Gypsy Rose BluCaffe

Where? BluCaffe, Aston Quay, Dublin 2

Ordered? Pulled Pork Sandwich on Home-made Bread

  There are so many charming features to this humble cafe, its hard to know where to start. A popular spot with Dublin's rock'n'rolling crowd, young and old, it also serves as a tattoo parlour with access to the Gypsy Rose Rock and Blues Bar nextdoor. With a fully covered seating and smoking area, it's a nice spot to sip on a coffee or specialty tea, of which they have plenty, and do a spot of people-watching. If you'd rather sit inside at the counter, the atmosphere is maintained with a steady stream of classic and modern rock songs on the stereo.

  They feature a small menu of pulled pork sandwiches that speak for themselves, the pork itself can be seen cooking behind the coffee station and is well worth the wait as it is slow-cooked. Order a sandwich and a coffee, and wait for your order with a spot of pool or peek in at their resident artist working away through the see-through wall into the tattoo studio. 

  If pool is not your thing, look for the bookshelf featuring books brought by guests, as they have a "take a book, leave a book" policy. On my last visit there were mixes of rock autobiographies, a book on celebrity inventions; even a few Stephanie Meyers and a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey! I might have been tempted to take it, but I didn't have a book with me to leave, no shame!

  The food is tasty with home-made ciabatta bread and sides like apple and cinnamon sauce and roasted aubergines, definitely a treat to warm anyone up on a rainy day. 

  I've been a patron of the Gypsy Rose since it was opened four years ago for many reasons, and the BluCaffe is another reason I'm proud to call myself a regular. Check it out, especially if you're a classic rock and metal fan, and tell me I'm wrong, I dare ya!

BluCaffe

The Vintage Kitchen

Where? The Vintage Kitchen, 7 Poolbeg Street, D2
Ordered? 2 courses for €25, Starter of Roasted wild Irish Sea ling wrapped in Parma ham, crispy cod fish cake and caper sauce. Main of Roasted poussin, caprese salad, horseraddish sauce and sauteed potatoes.

  On a quiet street near Tara Street train station, beside Mulligan's pub, the Vintage Kitchen is a small 30-something seater restaurant that one would never even know existed. There is no sign outside, nothing at all to give away the fabulousness of the interior and the amazing cuisine flowing from the open kitchen. I had never heard of it before, but would be only too happy to recommend it to anyone who will listen. 
  The menu is small and changes seasonally, with 5 or 6 options for mains and starters as well as a couple of dessert options. Two courses for €25 is a bargain, with a BYOW policy and no corkage when you avail of the two course option. The wall space is adorned with artwork and crafts that are all for sale, just make an offer, and a record player provides the soundtrack; they even allow guests to bring their own vinyls to play during a sitting. 
  For starters I order the Sea Ling. Always eager to try new things, I have to admit I had to ask what a ling was (a member of the cod family). The dish was neatly prepared and smelled lovely. The ling itself had the same colour and consistency of cod but much fluffier, and the accompanying fish cakes were the nicest I've come across in a long time. The dish sat in a generous ladel of rich smooth caper sauce that was so good I scooped it all up with some homemade breads, not wanting to waste a drop.
  An extremely good start. As I was dining with a group, we were all trying and tasting a bit of each others dishes. One of our group opted for a board of slow roasted beets, whipped mascarpone, pink onions, feta, black figs, prune & jalapeno relish. Seeming to me to be an odd mixture of flavours, but after trying some, I was overly impressed. The fig, beetroot and cheese was an amazing combination, really daring. 
  Like the ling, I wanted to order something I hadn't had before, deciding on the poussin. Even though its just chicken, I had never tried one so young. And like the ling, it did not disappoint. The meat was softer than on a mature chicken, the skin a lot thinner and tasty, and the brown meat underneath so juicy. After picking and shredding the tiny fowl, there was nought left but a plate of bones. It was delicious. 
  My mam, who was seated next to me, ordered the lamb shank in treacle gravy. An average sized shank thick with meat, I was only too happy to help her finish it! Deeeee-vine! I didn't get to taste the steak, but from the noises coming from the other end of the table there's no doubt that it, too, was a success.
  The quality of each and every dish was consistent, there wasn't a single complaint amongst our group (all avid foodies and even a couple of retired chefs), and the staff were so polite and witty it was almost like having dinner at a friend's. And although there is no room for a bar in the restaurant itself, they do allow customers to buy drinks nextdoor in Mulligan's and bring them in.

