Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

SAVOUR KILKENNY - THE REPORT

THE CON-FOODERATION OF KILKENNY 2010
Read Bibliocook's account of a great day for foodies....

Monday, October 25, 2010

Vittorio Castellani Visit

Italian food journalist Vittorio Castellani, who recently visited restaurants and markets in the Cork area, is currently doing a similar trip in Brazil’s Sao Paulo, particularly taking in the tastes of il Mercado Municipal. While here, he fell in love with seafood chowder and declared it his favourite Irish food.

He was in touch recently to say that the results of his trip to Cork will appear in the magazines he works for sometime in the Near Year. He has promised to contact the restaurants and myself when they appear,  so watch this space!

Friday, October 8, 2010

LATIN FLAVOUR

Vittorio Castellani

CITY BEAT with ITALIAN NOTES 

Vittorio Castellani (aka Chef Kumalo) is a Turin based Italian food journalist who I had the pleasure of guiding around the food spots of the city centre in midweek.

Not simply a journalist. A member of the Association of Journalists of Rome since 2000, as well as writing for some of the main wine and food periodicals, travelling and lifestyle magazines and important websites, he has also worked with most of the prestigious names in the wine and food business. He conducted the World Food Agenda on the programme for RAI television “La prova del cuoco” hosted by Antonella Clerici from 2004 to 2006.

For 15 years he has been working as an event designer, art director, International Food Festival and Events Consultant from the first exhibition of “Salone del Gusto” in Turin and the “Forum Gastronomic” held in Gerona.

Thanks to his double skills as journalist and event organizer, Vittorio works with many private educational institutes and universities: with a Master in Gastronomic Journalism from Gambero Rosso, a Master in Mediterranean Journeys , Wine and Food Itinerary, Tourism , Communication and Culture at the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature at Turin University.

In his professional capacity, he regularly travels abroad reporting on the many Gastronomic events over the five continents, where he has developed an important network of qualified colleagues, event organizers, importers, distributors, world class chefs and experts in food and tourism. For a list of his books take a look at one of his sites here

He came to Ireland primarily to join in the fun at the Kinsale Food Fest this weekend. He got in touch before leaving Italy and, on arrival, we arranged to meet at the English Market. Where else? Upstairs at the Farmgate Cafe, a cup of coffee got the ball rolling and I filled him in on the food scene, including restaurants, in the city.

Time then for a tour of the market. Some time later, with many notes and photos taken and spiced beef explained, we ventured out into the street for a little orientation walk that included the Coal Quay, Paul Street (including Rory Gallagher memorial), the art gallery and Opera House, up past Larry Tomkins (all the different types of football explained here) and then a stroll down Patrick Street and back to Prince’s Street.

Final call was to Nash 19 and here he was very impressed indeed with the set-up here, the quality and variety, the shop, the restaurant (self-service and sit-down). Gourmandissimo may have been the word he used in reaction but I could be open to correction! After that it was time to say goodbye as he headed back to the Farmgate for another appointment.

Handshakes all round and an invite to Turin. Que sera, sera.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

I'M A SPECIALS KIND OF GUY

Clontarf Bridge, Cork
WATCH OUT FOR THE SPECIAL ONES


I am a specials kind of guy.

I always check the specials when I arrive in a restaurant; experience has taught me that it is a worthwhile practice.

Take the last week or so as an example. Let’s start with my visit to Fenns Quay, who have daily specials. Last weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed their Duck Confit and also the Tarte aux Pruneaux, both added to the regular choice because it coincided with the French Food Festival.

A few days later, at the Liberty Grill, I also hit the jackpot with their Chorizo and cheese, one of their In Season specials. They had run out of the Manchego (a Spanish sheeps cheese) but the substitute, Monterey Jack (an American cows cheese), was well up to the mark and the tasty toasted starter was well priced at under a fiver.

By the way, I also enjoyed the dessert here, though the Blueberry pie may not have been a special. Made as they do it in the southern states of the US and served with hot custard it was a fine finish to the meal. Something different.

