Here are a couple of strong weekend dining contenders to consider …
If you are anything like me, food probably plays a large role in your weekend enjoyment. Whether you plan to stay in, dine out, or both, these are a couple of strong weekend dining contenders to consider.
Ordering In?
Take away indecision is a real thing and often so overwhelming that I know people who have just opted out of the whole decision making process due to stress and settled for a boiled egg and soldiers. Recommendations are one thing but deciding what cuisine you want to indulge in can be quite the pickle. If you happen to find yourself in the mood for an excellent smash burger, Dash Burger on Camden Street and Capel Street is the place to beat. Granted, I might be biased, as I simply cannot enjoy a burger so precariously stacked that it makes the Leaning Tower of Pisa look structurally sound. Towering chilli cheese burgers are delicious in theory, messy in reality. Enter, my perfect burger from the team at Dash Burger. Inspired by George Motz (who literally wrote the book on burgers) smash burgers, the burgers from Dash are a taste and texture sensation – an intoxicating combination of gooey cheese, lacy edged crispy beef patties, sweet onions and salty pickled goodness all piled into a soft potato bun. The result is a burger that is equal parts taste sensation and a burger with structural integrity, although you will need two hands. Add crunchy, salty fries and your Friday night is complete. I have yet to try the Dash x allta ex-dairy cow smash but reports are unsurprisingly good. www.dashburger.ie
Other excellent burger contenders include Bunsen; www.bunsen.ie, and Bujo; www.bujo.ie, both in various location in Dublin.
Dining Out?
In the south Dublin suburb of Monkstown, French bistro Bresson is, quite simply, a find. Chef-Patron Temple Garner has a long history in the Irish restaurant industry, but Bresson is quite possibly his finest performance on the culinary stage. There are a variety of menus on offer from lunch, brunch, early bird and set dinner, all of which offer wonderful choice and good value. The four-course evening meal costs €75.95, and, refreshingly, there are no supplements. Crab Crème Brulee, Roquefort and Pear Salad, Steak Frites and Coquille St Jacques are just some of the Gallic dishes on the comprehensive menu so be warned, choosing may be a problem. The recently launched brunch menu is a delight with options such as a cheesy Croque Madame and Lobster Benedict in the mix. The drinks menu is equally appealing with a selection of classic cocktails and wines. It’s fine dining without the faff. Open for lunch from Thursday to Sunday and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday, dining at Bresson is the weekend treat we all deserve. For a more casual affair, try Mermaid next door. www.bresson.ie
Other fabulous French Bistros to consider are La Maison; www.lamaisondublin.com and Dax, both in Dublin 2; www.dax.ie.