  I would recommend the Vintage Kitchen to anyone looking for lovingly prepared seasonal grub. Anyone would do well to take a gal here on a first date, a definite keeper. However, reservations on the weekends are booked up until January, but one might get lucky midweek. I really hope to be back again when the menu changes in the New Year, ten out of ten all round!

The Vintage Kitchen

GBK

Where? Gourmet Burger Kitchen, South Anne's Street, Dublin 2
Ordered? Halloumi Bites, Camemberger

  Untill last year I was never much of a burger fan. It was as if one day it dawned on me how wonderful a burger is. A slab of beef in between two slices of bread and any number of combinations of fillings and toppings; why had it taken me so long to appreciate this? After my delicapiphany, a brief phase followed where I just craved burgers and wanted to try them all, inevitably leading me to GBK.
  To start I ordered halloumi bites, innocent enough. Wrong! They came with a sweet dip, more like a chutney, but with a killer after-burn. Not for the faint of heart but a mild foodgasm for those of us who do like it hot. A small starter full of flavour, ten points.
  The burger was made with a lightly toasted brioche bun, adding a nice little crunch to each bite. The beef was good quality, free of fat and gristle, and the camembert an excellent substitute bringing all the flavours together.

  It's a small restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, a must for burger enthusiasts.

GBK

BrunchDay - The Exchequer

Where? The Exchequer, Exchequer St, D2 

Ordered? Pulled Pork Hash

  Just off South Great Georges Street, looking onto Dame Square, is the cosy den that is the Exchequer Bar. As well as top quality cocktails and a team of bartenders who like to play with fire (their words, not mine), they also serve up some tasty eats.
  I've ordered the Pulled Pork Hash, served with poached eggs, asparagus and hollandaise sauce. It comes out looking so good and well put together, but doesnt stay that way for long! I dive right in, bursting the poached eggs and pulling apart chunks of the hash with my fork. What I get is flavour filled mouthfulls, creamy and crunchy,  eggy and piggy all in one, with great long strands of pulled pork throughout. It doesn't take long to polish off the lot (more more more please!), and I make a mental note to replicate this dish some morning in the near future.

 After all, in my opinion, simplicity never fails, and this dish is so simple and so tasty. I'd call that successful Brunching!

The Exchequer

Art of Coffee

Where? Art of Coffee, Unit 1, Alto Vetro, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 4
Ordered? Ham, broccoli and courgette quiche

  No word of a lie, this is the third time I've been here in the last 6 weeks. For a place that's well known for stylish coffees (yeah, they ain't bad), I would come for the quiche alone. Each time I've ordered the same quiche, and for good reason.
  A thick layer of crumbled ham and a tightly packed veggie filling, it's well balanced, tasty and the pastry is just the right texture.
  As well as the food and coffee, the outdoor seating area along the canal provides a quiet serene setting. However, if there's a hint of wind, one would be wise to get a seat inside as you might find the best part of a salad will easily become wind-borne.
  It's a popular spot with the surrounding office flock so get in early at lunch to secure a table as they are limited.
  Worth the stroll and great value for money; another little gem in the Grand Canal crown.

http://www.theartofcoffee.info

Bison Bar

Where? Bison Bar, 11 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2
Ordered? Pulled pork with sides of Coleslaw and Fries

  Its always a toss up between Bison Bar and Pitt Bro's when I'm in the mood for BBQ pork, and neither disappoints. While the Pitt Bro's option is a little easier on the wallet, I've always favoured the Bison Bar as the portions are a little larger and the meats just a little juicier, As well as the decorated outdoor seating and smoking area, and whiskey-adorned cocktail menu, Bison Bar wins it for me. The whole place has an air of being transported back to the American Mid-West circa the cowboy era.
  I had the pulled pork today with coleslaw and fries, which came with a tasty spicy mayo dip. The whole lot was savoured and the plate left clean. The dishes are quite expensive but the food is cooked well, the staff are lovely and the place itself has a really unique charm, including saddles instead of stools, a smoking area that can be accessed by climbing through a large window, and a massive colourful mural of an American bison.
  Not my first visit to this meat joint (pun intended), they also offer a superb collection of whisk(e)ys, including tasting platters that I recommend any whiskey enthusiast travelling through Dublin try.

