I’ve always loved Avoca, ever since I
landed in Ireland. With Mr. FFID being a Wicklow lad I think Avoca was one of the first places his mammy showed me when I went first to
Wicklow.
She wanted to bring me to Avoca Rathcoole ever since she drove me back from Ballymaloe, so we went there
recently for a ladies lunch.
Now let me tell you, I felt like a child in
a candy shop. I wish this place was closer to where I live. The premises are as beautiful as you would
expect from this stylish Irish brand and it’s difficult to imagine a better
food shop. OK, we have Fallon and Byrne in Dublin city centre and La Grande Epicerie in Paris is very impressive but Avoca Rathcoole is really something.
The food hall is beautifully laid out with
a corner filled with fresh fruits and veg, a gorgeous cheese counter, pretty
baked good displays and a dairy section.
The rest of the grocery shop is full
of Irish and International artisan products. There is also a Michie sushi
counter where you can enjoy some freshly prepared Japanese food.
The guys at Sprout & Co have a counter where you can get their vitamin
packed juices, I’ve tried them before and they are really good though not cheap
(just like everything good tends to be).
There is a deli counter like you’ll
find in other Avoca shops with food to take away and an endless display of
sweet treats.
Poulet Bonne Femme sells their rotisserie style chickens and the James Whelan Butcher counter is probably the swankiest butcher shop in the whole country.
Upstairs there are two cafes, one with table service called Egg and The Bird Cage Café, which is a self-service.
We
got food from the latter and enjoyed it at their large sunny terrace. I’ve
eaten many times in different Avoca branches and I’ve never been disappointed.
Mammy FFID had the falafel wrap and a selection of salads while I had their
sweet chili salmon with salads. I also enjoyed a delicious pasteis de nata
(Portuguese custard tart) that was eaten before I even thought of taking a
picture.
Of course they also sell clothes, books,
things for the house and much more but while Mammy Mr. FFID was browsing those
I spent my time looking at the food.
It’s not new and probably many of you know about it already but in case
you don’t, plan a little visit someday if like me you’re a sucker for foodie
shops.
Avoca Rathcoole
N7 Naas Road
Dublin
This is an independent review, I paid for my meal.
