As evidenced consistently in these pages, the city has been embracing a diversity of international cuisines over the past few years, and so we were delighted to see Irish Argentinian couple Evan McAuliffe and Diego Cabrera launch a second venue in Portobello.
The co-owners of popular Ranelagh bistro Peperina Garden Bistro have located their new venture, Peperina City Bistro, in a beautifully bright restored Georgian house on Richmond Street South. McAuliffe tells us that the space includes a Dining Room with original Georgian features, a Garden Room overlooking the outside space, a stylish Rear Terrace for al fresco dining and a Cellar Room for cocktails and private dining.
The couple have also charged up the new menu with a strong selection of Argentinian dishes, created in-house on a daily basis, using traditional recipes featuring some fantastic Irish and Argentinian ingredients from suppliers including The Irish Gaucho.
In addition to burgers, pastas and salads, diners can look forward to savouring delicious specialities such as Empanadas, Parrillas prepared on a traditional Argentinian charcoal Asado with meats, fish or vegetables, Lomitos (sandwiches) and Milanesas – thinly sliced, tender breaded meat or vegetarian escalopes beloved of Argentinians everywhere.
McAuliffe says they are very excited about bringing their new menu to an Irish audience. “These dishes are made in our kitchen daily by Argentinian cooks including my husband Diego and the wonderful Ida, aged 76, who moved to Ireland in recent years to be close to her daughters who had made Ireland their home. Ida has been cooking since childhood at home in Argentina.”
Specialising in casual all day dining, the new Portobello bistro offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open from 9am-5pm Mondays and Tuesdays, 9am-10pm, Wednesday to Saturday, and 10am-10pm on Sundays.
Words: Martina Murray
