Had a busy weekend, just gone. Car maintenance, visiting friends, cinema premiere, afternoon moseys in Dublin.....forgetting about The Match...
So, here's a brief extract from the list:
1. The new Muppets film is brilliant. Uproariously funny, universally appealing, unpretentious, and did I mention uproariously funny? Great to see the gang (+1 new muppet) back in action. And we saw a brilliant Pixar/Toy Story short too! A film for all ages.
2. The Queen of Tarts coffee/cake shop is still amazing. Yes, we've been in there before, but it's still refreshingly yummy in there. This weekend's conquests - Apple Crumble (and how did it crumble, perfect crunch, perfect apple), Victoria Sponge (a triple decker, bursting with berry goodness), Lavazza coffee and wonderful hot chocolate. Don't pass it, unless you're going to their other branch.
3. The Elephant and Castle is great for lunch. We'll have to go back to try the wings (everyone was having wings!), but our lamb pitta and elephantburger lunch was tasty, succulent, well presented and well priced. Again, we say.
4. It might be time to get some different shoes. In my rush to leave the house, I had a left and right from different pairs. Not dramatically different, but enough. Lesson learned.
Small few photographs taken, for a later time.
Till then!
Showing posts with label cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cafe. Show all posts
Monday, February 06, 2012
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Less nostalgia, more local treasures....
Weather was kinder to us today than has been of late. That might be the understatement of the year - the sun shone and I think the temperature might have hit 20 celsius... so somewhere outside for a wee walk was indicated. I know, Laois! Heywood gardens has been on the hitlist for a while since I saw it mentioned somewhere, so we struck out, as you do, in the car.
We hit Abbeyleix first, though, to see could we get a bit of lunch. A swift pie (I know, on a day like this?) in the Gallic Kitchen on Main St, which was delicious (one steak and guinness, one chicken and mushroom, both yummy) and in a lovely poky friendly café - highly recommended. Will hit this spot again on another day. Coffee and Brownie to finish!
On we went, heading in Ballinakill direction to Heywood Gardens. There's a school on the grounds, which is a bit strange and gives you that "did we take the right turn?" moment, but it was the right place. A lovely and unusual pair of gardens awaits the visitor, one set being very formal, set in circular form around a pond and a walled garden and the other more freeform and natural set around a much more natural pond with beautiful waterlilies and a woodland surround. The place was lovely for a walk on a warm day, and the trail takes you right into Ballinakill village, which we didn't quite go as far as - there was barbecuing to do!
Maybe some photos to come from the day - there's also a beer report (Beerdog Paradox, and Aecht Schenkerla) and some nostalgic reading to mention. And Vegas photos, don't forget those! Maybe it'll rain and I can get them typed up. Until then.....
We hit Abbeyleix first, though, to see could we get a bit of lunch. A swift pie (I know, on a day like this?) in the Gallic Kitchen on Main St, which was delicious (one steak and guinness, one chicken and mushroom, both yummy) and in a lovely poky friendly café - highly recommended. Will hit this spot again on another day. Coffee and Brownie to finish!
On we went, heading in Ballinakill direction to Heywood Gardens. There's a school on the grounds, which is a bit strange and gives you that "did we take the right turn?" moment, but it was the right place. A lovely and unusual pair of gardens awaits the visitor, one set being very formal, set in circular form around a pond and a walled garden and the other more freeform and natural set around a much more natural pond with beautiful waterlilies and a woodland surround. The place was lovely for a walk on a warm day, and the trail takes you right into Ballinakill village, which we didn't quite go as far as - there was barbecuing to do!
Maybe some photos to come from the day - there's also a beer report (Beerdog Paradox, and Aecht Schenkerla) and some nostalgic reading to mention. And Vegas photos, don't forget those! Maybe it'll rain and I can get them typed up. Until then.....
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Things to do on a Saturday, when the weather's nice...
Suggestion 1: Go to Malahide for an hour or two. The advantages are these - you can go to Malahide castle, which has some nice green grounds to wander around. It also, importantly, has the Fry Model Railway, which is well worth a visit. For €6 for a grown up (hah!) you get to see both a phenomenal set of model trains that Mr. Cyril Fry, a railway engineer, built in the 1920s and 1930s, and a huge (much bigger than an attic....) display of running model trains which covers the DART, Irish Rail, Luas and other model transportation. Anyone with children to entertain (like my better half, who still isn't convinced of my age) who have any sort of mechanical interest would enjoy this I think.
Also in Malahide, there is a beach for walking on. That's nice too.
Suggestion 2: The Chester Beatty Library. I finally made the effort to go and see it, it's been hiding behind Dublin Castle all these years! A small, but exquisite exhibition called "the Art of the Book" is on display at the moment, which has some absolutely fantastic and beautifully illustrated books that Mr. Beatty (obviously a man of not inconsiderable means...) collected. The vivid colours and details that were capable of being printed through the years is very impressive, and for €0 entry fee, well worth a visit. There is also an exhibition on world religions which is very interesting too.
Suggestion 2.1: Toscana, on Dame Street - a very tasty 2 course lunch is available here, in the Italian style. Excellent value, nicely filling.
Suggestion 2.2: The Queen of Tarts, also on Dame Street for coffee and dessert. Like the Chester Beatty, I'd been threatening to get in here for years but only now have I managed it! A lovely cosy café (be prepared to wait for a table, though!) which serves absolutely gorgeous cakes and Lavazza coffee. We had pear and chocolate tart, which was delicious, and a very well balanced cinnamon and apple crumble. Both were hugely tasty and lighter than we expected. It's going to be visited again.
Also in Malahide, there is a beach for walking on. That's nice too.
Suggestion 2: The Chester Beatty Library. I finally made the effort to go and see it, it's been hiding behind Dublin Castle all these years! A small, but exquisite exhibition called "the Art of the Book" is on display at the moment, which has some absolutely fantastic and beautifully illustrated books that Mr. Beatty (obviously a man of not inconsiderable means...) collected. The vivid colours and details that were capable of being printed through the years is very impressive, and for €0 entry fee, well worth a visit. There is also an exhibition on world religions which is very interesting too.
Suggestion 2.1: Toscana, on Dame Street - a very tasty 2 course lunch is available here, in the Italian style. Excellent value, nicely filling.
Suggestion 2.2: The Queen of Tarts, also on Dame Street for coffee and dessert. Like the Chester Beatty, I'd been threatening to get in here for years but only now have I managed it! A lovely cosy café (be prepared to wait for a table, though!) which serves absolutely gorgeous cakes and Lavazza coffee. We had pear and chocolate tart, which was delicious, and a very well balanced cinnamon and apple crumble. Both were hugely tasty and lighter than we expected. It's going to be visited again.
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