the bank house...an unexpected treat

Since we've arrived in Ireland we have visited several cafes and restaurants, as we are in the habit of doing- especially when in a new place. And what we have come to find out is that, most of the time, we are pleasantly surprised. We have also decided that our dream job would be to visit restaurants and do reviews of everything the foodies miss...service, ambiance, style, congruency, decor, comfort, etc. We would talk about the food too, of course, but that would be just a piece of the whole experience.

One of the many benefits of living with people is that-if we're not too exhausted- after we put our kids down for bed, we can leave (if the other two parties in the house are staying, that is. Don't go calling CPS on me here.) Tonight was one of those nights. I put a decaf Barry's tea bag in my jacket pocket, and off we went. Usually we would walk down to a pub, as they are the only places open in the late evenings. But tonight, because it is Friday, a few other places were open-with real live people inside. One of these places is called The Bank House. We had been inside several weeks ago on one of our walks and I fell in love with it instantly. It's your classic historical estate- big rooms, high ceilings, fire places in each room, beautifully decorated. I guess if you pictured an old estate with the room's decor still intact, nicely set tables, and a fire in the fireplace, this would be it. On the weekends they serve tapas and are open later, so we went inside and found that they serve Mexican, yes, I said Mexican food! (the likelihood of finding Mexican food in Ireland is the same as finding a pair of designer jeans at goodwill: exciting!...and unlikely) We will return another time for nachos and a burrito, but tonight we had room in our tummies (and our hearts) for some wings...I had every intention of just going out for tea and maybe a scone or light dessert, but when we saw wings on the menu our hearts started fluttering and we felt weak in the knees. We sat down at a cozy table next to the fire, ordered named wings, and started our cribbage game, when, all of a sudden I realized Ricky Martin's song, 'Bailamos' was playing. Remember how I mentioned congruency earlier? Well, unfortunately, this evening, the Bank House did not score high in that category. I was saying to Ben, "Just imagine what would be going on in our insides if, instead of Ricky Martin and the Latin mix, jazz music or Diana Krall was playing right now?" It would've been aMAzing. oh well. (side note: we've been hearing Mr. Martin's music quite a lot around town, so either he is making a major comeback in Ireland or he just never left. Honestly, it's hilarious the music I hear when sitting down for a meal or grocery shopping. Mostly mid to late 90's pop music...at least I know all the words I guess?)

Anyways, back to our date. The wings were delicious! I was a little apprehensive to try the bleu cheese dip because we'd had a bad experience at a different restaurant in town a few weeks ago (it was warm, watered down, and tasted like a farm. yuck.) But this was so yum. After I schooled Ben at a game of cribbage, I ordered hot water for my tea and a very very tasty chocolate biscuit (Irish for "cookie") cake. Sounds gross, right? that's why I had to take a picture. But the picture turned out horribly, so I borrowed this one.  Ben and I were both delightfully surprised at it's yumminess...the one we ate also had marshmallows- a nice added bliss. As we were sitting there, enjoying our moment, Ben says, "You're in heaven right now," then gestures to my tea, the dessert, and...his mustache. yuck. I told him that until he trims it to match the length of the rest of his beard the only kisses he's getting are from Eden at this point. we can hug and snuggle all he wants but I'm not kissing the stache. no sir.

What an amazingly unexpected date night we had tonight. I love my husband. I love wings. I love tea. And I just found out I really like chocolate biscuit cake. I'm going to sleep a happy lady.
ohhellodatenight

• Jean's Chocolate Biscuit Cake
• 250g (9 oz) milk chocolate
• 100g (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 5 tblsp whipping cream
• 1 tblsp golden syrup
• 400g (14 oz) packet digestive biscuits (or graham crackers)

Break the chocolate into squares and place in a heatproof bowl with the butter. Set over a pan of simmering water and allow to melt. Remove from the heat and mix in the cream and golden syrup-by hand this takes a few minutes. Finely chop the digestive biscuits and fold into the chocolate mixture. Using a white spatula, transfer to a 900ml (1 ½ pints) loaf tin that has been double lined with clingfilm as this makes the cake much easier to lift out. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight is best; turn out the chocolate biscuit cake on to a platter. Leave at room temperature to set for about 20 minutes before cutting into slices and arranging on plates to serve. 
http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/food/recipes/2012/0228/3043-jeans-chocolate-biscuit-cake/