5 Tips to Take Good Instagram Food Pictures With Your Phone

You probably know how much I love Instagram (follow me @frenchfoodieindublin). My account is a mix of food and Dublin which kind of sums up my blog. I'm not the best food photographer but I've been asked for advice a few times so I though I'd share my 5 top tips to take good Instagram food pictures with your phone.

5 Foodie Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

I have to be honest with you I haven't celebrated Mother's Day in ages. I love my mam but being an expat means I've missed most of the birthdays, Mother's Day and Christmases... Mother's Day in France is in May so I'm really just writing this post for you!

5 Romantic Restaurants in Dublin

I can recall the only time Mr. FFID and I ate out on Valentine's Day, it was back in 2014 and we went to Forest Avenue and had a wonderful time. This year we're planning to stay in but I'm sure some some of you will treat your other half for a meal out so I thought I'd compile a list of restaurants that I think would be perfect for a tête à tête.

5 Ireland-based Chefs to Follow on Instagram

I'm a big fan of Instagram, who isn't? I love looking at pictures of food and drooling over what restaurants and in particular chefs post, so I thought I'd compile a little list of some of my favourite Ireland-based chefs to follow.

Kevin Thornton

Chef and owner of Thornton's restaurant in Dublin, Kevin Thornton is also an avid photographer. Without a doubt the chef with the most artistic Instagram in Ireland, his dishes are picture perfect!

Follow @kevinthornton5

Katie Sanderson

Following Katie on Instagram is a must as her account has this little 'Kinfolk' touch. She works at the Fumbally cafe and does pop-ups dinners too. It's very much about seaweed, fermentation and vegetarian dishes. Stunning!

Follow @katiejsanderson

Bryan Mc Carthy

Bryan is the head chef at Greenes in Cork and his account is a mix of personal pictures and his dishes. His food pictures always make me hungry and his dishes are incredibly photogenic.

Follow @newfoodie2012

Jessica Murphy

I'm a big fan of New-Zealand born Jessica Murphy who co-owns Kai Galway with her husband. Following her on Instagram is the perfect way to get an insight into the cafe/restaurant. I can't get enough of the pictures of her sweet treats!

Follow @kai_galway

Aoife Noonan

Aoife works as a pastry chef in Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin. This lady is seriously talented (and beautiful), thanks to her you can see what amazing desserts and petits fours are being served in Ireland's only two Michelin star restaurant.

Follow @aoifenoonan_

Best Hot Chocolate in Dublin

Nothing like an indulgent hot chocolate to warm up when it's getting cold outside. When in Dublin city centre during the festive season, stopping for a decadent hot drink is the perfect restorative break. Having tried a few of them around the Irish capital I thought I'd recommend my favourites. Here is my top 5 places for hot chocolate in Dublin.

1. Murphy's Ice Cream ***Update*** Murphy's don't serve hot chocolate anymore.

For the festive season the Aztec Hot Choc (€4.50) is probably the best. Why? Because it tastes like Christmas with its warm spices, cream and chocolate flakes on top. It's basically the hot chocolate version of mulled wine and served by the most friendly people too. There are six different kinds of hot chocolate ranging from €3.50 to €4.50 which means you can try one every week until Christmas. They aren't the cheapest but oh boy they're amazing.

2. Bean and Goose at Temple Bar Market

Bean and Goose was founded by two sisters based in Waterford. They have a gorgeous stall at Temple Bar Market every Saturday and they sell their handmade chocolates and delectable hot chocolate. On my visit they had a choice between the whiskey hot chocolate or the Aztec hot chocolate. My Aztec hot chocolate (€4) was rich, thick and deliciously spiced. You can even add more spice to it to your liking if you wish.

3. Cocoa Atelier

You'd expect no less from a fancy chocolate shop than to serve an amazing hot chocolate. Cocoa Atelier which is one of my favourite places for sweet treats serve hot chocolate in two sizes, a small one for €1.70 and a regular one for €3.40. It's beautifully rich and the taste of chocolate is intense, a true hug in a mug. Unfortunately, they don't have a sitting area so it's only available to take away but you could always buy a bottle of their fresh hot chocolate to enjoy at home.

4. Brother Hubbard and Sister Sadie

One of my guilty pleasures is to go to Brother Hubbard in the afternoon for a scone and their hot chocolate (€3.30). I love it because it's one of the tastiest but also because of the way it's served: a jug of thick chocolate ganache on one side and a jug of chocolate milk on the other. You can then mix both in the cup to your liking and enjoy this very comforting hot beverage.

