Imagine the scene…dinner is on the table and Dana, Brendan Shine and Gilbert O’Sullivan are playing on the radio.

Everybody is sitting together – eating, and people talk without stopping to check social media or news-site updates.

And there is not a scrap of slate to be seen…

So the 70’s and 80’s were not perfect, but they had some good bits…

It is these nostalgic treasures that provided the start off point for Citron Restaurant Head Chef, Philip Mahon, who has created a multi-generational menu  which boasts familiar Saturday supper favorites like,  ‘Crispy Pancakes’ and ‘Spam’, friend to many beleaguered housewife.

Mahon Commented,

“Looking in to the start of the new year, inevitably got me thinking about my past. I think it is safe to say that as a nation in the 70’s and 80’s we experienced shared memories in a homogenous way that just doesn’t happen anymore. I love how far Ireland has progressed in terms of its food experiences and identity, but sometimes you just crave the taste of your youth, that imbued sense of innocence and simplicity that seems to be evasive in a modern digital world! That was my start off point, in saying that I think it is safe to say that our versions of ‘Crispy Pancake’, ‘Prawn Cocktail’ and ‘Mac and Cheese’ are grown up version of the old classics, so the best of what 70’s and 80s nostalgia has to offer, with a modern twist!”

To Start
‘Crispy Pancake’ – A Braised Beef Pancake served with Almond Mayo and Cress.
‘Warm Prawn Cocktail’  – Tiger Prawns served with Tomato Jelly, Charred Lettuce, and Marie Rose.
Pea Soup served with Goat’s Cheese, Black Olive, and Mint
Melon Plate of Watermelon, Charentais, Cantaloupe with Basil Sorbet
‘Spam’ – Pressed Ham, Egg Mayo, Pickles & Toast

To Follow
Chicken Vol-Au-Vent – Chicken Breast, Pastry, Seasonal Vegetables, Truffle Jus .
Duck A L’orange served with Carrot, Orange, and Chicory.
Roast Pork Apple served with Crackling, Chop, Belly, and Jus.
Fish Fingers & Chips – Cod, Barrel Chips, Peas.
Macaroni & Cheese – Wild Mushrooms, Gruyère Cheese, Garlic Bread.

To Finish
Jelly And Ice Cream – Mango Jelly, Passion Fruit Salsa, Coconut Ice-Cream Profiteroles – Choux, Salted Caramel, Peanut
Tiramisu – Coffee, Chocolate, Mascarpone
Peach Melba – Peach, Raspberry, Sponge, Pistachio

Local produce takes prominence and this early spring menu delivers a presentation of beautiful food, bold colours with a sense of gastronomical fun, which reveals a lightness of touch.

The full menu is available for €39 and 2 courses are available for €32
Citron Restaurant, located on the mezzanine level of The Five Star Fitzwilliam Hotel, offers something for foodies from the start of the month’s bank balance right up until the end, with an extensive pre-theatre menu on offer for €25pp, to a competitively priced a’ la carte menu.

Another special offer – Enjoy a 4-course dining menu including tea/coffee for two people for just €60 – it really is extraordinary value. View the new ‘multi-generational’ dining menu online here.

www.fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com / www.facebook.com/fitzwilliamdublin  / www.twitter.com/fitzwilliamdub

NO REPRO FEE 18/01/2016. Monkeys, Dragons and Lions Launch Dublin Chinese New Year Festival. Today, Monday 18th January with Lord Mayor of Dublin Criona Ni Dhalaigh and the His Excellency Mr. Jianguo Xu, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland to launched one of the most colourful and creative festivals in Dublin’s calendar, the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival. With the help of a colourful Chinese Lion & Unicorn, mesmerising Chinese ribbon dancers and Linjia Zheng age5, Dublin 1(pictured) the festival was officially launched against the backdrop of the bustling Dublin City Council Fruit & Veg market, St. Michan’s Street . For two weeks, from the 6th February, Dublin will transform into a city of carnivals, culture, celebration and Chinese dragons as the Chinese welcome the Year of the Monkey. Photography: Sasko Lazarov/Phtocall Ireland

