THE GREAT TASTE OF ROBERT ROBERTS

ROBERT ROBERTS

Cheers up and down the Broomhill Road in Dublin recently as Robert Roberts celebrated their unprecedented success at the 2010 Great Taste Awards in London.


Master Roaster and Blender Garath Scully: “These awards are a great boost to us. ...nice to see that an Irish company can hold its own with international competition. All of us here in the factory are thrilled.”


To celebrate the incredible success, Robert Roberts have given us a hamper of their award winning teas and coffees for you.


To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question. How many Gold Stars were Robert Roberts awarded in the 2010 Great Taste Awards:


A – 6


B – 12


C – 20


Send answer with name and address to cork.billy@gmail.com before 8.00am on August 16^th next.


For more info (not to mention a huge hint) check out these links.

Great Taste Awards

Robert Roberts

Shelbourne Bar in Cork

THE SHELBOURNE BAR

The Shelbourne Bar in McCurtain Street is one popular venue, the crowd usually spilling out onto the footpath.
But it was relatively unpopulated on Saturday afternoon when I called for refreshment after watching the Lee Swim. Quite an amount of bottled beer from abroad available but went for a pint of Carlsberg. It was cold and beautiful, the most welcome drink ever, after the heat of the streets.

The pint and a half cost €6.80, a full fifty cent dearer than my suburban local. But that extra didn’t take from the pleasure. Service is fine and the seating is comfortable. The stone and tile floor was also quite cool and the Gaelic football game on the telly did nothing to raise the temperature either.

Things began to look up with the arrival of what looked like a Scottish stag party. I had been looking at a couple of old photos on the wall and the lady in black and white bore quite a resemblance to Gordon Strachan. Could have been his grandmother.

Check out my review of Shelbourne Bar - I am cork - on Qype

FENNS QUAY and LIBERTY WINES

FENN’S QUAY  

Enjoyed a superb wine dinner in Fenns Quay last evening, the Sicilian wines coming from Villa Tonino via Liberty Wines  

First wine up was an Inzolia 2009, bright and light and very cool, very appropriate on such a heavy evening and an agreeable accompaniment to the Bruschetta starter.

Next wine was a Grillo 2009. Didn't make friends with this instantly but by the end, thought it had a bit more to it than the Inzolia. In any event, it went down very well with a magnificent Mackerel pate with pickled vegetables.

And then came the principal plate, the Osso Bucco with spiced rustic potatoes, now almost a signature dish at Fenn’s Quay. Just magnificent. And we had three reds to choose from here.

Number One, the Nero D’Avola 2008, was the lighter, “a modern version of this classic southern Italian grape variety”. It was probably too light for the meat and indeed Victoria Curatolo, who was guiding us through the family wines, hinted that it could well be drunk on its own and even chilled down a  bit on a hot day.

I had no doubt that the second red, Baglio Curatolo Nero D’Avola 2007, was the one to go with the Osso Bucco. This was much stronger all round with plum being the dominant feature according to the notes. A really smashing wine to go with red meat.

The third red, the Baglio Curatolo Syrah 2007, was also deep in colour  with just a hint of the normal expected spice. Victoria was rating it highly, against both its New World and even French rivals. Not convinced about that but I do have a few bottles now (won the raffle) to try it further.

And I’ll also be trying the Marsala Superiore Riserva NV. This is made by fortifying the local grapes with white grape spirit in the traditional way and you end up with an ABV of 18%. This accounts for no less than half the production at Tonino and Victoria recommended it be eaten with aged cheese.

At home, they keep it in the fridge and always drink it chilled but “it is up to yourself”. The Sicilians also like to drink it with the “Queen’s Biscuits”. Victoria thoughtfully brought some with her and they proved quite a match, especially if dunked in the wine.

The meals are always terrific in Fenns Quay and we finished off with a superb dessert: an Almond tart, lemon cream and fresh strawberries. Well done to the Fenns Quay crew (excellent hosts), to Villla Tonino and Liberty Wines for bringing it all together.

Delias Kitchen Shop in Cork

DELIA’S KITCHEN

Delia’s Kitchen is a small cluttered kitchen shop but very central and very well stocked. Called there the other day, looking for a tea strainer (for my loose leaf tea from Little Buddha in McCurtain Street).

