Deena "Sweet Dee" B.

18/4/2017

It doesn't get much better than Dr. Hall - she's dependable, kind and very efficient. I've been going to her as a GP for the past 3 years, and I can't recommend her highly enough. They take same day appointments from time to time, but it's usually easy to get an appointment within a week. Receptionists are great here, but be prepared for a 10-20 min wait like most private practices.

Had a bad experience with the dentist here, however, so this review is just for Dr. Hall. €80 for a 5 minute appt, no cleaning?! Wtf?!

18/4/2016

Excellent mani pedi experience! The two ladies were really chatty and adorable, they seem to really love what they do and it shows. The customer service was excellent. I showed up at 6 pm without and appointment and they took me right away. You sit in a comfy leather chair for both the pedicure and mani, the lady who painted my nails even turned the pages of my magazine for me! It was $40 in the end and my nails look great. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in SF!

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  Complementary tea and cake! So cute

  Complementary tea and cake! So cute

13/3/2016

• 3 check-ins

One of my favourite places ever. Ottolenghi has fresh, healthy food and it's super creative to boot. It's good service even if you have to wait to be seated, and you likely will. Ottolenghi is no secret around upper street. I only wish I still lived in London so I could go more often. It's a go to spot every time I visit.

I've been for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I've enjoyed everything I've ordered. The salad plates stand out for me - they're really creative and you feel good about yourself after. Their baked goods are unbelievable and beckon you from the window, and I've tried a bunch at this point. I recently had a lemony polenta desert that was amazing.

Prices are reasonable too. Doesn't get much better than Ottolenghi.

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  Scrambled eggs with rose harissa (I subbed the tofu for eggs)

  Scrambled eggs with rose harissa (I subbed the tofu for eggs)
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  Shakshuka

  Shakshuka

13/3/2016

• 7 check-ins

Sister Sadie is my old standby for breakfast, lunch or brunch. It's a guaranteed good experience with friendly service, inventive dishes and really nice tea. I've tried a lot at this point, but favourites are the Turkish eggs and the shakshuka for breakfast/brunch. Try the pulled pork sandwich topped with an egg if you're looking for a hearty lunch, and I've gotten their salad special multiple times and have always enjoyed it. The hummus/salad plate is nice and healthy.

I love the middle eastern flavours they use and the egg dishes are still filling if you split with another person. The only thing I would say is get the tea rather than coffee. They serve lattes in water glasses and it's always lukewarm, I think their tea is a much nicer experience. They serve it from Wall & Keough down the street, and it's so nice since they bring the entire pot. It's easily 4 cups worth. Their food is filling, relatively healthy and affordable. Big fan, and it's a great spot to take out of towners as it's on a lovely tree-lined street a two minute walk from the bustle of Camden street. I only wish they had free wifi! Then I'd really overstay my welcome.

Keep it up Sister Sadie! This is as good as it gets in Dublin.

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  Interior

  Interior
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  Lamb hot pot

  Lamb hot pot

13/3/2016

• First to Review

I was really sad to see Staple Foods was gone, but then I saw the space was filled with Dolce Sicily. I love the original location of this Italian bakery and coffee shop on Dawson Street, and this one is even better. The comfy chairs and sofas are much more suited to a coffee shop anyways. Staff is friendly, baked goods look unreal, and they have healthy lunch options like salads, soups and charcuterie boards. They also have some not so healthy but delicious looking paninis in the window.

I opted for the beetroot and goat cheese salad, and it was really nice. Also had a latte afterwards and it was perfecto. I took advantage of the free wifi, and it was a nice space to hang out for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. I'll be back for sure.

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  Beetroot and goat cheese salad

  Beetroot and goat cheese salad

11/2/2016

• 1 check-in

What a lovely girly way to spend a Wednesday night! I had such a nice time at the #FixUpLookSharp event, and not just because of the Dizzee Rascal reference (although that helps).

