Review: The Pepper Pot, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre

IMF or not, many of us will be heading into Dublin over the next few weeks, and we’ll need a pitstop for lunch. I’m recommending The Pepperpot, a lovely little spot in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.

I went there after marching in the cold last Saturday, with wet socks and in desperate need of some comfort food. There’s no premises as such; The Pepperpot’s seating is all on a narrow, open balcony overlooking the centre, but it somehow feels like a very intimate setting. I think that might be because of the lovely staff: friendly, happy, informal but efficient, and not too fussy.

The food is mostly soups, sandwiches, and bagels as well as warm tartlets and a very appetising looking selection of cakes. I opted for a sausage sandwich, served with tomato relish, apple chutney, and very fresh rocket. Served in very soft, very fresh, and very tasty white bread with a perfectly carbonised crust, this was flawless. My flatmate also went for a sandwich; I forget what it was but remember he inhaled it.

Both of us had a mini-portion of soup – a great idea for when you want soup and a sandwich but don’t need a big portion. The roast swede with cardamom soup was completely delicious and the mini portion, priced just €2, was substantial.

With one big pot of tea and one hot chocolate, the bill for a very delicious and very filling lunch was €20.30. Not the cheapest eat around but probably about average for a decent cafe in Dublin city, and this was head and shoulders above average. Cut out the hot chocolate and share a sandwich and you’ll bring it down to about €12.