I had one look at the shelves and decided to ask rather than poke around. No bother. The helpful friendly assistant found not quite the strainer with handle but a globe type with chain than you hang over side of cup.

Could see it would do the job just as well, paid my €3.50 and left a happy customer. Lucky really that we've got two such shops in town, Delia’s and Brennans (in Oliver Plunkett Street).

3 Careys Lane Cork Co. Cork
(021)4271982

Check out my review of Delias Kitchen Shop - I am cork - on Qype

Brackens Cafe in Cork

BRACKENS CAFE


Found myself in Paul Street the other morning around coffee time and went in, through the half-door, to Bracken’s Cafe. Up to the counter where I was greeted with a smile and served efficiently but with time for some small talk.
The two rooms have a floor in black stone slabs. Rather unusual. The rest is relatively basic with some pictures on the walls and a large mirror also. Windows and doors were open and it was nice and comfortable on quite a warm morning.
Tables and chairs were solid and comfortable. The coffee was nothing more nothing less than regular and the scone was quite good and I enjoyed the little break. Cost €3.60. Passed Luigi Malone’s a few minutes later and saw that their coffee and scone costs €3.90.

Check out my review of Brackens Cafe - I am cork - on Qype

O'Mahony Family Butchers in English Market

O’MAHONY BUTCHERS

O’Mahony Butchers can be found at the Grand Parade end of the English Market. Had been alerted that they had good vale in bavette, the type of steak you might come across in French bistros.

The helpful courteous assistant cut five of them for me and they cost eight euro. The equivalent in fish would cost between €12 and €15. They went down very well that evening with four out of five giving them the thumbs up.

"It loves a good raw heat, where you cook it nice and fast, where the flames hit it," says Shannon Gregory, a butcher at Cafe Rouge in Berkeley, which sells Niman Ranch's flap meat in both its meat market and in the restaurant as a plate of bistro-style grilled steak with red wine shallot butter. "Make sure you cut across the grain. Otherwise it's like eating a lot of rubber bands."

Read more, including a good explanation of the bavette, at: http://bit.ly/6R4ayu 

Check out my review of O'Mahony Family Butchers - I am cork - on Qype

Molly Darcys Killarney

MOLLY DARCYS

Molly Darcys, on the Muckross Road, was the Black and White Pub of the year in the dim and distant past. Many tourists have been back and forth that road since then but the pub, attached to a hotel, is not doing at all badly, though you’d have thought the maintenance work, which put the outside benches out of commission, going on this week would have been done at the start of the season.
Killarney was very busy and there were quite a few in Mollys in mid-afternoon, some snacking, some drinking and some doing both. We were met by a smiling waiter on the way in and ordered coffees which were brought to our table. The coffee was better than average and top-ups were available.
We enjoyed our interlude there.

Check out my review of Molly Darcys Traditional Irish Pub & Rstrnt - I am cork - on Qype

Picture: Muckross House gardens

Aldi's in Cork

ALDI’S

Aldi’s and Lidl have changed shopping habits in Ireland over the last decade. Aldi’s are the nearest to me and are used in conjunction with Dunnes Stores.
The foreign discount supermarkets have often been accused of importing much of their food but a glance around the shelves in Aldi will tell that much has changed in that regard. The Irish symbol is very prominent indeed.
Bought some Irish Organic yoghurts there the other day but it is their sausages I’d like to highlight. I always thought that O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages were well priced at six for a fiver but you can get six Brannan Irish Jumbo Sausages, with garlic and herb, for just €1.99 in Aldi. The Aldi ones are somewhat smaller but this is good value.
They wouldn’t be good value of course if the quality wasn't there but my experience suggested that it is. Cooked them up and had them with the Country Baguette from Tom’s Bakery, one of my favourite breads. Have you tried them? What did you think?

Check out my review of Aldis - I am cork - on Qype

BRENNANS COOK SHOP

BRENNANS COOK SHOP

Want something for the kitchen? Then you head for Brennans Cook Shop in Lower Oliver Plunkett Street, the one stop shop for cooking utensils, baking tools and much more. They even have a Kids Summer Camp Cooking School.

