March 5, 2007
Cafe en Seine, or as the Irish call it Cafe Insane
Café en Seine, lovingly dubbed Café Insane by locals, appears as an ordinary café from the exterior, but inside it looks more like a 19th century Parisian palace than a simple place to get warm sandwiches and soup. The massive café doubles as a pub at night, although it has trouble achieving friendly, laid-back pub atmosphere due to its opulence and grandeur. The 3 floors are decorated with Versaille-style large mirrors, gilded banisters, elegant murals and ornate brass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The food is decent, but when the pub is busy the waitservice can be a little slow.
This restaurant is worth a peak inside and maybe a quick drink, cup of tea or light snack just to be able to check out the interior, but I wouldn't recommend it for a substantial meal. The food is just too ordinary (not bad, just nothing special to write on a travel blog). I really love the fact that ALL the Dubliners call it Cafe Insane.
Mains: 10-14 euros
This restaurant is worth a peak inside and maybe a quick drink, cup of tea or light snack just to be able to check out the interior, but I wouldn't recommend it for a substantial meal. The food is just too ordinary (not bad, just nothing special to write on a travel blog). I really love the fact that ALL the Dubliners call it Cafe Insane.
Mains: 10-14 euros
March 5, 2007
The Hole in the Wall
I can't get the details to appear, no matter how many times I save them. So, here they are:
Tel: 8389491
Address: Blackhorse Avenue
Hours: M-Th 2 pm - 11:30 pm, F 2 pm - 12:30 am, Sat 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Sun 12:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Directions: To reach the Hole in the Wall by Bus take the 39 from Hawkins Street (2 euros), which travels along Navan Road, and will drop you off about a 5 minutes walk from the pub. Ask the bus driver to let you off at Baggot Road. Take a left onto Baggot Road, then right onto Blackhorse Avenue, and you will see the pub on your left. Alternatively, it is about a 20 minute cab ride costing 14-18 euros, depending on traffic.
This eclectically decorated pub maintains its authenticity with a steady stream of locals, good pub grub and live traditional Irish music that feels more like an intimate jam session than a carefully staged performance. Hugging the wall of Phoenix Park, The Hole in the Wall boasts to be the longest in Europe at 86 meters in length. For fine dining, don’t be deterred by the half-barrels imbedded in the ceiling, old stone archways from its days as a medieval inn or array of beer-related, Irish and worldly knick-knacks. There is a classy restaurant and wine cellar at the end of the pub. Even with the long commute, which makes tourists a rarity here, this pub is worth a visit to watch The Eastern Harps, what is arguable the best traditional Irish music in town on Saturday nights. Check pub for additional music times.
Bar menu mains: 9-12 euros
Dining mains: 14-20 euros
Tel: 8389491
Address: Blackhorse Avenue
Hours: M-Th 2 pm - 11:30 pm, F 2 pm - 12:30 am, Sat 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Sun 12:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Directions: To reach the Hole in the Wall by Bus take the 39 from Hawkins Street (2 euros), which travels along Navan Road, and will drop you off about a 5 minutes walk from the pub. Ask the bus driver to let you off at Baggot Road. Take a left onto Baggot Road, then right onto Blackhorse Avenue, and you will see the pub on your left. Alternatively, it is about a 20 minute cab ride costing 14-18 euros, depending on traffic.
This eclectically decorated pub maintains its authenticity with a steady stream of locals, good pub grub and live traditional Irish music that feels more like an intimate jam session than a carefully staged performance. Hugging the wall of Phoenix Park, The Hole in the Wall boasts to be the longest in Europe at 86 meters in length. For fine dining, don’t be deterred by the half-barrels imbedded in the ceiling, old stone archways from its days as a medieval inn or array of beer-related, Irish and worldly knick-knacks. There is a classy restaurant and wine cellar at the end of the pub. Even with the long commute, which makes tourists a rarity here, this pub is worth a visit to watch The Eastern Harps, what is arguable the best traditional Irish music in town on Saturday nights. Check pub for additional music times.
Bar menu mains: 9-12 euros
Dining mains: 14-20 euros
