The Blazin' Grill Restaurant Review

First photo image sourse: Yelp.ie

Just before Christmas myself and Stephen used a voucher for The Blazin Grill in Tallaght that we were given as a present. It was a really cold night and we were expecting to freeze our bums off after getting off the bus and trying to find it. But once we got of the bus right beside The Square, we were both pleasantly surprised to find that it was less then a minutes walk. 

When we got in we were greeted by a lovely girl who seated us and went to get us drinks. I really can't say enough for all the staff that served us that night, they were all so wonderfully friendly and helpful. The restaurant itself was warm and well spaced out with a lovely bar and I noticed a couch in the corner for people to sit and wait if they wanted - always a plus in my book. Each table had a cosy little candle on it and I loved the blue, black and red theme throughout the place. 

We had come prepared and already had a nosy at the menu online as they are a steak and seafood restaurant and myself and Stephen don't like either so we weren't happy when we first read that. But we needn't have worried a they do a great range of food and I was especially impressed with how big their desert menu was as not everywhere gives such a selection. We cautiously ordered some garlic bread to start as it sounded basically like pizza and after we had a bite we were contemplating ordering more, especially Stephen who wanted the recipe written down! We got a main course of a chicken burger and chips for himself (they were out of beef burgers, now that wasn't cool!) but he was happy once he tucked into the plate full and I got a chicken pasta carbonara. I recently got the same dish in another restaurant that I've talked about on my blog not so long ago and this was so much nicer by far. Wow do those chefs know how to cook up a yummy dinner! I had a sneaky bowl of chips too, but no one was looking so its fine.. Cough

We had about five glasses of coke between us (the rock stars that we are!) and lastly ordered ice cream with a chocolate brownie. That was on the plate all of I've say, five seconds! We were expecting to have to fork out about €20 extra on top of our €50 gift voucher but when Stephen went up to pay he came back looking very smug. The full dinner had cost €50.04. I apparently have never been such a cheap date - I know right? 

This is well worth a visit if your in the area looking for a lovely quiet evening with some cheap, yet very yummy food. From looking around it would be perfect for big groups of people too. I'll be going back again as the staff really left a lasting impression with how nice they were! That and well, the pictures I took are making me hungry too! Their page seems to be down at the moment but you can find them on Twitter and Facebook for special offers and posts about lots of noms. Enjoy!

Bobo's Restaurant Review

L to R - 

Part of the restaurant, My Vogue face with friends, Energizer Juice ,

Friends and cow wall, Half and half, Banana split, Seriously big Conn Burger,

Me attached to my friends cool coloured chinos, Fancy champagne, Van our lovely curly haired friend, myself and Stephen.

As I said in my last post, I went out for a lovely 21st birthday dinner on Saturday night with some of my closest buddies and I picked the best place in town, even if I do says so myself! I decided on Bobos (Dame St) because myself and Stephen pass it a lot and always mean to go in, so what better excuse then a big birthday dinner. Bobos specializes in gourmet Irish burgers and sources as much of their menu from Irish suppliers as possible. I called a week in advance to book and they said not only was a party of 12 fine but there was no service charge. If you don't eat out in big groups a lot you wont have to deal with the dreaded service charge of anything from 15%+ of the bill that most restaurants enforce, oh its just not cool. 

When we got there we were all met with a great buzz and friendly waitresses that brought us to our table. The layout is lovely, the music was at really nice quiet level and art on the walls creative and fun. But don't let all that bother you, its down to the business of food, right? The menu has a wide range of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, veggie and even fish burgers, all with quirky names like the The Humpty Dumpty or even The Sex on the Farm. A quick warning? Theses burgers are huge! And you can't have a burger without a nice helping of chubby or skinny chips in a bucket to make a meal complete. You can also get a wide range of soft drinks, smoothies, coffees, teas, beers and wines to suit yourself. If your not totally stuffed after all that - and believe me you will be - you can chew down on one of their  death by chocolate sundaes or a coke float. I got the Conn Burger (€9.95) that is piled high with salad, Dubliner cheese, bacon, bbq sauce and more.. Need I go on? A side of Half and Half (€5.25) half onion rings, half chubby chips - truly the best of both worlds. If you go in and have nothing else, please try their onion rings, its like a party in your mouth. The thoughts of all this food is making me hungry now!

You can check out their menu here and they are also located on Wexford St if your down that way. Now I have to add something really awful, you can give out to me later... They do take aways too guys. I know, I'm sorry. Bobos have a Twitter offer here at the moment, any burger and chips for €7 before 6pm. Every. Single. Day. Have I made my point? Go check them out and see for yourself how yummy and fab the place is!

Dame St Bobo's, image source bobos.ie

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