The Quest for a Perfect Menu
Written by The Quest for a Perfect Menu
Garrett Fitzgerald, Founder & Co-Owner of Brother Hubbard
We met with Garrett Fitzgerald, founder and co-owner of Brother Hubbard to chat about his ideal day in Dublin, and how his path lead him to opening this wonderful eatery on Capel Street. With a busy café on your hands, spare time is worth its weight in gold. So when it happens, my perfect day is packed with food and walks – I love going out to experience new places and flavours.
In the morning, I would take a stroll along the canal from Ranelagh, heading towards 3FE for a cup of perfectly brewed coffee and a quick read. My next stop would be beautiful Portobello with Bibi’s just off South Circular Rd. This petit place, planted in the middle of a peaceful neighbourhood, is a great choice for late breakfast served in a homely ambiance. On a day off, I like popping into galleries and museums to see current exhibitions or showcases. As there are many amazing cultural spaces with loads to offer, I would dedicate my attention to one a time to fully appreciate it. After building up an appetite while sightseeing, I would probably wander to the Cake Café for finger-licking tarts and sandwiches. Afterward, Wall & Keogh – a perfect spot for an afternoon tea with a book. Whenever my path leads there, I make sure to try out a new flavour, and with their amazing selection, it is not difficult.
With a growing Dublin’s scene of craft beers, the sunny evening is ideal to have a pint in a local bar such as The Black Sheep, which has numerous labels from local and international breweries. The final stop of my picture-perfect day should be Las Tapas de Lola in Wexford Street, where I can enjoy a glass of delicious Spanish wine, followed by a platter of tasty tapas.
Brother Hubbard is filled with love and a dedication to good food. The café has enabled us to fulfill our dreams of creating something unique and enjoyable for others. After reading The Guardian’s column about people’s dreams and regrets, my partner James and I decided to reshape our life. Consequently, I enrolled in a cooking school in Ballymaloe, Cork, embarking afterwards on a tour around the world to discover unknown cultures and cuisines. In our 2nd year travelling, we landed in Melbourne, renowned for its café and casual food scene. Working in local coffee houses and bakeries molded our vision, which brought us back to the post-recession Dublin. We chose Capel Street because of all these wonderful small businesses there. We felt this place was beaming with integrity, pride in craftsmanship and unique personality, so very important nowadays. And this is how we are building our little emporium, supported by our marvelous 14 staff members, a team of creative individuals sharing the same passion. All of it gives people a place to cherish moments and to enjoy their time.