  All in all, its a pleasant place to relax and enjoy some succulent meats, and maybe go for a cheaky Bourbon if the mood strikes!

Bison Bar

Pacinos

Where? Pacinos, 18 Suffolk Street, D2
Ordered? For starters, Mozzarella Frittes, for main, Chef Special of Pollo, Prosciutto e Mozzarella con frittes, ensalata e pasta penne. To drink, a glass of Cote Mas French Rose 2012.

  I've been quite fond of Pacinos for a while, the food is tasty, the restaurant is clean and modern, the staff are friendly and the prices are reasonable. For me, it's an all-rounder. I get a nice seat facing the open window and start people watching as the courses are being prepared.
  First is the Mozzarella Frittes, two chunky mozzarella sticks in breadcrumbs served with rocket and a rich and spicy tomato sauce. The combination of the mozzarella and tomato is classic, and it was executed well here. The sauce was thick and chunky, with whole halves of cherry tomatoes thrown in and some red chilli here and there, which added a welcome kick of spice to the dish, all tamed by the creaminess of the cheese. It was a lovely starter, my only beef is that the rocket was dry as a bone. Perhaps it could have been substituted for a small salad consisting of basil, or just a touch of olive oil might have done the trick. Anyhow, it was polished off!
  The main was a lot larger than I had anticipated. I suppose it did state that it came with chips, a small salad and a side of penne pasta. There was just a lot of each. It wasn't the usual authentic Italian that I had come to know from Pacinos, it was basically chicken and ham in breadcrumbs. Nevertheless, I ate it all but was unable to finish the chips and pasta. I think I was just expecting a little more authentic for a special dish. I felt it belonged more on a gastropub menu than an Italian. It just lacked that personal touch.
  I washed down the meal with a French Rosé which was delicate, fruity and creamy. Italian desserts are a little rich for me so this choice of wine was a nice substitute.

Overall, I do like Pacinos, and I will no doubt be back, but I'll be sticking to their more authentic dishes.

Pacinos

Big Grill BBQ and Craft Beer Festival

Where: Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, D4
When: 15-17 August 2014

We are very lucky as Dubliners to be hosts to such great City festivals throughout the year, and the Big Grill BBQ Festival that took place over the weekend is a welcome new addition. Set in the lush surroundings of Herbert Park, the festival took place over three days and featured two Craft Beer bars, a fantastic selection of Food Stalls for meat-eaters and veggies alike, and a stage blasting out tunes and holding various eating challenges and competitions. There was so much to see and do (and eat!), I have no doubt that the return of the event year after year would be more than welcome.
  I managed to make it on the Sunday, and as far as I heard, it was the right day to go as Saturday was completely sold out, and there was just the right amount of people that it wasn't too crowded and the queues for food and drink were manageable. As a lover of all things BBQ, I was like a child in a sweet shop when we arrived. With stalls set up by restaurants such as Pitt Bros, Asador, Kinara Kitchen and Just Wing It, I really didn't know were to start. There were demonstrations and tutorials going on and food of just about every meat variety that one could dream of.
  By the end of the day I had managed two hot dogs (one of which was a really tasty lamb and rosemary blend by Paddy's Irish BBQ), a portion of buffalo boneless wings by Just Wing It, some pulled pork by Donnybrook Fair, and more pulled pork from the hog roast at the end of the evening. The pig had been smoking for about 30 hours, and a crowd gathered to try to get a taste of the melt-in-your-mouth meat. As the butchers carved it up and platters were passed around, there were a few moments where I felt like I was in a zombie movie. Hands reached forward in waves to grab chunks of the meat, all lunging forward for a sample. As a shortie, I had to fight my way to the front to get a sample. Nothing was going to get between me and that big tasty pig!
  Between stuffing myself with delectable meats and sampling some fine Pilsners and lagers, I felt like lead when it came time to leave (reluctantly!) I have to say, we made the most of the day and I was glad I paced myself with the food, as I got to enjoy so much and discovered a few new places that I'd be interested in visiting in the future (Just Wing It, look out!).

Overall, the event was executed brilliantly and I'll be even more prepared next year, my mouth is watering already!



