Your New Favorite Cafe Is Just Around the Corner

“A couple Sundays ago, my friends and I stopped into a new cafe in Portobello: Around The Corner by Alma. Literally around the corner from Alma, a delicious brunch spot, they have opened a second location on the main road to cater more towards takeaway coffee and sandwiches. The day was of course rainy and miserable, with the wind threatening abduction. The three of us squeezed through the little door into the cafe which was incredibly full, and despite the fact that we could not find a seat, we found this fact very promising. I had already been looking at the menu for most of the week and we ordered coffees and food almost as soon as we walked in. The epigraph greatness takes time rang true as we waited for both the coffee and the sandwiches. Indeed, while we were waiting I was so hungry I bought a slice of gluten free Orange Tunisian Cake. It was served with a whipped cinnamon butter, and was so moist you would not be able to tell it was gluten free. We were completely in the way of everyone as we ate, too wrapped up in the cake to retain spatial awareness. After about five minutes we got our coffees. I had a dirty chai which smelled delicious and warmed me up, but I will say it was a bit too milky for me and it overwhelmed the flavor. However, my friend got an iced dulce de leche latte, which was incredible — caramelly without being too sweet, and not something you find often in Dublin. A little while later we got our food, and as no tables had opened up we went around the corner to Alma where our friend had gotten her food and was sitting outside because it was booked out inside. The waitress who took her order was so lovely, getting us blankets, turning the heaters on, and getting us cutlery despite the fact that we had brought food from somewhere else, even if it was their sister restaurant. Neither the wind or the rain stopped me as I dug into my lemon whipped ricotta and pea tostada, which was delicious, and just as yummy as I expected when I had been stalking the menu earlier in the week. There was also an option to add bacon or an egg, which I imagine would be equally as good even though I did not try it. Definitely a must have for pea lovers, as the take away box was overflowing with all sorts of sprouts and beans. My friend ordered the Kimchi Toastie, which had the most intriguing concoction of flavors on the menu. Essentially a grilled cheese with kimchi, peanut rayu, miso mayo, and spring onions buried within the mozzarella and cheddar, it was absolutely divine. It was very rich, but that did not stop us from helping her finish it despite having eaten our own meals. Culinary creativity is a staple of Alma, and they have continued that Around The Corner. Though the wait time was a bit long, this is understandable as it is new and they are still finding their rhythm, and do not have a lot of space. Yet they make it work, and I will definitely be going back as there are several more things on the menu that I need to try, and you need to try too. If you’re looking for a sit-down brunch experience, make a reservation at Alma. However, if you’re just passing through, head over to Around The Corner for lunch and experience food which briefly makes you forget that you’re sitting in the rain.

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