New restaurant – The Woollen Mills, 41 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1

This old building beside the Ha’Penny bridge was a knitting and textiles shop for over 100 years.  Famously James Joyce worked here for a short time.  It has now been transformed into a modern eatery by the people behind the ever popular Winding Stair Restaurant next door.  The food ethos is the same but on a more casual level, with Irish organic produce being offered up in hearty portions.  Traditional Irish dishes such as coddle, herrings and ham hock are given a new life with an interesting fresh approach to ingredients.  There is a deli/ take away counter at the front serving takeaway salads, sandwiches, coffee, cakes and bread and then the seated section behind offers an array of lunch and dinner.  Apparently breakfast will be added soon.  Upstairs there is an open-air terrace with glass frontage giving unparalleled views of the River Liffey and the Ha’Penny bridge. One of my favourite aspects of the menu is the ‘Vegetable’ section, with vegetable side dishes and full-sized Vegetarian meals.  Dublin is still sadly lacking in its dining options for Vegetarians, so this was great to see.  I had the Sweet Potato and Quinoa buger with beetroot and whipped feta.  It was a wholesome burger with good flavour and the beetroot provided a nice crunch.  The side order of chips were huge and delicious.  A shared portion of giant cous cous with broad beans, feta, mint and pink grapefruit was fresh and morish.  The juice of the day was ginger, carrot and beetroot which was very refreshing.  They also have an enticing selection of unusual cocktails that I am dying to try on a return visit.  Others at the table had the Pork Belly Mac and Cheese and the Pork Shoulder bun with fennel, apple and beets.  Everything was really fresh and the flavour combinations all worked a treat. The oreo chocolate cake was one of the most delicious desserts I had ever tasted.  An oreo biscuit base with a layer of peanut butter topped with indulgent chocolate ganache.  Unfortunately, it was eaten before I could even take a photo! The north side of the city centre was in dire need of a new great eating place and this one is sure to be very popular. http://www.thewoollenmills.com/