A New Year, and a new opportunity to make a Euro-trip of a long weekend. Usually of the thought that the more time the better in a new country, the better, these micro-trips have become a favorite. This time to Ireland, where 3 days in Dublin led to some stereotypical eats that I couldn’t believe I loved as much as I did.
Not known to me for their culinary contributions as much, I expected very little from the Irish food scene. What a fool! I assumed there would be potatoes, thought I’d see some seafood, and was prepared to live off soda bread. And yes, these were all had but omg were they enjoyed.
Nowhere more than at the mecca itself: the Guinness Storehouse.
Starting our day with the Guinness Connoisseur Experience, afterwards, we were immediately ready for something hearty to keep us going. The same floor as our tasting had the 1837 Bar and Brasserie. Perfect.
Made even more perfect by the waiter greeting us with, “Would you like a Guinness prosecco? Prosecco champagne and Guinness beer in a flute. An Irish mimosa, dare I say? 10/10 recommend you try. Probably a 50/50 chance you’ll like this taste, but I will sat it is significantly better than it sounds.
For food, we started with the Chili Garlic Wings. First thing I noticed was the size of the wings. Apparently common, wings come significantly smaller in many places in Dublin. I don’t know if that’s the reason these were more juicy and flavorful than the last wings I remember having. Or perhaps it was the generous pouring of sauce on them. Small but mighty, they were delicious:
I love this combination of flavors specifically. Garlic has a strong, pungent flavor with a slight sweetness when cooked, while chili peppers offer heat to balance out the profile. They both add so much aroma, these wings taste as good as they smell, which is as good as they look.
Served with the wings is the signature Guinness Ranch. I’ll start with the fact that I hate ranch. From the smell to the consistency to the look to the taste. Yet here, not only did I generously dip each wing (something I would never do), but I kept the leftover sauce for anything else coming it could be used for. It was that good of a dip. Tender, juicy, and finger licking good as they say, this is the perfect set up to start!
And while I could have ordered another couple of rounds of wings, I was too excited to try out something from the main menu. The 1837 Seafood Pie caught my eye, having seen so many menus offer the peculiar dish. I was sure the Guinness Cheeseburger would be a 10/10. But something about the Signature Beef and Guinness Stew was calling my name.
After having gone on a historical tasting journey with the Connoisseur Experience, something that would soak all that up was a must. The description made me think this would have the nutrition, and also deliciousness, to do just that. Root vegetables, roast shallots, baby carrot, creamy mash with a Guinness marinated beef and soda bread to boot:
I don’t think I’ve ordered a stew at a restaurant, maybe ever. That changes moving forward if they’re all this good.
Tender chunks of beef slow-cooked in Guinness beer, imparting a deep, malty flavor to the meat. The root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, and turnips) then add a natural sweetness and earthiness to the stew. The roast shallots bring a caramelized sweetness and depth to the dish, while the baby carrots add a pop of color and a subtle sweetness. Top all of that with a whipped dollop of mashed potatoes for a smooth, velvety touch, and you’ve got a hearty, mouthwatering dish.
Everything comes together so perfectly. While rich and complex, it’s still a harmonious dish. A robust dish, yet the taste is as if the ingredients just came together themselves. It’s the perfect thing to warm you up on a chilly Irish day or give you a second wind for exploring the next floor of the Storehouse.
While there are even more food stops sprinkled throughout the Storehouse, I was super glad about our decision to have a proper meal here. The chefs know what they are doing with their Guinness-kissed dishes. And when the whole country is known for the drink, it’s a must stop for your Dublin vacation.
