What’s on offer?
Keith Ryan and Lee Roche opened Carved in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock in 2022, and followed with a second outpost in Ballsbridge in April this year. As the owner of Boca Cafe in Spencer Dock since 2017, Ryan is an industry stalwart and boldly sets out his vision to “take the sandwich scene to the next level”.
The idea is to create the perfect sandwich by using chefs (not servers) for every step involved. Their finely honed process ensures that not only quality but speed of delivery is an important factor. Everything is prepped fresh each day. Bread arrives from The Bretzel Bakery, the porchetta is rolled and slow-cooked and sauces are whizzed up.
It’s a slick operation in a smart spacious room. There’s a specials board, and details of the six sandwiches available for lunch that day are displayed on a board behind the service area. Other lunch options include soup and a sandwich, a veggie salad bowl, a meat salad bowl and roast potatoes. Everything is set up for food prep to be as streamlined as possible once the order has been placed. There are plans to expand in Dublin and around the country, with Cork city and Belfast very much on the radar.
What did we order?
A porchetta, a Caprese and a Buffalo chicken sandwich.
How was the service?
Arriving just before the lunchtime rush is advised as this is a very popular spot. You place the order, and wait for your order to be called. There are plenty of tables if you want to eat on-site.
Was the food nice?
The sandwiches are delicious. The porchetta is packed full of very tasty meat, scented with fennel, that has both tender and crispy bits. It is not free-range pork. Salsa verde brings flavour, with rocket and crispy onions adding a crunch. The Buffalo chicken has tender pieces of free-range chicken breast slathered in a zingy Buffalo sauce, with spicy red cabbage and carrot slaw and lettuce adding texture. The Caprese with fresh mozzarella, tomato, aioli and rocket has just the right amount of home-made pesto, something that can be easily overdone.
What about the packaging?
Everything is wrapped in paper, so recyclable if clean.
What did it cost?
€32.85 for lunch for three people: porchetta, €10.95; Caprese, €10.95; and Buffalo chicken sandwich, €10.95.
Where does it deliver?
Takeaway or eat-in only. Open Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm (Ballsbridge & Grand Canal Dock), and Sat, 9am-3pm in Ballsbridge.
Would I order it again?
Yes, these are great sandwiches and I love the slickness of the operation. It would be good to see free-range pork being used, something that is all too rarely found on menus.
