What’s on offer?
The food market at the Red Stables at St Anne’s Park in Raheny, Dublin, is one of the loveliest places you could head to on a Saturday. There is an enviable selection of food trucks and you can also pick up some of Denis Healy’s organic vegetables at the fresh produce section. It’s a good spot for mutts too, with stands for dogs’ photographs, bandanas and scoops of doggy ice-cream. Among the trucks is Don Canizales, where Venezuelan Carlos Canizales, his wife, Glenda Castillo, and Maier Echarri serve up five different types of paella cooked over an open wood-burning fire. There are two on the go at a time. They also serve smaller dishes, like croquetas, patatas bravas and Spanish omelette.
What did we order?
The Valencian paella had sold out, so we ordered the seafood paella which had 20 minutes to go, and the patatas bravas, ham croquetas and Spanish omelette.
How was the service?
Charming. We chatted to Maier Echarri, who is from San Sebastián. She told us all about the different paellas. We collected our starters and returned for the paella when it was ready.
Was the food nice?
The paella was the star. We got it just as it had been cooked. It was a substantial serving with two large prawns on top, with smaller prawns, calamari, clams and mussels mixed through. The bomba rice was cooked beautifully and had absorbed the flavourful stock. The portions of the side dishes were also generous, the patatas bravas were really crispy, the ham croquetas were quite mild and mostly béchamel, and the slice of Spanish omelette with potatoes and onions was tasty.
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What about the packaging?
All the packaging and cutlery is compostable, as are the bin bags that they use. You will need to take these home with you as there are no compostable bins at the park.
What did it cost?
€29 for lunch for two people – patatas bravas, €5; ham croquetas, €6; tortilla, €5; and seafood paella, €13.
Where does it deliver?
No delivery, ordering at the stand only. Open Thursday, Merrion Square, 11am-2.30pm; Saturday, St Anne’s Park 11am-4.30pm; and Sunday, Herbert Park 11am-4pm.
Would I order it again?
Most definitely. It’s great value, the paella is fantastic and there are many different types to try.
