HUNGRY FOR PIZZA IN DUBLIN
Miller’s Pizza, 50 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin4. Ph 01 660-6022
Miller’s take the idea of gourmet pizza to a whole new level. This little restaurant is located about 20 minutes walk from Grafton Street in the leafy suburb of Ballsbridge, but the effort required to get there will be well rewarded. The pizza chefs here are not afraid to break pizza taboos. Along with the normal pizza toppings you will also find prawns, roast duck, jerk chicken, teriyaki beef and much more. Some of the pizzas on the menu sound downright implausible with upwards of fifteen ingredients on a single pizza. Don’t be put off. Suspend your disbelief and take a chance. These pizzas are a taste sensation.
Expect to pay: about 25 euro for pizza and a beer
HUNGRY ANYWHERE
The Toasted Special, Available Almost Everywhere
Let’s be honest we Irish are not known for our cuisine. That is because we do not have one. We always had great ingredients but were pretty clueless when it came to cooking them. Eating out in Ireland was something of a gamble with the odds stacked firmly against you. That has changed in recent years of course as we adopted foreign know how and there are now many fantastic restaurants to be found all across the country. Through all the dark years we did however have one fall back snack that never failed to satisfy hunger while simultaneously delighting the taste buds. You guessed it, the Toasted Special. Ask for it by name, they will know exactly what you are looking for: a toasted ham, cheese, tomato and onion sandwich. Sounds simple and it is, but therein lies the beauty of the toasted special; it is very hard to make a bad one. In fact it is near impossible. And the great thing is almost every bar in the country will cobble one together for you if you ask nicely. Do not laugh. A toasted special can get you out of a jam.
Expect to pay: about 5 euro with a cup of tea or coffee.
HUNGRY IN DUBLIN
L'Gueuleton, 1 Fade Street (off South Great George’s Street), Dublin 2.
Tel: 01 675 3708.
This relatively new bistro-style French restaurant has become very popular in a short period of time. It is not hard to see why. They serve delicious French country cooking at quite reasonable prices. It is always busy and the sound of chatter from surrounding tables creates a very sociable atmosphere. They do not accept reservations, so if you are planning to eat here at the weekend it is a good idea to drop in 30 to 40 minutes before to put you name on the list, then retire next door to Hogans, or across the street to The Long Haul for a pre-dinner drink. If you have a mobile phone, they will call you to let you know when your table is ready.
Expect to pay: 50 euro per person for three courses and wine.
HUNGRY IN KILLARNEY
Jam, 77 High Street, Killarney, open 8am to 5pm, Mon to Sat
Jam is the place to go for an inexpensive lunch or a quick snack, freshly baked bread and cakes or just good coffee. It is a deli, bakery and café all rolled into one. Jam offers a wide variety of home-cooked foods - soups, sandwiches, breads, scones, salads, quiche, lasagne, pies, cakes and desserts. All mouthwateringly tasty. The staff at Jam are very friendly and there’s always a buzz of conversation in the cosy dining area. Best of all is Jam’s obvious commitment to offering good value. Prices are very reasonable indeed. You can also order food to take out. This is a great option if you are planning a day out or a picnic. Jam can also be found in Kenmare on Henry Street.
Expect to pay: 10 euro for lunch.
HUNGRY IN DUBLIN
Nude, 21 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 (turn right at bottom of Grafton Street)
Nude should be a chain. It is not as far as I know (ok there are a few branches in Dublin), but it is the kind of place you would like to know about whenever you are in a foreign city. Why? Because Nude serves cheap, tasty, wholesome food, fast. Pastas, wraps, bagels, soups, burritos, paninis, great coffee, juices, smoothies, silkies and stockings. And all shockingly fast. Most, if not all, ingredients are organic, the juices are fresh and the coffee is fairtrade. Seating is at benches, German beer hall style, so this isn't the place to celebrate an anniversary but it is the place to go if you are hungry for a fast, tasty bite. And, wait for it... it's owned by Bono's brother. And apparently U2 recorded the Joshua Tree here. Ok, now I'm lying through my non-vegetarian teeth, but it could be true, right? Right?
Expect to pay: coffee, juice + wrap = 10 euro or so. |
