Leo Burdocks Fish and Chips, Dublin

Favorite thing: The original Leo Burdach's is just down Werburgh Street from Christ Church, so if you're hungry you might want to try out this stalwart Dublin institution. We bought some fish and chips here one evening, walked over to the Catherdal grounds at dusk and had a nice little picnic.

It was nearly dark when we were here that evening, making us the only tourists around at that time of day. We sat back on a Cathedral bench and enjoyed a nice sunset over the Liberties as we nibbled on Burdach's. Not a bad way to spend an evening in Dublin.

Favorite thing: Dublin has experienced an explosion in culinary options in recent years, fuelled mainly by the tourist boom and the development of the Temple Bar area as a tourist "catch-all" destination. While this has led to a surfeit of eating establishments, it has actually not led however to a similar surfeit of choice. Many of the newer restaurants are very much clones of each other and offer similar fare. Under VT's "Restaurants" heading I'll list off a few of my favourites and also a few that represent a choice beyond the "same old same old". As a rule of thumb though, you should be advised that eating in the Temple Bar area is expensive compared to elsewhere in the city, that a tip of 10 to 15 percent is expected in most restaurants, and that it is rare these days to be served by a person of Irish extraction, so be prepared for potential linguistic gymnastics when ordering one's dinner! It is very much advised to advance book a table, especially for groups larger than four people.

On the budget end of the scale the city is awash with multinational fast food outlets plus a few of the home-grown variety. For a filling meal that is cheap always try to find a place that describes its deep fried spuds as "chips" and not "french fries". Above all, do NOT deprive yourself of the Leo Burdock experience. His shop is on Werburgh Street, his fish portions are massive and his chips are to die for!

Favorite thing: The first thing that comes to mind that you absolutely must do is go to Burdocks for fish and chips. Never mind all the sites - you can't see anything on an empty stomach! Burdocks is located around the corner from Jury's Christchurch and the Christchurch Cathedral. These are the best fish and chips in Ireland. (Little note: I am regretting giving this info because the last time I was at Burdock's the queue was very long and it was nearly all tourists!)

Fondest memory: So far, my fondest memory is of my husband buying my lovely eternity ring in Lapis Lazuli. :)