Called there the other morning and met two smiling ladies. Stated my requirements and they moved off confidently to get it. But, believe it or not, they didn't have it. I was told it was on order and would be there in a few days.

I think they were more disappointed that I was. Still, I enjoyed my friendly visit. I have been there in the past and will be there in the future. They usually have what you want and provide their service with a smile and a chat.

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. 

Anglers Rest in Leemount (Cork)

ANGLERS REST
(Leemount Cross, Carrigrohane)

Arrived in the Anglers Rest the other day after a long walk from town. Told my welcoming host that I deserved a pint. “You walked out?” he asked. I told him the story. “That’s a good ten kilometres,” he said. He was probably right. Enjoyed my pint of Becks (€4.30) in the spacious sunny riverside beer-garden.

Enjoying myself so much, I rang for company and got a wife and dog together (and a spin home, of course!). Even the dog got a big welcome from the jolly proprietor who served up a dish of cool water.

Lunch was being served so we joined in, each going for the salmon. It was quite a plateful from the carvery: the salmon, the creamy mash and the vegetables (cabbage and carrot), were all cooked to perfection.

This was an excellent example of pub grub, nothing historic of course, but done to a good standard. Indeed, the visit left one with the feeling that we’d be back to enjoy more of this pub, its food, its drink and its riverbank location.

Bill by the way, for the main course, plus a pint and a half of Becks, came to €30.55. And unusually, that fifty five cent was knocked off the bill by our host!

Check out my review of Anglers Rest - I am cork - on Qype

O'Connor Butchers in Cork

O’CONNOR’S BUTCHERS (MAYFIELD)
Cormac O’Connor’s Butcher Shop has been providing a fine service for the people of Mayfield for quite a few years now. It is well situated, at the bottom of Silverheights and close to our Lady Crowned Credit Union. The shop is always clean and well lit and has its own parking. There is quite a selection of meats there and the service is invariably good.
O’Connor recently hit the foodie headlines when his Glazed Ham was chosen, with some Ballymaloe products, among others, to feed the hungry crews of the Clipper 09-10 race on Lapps Quay. They have now left these shores but O’Connor’s local customers will keep the flag flying!

Check out my review of O'Connor Butchers - I am cork - on Qype
Pic: St Joseph's Park, just across the road from O'Connor's

CORK MARKET'S TODAY.

LOW KEY DEBUT FOR LAPPS QUAY BAZAAR

MARKETS REPORT

Aside from a Mango and Apricot chutney from Aldi’s, today’s simple lunch came from the English Market. The man in On the Pig’s Back said the St Gall came from Tipperary and is often mistaken for a French cheese but we know this top class product is made by the Fermoy Natural Cheese Company. The cheese and the chutney combined tastily on chuncks of the Country Baguette by Kinsale’s Tom’s Bakery.

While I bought the bread from the Alternative Bread Company in the English Market, Tom’s were on duty at the Coal Quay Market in Emmett Place which had a good turnout and where, among the plants, the food and the knitwear, you could buy the dreaded vuvuzela.

Called down to the debut Lapp’s Quay Bazaar first today. Reached it about 11.30am and, at that stage, everything was low key, the handful of stalls, most selling jewellery, one books, attracting hardly a handful of customers.

The English Market was much busier. Got some mussels and hake from Ballycotton Seafood where they weren't all at happy with the recently announced increase in parking charges, saying that business around town was already poor enough.

A few yards later and I was in front of Iago’s and buying a pot of their Provencal style ratatouille. Cheese and bread were then added to the bag but I could see no sign of Redcurrant jelly anywhere and I ended up buying that (with ten per cent Cabernet Sauvignon added) in the Food Hall at Marks and Spencer’s.

