One of the main thing I've noticed in the past few weeks is how often I eat out. It is, I've concluded, my favourite hobby. Finding a cute new spot, perusing the menu online first and deciding what I'm going to order and then chowing down with a nice cold beer. HEAVEN. I feel terrible for all the businesses who have had to shut up shop during this time. But, in an effort to adapt to the new circumstances, some are still offering food delivery/collections. I debated how ethical this is, to order food during a pandemic, but at the end of the day, if it's done safely, it's keeping people in jobs, right? And it's giving us all a little treat to help during a very weird time, too. Here are my suggestions of what to order in.
Boojum
Anyone that knows me, knows that I have an unhealthy obsession with Burrito Bowls from Boojum. They just tick every box for me. Carbs, spice, guac. They make me infinitely happy. My order goes like this: coriander/lime rice, half and half beans, either the bean chilli or chilli con carne, mixed veg, tomato and sweetcorn salsa, pickled onions, guacamole, lettuce and cheese. With lashings of hot sauce. Feel free to copy me, I am offering this as a gift.
Coke Lane Pizza
You can order this delicious pizza from Lucky's (The Liberties) or the Circular (Rialto). I love the Scarface: spicy ventricina salami, Fresh chillies and chilli-infused Irish honey. Yum. And an even better reason to support them is their Feed The Frontline campaign; donate on thecircular.ie to help them deliver pizzas to our amazing healthcare workers and everyone else keeping society going right now – pharmacy staff, supermarket workers, the Gardai, etc.
Kinara Kitchen
This has to be the best Indian food I've had in Dublin. It's absolutely out of this world good. You can order for collection from the Ranalagh, Clontarf and Malahide restaurants by phone or WhatsApp and dishes are 15% off right now. May I humbly suggest the Jalfrezi Jhinga, with jumbo prawns and the spicy potato side, cooked with tumeric and yogurt, fennel and cumin and mustard seeds. A taste explosion.
Musashi
This is my go-to for sushi, and right now its offering 30% off for orders over 20 quid. My usual orders are the Ebi Tempura Masago (crispy prawns), Spicy Tuna Roll, Edamame beans and Chicken Gyoza, but the Chicken Katsu Curry is also a great shout. This is a good one for ordering in with whoever you're self isolating with, as you can essentially order a sushi pick 'n' mix.
Lucky Tortoise
Confession: Visiting this dumpling place had been on my list of things to do until the choice was taken away by social distancing. Everyone I know who has been has absolutely RAVED about it, and thankfully, they're still doing take out for those dying to try it. I'm eyeing up the Peanut Chili Slaw, Scalion Pancake and Pancetta Potsticker dumplings. Nom, nom and a....nom.