A good book, bingeable series, beautiful walks, home baking and great cups of coffee are on our list for Easter weekend …
GET LOST IN A GOOD BOOK
THE GLOSS Books and Beauty Editor Sarah Halliwell can help you in this department. A fine choice is John Lanchester’s Look What You Made Me Do (Faber & Faber, €22). “This book comes seven years after his last novel, Booker-longlisted The Wall. It’s a darkly comic story of marriage, betrayal and revenge set in north London, described by Succession writer Jesse Armstrong as “a box of delights”. Check out Lanchester’s brilliant debut novel, Debt to Pleasure, too – it’s exquisitely decadent.” You can read Sarah’s latest recommendations here.
CURL UP WITH A NEW SERIES
Now is the perfect time to press play on Imperfect Women on Apple TV+. Another adaptation of a novel by the same name, by Araminta Hall, Desperate Housewives producer Annie Weisman is behind this psychological thriller that’s the perfect mix of Big Little Lies and Secrets We Keep. Elizabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara star as lifelong friends living in LA. Their decades-long friendship is tested when one of the trio is murdered and an investigation reveals shocking truths: did they ever really know each other at all? BFFs, glam, crime … tick, tick, tick! The stellar cast includes Corey Stoll (The Better Sister), Rome Flynn (How To Get Away with Murder), Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad), Ana Oritz (Goosebumps: The Vanishing), Sherri Saum (Good Trouble) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton). See here for more recommendations.
MAKE YOUR OWN BREAD
Yohan Irani’s recipe for Seeded Rye Guinness Bread is as simple to make as it is delicious. A slice of this home-baked bread with some Kerrygold butter will be hard to beat. Another great recipe to try is Kitty Coles’ protein-filled Cottage Cheese Seeded Oat Bread. This one is a crowd pleaser too.
BAKE A SWEET TREAT
Beth O’Brien is an Irish chef who trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School before going on to complete a Master’s in Food Business at UCC. She has since worked across restaurants and bakeries in Ireland, the UK and New Zealand, including Ballymaloe House in Cork, Pophams Bakery in London and Mor Bakery in Auckland. She previously held a monthly baking column in The Irish Times and is now senior sous chef at The Fat Badger in Notting Hill. Beth shares her delicious and simple recipe for Macadamia Caramel Squares here. They will be a real crowd pleaser this weekend, even if just for yourself.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Of course, Easter wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt. Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to one of these 20 Easter eggs and gift alternatives to suit every budget or take the little ones out for a fun activity. Image; Dôen.
GET INTO THE GARDEN
In the dry spells and hopefully sunny spells, get outside and into the garden. Pick some wild flowers, create a bouquet and enjoy nature. For blossom chasers, you might decide to pay a visit to Mount Congreve Gardens, Birr Castle or further afield. Read Penny McCormick’s recommendations for fabulous gardens here. Image; Jennifer Slattery.
ENJOY BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
A hike or social outdoor excursion will have serious benefits for the mind and body this weekend. Outdoor specialists Trailblazers recently revealed the nation’s favourite national parks with the most breathtaking views. We have some recommendations for the best cafés and coffee drive-thrus to refuel before or after your walk. See here to see to find out where to go.
TRY A NEW COFFEE SHOP
Dublin is brimming with new cafés and bakeries, from Volumes at Georges Quay and the return of Scéal Bakery in Dublin 8 to Tír Deli opening its second location within the vaults of the CHQ building in the Docklands. Not to mention the new Mister Magpie in the old Victorian tearoom in Blackrock and Twist Bakery in Temple Bar. One that has been on our list since it opened is Around The Corner in Portobello, which serves seasonal and local Irish produce packed full of Argentinian flavours.
A LEISURELY LUNCH AL FRESCO
Weather-permitting, Ciara McQuillan knows the best spots for dining outside this weekend, both in Dublin and around Ireland. One such place is Osteria Lucio in Dublin 2. “It’s difficult to compete with the wonderfully atmospheric interior of Osteria Lucio but the small, yet perfectly formed terrace is where I want to be on a bright evening. In an ideal world I am gorging on the suckling pig shoulder with onions, olives, roasted potato, spring leaf salad, and apple and horseradish sauce and sipping a cold Sicilian Vermentino. Heaven.”
TREAT YOURSELF TO A TREATMENT
If, like us, you’re feeling somewhat depleted, here’s a restoring idea. Try the Ground Wellbeing Cleansing Ritual at Mount Juliet Estate in Co Kilkenny – an hour of care for your body, starting with your feet. Read our review here.
