Brazilians, Brilliant Revamps & Bloody Monks
A strong week for good food and drink news…
I’m writing this morning from a very sunny London, where I’ve already eaten too much and I’ve barely been here 24 hours. There’s always somewhere new to try and then fitting in old favourites - it’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Maybe I’ll get a London post together for Substack, would that be welcomed here? Let me know - but for now let’s see what’s happening in Ireland…
Fresh ingredients:
News & stuff I’m excited about
It seems Bootleg on Drury Street has gotten the boot, a Brazilian boot to be more precise… The venue is now Rei Momo, a new ‘Brazilian Petiscos, Wood Grill and Caipirinha Bar’. I did love Bootleg but this looks great too (opinion purely based on Marcus O’Laorie’s insta stories 😅).
Delighted to see that The Pig’s Ear, a stalwart of the Dublin dining scene, is back open, and it’s better than ever. After a brief dalliance as Lotus Eaters for a few months, they’ve reverted to embracing Irish food, with a new menu that leans right back into Irish food history with nods to Jammet’s and Joyce and dishes like Boxty, farls, Dublin Lawyer and a proper Dublin coddle. I ate there this week and everything was excellent, it’s a menu full of stuff you’ll want to order that somehow manages to be nostalgic and thoroughly modern at the same time.
Another reopening high on my list to get to is the elusive Assassination Custard, I’ve been hearing great reports about their new set up, which is the same wonderful cooking but they now ask you to book ahead (by phone, details on their insta) and they now take card and serve wine. Read more about their reopening here.
And I promise by this time next week I will have been to Parnell Street Bakery, the newly opened venture from Russell Street Bakery in the space where Deli 147 once was. I’m very excited for what looks like a gorgeous selection of patisserie including tarts and eclairs.
There’s a new Indian open in Ballsbridge called Kiisan in the space where Indian Eateries used to be.
Good news for Bloody Mary fans, The Bloody Monk is back on the menu at Bar 1661. TBH I’m not normally a fan of Bloody Mary’s but I tasted this version a few weeks ago when I did their 28 course tasting menu and it was soooo very delicious. Will be back in for one soon.
Fantastic to hear that chef Aishling Moore has taken over as the new Head of the Food Council at Eurotoques Ireland and Conor Halpenny of Square, Dundalk, has been elected as the new Community Chair.
Meanwhile, not so good news for me - Peter’s Pub at the top of South William Street, one of my favourite pint spots, is up for sale. Proprietor Enda Keogh has decided to retire following a lifetime of working in the pub trade. This pub simply won’t be the same without his watchful eye.
Then I’m walking through Dublin Airport yesterday and I see that their best pub - the T1 Guinness Bar has disappeared! Although I did post my concerns on Instagram stories and Dublin Airport slid into my DM’s simply saying ‘Stay tuned, it’s getting a refresh!’. Fingers crossed it’s something decent.
PS if you love airport pints too, have you read my book?
More change in Ranelagh, after much-loved McSorley’s has been taken over by publican Noel Anderson, news is they will now also take over the Wild Goose restaurant space above the pub, to make it a seven-days-a-week food and drinks business.
Happy Birthday to Miyazaki in Cork celebrating ten years this week. If you have not been here, please add it to your list - grab a Donburi rice bowl to take away or order and eat across the road at O’Sho’s with a cold beer, divine.
Want to know more about apples? Cloughjordan Ecovillage have a host of apply events coming up including ‘From Mead to Pie to Pieces – Apples Then and Now’ which will delve into the hidden history of the apple in Irish cultural and culinary tradition, right up to its role as a global commodity today with Ollie Moore, Davie Philip, Regina Sexton and Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire.
There was a big chunk of good Irish whiskey news this week thanks to Ireland winning big at The World Whiskey Awards. Powerscourt Distillery’s head of brand John Cashman became the 100th inductee into the World Whisky Hall of Fame and Powerscourt Distillery took home nine awards in total. Meath distillery Boann was honoured with Distiller of the Year in the Producer Category and Production Team of the Year in the People Category. Roe & Co Distillery won Brand Innovator of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards 2025. And there's loads more, see the full list of Ireland winners here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YddAOTp1uG_FxZa2C36O6L73oPc03SUz/view
And some new whiskey releases in time for Paddy's Day…Glendalough Distillery have just dropped a new limited-edition bottle, the Pot Still Peated Irish Whiskey, and they are giving away one over on their Instagram. Jameson just dropped a new travel retail exclusive to the family, Jameson Triple Triple Marsala Cask Edition.
As various fashion weeks happen around the world, the only trends I want to know about are what food was served and especially at uber cool The Row (the Oslen twins’ label) show. i-D magazine reported on their infamous post-show food offering, which they say ‘has become a cult fascination in some circles’. There was Chicken Broth, Ham and Cheese Baguettes and Chicken sandwiches they called “Quite frankly divine. Imagine the Platonic ideal of a Chicken Club at somewhere like The Ritz. Worth eating in an alleyway so as to not get papped by streetstyle photographers”.
Substack are hosting their first ever virtual food festival next week called Grubstack, a live video food festival taking place from March 13 to 15 ‘showcasing the new frontier of food media’. I’m chuffed to be taking part in it - I’ll be joining John and Sally McKenna from the Irish Stew to chat about food writing and lots more next Saturday - details coming soon over on Insta!
Petit Fours:
Sweet bits to watch, listen, read or obsess over etc.
Best of luck to Stevie McCarry from Lir Seafood in Coleraine, representing the North of Ireland this week on BBC’s Great British Menu. Tune in on Tuesday to see how he gets on with his fish course (he should nail that!).
I love reading Conor Steven’s reviews in Totally Dublin. Always make me lol plus now I really want to try the Allta burger.
I got sent this many times! Maybe it’s a sign. The can is on sale!
And these Fendi purses
What do you bring to the table?
IYKYK 🍋
Thanks for reading. If you want to read more of my writing, check out my book, A Compendium of Irish Pints. I’d also be so grateful if you subscribed or shared by Substack. GRMA x