Queen of Tarts (Temple Bar) - Dublin

Exploring Dublin!

Cows Lane has some really cute shops and I couldn't resist stopping into Queen of Tarts for some tasty desserts!

Tea and a slice of Carrot Cake and Victorian Sponge Cake

They're known for their Victorian Sponge cake and I could totally see why when I took a bite - the cake is airy, fluffy and not too sweet and it is really nice with fresh berries and cream. I also really like the carrot cake - the best part was that there were no raisins! It was so decadent and delicious and serving it with tea in the cute tea cups and teapot made the experience so indulgent. Yummy! 

Website: http://www.queenoftarts.ie/

Metro Cafe - Dublin

On the search for an authentic Dubliner breakfast...

 

Breakfast Buttie

Sausage, egg, bacon in a Waterford Blaa (an Irish floury crust white bread) with Ballymaloe relish (Irish tomato relish). The whole thing was really good! The doughy bread and tangy flavourful relish were really good together with the fried egg, bacon and sausage. Delish!

Website: http://www.metrocafe.ie/menu/

Las Tapas de Lola - Dublin

Las Tapas de Lola came recommended by a foodie! 

 

Albondigas (meatballs)

They didn't look very meatball like, but they tasted very meaty. 

Patatas brava and Croquetas de jamon

Potatoes and ham croquettes

Super yummy! It was a lot of really delicious potato done in different ways. 

Pulpa a la gallega

Octopus, paprika and potatoes

An interesting combination; as much as I like paprika, I'm not sure the paprika saved this dish. 

Mussels with marinara sauce

Yummy! 

Website: http://lastapasdelola.com/

Guinness Storehouse - Dublin

Starting Dublin off right with tour of the Guinness Storehouse.

It's all brewed here!

Free pint of Guinness at the end of the tour (and it's delicious!)

Guinness in Dublin tastes a lot different than the Guinness I've tried in Canada. However, our tour did mention that Guinness is all created the same in Dublin. It might be due to the time to import it to North America.

You definitely have to check it out here!

Website: https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en

Old Storehouse - Dublin

So pretty!

 

 

We came for the Chowder!

West of Ireland Seafood Chowder

So delicious! There was so much seafood in this chowder and it was really flavourful and hearty. 

Website: https://theoldstorehouse.ie/

Plaza Premium Lounge @ Toronto Pearson Airport

Getting ready for my flight!

On the third floor across from Gate E77, is the Plaza Premium Lounge. 

I got access to the Lounge through my BMO World Elite Credit Card perks (through a company called Priority Pass).

The kitchen and my plates 

Tomato sauce and pasta! I love my carbs!

Spinach tart, cauliflower, corn and a teriyaki drumstick

I actually ate dinner before going into the lounge, but I had a hour and a half to wait for my flight. 

Corn soup, butterfly cookies and dumplings! 

I like that everything is bite sized (and the food was okay for the most part - I could have comfortably eaten dinner here).