Big Grill BBQ Facebook Photos

Fiorentina

Where? Fiorentina, Dame Street, D2
Ordered? For starters, Arancini di riso, calamari alla brace. For main, Pollo alla Sorrentina

  One of my favourite Italian restaurants, Fiorentina is a classy quiet gem on the corner of Dame St and Parliament St, with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly knowledgeable staff, and run by the accomplished (and unquestionably witty) restauranteur Kristan Burness. The food is fresh and full of flavour and the menu changes seasonally, so the menu on offer today is the summer menu.

  I choose fried risotto balls with lamb and chargrilled calamari to start. The risotto balls come in a lovely tomato sauce, and they are delicious, I even scoop some of the sauce onto the calamari so as not to waste it! The calamari is lovely and crispy and cooked well, not too chewy but with a nice bite. Both dishes are tasty and the portion sizes make for a good starter.

  For main I choose the Pollo alla Sorrentina, chicken breast half on the bone served with cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, baby potatoes and I order a side of rocket and parmesan salad. Overall the dish is very tasty and I would say well balanced if it weren't for the slab of mozarella, it was nice and complemented the dish well but there was just a lot of it. I would order it again though. Everything was delicious and I stuffed myself to the brim.  

  Instead of a dessert, I was offered a complimentary sample of one of the treats from the upcoming new cocktail menu being launched this coming Monday (well worth checking out). The Signora Sofisticada (Sophisticated Lady, if I'm not mistaken) had a basis of Brockmans Gin, fresh basil, strawberry, lime juice, egg whites and some secret ingredients. A perfect summer cocktail, it was sweet and fresh with just a hint of spice from a sprinkling of black pepper on top. 

  Fiorentina is a perfect date spot, however, their lunch menu is also worth a look and very reasonably priced, with such dishes as Rose Veal meat balls and gluten free pasta options. I look forward to coming back and trying some more of Paddy's new cocktails, bellissima!

http://www.fiorentina.ie

BBQ Anyone??

What? The Big Grill BBQ and Craft Beer Festival

When? 15th-17th of August

Where? Herbert Park, Ballsbridge

  For anyone who is into their BBQ'd meats, this is a must. I, for one, cannot wait! Some of my favourite spots around Dublin already include the likes of Pitt Bro's and Bison Bar, especailly good for a hangover-busting meat-feast, and nothing gets my taste buds watering like succulent juicy pork, in any shape! I'm also curious to see what Asador have got to offer, after hearing a lot of tasty things about them. As long as the Sunday stays dry, and the meat is plentiful, I'll be a happy camper indeed. 

  

Grab your tickets HERE while stocks last! 

Sunday Brunchday

  Seeing as the concept of Brunch has taken off in the last few years, I've decided to take it upon myself to discover the best Brunch spots in our lovely little city. I'm thinking one Sunday a month, or perhaps two, if I'm not hungover or otherwise engaged... ;)

  I've even compiled a list so you don't have to, based on word of mouth, google searches and unavoidable mouthwatering pictures on Facebook. Some of these I am really looking forward to (the Underground Brunch Club in the Liquor Rooms has piqued my interest),and some I just have to know what the fuss is about! If you don't see your own favourite Brunch spot on my list, please let me know so I can check it out! Happy Brunching!!!

Sunday Brunch List of Deliciousness

(in no particular order)

San Lorenzos

Super Miss Sue

Odessa

The Market Bar 

No Name

777

Havana

Queen of Tarts

Coppinger Row

Whitefriar Grill

Dillingers

Brother Hubbard

The Winding Stair

The Exchequer

37 Dawson Street

The Kitchen

The Liquor Rooms

Herbstreet

Cafe en Seine

Umi

Where? Umi Falafel, 13 Dame St, Dublin 2
Ordered? Tunisian salad, 4 falafel served with bread, hummus, dips and a drink.
For dessert, Baklawa

  I'll admit, I've never had falafel before and wasn't too sure what it was to begin with (it's OK, I googled it). I decided to check out Umi Falafel today to pop my falafel cherry, and I'm so glad I did.

  I went for a lunch combo that comes with a salad (I chose the Tunisian Salad), 4 falafel (I really like saying falafel), hummus, dips, bread and a drink. Pretty good deal if you ask me. The waitress took my order and I got to take in the surroundings; the seating area was airy and cool and the music was good, something I feel is important in a restaurant. In the middle of King of the Bongo, the waitress brought my plate out .The presentation was nice, I especially liked the little deep fryer basket holding the falafels. 