I was pretty skeptical, to be honest, because I didn't think I liked Lush very much. This opinion was formed like four years ago when I ducked into one location inside Liverpool Street Station in London. I emerged after five minutes wrongly assuming everything they make smells of patchouli and sandalwood and just basically wasn't any scent I'd want on my body. I was so wrong.

Last night, we were treated to mini facials, arm massages and learned how to make a bubble bath bomb. My facial was the "youth" reviving one, and my skin looks and felt incredible afterwards! Seriously better than any professional facial I've had in the past, and it was a bonus that we learned how to apply them ourselves. It was just what I needed for my wintry dehydrated skin.

The ladies doing the demos were so nice and helpful, and I actually made my first ever Lush purchases at the end of the night. I'm a convert now, totally sold after last night's event. Thanks Emily!

3/2/2016

I had high expectations for Franco Manca since I'd been hearing about it since I first lived in London in 2012. They had the one location in Brixton back then, and I was pleased to find they'd expanded to Broadway Market. The menu is pretty limited - I think there's 10 options or so - but look at the specials board before deciding. We only saw it after ordering and were so annoyed! The specials looked delicious.

The dough is sourdough and is chewy rather than crispy, toppings are fresh and it's dirt cheap. Pretty good for London. I'd return for sure.

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  #4

  #4

3/2/2016

• 5 check-ins

Excellent butcher, really good selection and value. It's my preferred spot to buy meat in Dublin. They have lots of pre-made stuff too, like chicken breasts stuffed with chorizo. YUM. My husband and I get those all the time. Their bacon is great too, and I've never gotten a steak that disappoints. Be sure to ask if you don't see what you're looking for, there's more stuff in the back/refrigerator than what's displayed a lot of times.

3/2/2016

• 2 check-ins

I've been to Taco Taco twice now for brunch, and it's about the closest you can get to an American brunch in Dublin. The atmosphere is the best thing they have going for them, it's really buzzy and has some fun Mexican graffiti on the walls, also the staff is really nice and helpful.

The first time I went I got the Avocado on toast which was tasty, but not super memorable. They serve a nice Bloody Mary for Dublin - we're very far from Mexico, so I think it's tough for anyone here attempting the cuisine to get it 100% right. That caveat is for my fellow Americans

This past weekend I got the huevos rancheros and a Bloody Mary, and my friend got the jerk chicken tacos. She loved hers but said it was way filling - they serve you three and it's definitely a hearty portion. I liked my huevos enough to eat the whole plate, but again it wasn't super memorable. The ingredients and dishes look really appealing, but I think the execution needs work.

We shared the donuts for desert, and they come cold with a sprinkled whipped cream. Meh. They're filled with jam and they're donut holes, but I wouldn't get them again.

All in all, it's a good experience and a solid choice for brunch. The food is the only think I felt was lacking, but that's only because I think it's really tough to get Mexican food just right in Ireland

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  Huevos rancheros

  Huevos rancheros
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  Donuts

  Donuts
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  Avocado toast

  Avocado toast
• See all photos from Deena B. for Taco Taco

23/1/2016

• 1 check-in

I had an excellent mani/pedi experience for my birthday last week. I was running late for my appointment, so by the time I got there they said they could only do a file and polish since other mani clients were waiting. I was crushed, and muttered I'd just go somewhere else for my nails. They are really busy, so definitely be on time.

I had Kasia, and she gave me the best pedicure I've had in Dublin. She adorably narrated each step ("now I'm going to file your nails") as she went, and the end result were perfectly shaped, smooth hooves.

At the end, she skipped her lunch just to give me a manicure, so I didn't have to go somewhere else after all. My nails look excellent and she couldn't have been nicer.

The only downside is the price - €90 for shellac mani and pedicure. Yikes. Worth it for the occasional splurge for sure, but you'd be wise to check prices ahead of time to avoid surprises.

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  My shellac mani after two full weeks! And I'm a pretty committed hand washer

  My shellac mani after two full weeks! And I'm a pretty committed hand washer