by Jeff Grossman » Fri Aug 12, 2022 6:03 pm
Fresh and dismal: In the country areas, "eating out" pretty much means pubs. These are cheerful, lively places, with an extensive tap of beers and ciders, live music very often, and a limited menu of the same six things, over and over: fish & chips, Irish stew, a burger, a chicken cutlet, and a few other equally hoary options. Portions are large, which is, in truth, no consolation.
Slightly larger towns will also have a take-out Chinese or Thai place. Recognizable dishes.
You can do better in Belfast and Dublin. We had a choice of several speakeasies in Dublin, including at least one very good one, The Vintage Cocktail Club. There is a wide assortment of modern-style restaurants -- lighter preps, vegetarian feasts, game meats, ethnic dishes (Italian, Persian, etc.). Like any big city.