freetimeguide DUBLIN JUNE 2011 Welcome to the June issue of 2night magazine. This month’s special feature contents stemmed from a conversation at 2night towers – where will we go for our next office party? As some advocated passionately for a hip Thai restaurant, and others wanted to sample Italian delights, we were reminded of just how many great restaurants 04 there are in Dublin serving a smorgasbord of cuisine Special Feature from around the world. We still haven’t decided on Tastes of the World a restaurant, but at least the long chat bore some fruit, as we’ve rounded up 30 of the finest restau- rants serving exotic cuisine in the city. You can check it out on page 4. You can also check out an interview with a ris- 11 ing star on Dublin’s indie scene, Niall Holohan of Competitions Win tickets, meals and great Readers Wives, and have a gander at some great nights out with 2night! competitions, on page 16 and 11 – we’re giving away everything from cookery classes to concert tickets. And if you’re in the mood for going out, you’ll find our events listings invaluable – we’ve sized up the 12 best gigs, festivals and more starting on page 18. The Front Row We’ve also cast a beady eye over the forthcoming Catch the major film releases cinema releases – including the first great block- in June buster of the summer – on page 12. Finally, our Best of Dublin section on page 31 profiles over 200 top venues, so you’ll never be stuck wondering where to go for drinks or dinner. Unlike us! 16 Interview Readers Wives 18 Events Find out what’s on in June PUBLISHER: 2night Entertainment Ltd SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR: Ether Simoncini ([email protected]) EDITOR: Derek Owens ([email protected]) COVER: Daniele Vian GRAPHIC DESIGN 2night PRINT: Chinchio Industria Grafica - Rubano - Italy. 31 Best of Dublin N°16 - JUNE 2011 Where to eat, drink and party This is a 2night Entertainment Ltd publication, all rights are reserved. in the city. 2night is copyright of 2night Spa and it is licensed to 2night Entertainment Ltd. Reproduction of the 2night Magazine, in any form, is strictly prohibited. For further information email: [email protected] 2haveNIGHTERS AND your THEIR NIGHTLI sayFE SPECIAL FEATURE SPECIAL 2night profiles 30 restaurants serving great global food Name Gav Linehan Name: Brian O’Neill to Dubliners. Age:33 Age: 31 2nightuser: Glino1978 Username: Content King What’s your favourite national cuisine, and why? What’s your favourite national cuisine, and why? If variety is the spice of life, Dubliners seem to love a bit of Cajun, which originated in Louisiana, and is a combination of American In- I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur by any means but I’ve really taken zing. Even as some restaurants around the country shut their dian, African, French and Spanish cuisines. I’m a fan of hearty cuisine and to tapas lately. The attraction comes from a short holiday in Zumarraga, a doors, new eateries are arising, and many of them are shying Cajun or Creole food tends to have a lot of intriguing herbs and spices. small town in the Basque country. They’re called Pinchos there – little treats away from the ‘modern Irish’ formula that all but guaranteed Especially good if you’re really hungry! in every bar you visit. When I came back to Dublin I had to search to find success five years ago: instead, they’re offering flavours something on a par and thankfully I found it. from around the world, adding new strings to our collective Where’s the best place to enjoy it in Dublin? culinary bow. There is only one (I think) and it’s Tante Zoe’s in Temple Bar. Where’s the best place to enjoy it in Dublin? Crucially, it seems to work – restaurants are sticking to the I’ve tried a couple of tapas places and the best yet has to be Bar Pintxo on wall that bit more often when they offer exotic tastes. Maybe What’s your favourite dish from that style of cooking? Eustace Street in Temple Bar. The Port House on South William Street is a that’s because the competition is a bit less intense when A starter of Creole Gumbo: A stew made with a selection of smoked fish close second. you’re one of few places offering South American fare. Or and shellfish - you may have to wait a while before you can make room for maybe it’s because Dubliners love to try something new. the main course. What’s your favourite dish from that style of cooking? We fancy it’s a bit of both, but we’re not complaining. Far The beauty of this style of cooking is that you can try up to five or six