Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. That’s an adage that I try and live up to. Its origins are from the Bible itself. Who am I to disgree? When party organisers want nothing more than for us to eat, drink and be merry it’s pretty hard not to. Lately there’s been a plethora of alcohol lead parties (remember kids, drink responsibly!), and as every socialite worth his or her hangover knows, they’re the best ones.
The large open expanse of the RHA Gallery (a hidden gem on Ely Place) was the venue for the extravagant relaunch of Rosemount Wines recently. In this day and age of ever changing consumer habits, it’s important to keep ahead of the competition, so Rosemount have not only improved on their wines but also introduced a new funky “diamond” shaped bottle. Basically the bottom of the wine bottle isn’t round but kinda square shaped. Or diamond shaped (depending on how much of the stuff you’ve had to drink).
Some of the cool cats at that soiree were Sophie Flynn – Rogers, back from Goa and an inspiration to us all; Avila Lipsett and Emily O’Donnell added a touch of glam as always, the former accompanied by her new beau, Stephen Day. Fraser Brown, Fergal Breen and Roisin Ni Mhordha were also among the guests who enjoyed themselves. One person who really enjoyed himself though was Jamie Macken who won a diamond worth €14,000 from http://www.diamond.ie/. Rumour had it that he was going to use it for an engagement ring, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if that happens!
I’m often asked to recommend good bars in Dublin and I tend to rattle off a list of my favoured watering holes. We all have our faves and it really is a matter of opinion – one persons Keoghs is another’s Cocoon. Guess which of that pair I’d recommend?
Anyhoo, the inimitable Trevor White has solved this conundrum by publishing The Dubliner Top 100 Bars book. Like his hugely successful Top 100 Restaurants guide, this handy little number will guide you through the good, the great and the best of Dublin pubs. Oddly enough Cocoon doesn’t make it onto the list (something about change of ownership as the book was going to print) but Keoghs is in the Top 10. Go figure.
The cavernous Odeon bar played host to the launch party (itself in the Top 10). To say the place was packed would be an understatement, but that’s a testament to the popularity of the boys at The Dubliner magazine. Some of the heads to pop along and show their support were Astrid Brennan, Sinead Ryan and Malachy Geelan, Kate Candon, Jonothon Sultan and John McKibbon, Elaine Byrne, Niall McCrudden and Fiona Roche. Incidentally, three of the aforementioned will be hosting lavish 40th birthday parties soon. If I’m lucky enough to score an invite you might be lucky enough to read all about them!
Diarmuid Gavin, one of Ireland’s best loved home grown (sorry, couldn’t resist - groan) talents, was in town lately to announce the winner of the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass competition. Hosted in the impressive Ely CHQ restaurant, the finale attracted some of the hottest names in the future of Irish design.
There were an abundance of specially concocted Bombay Sapphire cocktails (made by the expert mixologists) served on the evening with the likes of Rosanna Davison and Wesley Quirke, RTE weather girl Audrey McGrath, Nadine Wai – O’Flynn, Andy Bowse, Ozzy Osbourne's son Louis and his wife Louise Osbourne (one of few outings for the couple since the birth of their son), Norman Pratt, stylist Graham Cruz, Malcolm Byrne, City Channel 's Izabela Chudzicka (with her new copper red hair do) and her new beau Eoin Mullally all enjoying them.
The American heat of this international contest attracted some 50 entries, while here some 300 were received, such is the talent on this fair isle. The top prize went to Edel Kellet, a third year student of NCAD, with her creation "NARINA", who now goes on to represent Ireland at the world final in Milan. Best wishes to her.
Speaking of Ely, the ever popular restaurant has just opened at yet another location, this time on Hanover Quay. Cleverly called Ely HQ (although perhaps confusing with the existing Ely CHQ?), it has the look and feel of a trendy Manhatten joint. As always the food is top notch (with chef Thomas Doyle in the kitchen), while the wine list is a connoisseurs dream. The launch party on Valentine’s Day proved to be a massive hit and was jammed with fans and supporters including Brendan O’Connor, Shirley Beere, Eoin Higgins, Joanne Rochford and Joan Scales.
While I’m on the subject of wine I have to mention that ENO Wine has just opened a new dedicated wine shop and restaurant in the IFSC on Mayor Square. In place there is an innovative card system that you credit and then use to sample the various different wines on offer. So you can taste very expensive wines that on a menu you normally might baulk at!
Rounding off (what reads like a special edition) I’ve heard that Dowlings on Baggot Street is to close. Former stomping ground of Gavin Lambe – Murphy, who has moved to Harry’s on Dawson Street, the premises will be turned into a new restaurant / food hall. Meanwhile the future of Maguire’s pub on Baggot Street is uncertain with rumours that apartments are to consume the building, ditto for The Pembroke pub around the corner.
Not to worry, with your new Top 100 Best Bars guide from The Dubliner you’ll have no end of new places to hang out in.
