URBAN CARTOGRAPHER 2025

EATOKYO IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPLACED BY TUCANO PLUS

Making my blog more accessible is important to me. For readers who find the detailed text descriptions challenging, I've begun adding audio descriptions in a conversational format. I hope this offers a richer and more inclusive experience

DAY TWO 28 JANUARY 2025

As already mentioned in an earlier post Eatokyo on Capel Street closed on Sunday [26 January 2025]. Within a week or two Tucano+ will open at the same location and I plan to visit them on their opening day. Especially as the he new restaurant will feature some really interesting urban art.

Tucano appears to be a relatively new arrival to Dublin, focusing on Brazilian cuisine. Their existing restaurant has garnered attention for its vibrant atmosphere and authentic Brazilian dishes.

Tucano Plus: The new Capel Street location, dubbed “Tucano Plus”, is being touted as an “upmarket” version. The intriguing addition is the “special sushi menu”, a nod perhaps to the location’s previous occupant and a potential bid to attract a wider audience.

Eatokyo:

Wellington Quay: While an exact opening date for their first location on Wellington Quay is tricky to pin down without further digging, it appears they were established there for a good number of years, becoming a popular spot for Japanese cuisine in Temple Bar. Their website mentions it being a “peaceful haven” by the River Liffey, suggesting it was a well-loved fixture. I first visited this restaurant at Christmas 2018 and have some photographs to prove it but for some reason I never visited it since then

Expansion: Eatokyo later expanded to two other locations:
Capel Street: This branch, now taken over by Tucano Plus, aimed to bring “the finest Asian street food to the heart of the city”. Since the ending of Covid restrictions I have visited at least once a week.

Talbot Street: Also taken over by Tucano, this branch was praised for its “bento boxes and sushi selections” and described as having a “modern atmospheric restaurant” vibe.

HANOI HANOI IS AN EXCELLENT VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT ON CAPEL STREET

DUBLIN 27 JANUARY 2025

Hanoi Hanoi is a Vietnamese restaurant on Capel Street in Dublin, owned and operated by a Vietnamese family. While the premises has housed various Asian restaurants with different names over the years, it has now returned to its roots, offering an upscale dining experience focused on authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Since reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanoi Hanoi has focused on dinner service, with restricted opening hours. The menu features classic Vietnamese dishes like pho and bun cha, but with a more refined presentation and ambience.

KOPITIAM AT 53 CAPEL STREET DUBLIN

PHOTOGRAPHED MONDAY 27 JANUARY 2025

Kopitiam, located at 53 Capel Street in Dublin, is a popular Malaysian restaurant known for its authentic street food and vibrant atmosphere.

Here’s what makes Kopitiam special:

Authentic Malaysian flavours: Kopitiam offers a diverse menu featuring classic Malaysian dishes like Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, and Roti Canai, all prepared with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
Casual and inviting ambience: The restaurant has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with friends and family.
Affordable prices: Kopitiam offers great value for money with its reasonably priced menu, making it accessible to a wide range of diners.
Halal-certified: The restaurant is Halal-certified, catering to Muslim customers seeking authentic Halal cuisine.
Convenient location: Situated on Capel Street, Kopitiam is easily accessible by public transport and is located in a bustling area with plenty of shops and attractions nearby.

EATOKYO ON CAPEL STREET TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY – SUNDAY 26 JANUARY 2025

I WAS INVITED TO A CLOSING PARTY

Eatokyo Capel Street: A Dublin Dining Gem Fades Away

It’s with a heavy heart that I write this post about the closure of Eatokyo on Capel Street. I distinctly remember my first visit shortly after they opened. Now, they will cease trading on 26th January 2025, another victim of the perfect storm that has been brewing in Dublin’s hospitality sector. I’ve been a loyal customer ever since, always impressed by their delicious food and friendly service. It’s a real shame to see them go.

Today, I was the last customer to leave at 5 pm. It was a bittersweet experience saying goodbye to the staff. Two have relocated to the last remaining Eatokyo in Temple Bar, one is returning to Mongolia, and another is heading back to Japan in a few weeks. Jack, the owner, has taken over Essence in Dundrum, which I hope to visit regularly. (I should mention that I received a gift of two Japanese lacquered panels before I left – they knew I was a collector of Chinese and Korean pieces!)

Eatokyo’s closure has got me thinking about the wider challenges facing Dublin businesses. Over the years, I’ve seen many of my favourite local restaurants close their doors. This trend, alarmingly evident on Capel Street with its growing number of empty units, seems to have accelerated since the Dublin Riot in 2023.

A City in Crisis?

Eatokyo’s story, like many others, is sadly familiar. They navigated the turbulent waters of the Covid-19 lockdowns, but the riot devastated their expected Christmas business. Like many restaurants in the area, they saw advanced and block bookings disappear overnight. The subsequent shift to working from home and a growing perception of the Northside as unsafe further eroded their customer base.