The Liberty also does monthly wine specials and the current offer comes from Provence, from the Vaucluse in particular. It is Cotes de Ventoux, named after that bare hot mountain that regularly features in the Tour de France. Produced by Domaine des Anges  , both the red and white are excellent value and you may buy by the glass, the carafe (50cl) and the bottle. 

By the way the Irish connections re strong at this winery and the tricolours of both France and Ireland fly side by side and the wines are imported here by Red Nose Wines and Karwig Wines , among others.

Friday, September 17, 2010

FOOD COAST HARVEST FEAST

A guest post by Rick LeVert of the Food Coast...

Four Bridgestone-Recommended Restaurants
One Communal Harvest Feast


On 26 September 2010, four Bridgestone recommended restaurants  Rathmullan
House, Harry¹s Restaurant, An Bonnán Buí, and The Beach House  will be
joining forces to serve 300 guests a sociable harvest feast against the
backdrop of Lough Swilly and Rathmullan¹s historic Battery. What¹s on the
menu? Donegal¹s best local ingredients turned into a four-course, communal
lunch by Donegal¹s best chefs.

Monday, August 30, 2010

DARINA'S FIVE STAR CHUTNEY


IN JARS 
  
Bought a lot of stuff in jars on a recent visit to East Cork and must say now, a few weeks after, that I’m quite happy with the loot.

Perhaps the real star was Darina Allen’s Ripe Tomato Chutney, bought at the Garden Shop in Ballymaloe. Absolutely brilliant as a dip or with pates, cold meals, cheese, foie gras (if you’re lucky enough to have it) and so on and quite reasonable at €4.20 for 340gms.

Another Ballymaloe product also hit the mark. That was the Ballymaloe Seville orange marmalade (Medium Cut). An excellent spread, again at a reasonable price of €3.29 per 340 grams.

While in the Ballymaloe Shop (this one alongside the house – the Garden Shop is by the Cookery School), we also bought a Plum Jam, €3.50 for 340gm. This as handmade by Helen Gee, a Good Food Ireland member from Abbeyleix. Again this was a splendid product, so different to an anonymous paste (billed as Plum jam) that we bought recently from one of the big chains.

Now the Village Greengrocer in Castlemartyr has many good things on the shelves there, including a pot of homemade Blackcurrant Jam. Absolutely gorgeous, as it should be this time of year. The small jar though didn't have a weight mark on it. It was probably about the 220gm mark and I thought the price €2.75 was rather expensive.

Picture: Ballymaloe House

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

GREAT TASTE WINNER

The competition for the Great Taste hamper drew loads of entries from all over the country and the winner is:

Gerry McCarthy
from Co. Offaly

A hamper of teas and coffees from Robert Roberts, a long standing Irish company who, as all of you indicated in your answers, won 12 stars at the recent Great Taste Awards in London, is on its way to Gerry.

Monday, August 9, 2010

LINER MENUS - THEN AND NOW

LINER DINNER MENUS 
1958 & 52 years later

Just a little distraction from the usual reviews today as we give you the chance to compare the dinner menus from two great liners: the MV Britannic and the current Queen Mary 11. You will see from the menus that while Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream has survived, or maybe evolved, and is till with us, there are not that many similarities.

Just to set you straight, the Britannia Restaurant is on the current ship. The menu from the Britannic is below (click to enlarge)

Like the Titanic, the MV Britannic, then the largest of her class, was built in Belfast but had a much more routine life on the ocean waves. The liner served on the North Atlantic route and also on the Caribbean from 1930 to 1960. She also did duty as a troop carrier during the war.



