"I'm a big believer in winging it... letting the happy accident happen is what a lot of vacation itineraries miss... I'm always trying to push people to allow those things to happen rather than stick to some rigid itinerary." -The late and dearly missed Anthony Bourdain.
A double rainbow beamed off the Atlantic Ocean from a thick and grey cloud layer, as we were in our final approach to Dublin. I quickly snapped a photo on my Fujifilm QuickSnap disposable film camera from the window of Jetblue's A321neo "Allow Me To Mintroduce Myself."
As with pretty much any international trip, the first day was a dizzying haze of jet lag, excitement and dogged determination to seize the day. If I had more time, the first day would have been pure rest. Still, I found myself wondering the streets of Dublin hungry and on borrowed time. I happened upon Slattery's. What drew me in were the placards proclaiming that Anthony Bourdain dined there. That was enough for me.
Bourdain had eaten their traditional Irish Breakfast. Having arrived just minutes before the kitchen closed, I hurriedly ordered the roast of the day which included a generous portion of Roast Beef on a bed of Mashed Potatoes piled high with Broccoli, Carrots and Green Beans.
I had a pint of Guinness at the Cobblestone, another pub Bourdain had visited. I mingled with locals, a gentleman from Buffalo, NY and a group from Shenandoah Valley while listening to traditional Irish music. The pub was loud and bursting at the seams but would fall completely silent when the musicians sang. The collective display of respect and reverence was moving. I tearfully recalled Friday nights on South Holston Lake listening to my uncle Wayne and his friends play bluegrass. A Minner is a Winner.
Other culinary adventures included:
Irish Breakfast, with a couple new things for my palate: Black Pudding and Canary Melon.
A delicious sugar-encrusted Almond Croissant with Almond paste paired with a Latte from All Rise Cafe, a casual spot near the Four Courts in Smithfield , Dublin 7. The name of the establishment was quite clever. The staff were incredibly friendly.
Vegetable Soup and Soda bread paired with a half-pint from Madigan's.
Tullamore D.E.W. and Ginger Ale at Piper's Corner, a pub owned by Uilleann Piper Seán Potts offering traditional Irish music and a welcoming atmosphere.
Curry Chips with Burger Sauce from Chipeen, a pop-up food truck from Galway outside of the Guinness Storehouse. (They are there through May so don't pass them up if you happen to be in Ireland this month.) I like Curry Salt almost as much as Pal's French fry salt. IYKYK. The plan was to grab a pint and lunch from the gravity bar but the place was closed for a private event.
McDaid's Soda paired with The Pep Guardijala, a wood-fired and thin-crust pizza with Pepperoni and Jalapeño from Dough Bro's in Galway. *picture of pizza taken from website*
I didn't get to try Fish and Chips but the last time I was in Ireland in 2020, all I could afford was soup and a half pint. So I've made some culinary strides and I think Anthony Bourdain would be proud. This visit took me through Dublin and Galway.