The British Isles in general, Ireland included, aren’t renown for their food. In my mind, it’s all meat pies, fish and chips, and cakes containing too much dried fruit and alcohol. Not my cup of tea – pun intended! The Brit, however, is always trying to make me see the best that it offers. The British Isles have fostered some of the best chefs in the world after all.
We recently ate a tasting menu at The Kitchin in Edinburgh and it was fabulous. When we were planning our trip to Dublin, a best friend of mine from Canada was visiting her boyfriend in Dublin and really wanted to try Forest Avenue for brunch. I jumped at the occasion and she made a reservation for the four of us for our first morning in Dublin.
Forest Avenue is a very modest looking restaurant, secluded on a tiny street south of the Grand Canal, just south of St Stephen’s Green. We missed it the first time we walked by. It is run by a husband and wife duo and it’s all about the seasonal ingredients, therefore offering the best of Ireland. Side note: they also have a sister restaurant called Forest & Marcy, which is also very fancy.
We all took the brunch tasting menu – myself, as always the exception, with the vegetarian meal. It was five courses and it was absolutely beautiful! Here is the menu:
My main course was a gorgeous agnolotti pasta served with green vegs. The other three shared some slow cooked pork and potatoes, pictured below.
The food was fresh and amazing. The portions were perfect for a midday brunch. And the service was impeccable. We were there from 11am until about 1pm and we never felt rushed.
The five-course brunch tasting menu was only €26 and it’s definitely worth the money. I would recommend you visit Forest Avenue or Forest & Marcy for a unique dining experience in Dublin. But don’t forget to book in advance!
Ever had a unique brunch experience in a foreign country?xx