 BRITANNIA RESTAURANT
Dinner
CANYON RANCH SPA SELECTIONS
Appetizer — Artichoke Salad 65/5/2 (V)
Entrée —Sausage Stuffed Chicken with Fig Demi Glace 390/13/2
Dessert — Poppy Seed Cake 160/8/tr
APPETIZERS & SOUPS
Symphony of Salmon & Shrimp Ceviche
Pineapple Carpaccio with Ricotta Cheese & Peppered Strawberries
Crab & Baby Shrimp Thermidor in a Parmesan Brioche
Cream of Broccoli & Stilton with Scallions
Beef Consommé with Herbed Pancake Strips
SALADS
Baby Spinach Salad, Walnut & Crispy Bacon Bits, Balsamic & Grape Dressing
Endive Salad with Asparagus, Honey Ginger Dressing (V)
BRITANNIA RESTAURANT
ENTRÉES
Spaghetti Carbonara, Creamy Egg Yolk & Parmesan Sauce, Crispy Smoked Bacon
Broiled Lobster Tail, Shrimp & Scallop Feuillantine, Newburg Sauce
Roast Duck à L’Orange, Pommes Amandine
Châteaubriand, Larded Peas & Gratin Dauphinoise Potatoes
Grilled Vegetables, Parmesan Whipped Potatoes & Garlic Spinach (V)
DESSERTS
Cassis Champagne Mousse, Wild Berry Coulis
Mango & Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée
Baked Alaska with Flambéed Morello Cherries
Sugar-free Strawberry Tart with Fresh Berry Salad
Butter Pecan and Chocolate Ice Creams with Vanilla Frozen Yoghurt, Peach Sauce
Cheese Selection with Shropshire Blue, Pont L’Évêque, Swiss Emmental, Pepper Boursin
Nutrition Key: Calories / Fat Grams / Fibre Grams (V) Indicates dishes suitable for Vegetarians


Sunday, August 8, 2010

HERE'S TO eFRIENDS

HERE’S TO eFRIENDS

Dinner last night owed much to friends I’ve met on the net.

Promising start thanks to @winealliancemoz His recent raid on Royan included a Rubis Pineau for moi. Chilled it yesterday evening before sampling. What a gem! Thanks a million,  Maurice.

Starter, a Bruschetta, roughly along the lines of what FennsQuay (apologies  Kate!) produced for their recent Sicilian Wine Evening. Good bread, toasted on one side, with diced tomatoes and good quality olive oil, along with some olives. Superb preparation for the main course.

Late last year I was invited, via libertygrill, to the launch night of the Cork Good Food Week and one of the tastiest bites was the Venison Stew. Been trying it since. Last Saturday's meat was bought in O’Sullivan’s in the English Market; added in some seasonal vegetables and red wine and served with spuds in their skins. And cleaned the plates.

Finished off with a slice (two, to be honest) of a gorgeous fruit cake, all thanks to Bibliocook  Caroline has some fantastic recipes of her own on the site but this came from Nigel Slater, a blueberry and peach cake with almonds. I picked the berries out the back but was a little short so added in a fistful of blackberries which didn't do any harm. You can get the link to the recipe at Bibliocook.

It wasn't all internet related, of course. Old friends too played a part and a neighbour kindly left in a bottle of Bordeaux which fitted the bill. 

Coming up to lunchtime Sunday as I finish this. The sun is out and I’ll soon be out too, sipping more of that Pineau on the garden seat. Here’s to friends! Both old and new.

Friday, August 6, 2010

THE WEEKEND CATCH

THE WEEKEND CATCH
Restaurant & Bar Scene in Cork
via Twitter & Facebook

Been inundated with entries for the Robert Roberts Tea/Coffee hamper. Not in? Still time as entries close on August 16th at http://corkfood.blogspot.com/search?q=Roberts
Caroline has an interesting Barry’s Tea competition going and you can check that out at http://www.bibliocook.com/

Have you got a bumper crop of courgettes? Then check put the recipes at

Jameson Irish Whiskey Many of you have made complimentary comments about Jameson 18 year old Limited Reserve and Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve. We're delighted to say that both whiskeys have just won prestigious gold medals at the respected International Spirits Challenge awards. A tremendous honour for us. And a reflection of your fine taste and knowledge of course! If you've ever savoured either of these two winners, please feel free to tell us your thoughts.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Latest food alert: Irish Spring water multi pack recall. For info on this alert, click here: http://www.fsai.ie/comeraghwaterrecall.html

