Eating out in Dublin

It has been claimed that Dublin's restaurants have yet to reach European dining standards. The dining scene of the Irish capital is starting to boom. Eating out was not common in the past, but this is beginning to change. However, expensive restaurants are still the norm rather than the exception. You can hardly expect delicious, high-quality food to come cheap.
Traditional Irish dishes include meat and boiled root vegetables such as turnip, potato and carrot. The food is well prepared and simple. Sauces are used to a minimum. For example, a classic main course will include salted bacon, cabbage and boiled potatoes. The food is dressed up in most restaurants, and you'll be hard pressed to find a really authentic Irish dish unless you visit a local for dinner. Other favourites are beef and mutton stews, tripe soup, sausages and meat pudding. Dubliners do not focus on seafood so much; poached salmon with Irish butter sauce is an exception. Oysters and mussels are also popular.
The Modern Irish is a new culinary trend in the country. It involves traditional Irish products and natural flavours, and the dishes are prepared with a French touch. This cuisine is delectable and Dublin is a great place to sample it.
As for traditional Irish fare, there is Irish stew, sautéed kale with Irish bacon, colcannon, broiled lamb with root vegetables and sweet soda bread.
Dublin will organize Restaurant Week during February 20-27 this year. If you happen to be in town, you should visit some of the more popular restaurants, which will be part of a festival promotion, serving delectable treats at reduced rates. The locales are not only traditional Irish - many feature international and ethnic cuisines as well.
The best fish restaurant in Dublin is the aptly named Mackerel, located on the main shopping street of the city. It is officially one of the top ten restaurants in the country. For Mediterranean cuisine you can visit the Café Bar Deli on George's Street and the Deli Ranelagh. The former provides excellent food at great value in a lively yet relaxing setting. The latter, a few steps away from the Luas, guarantees an unforgettable gastronomic experience with superb Mediterranean dishes.
The Eden lives up to its name and then some. Located in the trendy Temple Bar district, this modern locale serves classic, rich, nourishing Irish fare with great flavour for all tastes. You will enjoy impeccable services from a professional staff. Bewleys Café is ideal for health-conscious tourists. The extensive menu includes simple, healthy treats, such as fresh fruit with yoghurt, bagels with eggs and bacon and many more. You can sample traditional Irish porridge, nourishing fries, or just tea and toast. Whatever you choose, you won't be disappointed.
Two of Dublin's award-winning establishments are O'Brien's Sandwich Bar and the Nosh. The Nosh opened in 2000 and won many awards in the very next months. It is in the top 100 list of Irish restaurants. The menu is revised every three months to include new and better dishes, if that's even possible. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast specials include the Cheese Steak Sambo with chips and Buttermilk Pancakes with grilled bananas, doused in rich maple syrup. Beef bruschetta and Prawn Pil-Pils are great appetizers. Among mains, the highlights are deep fried fish and chips with tartar sauce, lemon salsa verde, lamb with coriander hummus stuffing and baked potatoes with olives and feta cheese.
Ho Sen was the first Vietnamese restaurant in Dublin. It is renowned for the fresh herbs it uses, like mint and lemon grass. With respect to Asian cuisine Diwali merits extra attention. This Indian diner offers simple, delicious dishes. The main courses typically include lamb and vegetables. There is a vegetarian menu. Classics like Korma and Masala are available as well.
Finally, the Cedar Tree, the best-known Lebanese restaurant in town, extends a heartfelt welcome. The interior features a classic Lebanese design, with inlaid furniture and a relaxing atmosphere.