Dublin Coffee Culture – The Fumbally and Tamp & Stitch

Dublin coffee culture is changing. I’m an avid coffee lover and although i don’t know everything about it i know what i like and spent a bit of time in Australia working as a barista.

I have two new favourite places for coffee in dublin. And i think they’re getting busier all the time so they probably don’t need me writing about them, but just in case you haven’t been yet.

The first is the Fumbally. Located near St patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin 8 (not as far from the city centre as it sounds) it’s the biggest surprise to walk into. On the outside it’s a run of the mill new apartment block type building. I walked and cycled past so many times before i ever went in. I always thought ‘Oh they picked out a great mix of tables and chairs’, but that’s as much of an impression as i had of it.

When you walk in you are greeted with wonderful wholesome food smells and the scent of fresh nicely made coffee. it’s warmer than it looks like it’s going to be and walking down the steps, as it’s kind of sunk into the ground, you feel wonderfully welcome. They’ve made it cosy without going over the top. It’s interesting without feeling pretentious and there’s lots of space and light and chair and table types to sink into something comfy or work away at a big table.

My other new favourite is Tamp & Stitch. It’s located at Scarlet Row, Essex street west which is just around the corner from Cow’s lane – home of the great markets and the famous Queen of Tart’s. Paul who runs it makes some of the best coffee in Dublin and he’s passioante about the place. They sell clothes and jewellery too. The jewellery is freaking amazing. I do tend to run in, get coffee and leave quickly. But mostly because i’m scared i’ll buy too many things i can’t afford if i stay browsing! It’s so worth a trip in. Go out of your way to go there. Won’t regret it and excellent stuff for christmas gifts to boot.

Things to Do in Dublin Tonight 8 May 2012

 

There is something very lovely and interesting going on in Dublin tonight. The MGM or monthly general meeting, curated by Nial Conlon and Shane Langan, has been running for a few months. I’ve been to them all i think and each time it’s such a unique experience that i can’t miss the next one.

The thing about it that doesn’t change (so far anyways) is the atmosphere. It feels like home though i can’t put my finger on why. It is just quiet, new or small enough to feel like you’re part of something that great things may spring out of and it’s open enough to have no pretentiousness about it. It feels like the little beating heart of something bigger and innately good. And you feel good for touching base with it. Like checking you still have a pulse. Quiet, gentle and humble but very important for your wellbeing.

I had a massive dilemma about whether to write about it or not. I kind of like it the way it is and fear that telling too many people about it may result in it’s destruction or change. Then I realised i am not in primary school anymore and this is a silly way to think. I think you should go. Bring an attitude of respect and niceness. I will try to also. I was a bit disruptive during the poetry last month – apologies. In hindsight i would have put me in the dána corner.

To find out more follow them on Twitter – @MonthlyGM or just turn up at the Legal Eagle tonight at 8pm. It’s free.

Have a good week,

elva.x

Best Places To Eat in Dublin – La Dolce Vita

The Queen of Tarts in Dublin, which has two locations, has become famous for their good food, amazing cakes, beautiful atmosphere and sweet atmosphere. But next door the the Cow’s Lane Queen of Tarts is an inconspicuous looking restaurant called La Dolce Vita. There is nothing striking about it’s exterior next to the bright red busy-ness of Queen of Tarts, but as soon as you walk in the door it smells like great Italian cheese and home and it’s laid back, the staff are chilled out in a way that makes you feel totally at home there and you will wonder how you weren’t always here.

Things To Do in Ireland: Day Trip to Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s oldest cities and thus settled comfortable home to culture, history and a great arts scene. It is definitely more a crafts arts scene than a contemporary arts scene but it has it’s moments for that too, especially at the Kikenny Arts Festival which runs every August and is well worth checking out. (Bring / borrow / rent a car if you’re going to this as there’s usually stuff all over Kilkenny county as well as in the town centre and it can be a great adventure.)

If You Want to Be Happy – Avoid Gardening

I’ve started spending a lot of time in the garden and hanging around the little pots of tiny plants in the kitchen. And there’s a few things i’ve learned. When you meet nice ladies who love gardening and they’re all calm and happy and sweet? It’s not because they spend time with nature, it’s because they’re so glad to be having a tiny break from it for five seconds and talking to a human for the first time in what could be months.

1. Gardening is like watching paint dry in slow motion

Japanese Style Online Shopping Adventure

Image stolen without permission from the seller ‘Moufa’. At least i think that was the name of the seller/store. The confusion of it all! please don’t throw me in blog jail.

I was overly excited recently when, as a present, someone gave me a certain amount to spend on their credit card. I don’t have a credit card, so this was exciting because suddenly i was given the option to buy stuff online. Suddenly it seemed as if anything was possible. Like anything i could dream up i could buy. So i started my quest excitedly after arriving home from work last night.

The first step was the funniest bit. I attempted to type ‘Where do Japanese people buy clothes online?’ into Google.  I had gotten as far as, ‘Where do Jap…” before being prompted with the following search options….

Lunch in Dublin When It’s Sunny – Christ Church Cathedral

Irish Brown Bread Scone Recipe by Debbie

Yesterday evening i sat in a sitting room filled with the smell of laundry drying and brown bread scones baking. It must have been the warmest, loveliest combination of smells. Made more all the more lovely by Debbie (who made them) giving one to Mikey Fleming Likes This to take home with him on his cycle home. And all this after we had all sat out in the last of the sun and listened to Leonard Cohen and drank beer (fake beer for me) and chatted. Pretty great for a tuesday. So Debbie kindly shared the recipe. I was asked if i’d like “The Debbie makey-upey one or the ready mix one?”

The Debbie Makey-Upey Irish Brown Bread Scone Recipe

Something Different to Do in Dublin / Nature Activity Idea for Kids

Walking home from work recently i spotted the sign below, peeping up from behind a high wall on Mount Brown Road in Kilmainham. A bird garden. I’d never heard of such a thing but it seemed like such a great idea. I find it a treat to catch any little glimpse of nature in the middle of a city. Especially something as unexpected as a bird garden!