Toscana is one of those places. You know the ones, after your first bite you wonder why you have never been there before. The charming (Italian handsome) waiters, the delightful decor, the Italian opera playing faintly in the background gives the impression of lazy summer days on Piazza Navona eating Pistachio ice-cream. The whole experience is a joy.

Have you ever had an experience where you feel like you’re missing something? That was my experience of Pichet.

Caffè Parigi is a new kid on the block among Dublin eateries, and it’s been worth the wait!

When we went on a quiet Tuesday evening, we were seated and treated with warmth and attention by the staff. I’ve read elsewhere that the staff aren’t great but no complaints here, quite the contrary.

In the heart of bucket slop Temple Bar, Monty’s serves up Nepalese food of a gloriously high standard.

This is a great little spot; cheese, salads and cold meats in the evening and a feast for lunch.

This being Francais, the emphasis is on meat. Veggies – avoid if you don’t do the fish thing.

I can heartily recommend this little jewel among the hordes of cafe’s in Dublin.

This is a great opportunity to try the food in places you may not be able to afford otherwise, however some of the Michelin-starred restaurants have yet to confirm their participation. We can confirm that Fallon & Byrne, Ely Wine Bar, Saba and The Tea Rooms at the Clarence Hotel will be offering the deal.

I have to admit to having a soft spot for Odessa, with it’s loungey leather couches, dark wood and dimmed lighting it always reminds me of a 20s jazz club minus the smoke. And the jazz. But you know what I mean, dontcha?

Sometimes you find a jem you just have to share with the world. Cafe Sofia is quaint, economic and the food is great.For me, Cafe Sofia fits the bill. It’s a small cafe on Wexford Street in Dublin, a stones throw from Aungier Street.

Sometimes going for lunch with a few workmates can be tough to organise, but with Solas around the corner my frinds and I can always agree.I tend to go to lunch with three of my colleagues and usually we head down to the canteen and get something, but once a week we tend to head out and get something a bit more tasty.

On my last visit, I was there for lunch and went for pizza. Chicken BBQ pizza to be exact and it was gorgeous, the base thin and the filling generous and piquant. My other half got what has to be known in there as her constant – Marguerita pizza with red onions, and a portion of skinny fries. She loves it. Great soakage.

A friend of mine recently organised a Christmas lunch for a group of us in the Town Bar and Grill, Kildare Street Dublin. The 12 of us turned up hungry and cold and were treated to a meal and hospitality I would recommend to anyone

Temple Bar in Dublin is hardly a gastronomic heaven, ok there are many, many restaurants but, let’s be honest, most of them are pretty average. It’s all about getting tourists in, ripping them off and getting them out as quickly as possible.

Myself and my partner arrived without a reservation on a wet and miserable midweek evening. We sat surrounded by bottles of beautifully presented wine, in a cosy dimly lit place and I felt I could’ve been in the cellar of a charming bar in Andalusia.

There are all sorts of pizzas, burgers, bangers and mash, chicken, fish, steak, with some good veggie options too. The pizzas in particular looked interesting with such choices as Chicken Club Calzone, Roast Beef / Foie Gras and Jalfrezi Curry.