If, like me, you enjoy the odd nip of whiskey, you’ll be excited to hear that my next post features one of the newest distillery in Dublin, Teeling’s. If you are not fond of the water of life, you may instead be interested in the fact that the café there serves 3fe coffee and Wall & Keogh tea. Got your attention yet?
Teeling’s distillery opened up in Newmarket, Dublin 8 after closing 40 years ago. It was the first distillery to open in Dublin in over 125 years and is situated close to the site of the original distillery opened by Walter Teeling in 1782, an area reported to have been famous for its whiskey distilleries. Now they make whiskeys with very distinctive flavours and I can tell you from first-hand experience, their Small Batch whiskey is delicious – sweet, warm and spicy, without that caustic burning sensation that whiskey can often induce. Apparently it’s aged in rum casks which gives it the rich flavour. And their website even features recipes for some yummy-sounding cocktails.
So with all that to brag about Teeling’s Phoenix Café has a lot to live up to, and it doesn’t disappoint! It’s very close to where I work so I suggested a lunch date with Husband and Baba and they duly came along to meet me. The first impression is how much space there is which is a dream come true when you’re pushing a buggy complete with nappy bag, extra clothing and a rain cover balancing on there. We went up to the counter to read the menu on the blackboard (word to the wise: don’t forget your glasses!) and ordered at the counter. The menu had a range of simple enough fare – soup, sandwiches, sausage rolls, pies and hotpots. There wre also scones and croissants on the counter. To be honest, I’d started experimenting with apple cider vinegar so I wasn’t feeling that hungry (I have since stopped taking the vinegar as, due its negative impact on my appetite, it sapped all the joy out of my life) but Husband ordered a bowl of soup and a chicken and stuffing sandwich. We both got coffees and sat down while we waited.
There were plenty of high chairs available so Baba was delighted with herself, waving at everyone and pointing at all the lovely flowers decorating the tables. The food arrived quickly and looked good. The soup was pea and mint and it was fresh, thick and tasty (a bit like Husband, har har!) and the sandwich was a doorstep on crusty white bread. Husband had no problem polishing off the lot. The total cost was about €14 which I suppose is on the upper end of the scale, but the staff are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is so relaxing and comfortable. There are cushions everywhere with quotes about whiskey that just make you wish you could have had an Irish coffee instead of an Americano. And the big windows make the place so bright and airy.
I’ve taken 2 pictures just to make sure you can see that the whiskey bottle in the picture was acting as a vase and was not the remnant of a liquid lunch, although I suppose you can’t believe everything you see these days! I really enjoyed our brief trip to Teeling’s Distillery and would like nothing better than to go back and do the tour and, of course, a little tasting. I’m sure we’ll have to leave Baba at home for that one. But for now, I would happily go back for lunch at the Phoenix Café and bask in the warmth of the Teeling spirit.
Note the greenery sprouting from the top of the bottle...