The Second Best Carrot Cake in Dublin

I was devastated to find that Bewleys, an Irish institution and one ofour favourite coffee stops, is closed until September. When we were last here, we loved sitting upstairs in the window watching the passing parade of shoppers along Grafton Street and listening to the buskers. We also loved their carrot cake!

Consequently, I searched the internet to find "the best carrot cake in Dublin" and found the "Queen of Tarts". This gem is located in Temple Bar and serves pastries that make your mouth water and of course, carrot cake! Tea is served in dainty cups and tea for two could have served ten. We were not disappointed but was it the better than Bewleys?... I think I  need another visit before I make that call!


                                                             

Apparently "Flans Yer Only Man" or so the title of the play at the Viking Theatre at Connolly's Pub says. We went to this show about Ireland's most famous satirist on Thursday evening. I struggled to understand the broad Irish accent of the actor of this one man show and certainly did not understand the humour! The small theatre which probably could hold 50 comfortably had more like 70 squashed into this tiny space. There is another theatre in Temple Bar which has "The Importance of Being Earnest" coming on in August. This theatre, The Smock Alley Theatre" is one of the oldest in Dublin and I look forward to this production!

On Friday night we caught up with Sue and Chris Perrin, who are travelling around the UK and France. I work with Sue at Holy Cross. We met up at the Merchants Arch before heading off to dinner at Oscar's. The restaurant had chairs of different shapes and sizes. We sat on the movie theatre chairs. The menus were inside old record covers, some with the records still inside. Sue was the winner with a Kris Kristofferson album. Meeting up with Sue and Chris makes you realise how small the world is. It was great to catch up and hear about their trip and news they had from home.

Mike The Machine, Mario Queen of the Circus and Million Dollar Eyebrows were just a few of the acts from the "City Spectacular" performing at various venues around Merrion Square this weekend. The various acts danced, juggled, moved like robots and contorted their bodies in ways your body shouldn't, all with maximum audience participation and humour. My favourite was Mario whose whole performance was done to various music from Queen. In fact I think he fancied himself as Freddie Mercury! He was very funny and got my vote for best performer. David may have preferred Million Dollar Eyebrows. He selected him from the audience and every time there was applause David was called on to twirl his nipples. Very embarrassing! (No photo to follow)

We ventured up to Howth for dinner on Saturday evening. We had a lovely dinner at Findlater House, followed by a walk around the harbour and drinks at The Bloody Stream.

We have done sooooo much walking this weekend.

Dublin resolution on track!