Dine In Dublin Is Back: 25th February - 3rd March

Now in its eighth installment, Dine In Dublin has got to be one of my favourite events in the city. A week long celebration of food, this year brings not only a delectable selection of discounted menu offerings but also cocktail classes, olive tastings, trad music sessions and more.


Crab canapes at the Dine in Dublin launch

The launch at the Westin's Exchange restaurant was a real eye opener. This week is an amazing opportunity to scoff some high-end food at bargain prices, with The Exchange's own Dine In Dublin menu being a prime example: 100% crab cakes (no potato filler here!), king scallops and sirloin steaks all feature - and the damage? Just €25 for three courses.



A perfect sirloin steak from the Dine In Dublin menu at The Exchange restaurant at The Westin, Dublin

While you're there, make sure you savour a cocktail or two - bartender Deirdre Byrne has just made history by becoming the first female winner of the National Cocktail Competition. She'll be representin' at the World Championship later this year and having sampled her wares, I think we can be quietly confident.


Deirdre at work creating a contemporary Old Fashioned - yes, she's actually injecting rum into a hollow ice sphere. Amazeballs.

Other deals that caught my eye include the Damson Diner, the new incarnation of the Southwilliam pub, which was a longtime favourite of mine. I've been meaning to try it out and the special two course, €10 lunch menu could be just the ticket. The four course menu at Fallon and Byrne is a tad pricier at €42.50 but the menu includes braised haunch of venison or aged rib eye steak, along with a cocktail of your choice. Yes, I like cocktails. A lot.

Another launch cocktail, to reinforce the point - Beefeater gin with strawberries and pepper

Running from today till March 3rd, Dine In Dublin is the brainchild of Dublin Town, the events arm of the Dublin City Business Improvement District, who also run the Dublin Fashion Festival, Dublinat Christmas and other fab happenings throughout the year. Check out the full list of events and offers on the website or for the inside scoop, search the twitter hashtag #DID2013.

Will you be dining in Dublinthis week? And if you're reading from outside Ireland, does your city run any similar foodie events?

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