Youth officer Roberto Samson on…
The Porterhouse on Parliament Street gets Roberto Samson’s vote when it comes to preferred watering holes – but make no mistake, this partiality is about much more than mere ‘watering’.
As Roberto explains, Filipinos need “something to munch” as they drink and the Porterhouse has wonderful tapas which can be washed down with stout, ale, larger or whatever takes your fancy.
“We [Filipinos] cannot just drink, it’s impossible,” he expands. “Even when we go to parties, if there is no food, no-one will touch the drink.”
Roberto says that the Porterhouse also has an excellent range of beers “which helps to develop the palette” and has a very multicultural vibe too. He practices his Spanish with the waitresses from Spain, but playfully concedes that his Polish is somewhat lacking.
The Phoenix Park is his favourite landmark in the city. Resting on 707 hectares (1,752 acres), it is one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces within any European capital city.
“You can walk, run, talk, chat, bicycle” is Roberto’s synopsis of its many pleasures.
He often visits the park and says having such a big open space in a city is a delightful luxury and one that should be savoured. The park is especially beautiful in summer and presents “wildlife on your doorstep”.
His favourite sports club in Dublin
For this question, Roberto controversially wanders just outside the borders of Co Dublin and into Clane, Co Kildare – specifically Clane GAA Club.
But he has a good excuse, because his seven-year-old godson togs out with Clane’s Gaelic football team.
– in conversation with Catherine Reilly
