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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2006
STROLLING THROUGH THE YEARS
By James OʼDoherty
I
t was a late spring evening and I found myself walking once again in my beloved Dublin. This time I was walking through the old-world quarter called the Liberties,- where once the nobility of Ireland had fine houses and where hundreds of weavers plied their trade. If this old area could talk what tales it could tell, some stranger than fiction. As I walked down
Dublinʼs most ancient streets I decided to make acquaintance with my historic friends whose presence in this old part of Dublin will never die. Down Thomas Street where, at house number 151, I sympathised with Lord Edward Fitzgerald who was arrested there. On to High Street where at number 65 Sarsfield was born and where the great Wolfe Tone was waked, then past old St. Audeonʼs Church built by the Normans in 1171 and named after St Owen of Rouen. I nodded
to Oliver Bond and Napper Tandy on duty as church wardens. On Fishamble Street, where Henry Grattan was born, I imagined I could hear the beautiful music of The Messiah as Handel performed it on the 15th April 1741. I
admonished the father of the great poet James Clarence Mangan, who lived in number 3, on the severity with which he treated his son. I looked down Castle Street and I recognised Daniel Bellingham, the first Lord Mayor of Dublin. On
Our chefs select only the finest produce– organic and Irish where possible– and most of the suppliers get a special mention on the menu. This is especially important to customers nowadays. It isnʼt enough to just have great food and friendly service but also the reassurance about where the ingredients have come from. This is one of the cornerstones of the company: itsa bagel, Feast Catering and most recently, itsa4 restaurant. Although itsa4ʼs modern, smart & chic interior is as grown up and sophisticated as you can get, children (of all ages) are also welcome. Instead of a separate childrenʼs menu, itsa4 offer dishes in smaller and fairly priced ½ portion option. Similarly, it is also important to acknowledge that some diners come to itsa4 to have a quiet night out and that is why itsa4 asks that children are gone by 8.30pm – 8.45pm. It is essential that itsa4 lives up to its name: itsa4 kids, itsa4 parents and grand-parents, itsa4 quiet lunches, itsa for celebrations, itsa for everyone. The perfect neighbourhood restaurant, situated conveniently in the heart of Sandymount, at 6a, Sandymount Green. itsa4 is a new venture by Domini & Peaches Kemp who you may know from their well-established itsa bagel stores. You might visit for a quick coffee but donʼt be surprised if you find yourself staying to try something from the brunch or lunch menu. Lunchtime specials like the legendary “Roast in a roll”, smoked haddock fishcakes and itsa4 burger have kept the regulars coming back for more. At night, the warm and friendly atmosphere of itsa 4 is transformed into something a little more formal and this is reflected in some of the menu items. Roast rump of lamb with minted peas, broad beans and red wine jus, or the open ravioli of wild mushrooms with sage, Parmesan and truffle oil. Perfect for vegetarians.
For reservations tel: 01 2194676 Contact: Emma Donoghue/Trina Morgan Hours of opening: lunch seven days a week from 11am – 4pm. Sunday lunch 11pm – 6pm Dinner Monday – Saturday 6pm – 10pm itsa4 is also available for private hire as a venue. If you are planning a function or product launch, our associated company, Feast Catering may be able to suggest a tailor made menu for you. Contact CAROLINE on 086 384 4377.