But Eatokyo’s struggles are not unique. The hospitality industry in Dublin, and particularly in the North Inner City, has been grappling with a multitude of challenges:

Overtourism Concerns? In 2023, a report placed Dublin third on an “Overtourism Index”. However, tourism experts have questioned this, given the significant drop in tourism since the pandemic. Was Dublin truly suffering from overtourism, or were these concerns overblown?

The Lingering Shadow of Covid-19: The pandemic had a devastating impact. Lockdowns forced businesses to close, leading to significant revenue losses and job cuts. Dublin hotels, reliant on international tourism, struggled. Even after the lockdowns, the industry continued to face difficulties, including a record number of closure orders issued to food businesses in 2024.

The Scar of the 2023 Dublin Riot: The riot resulted in widespread damage and looting, and had a profound psychological impact on the area. Businesses reported a sharp decline in footfall, as people avoided the Northside due to safety concerns.

The Rise of Remote Working: With fewer people commuting to offices, lunchtime trade has dwindled. While some restaurants have seen an increase in weekend trade, this hasn’t been enough to offset the decline in weekday business.

Soaring Costs and Staffing Shortages: Rising food and energy prices, coupled with increased labour costs, are squeezing profit margins. At the same time, the industry is struggling to attract and retain staff. Brexit has made it more difficult to recruit from the EU.

Tax and VAT Woes: The tax warehousing program, introduced during the pandemic, allowed businesses to defer tax liabilities. However, the repayment terms are now adding to their financial burdens. Furthermore, the reversion of the VAT rate for hospitality from 9% to 13.5% has also contributed to rising costs.

What Can Be Done?

The closure of Eatokyo is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Dublin’s hospitality industry. While there are no easy solutions, a concerted effort is needed to support struggling businesses:

Government Support: Initiatives like the “Power Up” grant and Fáilte Ireland’s programmes are crucial.

Community Action: We can all play our part by supporting local businesses, spreading the word, attending local events, challenging negative perceptions, and advocating for change.

Conclusion

The closure of Eatokyo is a sad loss for Dublin. However, it also serves as a wake-up call. The challenges are real and multifaceted. While government support is crucial, the future of Dublin’s hospitality sector ultimately depends on a collaborative effort. By working together, we can help ensure that other businesses don’t suffer the same fate as Eatokyo. Let’s cherish and celebrate Dublin’s diverse culinary landscape. What will it take for Dublin to not only survive, but truly thrive as a culinary destination?

BIG STORM ÉOWYN JANUARY 2025

NOT MUCH DAMAGE TO BE SEEN IN CAPEL STREET

Today, 24 January 2025, the shops and restaurants in the Bolton Street/Capel street were closed because of “RED” weather warnings.

Storm Éowyn, a powerful and unusual weather system, brought significant disruption to Ireland and the UK in late January 2025. On 24 January, businesses in Dublin’s Bolton Street/Capel Street area were forced to close due to “Red” weather warnings, indicating the severity of the impending storm. Éowyn’s impact was felt across a wide area, with provisional peak wind gusts of 100 mph recorded at Drumalbin, Lanarkshire, a figure that may be revised as further data is analysed. This intensity of wind, coupled with persistent heavy rainfall, made Éowyn a particularly potent storm.

What distinguished Éowyn was not just its wind speeds, but also its broad impact and the subsequent weather systems it triggered. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly explained that while Éowyn’s direct influence diminished as it moved north and east on Saturday morning, it paved the way for another area of low pressure arriving from the southwest on Sunday. This second system, named Storm Herminia by the Spanish Meteorological Service (though not meeting the criteria for naming by the Met Office, Met Éireann, and KNMI storm naming group), hampered recovery efforts and brought further wind and rain, increasing the risk of flooding in already saturated areas.

The Met Office predicted widespread rainfall of 10-20mm across central and southern England, much of Wales, and Northern Ireland on Sunday, with 30-50mm possible over higher ground. The potential for thundery showers further exacerbated the risk of flooding. This continuous onslaught of rain on already saturated ground created a heightened risk of both river and surface water flooding.

The impact of these storms was multifaceted. Sarah Cook, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, highlighted the potential for significant surface water flooding in central and south-west England on Sunday and into Monday, with minor impacts possible more widely. The Environment Agency deployed teams to mitigate the impact of flooding and support local authorities. They urged the public to stay away from swollen rivers and avoid driving through floodwater, emphasising the danger of even shallow flowing water.

Travel was also significantly affected. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson warned of ongoing disruption for drivers, particularly in western England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Fallen trees, debris, and flooding made journeys longer and, in some cases, impassable. Drivers were advised to exercise extreme caution, allow extra time for journeys, or postpone travel until conditions improved. The increased risk of standing water also raised the threat of aquaplaning.

The unsettled weather pattern was forecast to continue into the following week, with further periods of heavy rain and wind, although less severe than Éowyn. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway indicated a trend towards more settled conditions in the second half of the week, potentially bringing frost and fog. The combined impact of Éowyn and the subsequent weather systems highlighted the importance of accurate forecasting and preparedness in the face of severe weather.