerous art galleries.
Nightlife in Key West is mainly based on Duval Street and also along the bight. There are so many different different bars that there is something for just about everyone. I went to the Green Parrot Bar with my parents to watch a Blue Grass band which was a lot of fun. Sloppy Joes where Hemingway hung out also plays a mix of music with performers coming from all over the country to play here.
While on the island, we love to bike around checking out the sights and also getting out on the water and doing some fishing. Nothing beats coming home and throwing your freshly caught fish on the bbq and having a cocktail while cooking dinner!
Probably my favourite thing about Key West is the choice of restaurants. I love the fact that there are very few chain restaurants in Key West and an amazing selection of fresh seafood restaurants, little small quaint charming restaurants and also rough and ready casual eateries. All serving up great food and wine! My two favourite restaurants are 7 Fish and Santiago's Bodega. We also (surprisingly!) love the vegetarian cafe in KW - great healthy food in a very chilled out venue with very friendly staff.
If you do ever get to Key West my recommendation on where to stay is either in one of the cute B&B's in old town or to rent a cute conchy cottage through Historic Hideaways.
All in all I think Key West is a place unlike any other and I think you need to visit to see what it is like to vacation in Paradise!!!
Here's something further to read about Key West.
O'Stillman Cup
This weekend the O'Stillman Cup was played in Dublin. Team Ireland played against Team USA. Happily the cup was won by Ireland! The American players were fantastic, great squash players and a lot of fun.
Here are a few pics from the weekend -
Here are a few pics from the weekend -
Paws up little monsters!
Wow! Wow! Wow!
We went to see Lady Gaga last night. She was just amazing. We had a (monsters) ball at the concert! It was just great - check out this review
I still can't decide which song she did best. I'm torn between Judas and Alejandro but Just Dance was awesome too! In fact the whole show was amazing. A real spectacle, an over the top show everything you would expect from a popstar of Gaga's calibre!
I took some photos but they did not come out very well as we were very far back :-(
Here's a video that I put up on Youtube. Apols for the poor quality.
Can't believe the concert has been and done, I was looking forward to it for the whole Summer. I wonder when she will be back again?!
We went to see Lady Gaga last night. She was just amazing. We had a (monsters) ball at the concert! It was just great - check out this review
I still can't decide which song she did best. I'm torn between Judas and Alejandro but Just Dance was awesome too! In fact the whole show was amazing. A real spectacle, an over the top show everything you would expect from a popstar of Gaga's calibre!
I took some photos but they did not come out very well as we were very far back :-(
Here's a video that I put up on Youtube. Apols for the poor quality.
Can't believe the concert has been and done, I was looking forward to it for the whole Summer. I wonder when she will be back again?!
Saturday 15 September 2012
Tonight's the night!!
Lady Gaga is playing tonight in the Aviva!!
Can't wait!! I found it hard to get to sleep last night because I was so excited ;-)
Busy day today, Ciaran is playing in the O'Stillman Cup and his game is at 4.30pm. Before that we are going to pick up an 11am yoga class. Here's the website for the O'Stillman Cup. It is the first time it has been played and it seems like it is going well.
Friday 14 September 2012
A walk by the canal
I brought my Smart Car for a service to Grattan Motors today. It was a lovely morning and as I walked home along the canal I took a few pictures of the surroundings.
Grattan Motors is next door to Ken Lawford Motors where I bought my car. It is located on Grattan Bridge at Harold's Cross.
Lock's Restaurant is facing on to the canal. It looks so nice. I have seen it all lit up at night time and it is really atmospheric. We must go for a meal there some time!
This cool 1981 VW Beetle was parked near Lock's Restaurant.
Here is La Touche bridge (built 1791) at Portobello.
Looking up towards Rathmines, you can see the green dome of the Mary Immaculate, Refuge of Sinner's Church.
A cute little boardwalk!
This canal is called the Grand Canal. The other canal in Dublin is the Royal Canal and my parents live right beside that one!
Thursday 13 September 2012
Dublin Yoga!
I've started practising Yoga again. There is a great little studio around the corner from us. We walked down to it last night but tonight I cycled as I was a little tight for time coming from work. I'm still very much getting used to the different types of yoga and I really miss the heat of Bikram.
I find Bikram Yoga far more physical and because of the endurance you need it actually becomes more meditative as you need to really concentrate on your body and how much you can do (or not do in my case!) But as I said this is a nice studio so I will stick with it for awhile. They also do Pilates so I will probably give that ago too.
By the way I think there has been a serious turn in the weather......winter is on it's way but for the positive my weekend has started already as I am finished work until Monday. Chilling out with a glass of wine now while we watch "The Good Wife" on boxset on UPC Demand, life is good!
I find Bikram Yoga far more physical and because of the endurance you need it actually becomes more meditative as you need to really concentrate on your body and how much you can do (or not do in my case!) But as I said this is a nice studio so I will stick with it for awhile. They also do Pilates so I will probably give that ago too.
