The Irish Food Report #3
Puck Lane, Whitehall, Dublin
The Cedar Tree, City Centre, Dublin
White Rabbit, City Centre, Dublin
This week I visited a quality café in a GAA club carpark, one of Dublin’s most popular Lebanese restaurants, and a lively Korean Fried Chicken spot hidden in the back of an Asian supermarket.
Puck Lane - a (dog) friendly café in a GAA club carpark
Food 8/10
Vibe 9/10
Value 10/10
Puck Lane is in the carpark of Colmcille’s GAA club on Collins Avenue in Whitehall. It’s got all the hallmarks of something born during Covid; a kitchen inside a container with lots of outdoor seating under umbrellas and a marquee. You can also sit in the GAA club’s bar if it’s too cold outside (which I chose to do).
When I arrived there was a decent crowd of locals queueing or sitting at the picnic tables enjoying their lunch; young lads (likely players), couples, and dog owners. A nice, relaxed atmosphere.
The menu is made up of food best enjoyed in your hand. Think breakfast baps/burritos, sausage rolls, lunch sandwiches, and overnight oats in a pot. They also do smoothies, granola, pastries, and pancakes. This is the ideal post-workout or hangover spot, and the food and coffee (in particular) is excellent.
I went for the protein oats and “Morning Puck” breakfast bap with bacon. Both were great.
The Cedar Tree - Ireland’s oldest Lebanese restaurant
https://www.instagram.com/cedartree_dublin/?hl=en
Food 8/10
Vibe 8/10
Value 10/10
The Cedar Tree couldn’t be better located for foot traffic. It’s right off Wicklow Street and South William Street, and next door to The Old Stand pub. I sat in the window and every ten seconds there was a new group of people reading the menu outside (the smart ones came in and asked for a table).
I was here for lunch and the atmosphere was relaxed but the place was busy as most of the tables were taken. The staff were really friendly and answered all my questions about the menu. In the end, I asked my server to order for me from the well-priced lunch menu that gives you a starter and a main course and a soft drink or tea/coffee for €25.
My server picked the Makali for my starter: fried aubergine and cauliflower, with fresh tomato and tahini drizzled on top, and flat bread on the side. Delicious. For mains she chose Kafta Bilrozz: grilled skewers of minced lamb with aromatic Lebanese rice, cashew nuts, and “gravy.” Just like the starter it was simple but really tasty. To drink, I tried a traditional Jallab: a flat and cold drink of pomegranate, rosewater, grapes, dates, and raisins with whole almonds in the glass along with ice. It was very sweet but a great accompaniment to the spiced flavours of my meal.
The food at The Cedar Tree comes served with no frills and it’s delicious. I’ll be back next time I’m in the city centre and craving middle-eastern food.
White Rabbit - Korean Fried Chicken in a setting you’d expect in NYC
https://www.instagram.com/white.rabbit.hq/?hl=en
Food 9/10
Vibe 9/10
Value 9/10
White Rabbit has become a favourite of Dublin diners who know that life exists on the north side of the Liffey. Its setting - tucked into the back of an Asian supermarket on Capel Street - lends a romance or intrigue to it. Walking through the aisles of imported food with labels I can’t read, and landing into the small but busy room full of people from all around the world, you really feel like you’re in an international city at White Rabbit. It’s a great and welcome addition to our increasingly diverse capital.
Don’t expect anything fancy from the decor or tables, but the energy in the room is great. If you get a counter seat you’re right next to the busy team of chefs as they prepare the food. This might not be a first-date spot if you’re looking to impress, but that doesn’t mean the food isn’t great.
The highlight is Korean Fried Chicken, although you can also go for Korean Corn Dogs or a “Cupbap” which is a rice bowl with meat, bean sprouts, kimchi, and a fried egg.
I went for a large portion of boneless fried chicken tossed in their spiciest house sauce, and a pork belly cupbap. The food arrived fast and was fresh and delicious. This is a real gem of a “hidden” spot.
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