SoHo Bar & Restaurant Our new COCKTAIL, WINE & DESSERT menu launched yesterday (Thurs) so pop in and try a few tonight. if you’re nice we will give u a few free samples !!!

cafegusto  If you are in Cafe Gusto any evening over the weekend, make sure you try a complimentary Moroccan mint tea! http://twitpic.com/2bufte 

libertygrill  You’ll be glad to know the repairs are finished and the Liberty has been serving breakfast since 8.00 today Friday. http://twitpic.com/2buv2p 

SAVEURMAG  Spotted some tempting recipes here: “9 of our favourite Greek mezedes, from feta-stuffed peppers to herb-filled grape leaveshttp://bit.ly/cYZWHQ 

grapes_of_sloth Paul Kieran tells us about a mini-string of coastal wine bars at http://pauljkiernan.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/casa_diegos_aperitif 

Billy Lyons Paul went west while I headed east and a found a Cobh Bar/Restaurant in a great location, even has its own pontoon for sailors


We search the net, via Twitter and Facebook, each Thursday evening and early Friday morning, for the latest from the Cork restaurant and bar scene. If you don't have either of the above, reach us at cork.billy@gmail.com. Deadline 10.00am Friday.

Friday, July 30, 2010

THE WEEKEND CATCH

THE WEEKEND CATCH
Restaurant & Bar Scene in Cork
via Twitter & Facebook
LIBERTY GRILL and FENNS QUAY UP GRADE, REVAMP

Liberty Grill We will be closed Monday the 2nd to Thursday the 5th of August for a little TLC. We reopen 8am Friday the 6th.

We will be upgrading our disabled toilet facilities, reupholstering our banquette seating and chairs, re-varnish the floor, painting plus numerous repairs and fire safety maintenance jobs.


No. 5 Fenns Quay Restaurant People may remember last November Fenns was badly hit by the flooding so our building needs a little tlc which requires Fenns quay to take a little vacation from the 1st August whilst Mike Hanrahan & his team perform surgery! So we look forward to a few weeks time when the doors open to a revitalised Fenns Quay Restaurant!

Nash 19 Another Bank Holiday, another Bank Holiday madness at Nash 19. Buy three frozen meals from the freezer this Friday and get the cheapest FREE.......
Nash 19 This Bank Holiday make it The Real Irish Breakfast.
Crowes Farm Bacon and Sausage, Jack and Tim McCarthy's (Gold Medal Winning) Black Pudding, and Glenilen Farm Country Butter. All available in the chilled unit for you to take home for the weekend.

The Seaview Cafe & Market This Sunday, August 1st, Live music from 5pm to 7pm with Colin McLean.

Dine in Cork Hi Everybody. The dates are in for the winter Dine in Cork week it's from November 5th - November 14th. We will keep you up to date on offers, competitions & menus as they come in.

Kinsale’s Jola loves strawberry and here she shares one of her recipes with you:

Wagamama Ireland show your valid Irish Rail ticket every Tuesday before you order and you can buy one main course get one free!

Nautilus restaurant We will be open all day this bank holiday Sunday.

Milano Listen up budding pizzaiolos! We want to add another fantastic new pizza to the menu and we need your help!  Do you have a recipe from dear old Grandma that deserves the praise of the nation?? Got an unusual combo of toppings that makes your mouth water? If the answer’s yes then send them our way and you could be in with a chance to win a trip for 2 to Rome PLUS having your creation put on the Milano menu across the country. 

FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY: Advice on the safe use of duck eggs - http://www.fsai.ie/advice-on-the-safe-usage-of-duck-eggs.html

richysbistro New specials this week are Thai chicken Satay, breaded Bantry bay mussels, caramelised goats cheese and Seafood chowder, that’s your starters; main course - are Penne arrabbiata, pan roast salmon, tempura of hake with skinny chips and seared Beara Scallops

blackrockcastle  uploaded a YouTube video -- The Castle Bar & Trattoria http://youtu.be/mlxmLqYpGlA?a

grapes_of_sloth tweeted: Bollinger Announce Sponsorship of 34th Kinsale Gourmet Festival http://ow.ly/2iGEz

We search the net, via Twitter and Facebook, each Thursday evening and early Friday morning, for the latest from eh Cork restaurant and bar scene. If you don't; have either of he above, reach us at cork.billy@gmail.com. Deadline 10.00am Friday.