  The salad was made up of cous cous, scallion, coriander, red pepper and chickpeas and I finished the lot, as well as all four of the falafels and the two breads that accompanied it. The hummus and salad were really refreshing while the falafels ( my new favourite word) were crunchy and had a hint of spice, all really tasty.

  For dessert I ordered the Baklawa, which is compact layers of pastry with pistacios and honey. They were a little too sweet for me to be honest, but I think that's just me. I did manage a couple of bites n they packed a nice bite.

  All in all I think their lunch deal is an absolute bargain, the food is fresh and flavoursome, and all completely vegetarian. Go Umi!

http://www.umifalafel.ie

M&S Rooftop Restaurant

Where? Marks and Spencer Rooftop Restaurant, Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Ordered? Haddock with cherry tomatoes, baby potatoes, green beans and pesto with parmesan

  I think I knew within five minutes of walking in the door that I'd made a mistake. I used the bathroom before waiting for a table, and I always judge a place by the bathroom, even peoples' homes! The bin was overflowing and the toilet roll dispenser was broken (luckily I had a packet of kleenex in my bag). So that was a bad start.

  I then waited to be seated. And waited. And waited a little more. Just as I was about to turn around to leave, a rather flustered looking waitress walked up and told me to sit anywhere. Having heard that there was a nice balcony overlooking Grafton Street, I headed outside onto the terrace. There was only one table where there would have been a nice view, and it had coffee cups on it from previous customers. I moved them to the adjacent table and sat down. I had expected someone to come and take the coffee cups away and maybe give my table a wipe but it didn't happen. The table behind me and two others on the other side of the terrace also had dirty plates on them and they remained that way while I was there.

  Anyway, I'd come this far, and it was too late to go somewhere else; I had to be in work in less than an hour. I placed my order and it was brought out without much delay. Perhaps I had a bit of a skewed opinion due to the first impressions, but it worried me that it was so quick, especially with fish. While I was eating I was also a bit distracted by one of the waitresses, who was running around in a bit of a tizzy, and every few minutes I could hear her say "sorry" to someone from a different corner of the terrace. You know when someone tells you about some small tick or feature about a film or a person, and all of a sudden it's all you can concentrate on? That was it. Take a bite. "Sorry." Sip of water. "Oh sorry." "Really sorry about that..." etc.

  The meal was tasty though, the pesto and parmesan was a nice touch; the fish was just bog standard haddock, not much flavour there. There really wasn't much else to it. I probably could have made the same thing at home for half the cost (I can't stand pedantic statements like that but in this case it was true).

  All in all, I was a little disappointed by the experience, I would have expected more given their reputation.

UPDATE 28/07/14

  I've since been told by a friend that he has lunch here quite often, and said I should give it a second chance. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I may give them another try for lunch...stay tuned!

Little Ass Burrito Bar

Where: Little Ass Burrito Bar, 32A Daswson Street, Dublin 2
Ordered? Sancho Ponza Quesadilla (Slow-Braised Mole Marinated Irish Pork, Jack Cheese, Sour Cream, Fresh Coriander)

   They're not lying when they say "little". It's a cosy corner store on Dawson St, barely room enough to swing a cat, and it would be easy to pass by. However, there is  a reasonable queue and several people waiting on orders. This is always  a good sign and I get a chance to study the menu as I'm waiting to get to the counter. There seems to be a good selection and I decide on a Sancho Ponza Quesadilla with a side of chips and salsa. Carnitas otra vez, claro que sí!
  As I'm waiting, I find myself looking around wondering where to go after I receive my food, as there are only two stools along the bar at the window, which are occupied, and just one table outside, taken up by a group of tourists happily tucking into burritos.
  I return to work and settle down in the staff room to tuck into my quesadilla. My first impression upon opening the box is to see that the tortilla is bursting with pork, but as I started eating I noticed it's a little shy of anything else. There is barely a spoonful of pico de gallo, a meagre squirt of sour cream and the tortilla itself is quite soggy. If I had had the chance, I would have passed on the sour cream and asked for jalapenos too, but it was all a little rushed to be honest.
  Despite the shortcomings, the pork was really tasty, but I didn't manage to finish the whole thing. It was all a bit heavy.
  I ordered a portion of the habanero salsa to go with the chips as well as regular salsa and the mango salsa that came with the quesadilla. After I tried all of them with the chips, it was hard to distinguish which was which. They were all more or less the same, maybe a hint of sweetness from one that must have been the mango.

