An extra bank holiday, a stretch in the evenings, February is here and spring is in the air. Brighter days bring joy, as does food, and here's what we'd like to bring joy to our mouths this week...
1) Crispy Soft Shell Crab Bun, Benjamin's Hot Chicken
The latest addition to Benjamin's Hot Chicken is this crispy soft shell crab bun with chilli salt, Asian pickle slaw, and Szechuan and lime mayo, all served in a potato bun which is suddenly all we can think about. It's available at The Vintage Dublin from Thursday - Sunday - race ya.
2) Pain Suisse, Bread Naturally
There are not nearly enough Pain Suisse sighting in Dublin, so praise be to Bread Naturally in Raheny for adding another one to the game. Crispy croissant dough is filled with vanilla custard and chocolate chips, and they're available every Saturday until sell out.
3) Tangyuan, Big Fan Bar
Big Fan's black sesame and peanut Tanguan special with osmanthus and goji sweet broth is said to bring good luck (we'll take any we can get). It's traditionally eaten during the Lantern festival which falls on the first full moon in February (Sunday just gone) but we're hoping they keep it on a bit longer.
4) Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Tart, The Old Spot
There's chocolate, and then there's chocolate, and this silky dark chocolate and pistachio tart from The Old Spot, looks like the second type. The roasted banana ice-cream is an added bonus.
5) The Reuben, Stay With Us Café
Sandwiches - so good when they're good, so bad when they're bad, but we're confident the Reuben with spiced pastrami, swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut and homemade Russian dressing from Stay with Us is going to be one of the good guys.
