Be a lady – or laddie – who lunches, at one of these store cafés or restaurants, says Ciara McQuillan
AVOCA, KILMACANOGUE
THE STORE Avoca’s Kilmacanogue store is a picture-perfect spot for a shopping expedition, with the added draw of a delicious lunch. The store is surrounded by verdant gardens – take a moment to admire the imposing Monterey cypress tree, which is nearly 150 years old. ON THE PLATE Unwind over a casual lunch in the self-service Sugar Tree Café which buzzes with the hum of enthusiastic shoppers taking a break, or book a table in the Fern House restaurant (table service) for a slightly more formal lunch. Baltimore Mussels and Prawn Linguine at the Fern House is a safe bet while at the Sugar Tree Café you can have a warming winter dish, a piece of cake or one of Avoca’s famous scones. WHAT ELSE? Avoca’s Kilmacanogue Garden Rooms has beautiful plants, flowers, trees, and garden accessories while fashion, homewares and the ood market will satisy even the most finicky shopper. Avoca, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow, 01 274 6900; www.avoca.com.
BROWN THOMAS, GRAFTON STREET
THE STORE Shopping at Brown Thomas promises a luxurious experience, especially over the festive season. Shop fancy confectionery, Irish whiskey or splash out on a personalised bottle of Moët, and that’s just before lunch. ON THE PLATE Choose from breakfast, brunch or lunch at Browns Brasserie on the third floor. Must-tries include the raspberry and meringue French toast from the brunch menu and fishcakes with buttered spinach, fine beans, poached egg, hollandaise and fries for lunch. Taking the Luas? Try a cocktail or a glass of wine from the extensive list. WHAT ELSE? Both Grafton Street and Dundrum branches have a more casual dining experience at Edition Café. I can confirm the Korean chicken sandwich is appropriately moreish. Expect to go up a dress size after dining, so do your trying on before you lunch. Brown Thomas, 01 605 6666; www.brownthomas.com.
HARVEY NICHOLS, DUNDRUM
THE STORE Another high-end shopping experience, Harvey Nichols in the Dundrum Town Centre offers a range of in store services including a shavata studio for perfect party season brows, beauty rooms, and private shopping. ON THE PLATE The Flying Duck at Harvey Nichols is more than just a restaurant. It is a self-proclaimed cultural forum (and a glamorous space) a venue for music, theatre and of course, food. Acoording to my research, the classic steak sandwich, fish and chips and chicken Milanese are all delicious. WHAT ELSE? The ground floor is home to Smash It, a pop-up restaurant serving casual smash burgers, wings, hot dogs and loaded fries. Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16, 01 296 4659; www.harveynichols.com.
KILKENNY DESIGN, VARIOUS LOCATIONS
THE STORE Kilkenny Design has been a champion of Irish design since opening its doors 60 years ago. Shop blankets from McNutt in Donegal, skincare from Voya and Pestle and Mortar or food and wine hampers from the vast range which includes vegan, gluten and nut-free options. ON THE PLATE Long before we had the choice we have today, Kilkenny Design cafés were synonymous with wholesome, delicious Irish food for many years and with good reason. Today, the cafés are run in partnership with Wrights of Howth and popular dishes include famous Guinness bread, scones, and chef Lynn Meehan’s oversized mince pies, made to her family recipe. WHAT ELSE? Kilkenny Design’s cafés can be found in the groups’ larger stores on Dublin’s Nassau Street, in Kilkenny city, and in Shanagarry and Cobh in Cork. Kilkenny Design, various locations, 021 430 8392; www.kilkennydesign.com.
FOXFORD WOOLLEN MILLS, CO MAYO
THE STORE Foxford has grown from a hyper-local woollen mill and simple tea rooms to a modern Irish lifestyle brand, led by Joe Queenan, with a store (and global sales) to match. But there’s nothing “brand-y” about Foxford – thanks to its genuinely rich roots in the community, it’s authentic and honest with a warm welcome from staff. ON THE PLATE That goes double for the café, where bright, imaginative salads, poached local salmon, fishcakes, quiches and soups are a delicious prelude to freshly baked tarts and cakes – all to be enjoyed in the sensitively restored Victorian building. WHAT ELSE? Foxford’s pantry goodies, from granola to pickled plums and pears, to jams and compotes, to nicely matured Christmas cakes and puddings, have an old-fashioned goodness about them. After lunch browse bedlinen, throws and homewares. Foxford Woollen Mills, Foxford Co Mayo; 094 925 6104; www.foxford.com.