Lobster rolls, seafood platters and summer vegetables with aioli are best enjoyed in the sun with wine (optional). Try these five summer menus while there’s still time …
Vaughan’s Anchor Inn, Liscannor & Vaughan’s on the Prom, Lahinch
Clare is certainly having a moment when it comes to good food, giving us yet another reason to visit. Should you happen to find yourself in the Lahinch or Liscannor region, lunch or dinner at one of the Vaughan’s restaurants should be on your list. Yes, the famous fish and chips with 22-year-old start batter is among the best in the country, but there is so much more to Vaughan’s. Seafood platters piled high with local shellfish, flaggy shore oysters and crab gratin are just some of the dishes you can feast on in Vaughan’s on the Prom.
A five-minute drive will bring you to Vaughan’s Anchor Inn in Liscannor for more formal dining. Summer seafood specials include Liscannor Bay lobster boudin with coriander, apple and imperial caviar; Castletownbere scallops with carrot, tandoori, bacon crumb and wild garlic oil; and butter poached lobster with cauliflower, satay and basil. We’re sold. www.vaughans.ie
Caladh, Greystones
Grilled prawns with bisque, lemon and focaccia, Andarl Farm pork chop with kimchi, apple and celeriac and hake with fennel, courgette, broad bean and lemon sound as summery as a 99 – perfect. Anywhere that offers an after dinner treat of Delice de Bourgogne with fig jam is all good in my book, but for those with a sweet tooth choux pastry with blood orange and pistachio ticks all the right boxes. www.caladh.ie
A Fianco, Stoneybatter
The bite-size dishes change regularly here, which only adds to the overall appeal. Yes to the Maritozzo bun with stracciatella and Cantabrian anchovies. Yes to the Grilled octopus with Calabrian chickpeas, wild fennel and spicy breadcrumbs. And hell yes to Connemara oysters with spicy sardella di Crucoli and slow-cooked lamb with garden peas, mint sauce, pecorino cheese fonduta and deep fried artichoke. Book us in! www.afianco.ie
King Sitric, Howth
Of course, there are no right or wrong choices when it comes to picking a dish at King Sitric – the handpicked crab is excellent, the Dublin bay prawns are the best in, well, Dublin and the rope grown mussels are delicious – but we can all agree that a lobster roll is one of the most quintessential summer dishes out there. We don’t need any more convincing. www.kingsitric.ie
Rosa Madre, Temple Bar
Owner Luca De Marzio is a larger than life character. His passion and enthusiasm for his business, and food in general, is intoxicating with a menu to match: from fresh crab on toast to anchovies with butter on toast, or baccala tempura with wasabi mayo and sea bass croquettes with piquillo. Another classic favourite of Luca’s is spaghetti al Pomodoro e basilica with datterini tomatoes, confit tomatoes, fresh spaghetti and fresh basil. Perfect late summer food if you ask us. www.rosamadre.ie
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