The news that Kevin Thornton has begun to open his Portobello restaurant, Thornton's, for lunch, will gladden the hearts of Dublin 8 residents and office workers, allowing us to call the area Dublin Ate instead of Dublin 8, perhaps.
Ever since he opened up in Portobello in 1995, Thornton has been winning awards at a ferocious rate, making him the most garlanded cook in the country.
Sample lunch menus show Thornton's inimitable, award-winning culinary flair: noisette of hare with pommes maxim and a thyme jus; confit of salmon with basil puree and a soy and ginger vinaigrette; artichoke salad with sauteed potatoes and mustard mayonnaise; chocolate and hazlenut parfait with a cocoa bean sauce. Lunch costs £22.
Thornton's Restaurant, 1 Portobello Road, Dublin 8. Tel (01) 4549067
The Enclave
Another new opening for Dublin, or more precisely a new move, has seen the popular little Marrakesh restaurant, which was previously housed in among that little enclave of restaurants in Ballsbridge Terrace - which is also home to Roly's Bistro, Kites and The Lobster Pot - relocate to South Anne Street, above La Cave wine bar.
But the Ballsbridge enclave will continue to be a mecca for eaters, for a new Cuban restaurant, La Bella Cuba, will take the old Marrakesh space.
La Bella Cuba can be contacted at 01-6605539; Marrakesh at 01- 6794409.
Meeting Your Maker
Those most enterprising cheesemongers, the Sheridan brothers, have come up with the bright idea of having an Irish artisan cheesemaker present in their Dublin shop, in South William Street, every Saturday over the next three months.
Louis and Jane Grubb, producers of Tipperary's celebrated Cashel Blue, kicked off the series, followed by Bill Hogan, producer of the award-wining Gabriel, Desmond and Mizen cheeses, from west Cork.
As well as being producers of extraordinary cheeses, the Irish cheesemakers are also fascinating folk and, if you get a chance to meet them, see if you agree with my theory that cheesemakers make cheeses in a style which echoes their personality. Absurd? Well, just wait until you meet them.
Sheridan's Cheesemongers, 11 South Anne Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-6793143