“Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Sometimes the best things are found when you are lost...and we were lost. In fact, we later found that we had walked 2 miles in the wrong direction. But that is not the story. The story is about a wonderful little cafe we stumbled into when stopping to ask directions.
Like Alice through the looking glass pushed by the blustering rain and wind, we tumbled through the door of The Bell & Pot Cafe, As we shook ourselves and smoothed our hair, I began to look around. Lampshades hung over my head and sconces hung crookedly on the walls. Had we stumbled into Wonderland?
"May I help you?" the waitress asked.
Instead of asking for directions I found myself saying, "Yes, two for breakfast, please."
Like Alice through the looking glass pushed by the blustering rain and wind, we tumbled through the door of The Bell & Pot Cafe, As we shook ourselves and smoothed our hair, I began to look around. Lampshades hung over my head and sconces hung crookedly on the walls. Had we stumbled into Wonderland?
"May I help you?" the waitress asked.
Instead of asking for directions I found myself saying, "Yes, two for breakfast, please."
First let me talk about the tableware. The lovely mismatched and brightly flowered dishware was a tourist's delight. Just the kind of thing that we think of, when we think of a morning breakfast or tea break. I'm sure that many go home with a cup or two from their counter store.
ON to the food.
The Kanuck had a FULL IRISH BREAKFAST (which he ordered all over town). It was undoubtedly the best we had in the time we were there.
A full Irish breakfast consists of a couple of large sausages, and a couple of eggs, a slice or two of very flavorful round bacon, a grilled mushroom, toast, and a bowl of Irish beans which are like baked beans, but without the sweet molasses that is added in American fare and both black and white pudding.
Before eating in Ireland, I thought pudding was a sweet and gooey affair. Imagine my surprise when I learn that pudding in Ireland means sausage. (OK, I admit it. I'm not a world traveler - yet.)
The black pudding. also known as blood sausage, is made of curdled and boiled pig blood, mixed with chunks of pork fat (for texture and juiciness) and spices, then stuffed into a sausage casing. It is served sliced and grilled it has a peculiar grainy texture all its own. It's perfectly black (except for the chunks of fat) and is surprisingly delicious. The black pudding at the Bell and Pot was probably not made in house, but was flavorful and soft.
White pudding is It is similar in construction to blood pudding, containing sugar, oats or bread, suet and shredded pork. It often contains onions, and may have cinnamon or other sweet-oriented spices. Again, the white pudding at the Bell & Pot was probably pre-purchased, but flaky, light and complimented the rest of the breakfast.
All in all the FULL IRISH BREAKFAST was well proportioned, well prepared and flavorful. We would definitely recommend to eat this at the Bell & Pot over many of the fancier local restaurants in the area.
The Kanuck had a FULL IRISH BREAKFAST (which he ordered all over town). It was undoubtedly the best we had in the time we were there.
A full Irish breakfast consists of a couple of large sausages, and a couple of eggs, a slice or two of very flavorful round bacon, a grilled mushroom, toast, and a bowl of Irish beans which are like baked beans, but without the sweet molasses that is added in American fare and both black and white pudding.
Before eating in Ireland, I thought pudding was a sweet and gooey affair. Imagine my surprise when I learn that pudding in Ireland means sausage. (OK, I admit it. I'm not a world traveler - yet.)
The black pudding. also known as blood sausage, is made of curdled and boiled pig blood, mixed with chunks of pork fat (for texture and juiciness) and spices, then stuffed into a sausage casing. It is served sliced and grilled it has a peculiar grainy texture all its own. It's perfectly black (except for the chunks of fat) and is surprisingly delicious. The black pudding at the Bell and Pot was probably not made in house, but was flavorful and soft.
White pudding is It is similar in construction to blood pudding, containing sugar, oats or bread, suet and shredded pork. It often contains onions, and may have cinnamon or other sweet-oriented spices. Again, the white pudding at the Bell & Pot was probably pre-purchased, but flaky, light and complimented the rest of the breakfast.
All in all the FULL IRISH BREAKFAST was well proportioned, well prepared and flavorful. We would definitely recommend to eat this at the Bell & Pot over many of the fancier local restaurants in the area.
However, I believe the better of the two breakfasts was mine. I ordered DR POT'S GREEN EGGS!
A simple and delicious open face breakfast sandwich consisting of buttered dark rye toast, topped with spinach, avocado, soft scrambled egg with a creamed dill and feta sauce on the side. I've never eaten that combination of flavors, and believe me, it works. Also, it is a recipe I can steal and make at home when I want to feel a little pampered.
A simple and delicious open face breakfast sandwich consisting of buttered dark rye toast, topped with spinach, avocado, soft scrambled egg with a creamed dill and feta sauce on the side. I've never eaten that combination of flavors, and believe me, it works. Also, it is a recipe I can steal and make at home when I want to feel a little pampered.
All in all, our breakfast at the Bell & Pot was a great success. The service was good, the food delicious and the decor was fun and whimsical. Cost of the entire breakfast including coffee? $29.58
The Bell and Pot
2/3 Lower Mercer Street,
Dublin 2
(Behind Stephen's Green SC) Phone: +353 (0)1 902-2821
Website: http://www.bellandpot.ie/
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The Bell and Pot
2/3 Lower Mercer Street,
Dublin 2
(Behind Stephen's Green SC) Phone: +353 (0)1 902-2821
Website: http://www.bellandpot.ie/
MORE PHOTOS