Friday, July 23, 2010

THE WEEKEND CATCH

WEEKEND CATCH
Restaurant & Bar Scene in Cork
via Twitter & Facebook

No.5 Fenns Quay Restaurant Come join us this Monday night for a Sicilian wine dinner and be in with a chance of winning a case of wine. We have a four course dinner paired with six different wines. The price is €50 which includes the food and wine (Plenty of it!!). There will be a draw at the end of the night when one lucky attendee will win a 6 bottle mixed case of wine. We hope it will be a fun and relaxed evening.  Welcome to all. No 5 Fenns Quay

Nautilus restaurant will be open the evening of the Bank Holiday Sunday (2nd of August).
We will also have an early bird menu (6 to 6.45pm) from next week on.
And don't forget, we are now open on Tuesday nights.

Making jam: try juicy jams, cherries, beetroot and more http://allrecipes.co.uk/

All day, every Tuesday, in both Cafe Gusto’s, on Washington St. and Lapps Quay, we would love to be the venue for your tweetmeet, big or small. By way of encouragement, fill us in on your meet and we offer you TWO teas or coffees for the price of ONE. Free Wi-Fi available at Lapps Quay plus iPhone chargers are available for use in both cafes. We are currently trialling #TweetMeetTues, so any feedback would be gratefully received. http://twitter.com/cafegusto


Why do potatoes go green? The health implications... http://www.fsai.ie/faq/green_potatoes.html

See the Curious Wines interview with NZ wine-maker Andrew Greenhough: Curious: The Curious Wines Wine Blog » Blog Archive » The Andrew Greenhough interview (part one)

Pat_Whelan
: Check out this article and recipe for Chicken Terrine from my blog. http://bit.ly/b2fD4S

McCarthy’s prize winning Boudin Noir (black pudding) is available at Nash 19 (taster plate and takeaway counter); also at On the Pigs Back in Douglas.

The Riverside Café, Skibbereen, has a Mystery Celebrity Chef Night fundraiser in aid of 2010 Food Festival on Tues 3 Aug. Details: www.riversideskibbereen.ie

Tom Doorley has been putting out strange tweets about YR sauce and Bobby Bars and other ancient stuff. He explains:   The reason for these strange tweets about food products is because I'm writing a book called Eating for Ireland (working title). 

The Bord Bia Quality Mark – read all about at http://www.bordbia.ie/aboutfood/quality/Pages/default.aspx

Blair’s Inn have put up their recipe for their Chocolate Gâteau. “It's one of our most popular desserts. What's more, it's gluten free!” http://bit.ly/b3oFFM

Know someone between 8 and 12 who loves cooking? RTE is running a kids cooking competition early next month. For more info, email pansonfire@rte.ie 
or simply call 01 208 3171 and ask for Ciara. 

Friday, July 16, 2010

THE WEEKEND CATCH

WEEKEND CATCH 
fresh from the net
Restaurant & Bar Scene in Cork

Greenes Restaurant Cork Hi Everybody this Friday night July 16th we are offering a complementary glass of wine with your main course meal. Mention Facebook offer when you book. Enjoy.


Nash 19 Representing one of West Corks Finest Bakeries, Richard from Patisserie Regale, Dunmanway, will be Prince’s Street  today introducing some of their delicious cookies from 11 to 2, Friday 16th July. Beautiful hand made Lavender Shortbread, and "Ladies Kisses", baked and presented with care, almost too good to give away!

THE BOARDWALK: The fabulous Mr James Gornall will be playing all the best in contemporary pop and rock for your listening pleasure this Friday. Why not come along for a pre-dinner drink or two or wind down after that long week? And remember, The Boardwalk offers the very best in local and not so local talent for your listening pleasure every Friday. Keep checking our events invites.

