Eat: Achara, Dublin 2

When one restaurant closes, another one opens, and Achara is the ultimate glow up

The remnants of Achara’s previous incarnation

Achara
Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
acharadublin.ie

Before Achara was Achara, it was Happy Endings, a fried chicken establishment that held themed drag brunches every weekend, from Abba to Westlife. I missed both of the memos that Happy Endings was no more, and in its place was Dublin’s new dining darling.

I usually see summer as a time to bask in the glory of my friends; endless swims, dinners, nights out that roll into morning, impromptu everything. But this summer also seemed to miss the memo. There was less sunshine, less gathering, less… everything. Louise O’Neill’s latest post really spoke to me:

But I am tired of seeing advice from beauty bloggers telling Gen Z to eat clean and stop drinking and taking drugs because it’ll make them look prematurely old, as if that’s the worst fate that could befall you. Do you know what seems a lot worse to me? Not having any fun. Like, yes, wear your SPF and go for a walk and get outside into nature and turn off your fucking phones. Yes, stay safe and protect yourself and each other. And of course, if there’s any danger of addiction, this essay is not meant for you. But for the rest of you… don’t you want some stories?

Her argument gave me a kick of the arse to not give up on that freedom associated with three months of the year, so with the big honking deadline of September - and note that summer isn’t over until my birthday on Sep 22 - I am scrambling to chase the last rays of that freedom, and insisting that September truly is the month to let loose.

With that, I went to Achara with mo chara Vickey. Pronunciation of Achara is up for debate but I like to see it as friend as Gaeilge, but the fact that it’s high-end, reasonably priced, and mouthwatering tasty charred Thai food… You know, it could be both, but the Thai translation is good moral conduct, custom, or, even better, an angel who is very beautiful. Which fits the bill perfectly, for food and company.