  All in all, I got a lot of food for what I paid, but couldn't finish it. Perhaps, also, if I had gone in at a time when they didn't seem so busy, more attention might have been paid to my order and I may have been satisfied. I think I'll be sticking with Burritos and Blues though.

http://www.littleass.ie/

Pieman

 

Where? Pieman, 14a Crown Alley, Temple Bar
Ordered? 7.95 Meal Deal: chicken, mushroom and Jameson pie, gravy, mushy peas and a soft drink.

  The first thing I noticed while looking at the menu board was there was no steak and kidney pie. That's weird, right? Or is it just me!?

  Anyway, the pie was nice, the pastry was nice, the peas were, well, peas... It was all very nice. That's about it. I got my money's worth and a little laugh out of the sticker on their tip jar: "every time you tip, Chuck Norris gives Justin Bieber a roundhouse".

  I tipped.

The Pieman Cafe : Facebook Page

 

Herbstreet

Where? Herbstreet, Hanover Quay, Dublin 4
Ordered? Herbstreet Combo: half quiche of the day (smoked chicken, cherry tomato and cheddar), quinoa salad, sweet chilli relish and cup of soup of the day (spiced roast pepper and black bean).
Seasonal Fruits: strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, pineapple, melon, kiwi, passionfruit, Cornish clotted cream and toasted hazelnuts. (The menu also stated organic honey in the dish but it wasn't in there as far as I could tell).

  I arrived at the tail end of the lunch service and was pleasantly surprised to be seated almost immediately. I was lead to a table outside looking over the dock which was nice (brownie points for location!).  The waiter was pleasant and attentive a nice gent. 

  My first course arrived without much delay, and I couldn't help notice the plate seemed a bit crowded; I found it a bit awkward to cut into the quiche without fear of it flying onto someone else's plate! However, the food was tasty, I think the quinoa salad was the highlight, simple and full of flavour and texture, especially with a splash of the sweet chilli dip thrown in. The quiche had just the right amount of everything; chicken, tomatoes and cheese. The soup, though, I felt was lacking something. It was chunky and filling but I admit I had to add some salt to balance it out a bit, it just seemed to lack seasoning. 

  When ordering a dessert I was disappointed to find that the chocolate fudge brownie was unavailable (a sign from beyond that I should be sticking to my diet no doubt), so I opted for the Seasonal Fruits which was also delivered promptly. I must admit I "mmmm"'ed out loud after the first spoonful. It was perfect! The fruit was room temperature, the cream was thick and rich and the toasted hazelnuts added a welcome little crunch to each bite. The organic honey, however, seemed to be absent, unless it was a very sparse drizzle altogether.

All in all I was satisfied, and the lot rang it at a reasonable €16.50. The service was excellent, there's no doubt, and the location was beautiful on such a nice day as today. A delightful spot for lunch with a friend or just to nip in and do a bit of people watching. 

http://www.herbstreet.ie/

Burritos & Blues

Where? Burritos & Blues, South Anne's St, Dublin 2
Ordered? Carnitas Quesadilla with lettuce, mixed peppers, jalapenos and medium heat sauce.

  I'm not a huge burrito fan, so I would normally pass by Burritos & Blues and not give it a second thought, two bites and I feel like a heifer! However, I'd noticed that they do quesadillas as well, and those I do like, frequently making my own at home (a great way to use up leftovers, thanks Nigella!).
  I chose the pork (carnitas, por supuesto), with all the trimmings. I like things on the spicy side so I also opted for medium spice sauce as well as jalapenos. I sat down and the server delivered it to my table within 5 minutes. The outter edges were crunchy and crispy (perfecto), the insides packed with fillings. It was delicious, if not a bit messy, and for that I was grateful for the sprinkling of nachos to scoop up any fallen fillings. Waste not, want not! The spice in the sauce didn't take away from any of the other flavours, so the whole thing was nicely balanced.

  All in all it was really tasty, good value for money and just the right size. I'll be going back again for sure.