NO REPRO FEE 18/01/2016. Monkeys, Dragons and Lions Launch Dublin Chinese New Year Festival. Today, Monday 18th January, Lord Mayor of Dublin Criona Ni Dhalaigh and the His Excellency Mr. Jianguo Xu, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland launched one of the most colourful and creative festivals in Dublin’s calendar, the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival. With the help of a colourful Chinese Lion & Unicorn, mesmerising Chinese ribbon dancers (Pictured) Christina Chang (15) and Linjia Zheng (5), Dublin 1 the festival was officially launched against the backdrop of the bustling Dublin City Council Fruit & Veg market, St. Michan’s Street . For two weeks, from the 6th February, Dublin will transform into a city of carnivals, culture, celebration and Chinese dragons as the Chinese welcome the Year of the Monkey. Photography: Sasko Lazarov/Phtocall Ireland

The ninth year of this vibrant festival will be bigger than ever and will run from the 6^th to the 21^st of February. The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival programme is a showcase of the very best of Chinese culture in Dublin with some performers even flying all the way from China to give Dubliners a real of taste of Chinese traditions. From carnivals to cooking and singing to storytelling the programme will highlight the diverse spectrum of Chinese culture in Dublin over a packed two week schedule. Kicking off the festival on the 6^th &7^th February will be the Spring Festival Carnival Experience in The chq Building, Custom House Quay, expect two days of Chinese traditions and celebrations from fireworks to lantern making and tea tasting to cookery demonstrations all brought to life against a backdrop of Chinese dragons and lions and even a visit from the Chinese Monkey King.

Many Irish people, when they think of China, think of food. Chinese culinary delights have become a big part of the Western world and Dubliners will have the chance to experience the best of Chinese cuisine from dumplings to wontons. During the Spring Festival Asia Markets, Ireland’s premium Asian supermarket will be on hand to give you a taste of China with cookery demos and food stalls all weekend. For those that want to find the very best in authentic Chinese food in Dublin’s Chinatown, the Le Cool Chinese Experience Walking Tour will lead you through the vibrant Chinese community in Dublin and help discover the impact the community has made on the face of Dublin. Lovers of Chinese food, too intimated by the exotic ingredients or confusing labels should book their place for A Bite of China withAsia Market. On this specially guided tour of the Asia Market guests will learn all about all the ingredients used to prepare and cook an authentic Chinese meal. For a more hands on experience of Chinese cooking Soder+Ko’s chef Kwanghi Chan will be on hand showing how to create a Chinese meal from scratch with cookery demo in Cooks Academy.

Other highlights include the Meet the Monkeys Workshop at Dublin Zoo; in association with Brown Thomas, musician Wu Wei Sheng will be in concert with harpist Andreja Malir in The Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle; author of Fashion China, Gemma A. Williams in conversation with Deirdre McQuilllan discussing China’s contemporary fashion scene; in Kildare Village the renowned photographer Matthew Thompson will showcase the breathtaking photography installation “Shan-Zhen”: Re-Examining the Path; London based Chinese pop musician Fifi Rong in the Sugar Club will transport listeners into her universe with her dreamy ethereal sounds; and the Chinese sporting tournament in association with the Emerald Media will see competitions in soccer, basketball and badminton in venues across the city.

Dublin Chinese New Year Festival is the perfect opportunity for Dubliners to explore this fascinating culture and discover more about the Chinese influences on Dublin life. From ribbon dancing to Chinese lanterns there is a whole host of Chinese culture to breathe in this February.

The full programme of events for the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2016 will be available on www.dublinchinesenewyear.com.

Join the conversation online at www.facebook.com/DCNYF , www.twitter.com/DCNYF

#MONKEY2016 #CHEEKYMONKEY #MONKEYBUSINESS

TO BOOK TICKETS & DIRECTIONS TO VENUES PLEASE VISIT

WWW.DUBLINCHINESENEWYEAR.COM