dishes from it – instead, we’re celebrating 30 of the best restau- in one sitting. The Mejillones Al Horno – large Galician mussels on the half rants offering tastes from around the world in this fair city. shell with rich tomato sauce and Mahon cheese – are exquisite. A sizeable We’ve mixed the old with the new, the far Eastern with the portion only costs €5.25 too, and that’s one of the most expensive dishes European, and just about every element we saw and loved. on the menu. In other words, it’s a bit of a melting pot, rather like our res- taurant scene – we hope you like it just as much. 4 5 Acapulco Buenos AIRES GRILL D’VINE WINE BAR Havana 7, South Great George’s Street – Dublin 2. Tel: 016771085 Castle Way, Golden Lane – Dublin 8. Tel: 014759616 Bachelor’s Walk – Dublin 1. Tel: 018720291 10, Georges Street – Dublin 2. Tel: 014005990 ome cheaper Tex-Mex establish- or far too long, Dublin diners have t may have only opened its doors re- f the name is too subtle a hint, don’t ments have set up in the last few been denied the rich flavours and cently, but this welcoming little wine worry – Havana’s Cuban spirit ex- Syears, but Acapulco still has a few Fhearty recipes of Argentina. Thank- Ibar and Italian eatery has made an in- Itends from the staff (as welcoming and unique selling points – great service, an fully, Buenos Aires Grill has arrived on stant splash. Aside from a fine selection of friendly as you could wish for) and lively SPECIAL FEATURE SPECIAL intimate dining room, and super margari- Golden Lane, its menu positively packed wines to impress connoisseurs (including atmosphere to the unpretentious food: FEATURE SPECIAL tas, not necessarily in that order. They’ve with dishes from the pampas. We’d be a few exclusive bottles), the place also of- it’s colourful, lively, and interesting, rather also perfected the Mexican deep-fried ice quick to recommend both the Argentine fers platters of fine meats and cheeses in like the décor that’s packed with Cuban cream: it may be the bane of cardiologists, fish stew and the half rack of lamb with a cosy setting. The atmosphere is warm memorabilia. The Havana Platter (a selec- but it isn’t half addictive. minted wine jus, though there are vegetar- and relaxed too, making it perfect for an tion of cured ham, cheese, chorizo and Opening hours: Open Seven days a week, ian options too. intimate evening. anchovies) and the Spanish meatballs are from 12:00 (1:00 Saturday and Sunday) to Opening hours: Open Monday to Satur- Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, particularly worth trying. 22:00 (23:00 Saturday, 22:30 Sunday). day. Lunch served from 12:00 to 15:00, from 13:00 to 00:00 (23:00 Tuesday and Opening hours:Open seven days a week, dinner from 17:00 to late. Wednesday). from noon to late. BALZac CAFÉ TOPOLIS DIEP LE SHAKER KOISHI 35, Dawson Street – Dublin 2. Tel: 016774444 37, Parliament Street – Dublin 2. Tel: 016704961 55, Pembroke Lane – Dublin 2. Tel: 016611829 174, Pembroke Road – Dublin 4. Tel: 016688393 n a valiant effort to recreate the ambi- pleasantly intimate Italian spot just his place offers Royal Thai cuisine apanese places opening in the West ence and glamour of the Parisian bras- on the edge of Temple Bar, Cafe at minor nobility prices – it’ll lighten take one of two routes: some go Iserie, the owners of Balzac have put ATopolis has had a laid-back feel Tyour wallet, but your belly should Jfor the modern bustle of contem- together a very handsome dining room for any time we visit. Hearty Mediterranean be sated. The menu also has a selection porary Tokyo, while some strive to recre- this Dawson Street restaurant - provided flavours, and interesting combinations of of Bankok street food dishes, and the Diep ate a more traditional experience. Koishi you don’t mind a hint of pink everywhere. ingredients feature, particularly on the piz- group has received accolades from the is firmly in the latter category: even if its We don’t, and were similarly impressed zas - try the Capricciosa, with ham, mush- Thai government for its authentic cuisine. high-quality sushi and other dishes aren’t with the menu, mixing brasserie staples rooms, anchovies, capers, and egg. Opening hours: Open Monday to Satur- pricey, there’s an elegance throughout that with some creative little dishes. Desserts – Opening hours: Open seven days a week, day. Lunch served Monday to Friday from makes it seem, somehow, more exotic. particularly the roasted plums with cinna- from 12:00 (12:30 Sunday) to 22:00 12:00 to 14:30 (17:00 Friday).