By the way I think there has been a serious turn in the weather......winter is on it's way but for the positive my weekend has started already as I am finished work until Monday. Chilling out with a glass of wine now while we watch "The Good Wife" on boxset on UPC Demand, life is good!
Monday 10 September 2012
Gaga is coming!!!
Lady Gaga is playing in Dublin this Saturday in the Aviva Stadium. There are rumours that there is already a fan queuing outside!!!
We had a busy weekend so I plan to take it easy for the concert. Ciaran has a game of squash at some stage during the day. There are a team of Americans coming over to play in his club - unfortunately we will miss the event dinner because we will be at Gaga. Not that I mind that!!!
I have a busy week ahead of me but am off work on Friday. I then need to drop my car in to the garage to get serviced on Friday. It's all go but then I can relax and enjoy the show on Saturday night!! I'm planning to hang out with my twin sister during the day on Saturday with my twin which will be nice too.....
I wonder will she do a Bikram Yoga class while she is here? If she does, she may go to the Ringsend Studio - Colin Farrell was back in Ireland a few weeks ago and he went here with his sister. Maybe I should do a few classes and see if I can bump in to her!
I should mention that we ate in Tribeca on Saturday evening - I still reckon it is the best burger in Ranelagh. Ciaran got the wings which everyone raves about but he thought they were just average. He will probably get the burger next time. I do like this place, it has got a great atmosphere. For dessert we shared a baked cheesecake which was surprisingly good as I don't normally like cheesecake.
We had a busy weekend so I plan to take it easy for the concert. Ciaran has a game of squash at some stage during the day. There are a team of Americans coming over to play in his club - unfortunately we will miss the event dinner because we will be at Gaga. Not that I mind that!!!
I have a busy week ahead of me but am off work on Friday. I then need to drop my car in to the garage to get serviced on Friday. It's all go but then I can relax and enjoy the show on Saturday night!! I'm planning to hang out with my twin sister during the day on Saturday with my twin which will be nice too.....
I wonder will she do a Bikram Yoga class while she is here? If she does, she may go to the Ringsend Studio - Colin Farrell was back in Ireland a few weeks ago and he went here with his sister. Maybe I should do a few classes and see if I can bump in to her!
I should mention that we ate in Tribeca on Saturday evening - I still reckon it is the best burger in Ranelagh. Ciaran got the wings which everyone raves about but he thought they were just average. He will probably get the burger next time. I do like this place, it has got a great atmosphere. For dessert we shared a baked cheesecake which was surprisingly good as I don't normally like cheesecake.
Monday 3 September 2012
Dallas is back!
The Ewings are back on TV and I think just about the whole of Ireland is watching!!
It is sponsored by Newbridge Silver. Linda Grey regularly comes to Ireland for promotional work with Newbridge Silver.
Oh and I also found a Christmas movie on TV - I'm in heaven!!!
It is sponsored by Newbridge Silver. Linda Grey regularly comes to Ireland for promotional work with Newbridge Silver.
Oh and I also found a Christmas movie on TV - I'm in heaven!!!
Sunday 2 September 2012
Step aboard the USS Fort McHenry!
We toured the USS Fort McHenry Naval ship this evening down at Dublin Port. It was just wonderful. We saw so many elements of the ship and the weaponry. All of the personnel aboard were just great, just so friendly and informative. They said that they loved Dublin. They head on to Africa next to do humanitarian work.
The above is a picture of myself and my sisters at the entrance to the ship.
A perfect end to a Navy weekend in Dublin!
Notre Dame v. Navy
Wow what a weekend so far!
Ciaran was offered a ticket to the Notre Dame v. Navy game!!!
I had to work so I couldn't go!!! Unfortunately the Navy were not up to Notre Dame and were badly beaten but Ciaran had a great day with a group of people from the Navy that he had met through the Navy Squash.
After work I cycled over to the Schoolhouse Bar and met up with Ciaran along with the Navy Squash team and all of their families after the game. We had dinner and cocktails it was a lot of fun. We walked home pushing my bike and then stopped in to the club for 1 drink before we fell into bed, a long fun day for Ciaran. With all the Americans coming into town for the game it was a weekend unlike anything we will ever see in Dublin or Ireland ever again.
Ciaran was offered a ticket to the Notre Dame v. Navy game!!!
I had to work so I couldn't go!!! Unfortunately the Navy were not up to Notre Dame and were badly beaten but Ciaran had a great day with a group of people from the Navy that he had met through the Navy Squash.
After work I cycled over to the Schoolhouse Bar and met up with Ciaran along with the Navy Squash team and all of their families after the game. We had dinner and cocktails it was a lot of fun. We walked home pushing my bike and then stopped in to the club for 1 drink before we fell into bed, a long fun day for Ciaran. With all the Americans coming into town for the game it was a weekend unlike anything we will ever see in Dublin or Ireland ever again.
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