Little Buddha in Cork

LITTLE BUDDHA 

(teas and coffees)

There are massive selections of teas and coffees from all around the world in the Little Buddha shop in McCurtain Street. The tea, by the way, is in leaf form, no tea bags in this friendly Czech run shop.
There are dozens of jars there and you smell each one individually before purchase. Just to put my foot in the water, I asked to see the Pu Erh. There were at least four of them. I liked the smell of the regular Shu the best, a four year old from the Menghai district in Yunnan province. Fifty grammes cost me €4.80.
My companion also made a purchase and the man behind the counter threw in some Rooibos (from South Africa) as a freebie.
This little shop is a welcome addition to the food scene here and indeed is attracting people from abroad. While we were window-shopping before we went in, a French couple arrived, Michelin green guidebook in hand, and went directly in and purchased a large amount.
www.littlebuddha.ie (will be operational soon for online sales)

Check out my review of Little Buddha - I am cork - on Qype

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.”

NAUTILUS

NAUTILUS

Listen. I’ll be saying this for a while. The Nautilus, overlooking Ballycotton Pier, is one fantastic restaurant, well worth a visit any Tuesday to Saturday evening plus Sunday lunch.

Last night’s meal there was superb from start to finish. The choice is quite large for a small restaurant, there are about six items on each course, plus a few specials each evening.

On this Bastille Day, we started with one of the specials, an organic Gravad Lax, served with new potato salad, and a dill and lemon oil (€9). Well presented, it pleased the eye and soon pleased other senses as we cleaned the plates. An excellent combination, easy on the eye, easy to eat, washed down with a dry and flavoursome Verdejo (€5 per glass).

For the main course, I choose the Slow cooked Hake (€19/50), on a bed of mashed potato, with green Asparagus and a lemon and butter sauce. Once again this was a superb combination of fresh ingredients, so well cooked, that it was a pleasure to linger over it. But not for long!

Slow cooked Plaice (€21) was one of the evening’s specials. This was served, in a high sided plate, with new steamed potatoes, green beans, rocket salad and topped with semi-dried tomato, caper and shallot. Again this was well cooked, and you could easily taste the difference (if you reached across, that is), between the plaice and the hake. The accompaniment was superbly chosen and again it was just a very satisfying plateful.

We were finding it difficult to make a decision between the desserts until Front of House strongly hinted at the Strawberry tartlet (€6.50), served with a Coteaux (sweet wine from the Loire) Jelly. This was the traditional French tart, baker’s custard in the pastry, the berries glazed. But I think you’d be hard pushed to find its sweet equal anywhere in France or Ireland. Gorgeous. Bonne fete!

First impressions: The room is small enough but big windows open to the harbour, the island and the sea. No linen on the tables but they are solid, as are the chairs which are soft where you want them to be and supportive at the back, very comfortable.

Service: A warm greeting and a big smile set the tone and after that service was friendly and efficient.

The Food: We have some excellent restaurants in Cork and this is another one.

The Verdict: Very satisfied and happy to highly recommend it.


Photo of Ballycotton lighthouse taken on way to restaurant yesterday evening.

FISH LOVERS

Calling All Fish Lovers !!

Join Slow Food West Cork for a "Mackerel and a Pint" at The Poacher's Inn, Bandon

Sunday July 25th, 3pm to 5.30pm

Fresh Mackerel from local waters served with salad, followed by local strawberries.

Served with a Pint, a glass of wine or a soft drink.

€20 adults €13.00 Children under 13

A GREAT FAMILY EVENT SO DO BRING THE CHILDREN!

We will also learn about the value and sustainability of our fish from Susan Steele of BIM SDC Clonakilty, and watch a mackerel filleting demonstration by Barry McLaughlin, Chef/Patron of Poacher's Inn Bandon.  

Bookings can be made at Urru Culinary Store, MacSwiney Quay, Bandon (023 8854731) or The Poachers Inn, Bandon (023 8841159)
(All bookings must be accompanied by payment)

Thanks to Mairead of Nash 19 for alerting us to this fish and fun event at the Poacher's Inn. There is always something going on in Nash 19 and this coming Friday, Richard from Patisserie Regale, Dunmanway, will be 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!

WEST CORK HOTEL

The West Cork Hotel is a terrific base to visit the area, particularly Skibbereen, Baltimore and Ballydehob. The lively hotel, on the banks of the Ilen, in Skibbereen, is close to some great restaurants in the town, including Over the Moon, but serves some decent food itself.

I spent some time there earlier in the year and was quite impressed with the place, including the restaurant and the bar. And it is at the bar tables that they serve these value for money specials each night. They were on offer when I was there and I thought it was just an early season special but the unbelievably good value continues. 

