Romain Tessier of Artybaker and Le Petit Renard Wine Bar shares his ideal foodie weekend, from restaurants to shopping for food supplies …
All products featured on thegloss.ie are selected by our editors. If you buy something through affiliate links on our site we may earn a commission.
In this new series, we explore the rhythms and routines of Ireland’s foodie folk. This month, Romain Tessier of Artybaker and Le Petit Renard Wine Bar fame shares his ideal foodie weekend, the restaurants he frequents and the places he likes to shop for supplies …
My ideal weekend includes a nice long walk on a beach with my wife, Suzanne, and French bulldog, Bernard. A little respite from the hustle of the bakery and city from time to time is nice too – we enjoy going to Cabu by the Lakes in County Cavan. It’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy home-cooked meals in cosy cabins with friends.
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER
Friday evening would ideally start with mates and a pint or two at Swift, followed by dinner at Space Jaru and something entertaining at Vicar Street. The Irish Black Angus Beef Bulgogi marinated in soy, apple and garlic hits the palate just right, while the Bibimbap Arancini is a nice twist on a classic dish.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
After the morning bake is complete, a nice breakfast by the sea at Bibi’s in Dun Laoghaire is a perfect way to start the day. My favourite dish is the Turkish Eggs – you can’t find a better version of this dish around town!
An important ingredient for Saturday is wine. An afternoon romp to Loose Canon or Bar Pez is a nice way to discover new wines and dishes. The small tapas plates are the best way to try a wide range of flavours and two dishes that stand out at Bar Pez are the duck hearts and squid.
If I’m feeling a bit more adventurous, I’ll head straight to Octopussy in Howth on the West Pier for seafood and white wine. I always over-order, but manage to eat it all. Don’t leave without trying the dressed crab served on homemade brown bread.
WEEKEND SHOPPING
My go-to grocer is Lotts & Co. I love their wide selection of fresh produce, including a great variety of mushrooms and specialty products. Their prepared dishes make life easy on the days that don’t have enough hours in them. And, if it happens to be a day when they are serving their White Onion and Parmesan soup at the deli counter, it’s going to be a good one.
WEEKEND TIPPLES?
I love a good spicy Bloody Mary with brunch. In addition to endlessly learning about wine, I’ve been exploring the world of craft and artisan vermouths. A perfect aperitif which is complex, aromatic and versatile, it’s an ideal choice for starting an evening with a lighter, lower-alcohol drink that still has depth. My favourite right now is Vinmouth Blanc from the Loire Valley where I’m from. You can find it on our menu at Le Petit Renard wine bar.
SEE MORE: A Culinary Wishlist From Ballymaloe Pastry Chef and Author, JR Ryall