5. Clement and Pekoe

Clement and Pekoe is most known for its teas and coffees but have you tried their hot chocolate? Like Brother Hubbard it isn't presented in a conventional way which makes the experience even more delicious. You basically get a mug filled with hot milk served with a chocolate swirl stick from Áine Hand Made Chocolate, you just have to wait for the chocolate to melt and enjoy. It's delicious and one of the best value as it's in a big cup and only costs €3.

6. Butlers Chocolate Café

It took me years before I stepped into a Butlers Chocolate Café even if they're all around the city centre. My favourite is the one on Chatham street as it's not as busy as the Wicklow Street branch although the latter has the most Christmassy atmosphere. They really have an extensive choice of hot chocolate flavours like Peppermint, Cookie, Chilli and more. I personally like the regular or white hot chocolate.

That was a tough piece of research but somebody's got to do it. If you know of any great spots for hot chocolate in Dublin that I missed, please do let me know in the comments.

Also, if you feel like doing a hot chocolate round the world trip, Buzzfeed have compiled a list of 27 of the Greateast Places In The World to Get Hot Chocolate.

Food for meat lovers: French Foodie's Top 5

Mr. FFID

Love meat? Here is a little round up of five meaty dishes recommended by FFID. Some of them are perfect hangover cures or dream drunk food. Vegetarians, please look away!

French Foodie's Top 5 Quick Lunches

1. The porcetta from The Fumbally cafe 
For me this is the best sandwich I've had so far in Dublin and I'm happy it's in one of my favourite spots. I've already blogged about it here but you might have missed it since it was back when I started the blog. This delicious sandwich has slow roast pork, caper mayo and spiced apple sauce in it. It's tasty, juicy, it drips all over the table and makes you want to lick your fingers. Only €6 for a divine sandwich in a place with great decor, usually served by stylish, good looking people. What more could you want?
The Fumbally, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8, http://thefumbally.ie

2. The salad plate from Brother Hubbard
For a tasty and healthy lunch for under a tenner, the salad plate at Brother Hubbard is a must try. It's a massive portion of goodness (3 salads of the day) served with tasty sordough bread from Arun Bakery. I also previously blogged about this fantastic veggie lunch here and also wrote a guest post last week on Flanerie Feminine to tell the world outside Ireland how good this is. The salad plate is only €8.90. Brother Hubbard is busy at lunch time but there is a reason why: good affordable food and friendly staff. I also love their roast beef sandwich which is one of the best in Dublin.
Brother Hubbard, 153 Capel Street, Dublin 1, http://brotherhubbard.ie

3. The Savage Roll from Lolly and Cooks
I never knew I liked sausage rolls until I tried the Cranberry savage roll from Lolly and Cooks in George's Arcade. I was introduced to it while watching Anthony Bourdain's show The Layover about Dublin. This substantial sausage roll costs only €3.50 and comes in 2 flavours: cranberry savage or garlic and rosemary. Now I know why it's called 'savage' because it really is, nothing like the bad stuff you get at a deli counter in a convenience shop. Try it, you'll love it!
Lolly and Cooks, The George's Street Arcade or Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2, http://www.lollyandcooks.com/index.html

4. The Tartine Savoyarde from Chez Max
If you a fancy a lunch with a French twist this tartine savoyarde is probably the best grab for you in Dublin city centre. It's the proper stuff with caramelised onions, bacon, diced potatoes and reblochon cheese served on toasted bread with a green salad on the side. It's €7.90 and absolutely gorgeous and cheesy. For just a few euros more you get a glass of wine with it, like the French do!
Chez Max, Palace St and Baggot St, Dublin 2, http://www.chezmax.ie

5. The Omega 3 superior Salmon Bento from Kokoro
I got addicted to this bento box at some stage and was buying it a few times a week. I blogged about it here. For €8.45 you get a selection of superior salmon sushi, salmon and mixed vegetable rolls, baby leaf salad, Mung and Soya beans, toasted seeds with ginger, soya sauce and wasabi sauce. It's a lovely bento that comes with a free miso soup or a can. Staff is always smiley and friendly!
Kokoro, 19 Lower Liffey St, Dublin 1, http://kokorosushibento.com/index.html