Food / February 9, 2023

News Round-Up: New Openers, Movers, Pop-Uppers and Discounters

Food / February 9, 2023

News Round-Up: New Openers, Movers, Pop-Uppers and Discounters

Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram

This week in the Dublin world of food and drink, with have noobs on the scene, pivots from mainstays, limited edition discounts, and pop-ups galore.

1661 popped up at Dead Rabbit in New York after a successful pop-up of Dead Rabbit in 1661 last month. Fairmental officially opened at 10 Grand Canal Street Upper. The World Whiskies Awards took place with Ireland sweeping up awards left, right and centre. Hot chicks are offering a fifty percent discount on all their menu this Friday in honour of valentines day.

Pop Upper

Orwell Road is very excited to welcome Conor Halpenny from the Square in Dundalk on Tuesday, February 28, for a one-off special evening featuring a sharing-style tasting menu with optional wine pairings.

Conor is one of the best chefs on this island and won the young chef competition a few years ago. Square is a particular favourite of many food industry folks, including most notably The Gastro Gays, fellow County Louth-ers. They will be releasing seats on OpenTable at 12:30 on Friday. Seats are strictly limited and there will be two sittings – 17:30 and 20:00

Caribbean Delights

AA Carribian has officially popped up at Bow Lane. The menu features all the stalwart favourites but is much more extensive than anything that could be done in a food truck setting. This is not the first time a popular food truck has taken a residency at Bow Lane; previously, Hanger steak was there for a stint.

New Whiskey

Powers Released their new rye whiskey. It’s the first fully Irish rye whiskey in the land. This is the first new addition to the Powers range from Irish Distillers since their rebrand. Uniquely it is made of Irish Rye only. Although finding an Irish supplier was a challenge, since commercial rye farming in Ireland had all but disappeared, Powers persevered and commissioned the planting of rye crops exclusively for this Irish whiskey. With a commitment to sustainable farming, the Cooney Furlong Farm in Co. Wexford supply hundred per cent of the rye used in Powers Irish Rye. Located just a short distance from Edermine House, the ancestral home of the Powers family, the farm guarantees ongoing Irish rye supply for this world’s first release.

New Coffee Shop

New Coffee Shop Brew Lab opens on Redmonds Hill just off Aungier Street. Opened by Arvand and Rentata, a long-established coffee duo who ran Cloud Picker on Pearce Street for a few years before deciding to branch out on their own. It has two coffee stations. An Italian-inspired “Espresso Bar” where you get your coffee and go, and a more relaxed sit-in spot designed for bean nerd chatting. They have an extensive selection of filter coffees available from all over the world with prices starting from three fifty.

Roman Holiday

Southpaw reopened after a winter-long hibernation-style hiatus as a Roman Style pizza joint. The team undertook extensive research and development in Rome. If you follow them on insta, you will have seen them traipsing through ancient Italian streets collecting pizza inspiration.

Baked Goods on the Move

The Rock Bakery announced it would move from its cosy home in The Snug in Skerries. They announced the surprising shift on Instagram this week ahead of their regular menu reveal. No word yet on where they’re moving to, but they have promised details are forthcoming.

In more traditional news, EU winemakers seek WTO help to block Ireland’s cancer label plan, say court action is next. A fisherman described landing a rare blue lobster in Belfast Lough as ‘the catch of a lifetime’.

Elsewhere on CHAR: How Much is Too Much for a Pint