With only one more week to go, I wanted to visit my favorite place we have been on this trip thus far: Galway. There was no better time than when my family came over from the U.S. and London, as I got to show them the west coast and further explore.
Before heading out west, though, my roommates and I had a girl’s night on Wednesday. We went to a Mexican restaurant speakeasy, above a street taco shop. I have never been to a place like it before. It had a very cool, intimate vibe that made it feel like we were leaving Dublin for a moment. I got a spicy margarita and super spicy tacos; food I’ve really been missing since leaving the states.
To continue on the food trend, my mom arrived on Thursday, which was the perfect opportunity to try a seafood restaurant I was dying to go to. I booked a reservation for two at SOLE, and it did not disappoint. Before this meal, I haven’t had many opportunities to get great seafood in Dublin, and after hearing raging reviews about it, I knew I had to try.
The meal did not disappoint. It was probably one of the best meals I have ever had, with some of the freshest seafood and beautifully plated dishes. After living in Charleston last year, I became a big seafood fanatic, so trying oysters from across the pond was on my bucket list. All the oysters we got were from around Ireland, which was evident in the freshness and flavor. It was certainly some of the best oysters I have ever had (well, tied with Leon’s and Chubby Fish in Charleston – highly recommend). I am already waiting for a free night to come back!
After our dinner on Thursday night, I took her to Ryan’s to experience a traditional Irish pub. We had plenty of craic (aka fun) and headed home a little later than expected.
The next morning, I worked virtually for a bit and then we headed off to meet our visitors from London, who were renting the car. Once we met up, we started driving to Galway. Although I adore our group bus tours, being able to make the journey in a car with a small group was so special. The views were spectacular, and I loved getting in the same places I visited just a few weeks prior. It was nice to explore at our own pace, and find new things I did not do yet.
We got there fairly late, so instead of dinner, we opted for a wine bar with charcuterie boards. The place was intimate and everyone was very friendly. I tried my first glass of Txakolina, a Spanish wine from the Basque country that paired very well with the mild cheeses. I am excited to try it with seafood as I hear it pairs very well (and from this blog, it is obvious that I love seafood).
We explored Galway the next day, walking through a craft show and getting some gifts for family. I don’t have many photos from the rest of the trip, because I was soaking in the time I had with my mom. It was very great to experience things I did on the trip with her, and spend quality time after being apart for so long.