Blairs Inn WIN! WIN! WIN! a FREE MEAL FOR TWO IN OUR AWARD WINNING RESTAURANT - just suggest to all your friends to become Fans of our page - when you're done, email me on blairsinn@gmail.com to say you've done so and the number you have suggested it to & that is it! You are in the draw.

Liberty Grill A quick note, we will be closed for our annual shut down on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday the 5th of August. This so we can give the building some much needed TLC.

THE SILK PURSE/AN CRÚIBÍN Not familiar with the whacky videos from this source? Check them out at http://themeatcentre.com/wordpress/?cat=22

umnumnum_cork is a regular on twitter and she had this amusing tale up yesterday:
 “God-daughter lives on small farm got asked 2day if she has pigs. She said yes but they are in the freezer.”

Thursday, July 1, 2010

ALL RECIPES UPDATE

Just got an update from Diana of All Recipes with news of a cookbook giveaway right here

You can also get some brilliant summer and barbecue recipes on the site

You may even be tempted to contribute a recipe or two yourself and join in the fun

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

DON'T DRIVE THE TOURISTS AWAY

SERVICE WITH A SMILE
A couple of feel good factors around town today. One, of course, was the weather. The other, even more of a constant, was the courtesy shown by those I met in the retail industry, mainly on the food and drink side.
Made a ten o’clock call to Nash 19 for a cup of coffee and a scone. Don't know how they pick the staff here but they are all brilliant, all helpful. I know a few by now but even those that are not known to me have the same lovely attitude. No wonder the place is always busy. By the way, bought a pot of my favourite marmalade on the way out.
Then onto the English Market to the Ballycotton Seafood stall. Just one man on duty and a queue building up. He didn’t flinch under pressure as he filleted like Billy-o, all the while showing good humour and courtesy to a customer who didn't seem to be very well up on fish.
The Ballycotton man also kept an eye on the queue, making sure that each was served in turn. He fairly flew through the fish and indeed I noticed two foreign couples who stopped to see him in action. My turn came and I ordered five pieces of hake. Got four from the first fish so that meant he had to go and do another to get the fifth piece. No bother at all and soon I was on my way with a smile on my face, not least because I thought the 10.47 charge was quite reasonable.
Stayed in the Market then and walked across the aisles to the Alternative Bread Company. What a selection they have there. I spotted a Country Baguette, no salt, no dairy. I ordered one and the helpful assistant suggested she’d cut it in two to make for easy carrying. Good idea. The two pieces fitted neatly into a bag and there was no danger of poking any of my fellow bus passengers in the eye.
The courtesy wasn't all from the female side. My very first call was to O’Leary’s Camera World, one of my long-time favourites, there to load up a wagonload of digital files after the recent holiday. Didn't know any of the lads on duty as I started at the machine. Seconds later, a young man came over to know if I wanted any assistance. Didn’t just then but did towards the end and we closed the deal with a smile.
Later I had the pleasure of calling on two naturally courteous gentlemen, Mick Atkins (who runs a rapid jewellery repair service) and Maurice O’Mahony of Karwig Wines.  Not often that the morning’s good humour lasts so long. It will stretch even further if South Africa win this evening, not that I’ve anything against Uruguay.
Some people tell me that the French are rude. While there is always a danger in making general statements about a nation – the French no doubt, proportionately, have as many idiots as we have – I must say that in extended holidays there over the past two years and in many other breaks there before that, I have always found terrific manners and courtesy, in shops, in markets, on the street and on the road.
Maybe we have some catching up to do but I think, led by the service industry and our own good humour, we are getting there, getting very close indeed. We need to do so if the tourists are to keep coming back, same as I’ll keep going back to this morning’s shops and outlets.

