Thursday Odds and Ends

Finally an Irish weather day – cloudy, drizzly, foggy, and damp. Nice. We did next to nothing save for dinner out. So it’s just odds and ends today.

I did go into town for the odd pint at Curran’s. Also stopped in the Library to return some books and get a new one. I am now eager to read about the portion of Irish history from the Easter Rising in 1916 through the establishment of the Irish Free State (and the partition of Ireland) through the Civil War in 2025-ish.. So I am reading this book, a good mix of pictures and text. Should you be more interested, there is a great website with an abbreviated but accuracte account about this period and more here. I find Irish history fascinating.

Other than that there was just dinner at the Chart House, our first repeat visit to our top three (or maybe it’s four) restaurants. Let’s say four: the Chart House, Ashe’s, the Half Door, and Out of the Blue. It’s hard for me to pass up the rack of lamb here, and I didn’t pass it up. We started with kir royales and had Tinpot Hut Pinot Noir from New Zealand with the meal. On second thought saying “just dinner” does it a disservice.

Elaine: Starter: Dukkah Crusted Dingle Goats Cheese Bon Bons, Nectarine and Orange Relish, Carpaccio of Beetroot and Aged Balsamic Glaze – Main: Pan Seared Fillets of Monkfish, Braised Leeks, Cherry Tomatoes, Mussels Poached in Saffron, Herb Nage – Dessert: Dark Chocolate Parfait, White Chocolate & Vanilla Bean Cremeux, Salted Caramel, Candied Pecan Tuille, Chocolate Crumb.

Joe: Starter: Braised Sticky Pork Belly, seared Atlantic Scallops, Roasted Fennel and Date Compote – Main: Roast Rack of Kerry Lamb, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Fig & Red Onion Chutney, Rosemary Jus – Dessert: Selection of Our Own Homemade Ice Cream, Served With Praline, & Spiced Chocolate Sauce.

I left out two pictures from our trip to Tralee yesterday. These are taken at an overlook on the N86 just outside the town of Camp. Most times here there are clouds, fog, rain, and/or drizzle. Today was delightful.