Avoca Days

I have been to TWO different Avoca's for Lunch the past two weeks, and I thought I would share with you my dining experiences of both. Avoca is one of those kitsch, adorable, kind of whimsical places that sells odd but cute things, things you can't find in other establishments. I however, go for the food.

I don't go for the busy café takeaway deli part, I go to the fancy schmancy sit down restaurant part. It was my first time on both occasions, and I was quite impressed. I had been recommended Salt Restaurant in Avoca in Monktown by my Sous Chef Paul, and when I had a day off, I had quickly decided that I wanted to nip there to eat. Unfortunately, the sat nav directed myself and my boyfriend to another Avoca, one in Kilmacanogue, and we were none the wiser, so we went in and enjoyed the experience, thinking we were about to have an award winning luncheon. The Restaurant in Kilmacanogue Avoca is called the Fern House, and is actually in Avoca HQ! However, despite landing in the wrong Avoca, the food was delicious, the portions were huge, and the staff were young, hip and friendly.We opted for starters and mains, even though the starters could have easily been deemed main course portions. We ended the afternoon by strolling around the giant food market rubbing our bellies before heading home.

We came upon the actual Salt Restaurant on a recent trip to Dun Laoghaire, which is the only Avoca location to only have food, no kitsch-y cute things, just food. It also has it's own specialist butcher, French-style Rotisserie, Cheese room and Charcuterie. The restaurant itself how I want my house to look, pale blue, fresh and clean, with greenhouse style windows, wooden tables, and vintage wooden pictures. It's adorable. We opted for main courses only this time, and received light but filling dishes, perfect to fill us up before a stroll on the pier.

Fern House | Chairs and Crockery | Feta and Falafel | Parfait and Chutney | Hake, Radish, Broad bean, Coriander | Duck Fat Chips | Lamb, pitta, Hummus, Tzatziki | Dessert Menu | Salt and Sugar | Forky Chandelier | Soaps and Clocks | Homewares and Teas | Teacups | Chalkboard | Kitchen Aid | Condiments | Fresh Bread | Cushions and Teapots | Mint Water at Salt in Monkstown | Salt and Pepper | Elderflower Pressé | Fish Pie | Picture Frames | Duck Confit Salad | Butchers Rotisserie

I hope you have all been enjoying this amazing weather we have been having, I spent Sunday on the beach with an amazing Barbecue to celebrate my birthday!

Hope you are all having a nice week :)

x