Our Taste of Coppinger Row as #AAFoodies

Last month CherrySue and I were invited into Coppinger Row to join the AA for one of their famous AA Foodie events. This 2 AA Rosette winning Mediterranean restaurant is located just off South William Street, nestled in the heart of the creative quarter in Dublin’s city centre. General manager Erica Drum was on hand to greet us when we arrived, she was so lovely and welcoming. Erica introduced us to the bar manager Tommy Vivian who expertly imparted some of his vast knowledge of Gin, boy does he know his stuff! 

We were treated to a Gin tasting comprising of Death’s Door, Shortcross Gin, Bertha’s Revenge and Saffron Gin. The Saffron Gin really surprised me it didn’t taste like Gin as we know it at all but I’d have to say my favourite Gin of the night was the Shortcross Gin it’s smooth with a floral twist. It’s a craft Gin distilled in Ireland using ingredients such as apple, elderberries, wild clover and lemon peel among others to give it a truly unique taste. Tommy swiftly concocted us a refreshing G&T, Bertha’s Revenge mixed with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water served over ice garnished with fresh coriander and orange peel.

Coppinger Row’s very talented Head Chef, Edward Daly constructed eight of his favourite courses from his Spring menu for us to sample.

BBQ Oyster, Merquez Sausage, Spring Onion

While I don’t usually like oysters the Merquez sausage gave this dish a wonderful flavour.

Seared Scallop, Pork Belly, Pea, Pancetta

The scallop was cooked to perfection, a wonderful texture served on a puff pastry disc.

Braised Duck & Taleggio Cheese Ravioli

The duck and veal reduction was superb, rich and full of flavour.

Wild Mushroom Filo, Grilled Asparagus, Spring Truffle

If all vegetarian dishes were as good as this I’d have no problem at all never touching another morsel of meat.

Moroccan Spiced Mackerel, Olives, Blood Orange, Baby Beets

Head Chef Edward Daly went off menu for this course and I was so glad he did. Mackerel isn’t something I’d usually order in a restaurant but I most definitely will when I’m back at Coppinger Row. The dish was perfectly balanced; the heat of the spice and the blood orange went together wonderfully.

Roast Rump of Spring Lamb, Aubergine Caviar, Anchovy Beignets

Lamb is one of my favourite dishes and this did not disappoint, it was so tender and juicy.

Honey & Yogurt Semifreddo, Pistachio Nut Brittle

The stand out element of this dish was the Pistachio Nut Brittle, simply divine.

Unfortunately I didn’t like the Panna Cotta (whereas Sue said she'd take a trip into the city centre specifically for it!) but the Biscotti were delicious; I would have bought a packet of them to bring home if I could. When we asked Head Chef, Edward he said it’s his secret recipe and would be one of the most expensive Biscotti available, as he uses nothing but the best of ingredients.   

I had a wonderful night discussing our meal with some of my favourite foodies and learning new things from each of them. I really enjoyed chatting with Declan from the AA; he has an uncanny ability to detect even a trace of an ingredient in a dish!

The night was finished very impressively with an Espresso Martini Masterclass back at the bar hosted by Tommy Vivian.

Coppinger Row uses the finest quality ingredients in all of their dishes, fruit and veg is supplied by Keelings, Beef is from Pat McLoughlin Butchers, Co Dublin and all fish is from Wrights of Marino. I love being able to trace food from farm to fork and in this case plot to plate too. They have a very reasonable Early Bird Menu served Sunday to Wednesday 5:30pm – 7pm 2 courses for just €22.50. 

We’ll be sure to pop back in when we're next in Dublin as the food, staff and atmosphere combined to make Coppinger Row a place worthy of return visits over and again.

Huge thanks to Vicky form the AA for the invite, the beauty about these events is that they are now open to everyone so keep an eye on their Twitter @AAInspector account or their website for the next event. You can register your interest by filling out THIS FORM. We might just see you there!

In the mean time if you want to follow some fab foodies on Twitter I’d recommend our fabulous company for the evening; this lovely lot; @emma_ratcliffe, @EatDrinkRunFun, @eatsleepchic_ie, @_melaniemay, @NiamhMannion_ & @GourmetGrazing