There is some serious seafood to be had in Dublin at the moment, and with this banging weather
due to continue until the weekend, there are few excuses to stop you going out in search of it. From the simplest anchovies on toast to a full on barbequed feast, here's what we're craving this week
1. Klaw's Summer BBQ Seafood Platter
Oysters, scallops, prawns, crab and squid fired on the barbeque then onto your plate. There's nothing we'd rather be eating in this weather. Available in The Seafood Café and Klaw Poké.
2. Afternoon Sea at Cliff Townhouse
We're officially sick of sugar-laden, nausea-inducing, pink and yellow spattered afternoon teas. The 'Afternoon Sea' from Cliff Townhouse looks and sounds much more appealing, with potted monkfish, lobster, crab claws, mussels, oysters and smoked salmon, and instead of tea, a cup of lobster bisque. €38 per person or €50 with a glass of Champagne.
3. Anchoas de L'Escala from Las Tapas de Lola
Sometimes the simple things are the best, and these Costa Brava anchovies, currently on at Las Tapas de Lola, paired with a glass of fino, look like the perfect aperitif for a sunny evening.
4. The freshest Dublin seafood at Michael's
Chef/owner Gaz Smith only took over Michael's a year ago but has firmly cemented it as one of the best places in Dublin to get fresh seafood. He's often out with the fishermen in the morning before bringing his haul back to Mount Merrion for lunch, and it doesn't get more local than this plate of butter roasted Howth Bay lobster, Clogherhead prawns and Lambay Island crab claws, served with charred lemon and chive butter. *looks for car keys*
5. The New Seafood Bento Box from Bonsai Bar
There seems to be a bit of a buzz about Dylan McGrath of late, the long-standing Dublin chef who's in charge of the kitchens in Taste at Rustic, Rustic Stone, and the recently opened Bonsai Bar (all on different floors of the same building). After the food at Bonsai Bar getting a firm thumbs up from the Sunday Business Post's Gillian Nelis a few weeks ago, they've just launched their new Bonsai Bentos, with a choice of meat, fish or vegetables for €18. We're eyeing up the fish one, with roast salmon, tuna sashimi and miso soup with cockles and shimeji (a type of mushroom).
