Seafood Feast in Octopussy's

I have this theory that, every single time I spend the day in lovely Howth, my gluttony takes over and possesses my appetite. I always end up wolfing out in some crabshack or street food market.

Octopussy's Seafood Tapas Restaurant is often packed for a reason and I knew I HAD to get in there and try all the food my (dilated, ahem!) stomach could handle. I mean, what else is one supposed to do on a gloomy Sunday? A dreary miserable afternoon spent in one of the most satisfying eateries in County Dublin is the perfect excuse to indulge.

After some seal spotting and pub snug pints, this was the place to be. Cosy, warm, good music (The Specials, Bessie Smith and some more formidable tunes) and a tempting wine selection including my all time favourite Alvarinho from Portugal. The portions are, as you can expect, tapas-like in quantity but the quality is fucking extraordinary. High-grade. It took us a while to decide what to go for, since there was a little bit of everything: mussels, calamari, prawns, octopus... you name it. It was like an entire ocean in menu pages. The good thing about the small sized dishes is that they leave room for more and more, allowing us to try many different things in one go.

We started with Carlingford oysters - fresh, yummy and rich in aftertaste. Then, crab mousse with herbs served in brown bread landed in our table and I shit you not, that's the texture and flavour dreams are made of. Describing it as heavenly would be an understatement. Scallops in lemon and garlic butter ensued and there are no words to define such scrumptious taste. The chilli and chorizo squids didn't disappoint either - the spicy factor and garlicky sauce was a real treat. And have I mentioned the char grilled lobster yet? The crustacean was an absolute winner, nothing beats that sweet flesh covered in garlic butter and a home made marie rose sauce to die for. I even dipped the brown bread in it (and in every other sauce, for the record). Given the money and time, we would've certainly go through the whole menu, this I know. The feast eventually met an end but only after we ordered dessert. Crème brûlée, the perfect classic, and oh so delicious. I think of that custard and I drool.

With a casual yet effortlessly romantic (as in candles, sheltered shack-like ambience) atmosphere, Octopussy's offers the best seafood for a reasonable price, meaning it's an affordable option either you're by yourself or with a bunch of friends - just make sure you book it in advance (I didn't but I guess it was my lucky day). I'm glad it wasn't a fancy spot so I didn't have to worry about my manners... This is definitely a "to be continued" kind of place for sure, and fair play to the staff - our waitress was lovely and extremely efficient. I'll be back on a sunny day to try the swordfish teriyaki.

Smithfield Food Fair - Spring Edition

Once again, a food fair took place in Smithfield and as you can imagine, I was there to experience everything the market had to offer. Supporting local organic traders, vegan brands and independent Irish businesses sounds like a good plan. A plethora of stalls featuring homemade jams, honey, cakes, vegetarian burgers, cheese, fruit & veggies took Generator Hostel by surprise - so many fresh products, so little time. Another rainy afternoon spent among healthy snacks, live music and baked goods.

The Jameson St. Patrick's Day Hub

You know how much I hate crowds so it's no wonder I avoided Temple Bar like the plague today. However, something quite interesting was taking place in Smithfield, just down the road. As the disco brunch in Drury Buildings was already sold out, celebrating St Patrick's Day at the Old Jameson Distillery didn't sound like a bad idea at all. Bow Street looked surprisingly serene in the sunniest Thursday ever. I wasn't in the mood for parades, Leprechaun outfits or hysterical tourists taking selfies with pints of Guinness - this event was much more inviting and free admission goes a long way. There was live music, whiskey tasting and free James Earley designed sweatshirts (thank you, Damn Fine Print!). The venue itself is a treat, and it was nice just to walk around, sipping an ice cold Jameson and Ginger Ale with lime.

Eventually we got hungry and burger porn Jo'Burger was the answer. The "distillery district", as I call it, has a few gems worth going for brunch, lunch and dinner. I carefully studied the menu while waiting outside and it was so hard to decide between the beef, lamb or veggie options. I love it when you are able to build your own burger from scratch, because, well, possibilities are endless. I added a few extras like smoked applewood cheese, bacon and a fried egg (of course). The smell of meat paired with a charcoal grill was making me drool in loco. The veredict? One of the best burgers I've ever had in Dublin, it made it to the top 5, I kid you not. The meat quality! The relish! The "I ordered rare, I got rare" factor! The perfect bun! The portions! All washed down with mint lemonade (I must try the ginger and cranberry coolers next time). The homemade ketchup stole the show and the sweet potatoes... don't even get me started on the sweet potatoes. Have you been to Jo'Burger? Did you manage to finish your meal? Last but not least, doesn't the manager look exactly like The Dude?

Belgium Travel Diary: Bonjour Brussels!

Once upon a time there were 5 girls in a tiny Suzuki Swift who went to Belgium for a wild week. First stop was Brussels. I couldn't wait to stuff my stomach with waffles, chocolate and moules frites. My first impression of the city was that there was a lack of atmosphere (compared to Dublin), drivers loved to honk, everything was cheaper than in Ireland and that there was a huge Little Africa vibe going on. Oh, and it was cold as fuck. 

After taking a few photos around the majestic Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares I've ever seen, we had a great time in Delirium, chatting with an astroengineer and ordering a bottle of Deus, a strong ale resembling champagne. The quantity and diversity of beer was overwhelming - my favourite has to be Lindemans Apple, a lambic style fruity blondie I had the pleasure to drink at Le Poechenellekelder. There was also a cookie-flavoured beer I regret not ordering when I had the chance. Raspberry beer was a good surprise, we had it in this Art Noveau club called Madame Moustache, where we danced the night away before heading home. Who needs a gym when there's a dancefloor?

While everyone raves about Atomium, I was more thrilled with the Planetarium - our trip wouldn't have been the same without such a trippy, interesting experience that involved lying down and watch a movie about the Universe being projected onto a 23m overhead dome, as if we were in a space shuttle getting up close and personal with the stars, the galaxies, the black holes, the planets... Pure cosmic ecstasy! It wasn't even 3D but it certainly felt like it was.

Food wise, I have to say the Belgians don't mess around when it comes to fry culture. In Fritland, we all had massive portions of fries with the yummiest of sauces (garlic mayo never felt so homemade). Greasy glitz. Meat, however, was unimpressive (this is what happens when you spend too much time of your life in FX Buckley). I'm pretty sure it was all horse meat. Now, for a healthy and delicious brunch, Peck 47 was the place. Runny poached eggs cooked and presented to perfection, refreshing juices and smoothies, cheesy waffles with herby sausages, drool-inducing cakes... All of it in a cosy, quaintly decorated café, packed with locals on their lunch break.

Our airbnb soon became a pyjama party, a mess of maps, blankets, leftovers, empty bottles, Belgian chocolate boxes and Lidl plastic bags. Our Portuguese neighbours gathered outside day and night, which was handy whenever we needed a lighter or a corkscrew. No one vomited inside a Photomatic after enjoying a massive overdose of frites et fricadelle. No one had an anxiety crisis induced by the endless stream of heavy traffic while listening to THIS very loudly. More importantly, no one got robbed while going for a pee in the open air - behind a tree in the park opposite to the Royal Palace, to be more specific. All good.

Note to self: if you keep on drinking coffee followed by beer and simultaneously feasting on greasy stuff and chocolate nonstop, pray for your intestines.

To be continued...