Phew! What a busy week it’s been! After our Etsy photography course a couple of weeks ago, Explorer Beastie and I decided to keep our socialising momentum going… so when an invite to a special sneak-preview-tasting-menu dinner at Oscar’s Bar and Kitchen dropped into our mailbox, we were pretty quick to RSVP! As an extra bonus, the event was being organised by the Irish Blogger Association, which meant that we’d get to meet some more bloggers – in person for once!
Now, I hope you’re hungry… Here come some of the highlights of the meal!
Clockwise from top left – wild boar black pudding starter (proof, if any were even needed, that black pudding is more than just a component of your typical full Irish breakfast), the bbq ribs that were so tasty that I forgot to photograph them first, rhubarb panna cotta for dessert and Explorer Beastie looking on enviously at my Moroccan lamb with aubergine.
Yum! There were also plenty of opportunities for Explorer Beastie to pose with an almost-Beastie-sized wine glass…
… Relax among the tasteful decor…
… And atone for the rest of us eating all that black pudding.
Looking back at my photos as I was putting this post together made me think about how I wouldn’t even have been there enjoying all these delicious delicacies if I hadn’t started writing a blog about the Beasties and their adventures. Blogging has introduced me to people I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise – people who share my interests, or who have introduced me to new ways of looking at the world. People whose work inspires me, or whose stories make me laugh out loud when I read them. In the last week, I was delighted, excited and a little surprised to see I’d passed the 300 followers mark! So thanks to all of you for reading, and especially to those among you who regularly like my posts or comment on them. The Beasties and I are so chuffed to have you all along with us on our adventures!
Further “thank you”s are due to Fiona and the Irish Blogger Association for organising a great night out, and to the staff at Oscar’s for looking after us so well. It certainly looks like I wasn’t the only one who left happy!
Join us again on Friday, when we’ll be checking in with another Beastie abroad! And if blogging has taken you to interesting or unexpected places, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!
WOW what an Beastie adventure you have taken us all on in this post …and CONGRATULATIONS on reaching such a mega milestone of followers 🙂
Cheers, Mrs P! And thanks for being one of the Beasties’ first followers… it’s always nice to see you here 😀
Awww thank you x
I love that photo of the Beastie clasped in the jaws of the stuffed boar. I think I literally drooled when I read rhubarb panacotta. I have not eaten that in many years. Drooooooooooooooooooool!
Yes, it was super-tasty! I love rhubarb… my parents have been growing it at home since before I was born, so stewed rhubarb is a long-time favourite. Add panna cotta and I’m in heaven 😀
I grew up with rhubarb in the garden too but we kids used to eat it raw so there was rarely enough for it to get stewed.
Eeeeek, SOUR! 😆 I don’t think my brother and I would have got away with that either, since most of our crop was earmarked for wine and jam making.
I feel full just reading this! Although I am worried that Explorer Beastie might start having nightmares of becoming black pudding himself after that photo with the boar. And congrats on 300 followers!!! YAY!!!!
Thanks! 😀 And poor Explorer Beastie can’t even look at the ham in his sandwich now without shuddering… I think he’s seriously considering going vegetarian!
Just tell him it’s veggie ham. I mean, I’m sure the pigs ate a mostly vegetarian diet so, technically, you wouldn’t be lying.
Sneaky! I like it! Hey Explorer Beastie, lunch is ready… 😋
Ooh what a fun night – the food looks delicious! I think Explorer Beastie must have needed that life size glass of wine after his little escapade with the boar! Congrats on the followers – your blog is always a joy to read 🙂 x
It WAS delicious! 😋 Yum! Poor Explorer Beastie is recovering from his close encounter of the porcine kind… But I’m pretty sure I still see him wincing when I take bacon out of the fridge 😆 And thanks for being one of my readers – it’s the “regulars” like you who make this blog so much fun to write 😀