Meet Five Points, Harold's Cross new hipster cafe
Although we heard some great reviews about Five Points, I felt as soon as we sat down that we were not off to a good start. The lovely setting, bright and minimal, wasn't to blame - it was the level of the music that immediately upset me. This is something I never understand, especially for a daytime kind of venue: who enjoys having to shout over their avocado on toast? I remember wanting to leave last time we went to San Lorenzo because the music was so loud. The highest unjustified music level in Dublin probably goes to 777, where it is basically like eating dinner in a night club. How can you enjoy the food when all you can think about is "I want to leave this place asap"? Because I really wanted to enjoy my breakfast, I decided to chance it and ask the staff if there was any way they could turn the music down, with very little hope they would proceed. Yet very nicely, the young lady who was waiting our table proceeded to my request - without even rolling her eyes, and I couldn't thank her enough for it.
Once this small issue was sorted, it left me the opportunity to actually enjoy the moment and being able to talk to my boyfriend without having to scream at each other. Much to my liking, the menu in Five Point is quite concise. I ordered the Artichoke eggs, while he went for the Rarebit. Made of sourdough, artichoke hearts, chilli and lemon labneh, a poached egg, watercress and pomegranate salad, it was a pretty original and tasty offer, but the Rarebit - sourdough bread, wild garlic and smoked béchamel, soft fried egg and pickled vegetable salad, was the clear winner. There is something strangely satisfying about pickled vegetables, maybe the combination of tartness, sweetness and crunchiness, and I am really glad they are having a moment on the food scene. I loved the fact that the products used were in season and all from trusted sources. The plates were both really pretty.
As you would expect when the person in charge was previously driving the popular 3FE cafe, the coffee was unarguably on point, and so was the service. The prices are reasonable for breakfast food: our bill stayed under the 30 euros mark between us. As the menu appeared very seasonal, I am curious to find out (and try) what Adam Sheridan and his team have in mind for the summer.