TESCO IN MAHON POINT

The major supermarket chains are often portrayed as the big bad wolves of the food industry.

Is it all bad? I know the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide editorial came down on them like a pack of Dutch defenders in the ninth edition. But the products of many of the food producers lavishly praised by Bridgestone are to be seen in the major supermarkets.

Tesco spend two billion (their own figure) on Irish food and drink each year, including everything from salads to Angus Beef. Quite a lot of organic produce on display there also.

I recently filled a trolley at Tesco’s Mahon shop, including a few of those gorgeous yoghurts from Glenilen Farm in West Cork, and that was after a buying quite a  bit at the weekly Farmers Market outside.

I understand, from some producers, that Good Food customers, especially organic fans, stay loyal in the downturn and are prepared to pay a small premium to keep getting their favourite foods but who can blame the busy financially challenged houseperson doing the weekly shopping (say for two adults and two plus kids) from taking advantage of the choices and prices at places like Tesco.

Green Saffron Spices Ltd in Midleton

GREEN SAFFRON

www.greensaffron.com

Green Saffron, the Route to Fresh Spices. That’s what the leaflet says. But there is a whole pile more coming from the Midleton based Indian food company.
Arun is the public face of Green Saffron and you can find him at a string of local markets (Cork, Limerick, Dublin...), selling his products and often with a free recipe thrown in. They supply the retail (via many outlets) and wholesale markets, including top Irish and British restaurants. See the website for details.
Hellie, a great friend of this site, is an Arun fan: “You should try making the Green Saffron Curry from the spice mixes - amazing! Arun is fantastic and with the instructions given to you what could go wrong? Try the Korma, Oudi Murgh or Tandoori. All to die for!”
Met Arun myself at one of stalls recently and took the easy way out, buying one of his takeaway Tiffin Tubs that contained enough John Rogan Lamb for two, also a pack of aged Basmati Rice plus a couple of Naan bread. We enjoyed that meal and the cost? Just a tenner.
Oh, by the way, if you are a bit nervous about doing your own curry, then Arun has a solution: an invite to a monthly Curry Night with himself and General Manager Gail where they do the cooking and you watch and then eat. Again, see the site for details.
It is just an amazing service, from a company that supplies big names such as Richard Corrigan and Raymond Blanc but obviously values the little names as well.

Check out my review of Green Saffron Spices Ltd - I am cork - on Qype

VARIETY AT THE LIBERTY GRILL

JULY SPECIALS

The Liberty Grill in Washington Street is up among my top restaurants in Cork. Cooking and service are excellent. Though the Grill, based on the US East Coast neighbourhood restaurant concept, is justly famous for its burgers, there is never a shortage of variety on offer, that variety often enhanced by the addition of monthly specials.

Fancy an early meal today? Then why not have a look at their July Brunch and Lunch specials.

Brunch (‘til 5pm) 
Scrambled Serrano 6.95 
Shredded thinly sliced Spanish serrano with scrambled 
free range eggs on sourdough toast and served with 
tomato relish (with glass of cava plus tea or coffee 12.50) 

Irish Strawberries (v) 5.95 
with natural yogurt and toasted hazelnuts 

Banana Tempura (v) 5.95 
Sweet banana lightly dipped in a buttermilk batter, 
shallow fried and served with a choice of pancake 
or French toast, maple syrup and cream 


Lunch (from 12 midday) 

Peri-Peri Chicken Burger 13.50 
West Cork chicken breast, marinated in peri-peri 
sauce, chargrilled and served with avocado and lime 

Beetroot and Goats Cheese Salad (v) 8.95 
A summer salad of local leaves, young beetroot, 
Ardsallagh goat’s cheese with toasted barley, broad 
beans and sweet pickled gooseberries 

SLOWFOOD CORK CITY - A MYSTERY TOUR

Slowfood Cork City has teamed up with some of the best restaurants in Cork to offer foodies great food in relaxed surroundings. The chosen restaurants are well known for their support of local producers and growers and their creativity to create amazing dishes.

