Why spend a fortune on dessert? They’re rarely spectacular, especially in some Chinese, Indian, and Italian restaurants, where they’re often pre-bought and formulaic. One regular offender is cheesecake, which can and should be one of the most delectable of sweets – but mostly isn’t.
I used to feel a meal out wasn’t complete without dessert, but an accumulation of disappointment made me think twice. Now, I’ll sometimes split dessert; more often just skip it. It’s usually an extra €5-6 on the bill.
The best desserts as more likely to be found in cafes: the Cake Cafe at the back of the Daintree building on Camden Street being, unsuprisingly, a reliable bet. You’ll usually find good desserts in places like One Pico, if you’re willing to splash out on a great value lunch, but it’s hardly the type of place many of us are likely to eat in often. The Tea House Restaurant in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow makes spectacular desserts at very reasonable prices, and I’ve also heard good things about dessert at Dillinger’s in Ranelagh and The Larder on Parliament Street.
But dessert has become such a rarity that I’m struggling to recommend anywhere particularly decent. All you really need is something sweet. An ice cream should do the trick, or a Galaxy Bubbles bar for 78c, or a Lindt egg, saving yourself €4-5. If you’re feeling particularly piggish the Natural Confectionary Company jellies are often reduced from around €2.40 to just €1 per bag. There can be significant price differences, with a Wispa Gold priced 85c in Kimmage costing 99c just a few miles away in Spar on Tara Street.
Have you had a particularly enjoyable dessert? Or do you have a favourite after-dinner treat?