Good food, good wine and the pleasure of coming together at Poulet Bonne Femme.
There is something rather lovely about gathering around a table on a dark winter's evening. The glow of candlelight, the clink of glasses, the gentle hum of conversation and the simple pleasure of sharing good food with good company. Last week, we welcomed a full house to our Dún Laoghaire shop for the latest gathering of the Poulet Bonne Femme Neighbourhood Club, our Winter Supper. And what a wonderful evening it was.
A little more connection, a little less scrolling…
At Poulet Bonne Femme, we've always believed that good food has a way of bringing people together. Our shops are part of their neighbourhoods, and we love the idea of them being more than somewhere to pick up lunch or take home supper.
We wanted to create an evening that encouraged people to linger. To sit beside someone they might not know, strike up a conversation, meet a neighbour and perhaps leave with a new friend.
There's a growing appetite for supper clubs across Dublin, and we couldn't be happier to be part of it. At a time when so much of our lives happens online, and as we move further into an age shaped by artificial intelligence, the desire for genuine, in-real-life connection feels more important than ever.
Perhaps that's part of the appeal of a supper club. No screens, no rush, no particular agenda. Just people, food and conversation.
For one evening, our Dún Laoghaire shop was transformed into an intimate winter dining room, with twinkling lights, flickering candles and tables dressed for the season. We enlisted the creative talents of Lesiele Juliet, who brought her beautiful eye to the tablescaping, and AnnaJoy O'Gorman, whose seasonal foliage added a wonderfully natural, festive feel to the space. Evergreen branches, winter fruits, soft linens and candlelight created an atmosphere that felt both special and wonderfully relaxed. It was the sort of setting that invited you to settle in, pour another glass and stay a little longer.
A toast to winter
Of course, no good supper is complete without something delicious in your glass. We were delighted to welcome Eamon from Wine Spark, who guided our guests through the bubbles and wines he had carefully selected to complement our Winter Catering Menu. With his knowledge and enthusiasm, Eamon brought the wines to life, sharing the stories behind his choices and explaining how each pairing worked with the flavours of the season.
Then it was over to our very own Gavin, who took centre stage at the rotisserie for a turkey-carving masterclass. With Christmas approaching, it was a chance to pick up a few expert tips on carving and serving the perfect festive bird.
The pleasure of a proper winter feast
And then, of course, there was the food. Guests enjoyed a selection of canapés and charcuterie to begin, before gathering around our generous Winter Catering buffet. It was a celebration of everything we love about this time of year. Beautifully roasted meats, comforting seasonal sides and all the trimmings that make a winter feast feel so special. There was free-range Irish turkey, honey roast ham, spiced beef and classic roast beef, alongside a colourful spread of winter salads, vegetables and accompaniments.
Food was served generously, family-style, with guests helping themselves, passing plates and returning for seconds. Exactly how we think a good supper should be enjoyed. To finish, a delicious salted caramel tart brought the evening to a suitably indulgent close.
And because we love sending our guests home with a little something extra, everyone left with a Poulet Bonne Femme gift bag.
Here's to more evenings together
What made the evening so special wasn't simply the food, the wine or the beautiful setting. It was the atmosphere created by the people who joined us; the conversations across the tables, the laughter, the new introductions and the familiar faces returning to spend another evening with us.
Our Neighbourhood Club is about creating more of these moments. Giving people a reason to come together, to connect with their community and to enjoy the simple, timeless pleasure of sitting around a table. To everyone who joined us, thank you for making our Winter Supper such a memorable evening. And a special thank you to Eamon, Lesiele, AnnaJoy and our wonderful PBF team for helping us bring it all together.
We can't wait to welcome you back for the next one.
Here's to good food, good neighbours and many more evenings around the table.
With love,
The Poulet Bonne Femme Team