Lucky me, I hear about the cozy Irish restaurant called Vintage Kitchen in Dublin, run by a chef.
They serve up Irish fare and play vinyl while they’re doing it. We, of course, have to go. After a number of back-and-forth emails and texts (because every time we proposed was closed or booked) we have a reservation. This is not the place to just drop in.
The Vintage Kitchen is located on a side street, and looks like a little shop from the outside. The front has a few tables, with a handful more running along the left wall.
Vintage Kitchen in Dublin run 2 seatings a night, typically. We were able to squeeze in early so we could make it to a 7pm appointment, following. The waiter was charming, funny, and, since they remembered it was our anniversary, surprised us with 2 glasses of champagne before we even had water.
The rustic bread plate and spread kept us occupied while we weighed our choices on the menu. Somehow, we manage to order, although it was a tough decision.
Joe’s first course was a red pepper and pancetta risotto, while I followed the recommendation of other reviewers and the very Irish Vintage Kitchen waiter and chose the Donegal smoked haddock chowder with chorizo and wild samphire.
I won this round hands down, as I could not imagine anything more delicious, from the light broth which was mid-creamy and deep with flavour to the samphire, with texture like mini asparagus, which were a surprise and delight.
For something to follow, Joe ordered their Vintage Kitchen special that night, which was a lovely glazed pork belly and roasted vegetables.
I confess that I have a weakness for lamb, and will almost invariably order it if I find it on a menu, so mine was the Slaney River slow-roasted lamb shank, fricassee of squash and roasted sweet potato, twice-cooked parsnip and treacle gravy.
Joe loved the pork belly but admitted that the lamb shank was a star.
Sadly, we had to exit quickly to make our next evening appointment at a Musical Pub Crawl, but the friendly staff at Vintage Kitchen in Dublin convinced us they’d let us back in if we came in later that night for dessert. The half-baked chocolate cake was calling to me…
You may also enjoy reading about our meal at The Boxty House in Dublin.
Enjoyed May, 2015.
The Vintage Kitchen
7 Poolbeg street, Dublin 2
01 679 8705
International: +353 1 6798705
