Smithfield Dublin, The Place To Be

Its not often that I am anywhere outside the main city center when I head up to the big shmoke but recently I find myself hanging around Smithfield more for various reasons. I was dragged along to a flea market in one of the big empty blocks that are right beside the luas stop and found lots of really lovely things to lust after and take photos of. I think retro and vintage are amazing and love that sort of stuff, but man things can have an unbelievable price tag! 

Some of the highlights of the day included spotting Dustin the turkey in a corner, seeing amazing funky lamps and revamped Mary and Joseph statues that I wanted so bad! I'm not religious in the slightest but they were so colourful and one was holding a banana! Le sigh, one day... 

Make sure and keep an eye out for pop up gallery's, hang outs and markets. You might stumble across something amazing like that perfect vintage dress you've been trying to find forever or just a cool place to spend the day with friends.

Just down the road from that I found my new favourite cafe in Dublin, Third Space. They have a great menu to choose from, a seriously chilled out atmosphere and nice staff. Theres book shelves that you can pick a book to read from or replace it with an old book you've read instead and take a new one home - cool idea! They had gorgeous candle lit lighting and theres even a space for small children to play and a chalk board to doodle on, so all mammies can breathe a sigh of relief that they aren't going to get 'dirty looks' if their children want to have a bit of a play about.  

I got a big pot of tea for €2 and a huge chocolate chip muffin for €2.20. One of my friends got the same and another had a lovely toastie cheese and ham sambo, I was jealous when I saw it! I'll be going back soon and wouldn't have a problem hiding in a corner with one of their books for an hour or two. You can find them on Facebook to get directions - happy hanging out!

Hipster Hangout? Skinflint

On occasion I will do the social thing and go explore more of what Dublin restaurants have to offer then McDonalds or indeed my local haunt, Eddie Rockets. So one day on a whim I decided to hunt down the mysterious Skinflint and see what all the hype was about. And I have to say, I have some mixed feelings on the place.

First lets start with the name, implying a little rescission busting while sounding cool as hell. And being true to that the interior is simple with big old doors being used as tables, bits and bobs on the counters, big brown paper boxes of kitchen roll on every table and random frames all squashed together battling for space on the walls. It really screams hipster hang-out and from the moment I walked in I felt 'not cool enough' to be eating at this place. Oh my. After talking to the very unfriendly hipster looking waiter (seems you have to look the part to work there) I found out that Friday through to Sunday nights is the place to be for live music and some seriously good atmosphere.

Foodporn pizza, Jar of juice, Honey, Water and tissues

But onto the reason anyone wonders through those doors; the food. Specialising in there own home made pizzas, soups, mac'n'cheese and meatballs they are taking the presentation of it all to a whole new level. All there pizzas have womens names and though it all looks and sounds deadly, they left out the one vital detail. The taste. Its nice, don't get me wrong but I just wasn't feeling it. All the tables have little pots of honey to add to your food as well. Just, well just no. Have a look at their menu here, even though its a little outdated you will get the idea.

I got a above average jar of juice (€4.50) the 'sadie' pizza (€11) and a little mac'n'cheese ham cup (€4.75). The one good thing about the pizza is that its big enough to share, even if its not the best. While the thin base tastes pleasing to start with, leave it a little while and suddenly its doughy and off putting. Also just a little side note on the positive side; get a ham cup. Quite the tasty little thing and fun to look at as well while you scratch your head trying to dismantle it.

Overall its expensive if your going for the full 3 course jazz despite the misleading name! I'd suggest you go once just for the funky urban experience and to see what you make of it yourself, because after all each to their own - and to try the cheese cups. Its a must.

Frames, Mac'n'cheese cup, The inside bar, Swan flowerpots, Colourful flowerpots, The front of the restaurant