COUNTER CULTURE MAKES HEALTHY TASTY
If you are in town in the run up to christmas looking for somewhere to eat that’s tasty, healthy and has a great christmas atmosphere you must head to “Counter Culture” in The Powerscourt Center.
Ronan Ryan and Pamela Flood have recently opened a new restaurant which has managed to make healthy tasty which in turn makes healthy cool. One of the biggest lies we have been told is that healthy food is boring which is simply not true as Ronan demonstrates with his food here. For years if you tried any sort of diet it meant bland food and a boring dinner plate tempting you back to your old habits which got you into trouble in the first place.
A healthy lifestyle is not a temporary phase and it should also be tasty and enjoyable. We are told to eat a variety of coloured fresh food every day that appeals to our eye as well our body and health. I have always believed that food is an experience and ‘Counter Culture’ ticks all those boxes and more.
When I popped in last week I had a quick chat with Ronan and here’s what he had to say:
RONAN WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA FOR COUNTER CULTURE?
I saw a place in Washington called ‘The Protein Bar’ and a friend of mine lived there and was raving about it (so was Oprah!!!) It had substantial healthy cooked to order food as opposed to pre prepared salads.
WHAT DOES THE TERM EATING CLEAN MEAN?
To me it means.. Insecticide free.. Processed food free, sugar free etc.. Freshly prepared really..
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR MENU?
American influence is the main source of ‘ideas’ then just add the Irish local produce to it.
YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS FOR A LONG TIME IN DUBLIN. HOW HAS IT CHANGED? ARE IRISH PEOPLE NOW MORE HEALTH CONSCIOUS?
There’s a massive difference. We have mostly men coming to us with cholesterol issues or diabetes etc. People are now paying for years of excess. I include myself in that!!!
I have tried quite a few dishes but last week i decided on the delicious baked sea bass fillet above which was served with diced sweet potato and sun dried tomato pesto €15.00. It was a perfect lunchtime meal and I added a smoothie and I might have indulged in a dessert (see below) just to taste obviously and I was not disappointed.
My friend had the vegan salad which had spinach, kale, avocado, quinoa and hempseed pesto (€12.00) and its was so tasty. In fact both were so good we split them to save arguments.
But there is so much to choose from from at Counter Culture theres the veal ragu with Moroccan cous-cous and beetroot salad (12.00), turkey escalope with tossed vegetables and salad (€13.00) and then a delicious vegetarian wholemeal wrap with avocado, cucumber, pesto, leaves and tomato & a cup of soup (€10.00)
For dessert they have great protein energy bites and warmed peanut butter brownie with coconut and berry ice-cream but my favourite part of the menu are their fresh juices and all natural protein shakes which Ronan tells me trainer Paul Byrne from Body Byrne helped him with.
I had an ‘afternoon slump booster’ which I needed badly and it had avocado, almond milk, coconut flesh and premium matcha tea. (€5.00) Everyone knows how much I love my matcha tea and this was a tasty and great twist on my usual matcha latte.
With the shakes you get to choose your base: (€4.00)
- Almond milk, coconut milk, soy or cows milk
- Add peanut butter or almond butter
- Then they add chis seeds, pinhead porridge oats , whey
- Add fresh strawberries or 85% dark chocolate to make a strawberry of chocolate shake
So really there is something for everyone but don’t take my word for it pop into The Powerscourt Townhouse Center yourself on the top floor. Believe me there is no better way to get renergised for the day!
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