Friday, May 14, 2010

CHANGE OF SCENE

For the next few weeks, the food and eating out reviews will be coming from France, from the Dordogne area. Things to see and do will be covered at Corkman on Tour

Thursday, April 29, 2010

MARCH-APRIL REVIEW

MARCH/APRIL FAVOURITES 
All tried and tested in last two months

Highly Recommended Restaurants: Augustine’s, The Silk Purse, Raymond’s (Midleton),  Fenn’s Quay, Over the Moon (Skibbereen),  Aherne’s (Youghal), Liberty Grill.
Recommended: The Bullman, Gilbert’s (Cobh), Vienna Woods, Hardwood, La Jolie Brise (Baltimore),  
Really Good Food Shops: Iago, The Good Food Shop, On the Pig’s Back, Hudson’s Wholefood (Ballydehob), Le Gourmet (Youghal), Nash 19, O’Keeffe’s,
Top Farmers Market: Skibbereen (Saturdays)
Top Cheeses: Ardrahan, St Gall (Fermoy), Hegarty’s Mature Cheddar, Sunview Goats .
Top Yoghurts: Glenilen Farm
Top Soups:  Just Food (Cobh)
Top Marmalades:  Joy’s Jams and Nash 19, both have peel with Joy's having the biggest pieces; also recommended: Follain’s, Joy's Jam (without peel) and Bramley Lodge
Favourites cereals:  Just Food’s Organic Muesli and Nash 19’s Granola
Pubs with a difference: Franciscan Well, The Bierhaus
Weekend break: West Cork Hotel

Thursday, April 22, 2010

DINE IN CORK


Mark your calendar ‘Evening Echo Dine In Cork-Restaurant Week’ running from Friday the 30th of April to Sat the 8th of May
What’s On Offer In Restaurants?
Devised by the Restaurants Association of Ireland ‘Dine In Cork-Restaurant Week’ will see over 40 of the city’s top restaurants offering a special promotional rate of €25 per person for traditional three course dinner menus with tea and coffee – representing a 20% saving on traditional prices! From 7.00pm each evening customers will be presented with a three course special ‘Dine in Cork’ menu.
Get list of participating restuarants at http://www.dineincork.ie/ 

Thursday, April 15, 2010

ON THE NET


IN THE NET
Slow Food West Cork is celebrating Granny’s Day at Hosford’s Garden Centre on Sunday April 25th.  “We will be celebrating Grandmothers, their wisdom, their knowledge and of course their recipes. Come along to a day filled with fun, music and workshops. Ballinascarthy Bakers will bake fairy cakes and hopefully some soda bread, we also have lined up some amazing people to show us how to make homemade lemonade, chocolates and fudge. Children are more than welcome to get their little hands stuck in. Workshops will start at 1pm. “  More info here

Restaurants who will be taking part in the Dine in Cork event, starting April 30th, are: The Rising Tide, The Cornstore, Greenes Restaurant, Jolas Restaurant Kinsale, Clancy's, Jacques, Isaacs Restaurant, Club Brasserie, Fenn's Quay, Boardwalk, Captains Table at the Flying Enterprise, Over the Moon in Skibbereen, Eleven West in Cobh, Cafe Mexicano, Eco Douglas, Jim Edwards Kinsale, Amicus Paul St, Amicus Douglas and Ambassador Cook St.

Seared Tuna Salad (9.95 /14.95) - A salad of Jersey royals, purple sprouting broccoli and young plum tomatoes in mint vinaigrette topped with seared line-caught yellow fin tuna is among the tempting dishes on the Liberty Grill new April menus.
Good luck to everyone involved in the Waterford Festival of Food this weekend, based in Dungarvan and West Waterford. Good Eating!

Blair’s Inn Beer garden now open for 2010, in anticipation of a wonderful summer ... we've surely earned one at this stage. See Video 

Interested in wine bloggers? Sour Grapes has published “The most comprehensive list of Irish wine blogs ever published, so far. “

Know your left from your right? We’re talking Bordeaux here, left bank and right bank. Curious Wines have an informative post right here 
Match food and wine. Check out what Karwig Wines have to say!
Like your desserts. Donal Skehan has posted Gizzi Erskine's Sticky Banoffee Pudding up on his blog