Yamamori on the Quays!

Can you think of anything more annoying than when you make a bad food choice when eating out? You look around the table and all your friends have big happy grins, clearly delighted with the culinary delights that lay in front of them! My competitive disposition usually renders me speechless in this situation, slow to admit that I have not made the best decision amongst us! Normally when this happens I am a little prepared as it’s usually when I go for a completely different dish. But yesterday I was pretty confident I had made a good decision until the dish arrived and it was not what I was expecting! The Tatsuta Age (Ginger Chicken) looked pale and unappetising when it arrived! It tasted somewhat better than it looked but this was perhaps my most disappointing visit to this popular Japanese restaurant yet!

On the upside the service was really friendly and quick which we agreed was a must to sustain a lunch time trade. The restaurant is bright and airy with long wooden tables throughout. On this occasion it was relatively busy but not crowded. The prices were reasonable and the portions are large…..although how much pale chicken can one stomach!!! Ewww!

I have no doubt that I will return to Yamamori again as I have really enjoyed my previous experiences of the restaurant. But here’s hoping my decision will be better next time or maybe the chicken will have been on a sun holiday!

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 10 minutes.

Running away with the Circus!

When we were kids, my brother had this notion that he wanted to run away with the circus. I think it was the idea that he could eat as much candy floss and popcorn as he liked that was the ultimate appeal. Admittedly the circus has a certain lure for most children who crave adventure and escape!

Temple Bar Circus Festival started yesterday and runs until this Sunday, attracting both children and adults. This afternoon there was a performance by the Cannonball Circus. Temple Bar Meeting House Square was alive with children's laughter as they watched their performance. Their animated faces displaying their utter enthusiasm for all things Circus!

I was raging with myself yesterday when I rang the ticket office to see if there was any tickets left for the outdoor screening of Mouin Rouge tonight. But the good news is, there's lots of non-ticket events going on over the weekend.

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 5 minutes.

When there's no time for dawdling!

The one thing that puts me off eating out for lunch during the week is the time it takes. Your lunch hour suddenly feels more like a lunch half hour! And the one thing that was putting me off going to Thai Orchid was memories of the last time I went there. It was when I first came to Dublin and I had my birthday dinner there. I thought I liked spicy foods but sure I was as green as the chilli I bit into! I’ll never forget the heat or ‘the pain’ as I described it at the time. I suppose it is no wonder the girls laughed me off as being a Drama Queen with the fuss I made. So today I made my return and avoided the chillies….and the drama!

The décor is warm and inviting with genuine Thai artifacts around the restaurant. The waitress in her traditional dress also gave the restaurant a sense of authenticity. Most of the main courses were priced under €10. I went with the Garlic & Black Pepper Chicken, served with fragrant rice while my colleague went with the Kong Pung Beef. Both dishes were delicious and full of flavour. Of course I started into my meal with the same gusto I devote to all my meals, and admittedly it hit me with about two bites to go. Too late then lady! The damage was done and as expected the food coma began to set in about an hour later. Although I doubt it will deter future trips to this high standard restaurant. The service was friendly yet brisk, exactly what you need when you’re watching the clock. The restaurant was full yet it seemed quiet and hushed, as though all the other diners were on the same mission as ourselves….no time for dawdling!

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 20 seconds!