ATF Insiders - September's Monthly 9 Giveaway

It's that time of the month where we announce our monthly 9 giveaways for September that all ATF Insiders are automatically entered into, and wait till you see what's up for grabs this month. As always thank you for supporting our content. We couldn't do this without you.

Everyone subscribed by midnight on Friday 17th September will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Saturday 18th September. Here's what's coming up...

1) Dinner For Two At Clanbrassil House

There's a new chef team in the kitchen at Clanbrassil House and we can't wait to check it out. New head chef James Dobson (previously at Potager in Skerries and two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston in London) has been joined by David Bradshaw (previously at Michelin-starred Lyle's in London), and they've unleashed a brand new menu on Dublin 8. They've given us a three course meal for two with a wild blackberry and rose hip cocktail on arrival, and a choice of dishes like roasted onion tortellini with braised shiitake and tarragon; glazed pork jowl with turnip, broad beans and mustard; and baked cream with fennel and wild blackberry (that we featured here). (Can only be used Wednesday or Thursday evening)

2) A €200 Voucher For Mister S

We loved Mister S from the minute it opened, devouring their shortribs, gambas and pork tomahawk – all cooked over live fire at the back of the restaurant - at every opportunity. Their commitment to the absolute best Irish produce while keeping their prices uber affordable really made them stand out, and we ate way more of their heat at home boxes during lockdown than we’d like to admit. They’ve given us a €200 voucher to give away so one of you will get to feast on dishes like whole garlic prawns with focaccia; dry-aged beef rib on the bone; and whole black sole, with however many people you'd like.

3) Two Tickets For The Stillgarden Distilling Academy

Stillgarden Distillery, the innovative, community-based distillery in Dublin 8, recently reopened its Distilling Academy experiences, where you can learn all about distilling gin and vodka while creating your own bottle of whichever you choose using Stillgarden ingredients to take home. You’ll visit their community garden and sample a drink from their Old Tom dispenser (the only working model in the world), and they’ve given us two passes for the Distilling Academy experience (worth €200) to give away to one of our lucky Insiders this month.

4) A Gourmet Break To The Pembroke Hotel In Kilkenny

We are always, always looking for food-based getaways in Ireland, so were very interested to see that chef Ken Harker (formerly of the Michelin-starred Lady Helen restaurant in Mount Juliet) has taken over at Statham’s, in the four-star Pembroke Hotel in Kilkenny. They’ve launched a series of gourmet food packages to celebrate, and we’ve got one to give away! One lucky Insider is going to win overnight accommodation for two in a double room with breakfast, and a three-course meal in Statham’s, with a choice of dishes like venison ‘bolognaise’ croquettes with parmesan and truffle mayo; braised pig cheek with Jerusalem artichoke, apple and black pudding granola; and dark chocolate crème with coffee caramel and hazelnut cream. (Prize subject to availability and can’t be redeemed at weekends or on holidays)

5) Seafood And Champagne At The Shelbourne

September means one very important thing – it’s oyster month at The Shelbourne. They have daily specials, pairings and offers all month in No. 27, the hotel’s bar, like a half dozen Galway natives with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, a pint of Guinness, or you can go for broke with a bottle of Billecart Salmon (one of our all-time favourite Champagnes). If raw isn’t your bag there’s also a menu of warm oysters with wine pairings, like oysters Rockefeller with Chablis, or smoked oysters with creamed leeks and Goatsbridge caviar with New Zealand sauvignon blanc. To celebrate oyster month at The Shelbourne Hotel, we'll be giving one of you a seafood platter and a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne, so you can head in with your nearest and dearest to live it up for a few hours.

6) A €200 Voucher For Featherblade

Featherblade on Dawson Street has got to be the best value steakhouse in Dublin, only sourcing Irish, grass-fed beef from top suppliers, and still managing to sell a steak for under €15. One of you will be able to go all out with surf and turf, dressed crab on toasted focaccia, their famous burgers (their at home kits were another highlight of lockdown), and all the wine and cocktails, because they’ve given us a €200 voucher to give away. They’ve just had a very nice refurb, inside and out, so there’s never been a better time to a visit. So fresh. So juicy.

7) Dinner For Two At Winedown

Wine bar Winedown, on Montague Street, have just released a new menu for Autumn, and don't leave without trying their toastie croquettes, inspired by sister toastie shop Meltdown. They've got plates 'from the sea', like Irish Porcupine prawns with lemongrass and chilli emulsion, 'from the land', like Asian marinated bavette steak skewers with house rayu and pickled ginger, and 'from the ground', like grilled halloumi with romesco and grilled courgettes in a sherry vinegar reduction, and plenty of wines to pair them with. There's also loads of cheese and charcuterie, and the suppliers list is very impressive, featuring Carraignamuc Cottage fruit and veg, Glenmar Shellfish, and Little Italy to name a few. They've given us a brilliant prize of dinner for two with cocktails on arrival, four small plates, two sharing plates, two desserts and a bottle of wine. You'll be well and truly wound down after that.

8) A €150 Voucher For The Wine Cellar In Fallon & Byrne

Fallon & Byrne’s wine cellar is back! It’s been closed for a long 18 months, but it’s just reopened with a new look (including a snug that seats up to 30 people), a new wine list (as good as ever) and new food menu, including pizza and pasta made on site. Their ridiculously good €1 corkage offer is still on offer from Sunday – Tuesday, and they do over 50 wines by the glass, so no arguing over which bottle to pick. They’ve given us a €150 voucher to give away to celebrate, so one of you will be filling your boots with brilliant wine, handcut Jamon Iberico and Neapolitan pizza.

9) Dinner For Two In Zampas In The Hard Rock Hotel

Last up for this month's killer prizes, Peruvian restaurant Zampas Bar & Restaurant, at the Hard Rock Hotel, have given us an à la carte dinner for 2 people with a bottle of wine and a cocktail each. They describe their food as "Peruvian with a distinctly Irish accent", and the winner will be able to chose from dishes like wild, locally landed white fish ceviche, Peruvian-style roast chicken from the asador, and chargrilled monkfish with South American flavours. There is not enough Peruvian food in Dublin, and definitely not enough ceviche, so this is all good news. (Subject to availability, non-transferrable)

Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for September will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond.