In a previous blog I have talked about the amazing CoCo Market in Marley Park we are lucky enough to live next to. The market takes place on Saturdays and Sundays (Saturdays are better!). A couple of weekends ago, (I know it’s taken me a while to get this on here!) we had the nicest dinner with our market produce. Simple, no cooking, deliciousness. You end up sitting at the table for ages, nibbling on all the lovely little things. There is just something so good about sitting around a table having a bit of that and a bit of this, rather than getting a plate of food and that’s it. Ours was more or less Italian themed, with basil pesto, butter beans in tomato & chili, prosciutto and salamis, rosemary focaccia, semi dried tomatoes, gruyere cheese, olives and baby potatoes. I think it’s possible my favourite way to eat with family and friends, at home or out!

Clearly this means I’m a tapas fan also! The Porthouse Ibericos in Dundrum Town Centre, sitting on the terrace outside (heaters on, this is Ireland afterall!)… hard to beat it! A recent visit to The Porthouse: asparagus, chorizo and black pudding, goats cheese, salamis, patatas bravas, lemon & garlic chicken

Along with the food, with a meal like this, the wine is important…we had a Saint Emilion Grand Cru with our Italian feast. In the Porthouse, I’m in love with a Portugese Douro, Sa de Baixo, which perfectly compliments the Spanish and Mediterranean flavours.

I think I need to visit soon, that’s the problem with writing blogs about food, wine and restaurants, makes me want to eat, drink and go out!