 

The evening will start of at 6pm on Tuesday 13th July with a lovely glass of bubbles at Interior Living in MacCurtain Street. Simone Kelly will welcome us in her shop which is a treasure chest full of exciting furniture, giftware and a larder with lots of foodie goodies. Slow Food members will remember Simone as the previous convivium leader of Cork City - we are still missing her immensely. Her knowledge about local produce and food is second to none and I am sure she will share her knowledge with you on the night.

 

From there we will start our mystery tour - and since it is a mystery night, we won't give any more details.

 

Please note: As the restaurants involved are keeping their tables free for us, we will need confirmed numbers by the 8th July. Upfront payment is necessary (payment can be made at Interior Living by cash or cheque - no credit cards can be accepted). A minimum number is required to make it worthwhile for the restaurants - the event will not go ahead if numbers are not met.

 

Please wear comfortable shoes as walking between the course is required.

 

Price for members is €40 and for non-members €45. Included in the price is a 3 course meal with a glass of wine for starter and main course and tea/coffee for dessert.

Please inform us if you have dietary requirements and we will try to accommodate you.

 

As always, please email Caz and Deirdre on corkcity@slowfoodireland.com

 

Old Millbank Smokehouse in Buttevant

OLD MILLBANK SMOKEHOUSE


A couple of weeks back, I enjoyed the Good Food Ireland plate for lunch at Nash 19. One of the items included was a smashing smoked salmon made by the Old Millbank Smokehouse in Buttevant.
Geraldine Bass is the lady behind the Willow Pond enterprise and I spotted her stand at a recent Farmer’s Market. Smoked Salmon and Trout were displayed but I was after something else and that was her Salmon Pâté.
Four euro bought me a fine tub of it. Started it yesterday for lunch and we agreed that it was a class product, subtle yet strong enough. Great stuff and that will be finished off soon as a starter for our wet Friday night in.

You'll find Old Millbank at the Mahon Point Farmers Market (below)

Check out my review of Old Millbank Smokehouse - I am cork - on Qype

IDAHO CAFE

 THE IDAHO CAFE

Downtown for a few hours today, principally to say Bon Voyage to the Clipper 09-10 race as the ten racing boats left the city quays on the last leg of their 35,000 mile trip around the world.

Took a walk in the rain over to the Idaho Cafe for a slightly early lunch. I choose the Potato and Gubbeen Cheese with Bacon and was glad that I did. I could have eaten the Morris Piper potatoes on their own but, mixed with the Gubbeen, the combination was unbeatable.

The Cafe is small but comfortable enough. Service is friendly and efficient and the cooking is top class. My main course, with a small salad, cost €11.00.

Oonagh Poynton in Youghal

POYNTON – RHINECREW COOKERY

“Oonagh Poynton is a truly fine cook....she is as expert with the sweet as she is with the savoury.” So says the Bridgestone Guide (2010).
Came across a selection of her cakes and jams at the Mahon Point Farmers Market recently and helped myself to a jar of her thick-cut marmalade. It went down a treat (well not all of it –yet) with some white bread from the Natural Foods Bakery and I must say I was very happy with the purchase, wrapped very nicely indeed by Mr Poynton.
Being from Youghal, you will find her products at local markets such as Lismore and the West Waterford Food festival and her cookery classes at Rhinecrew are also quite a draw. The marmalade has broken the ice for me and I’ll be on the look-out for her products in the future.
Just one little puzzle: she is generally referred to as Oonagh on the net and in the Guide but hubby told me the U on the jam-jar was for Una.

Check out my review of Oonagh Poynton - I am cork - on Qype

Mileeven Fine Foods in Kilkenny

MILEEVEN FINE FOODS

Always willing to try something new and always on the lookout, I picked up a pot of Honey with Sour Cherries recently at the Kilkenny Shop in Shanagarry. Mileeven, a company based in Piltown, is noted for its innovation and mixes its honey with Blueberries, Hazelnuts and Irish Mist among other ingredients.
Maybe I should have tried the Irish Mist. I must admit that I won't be buying the Sour Cherries blend again. It didn't go down that well. I didn't regard the mix as at all successful with the cherries spoiling the honey and vice versa. Still, that won't stop me trying products from the highly successful company in the future.
But I could well be buying them through the net. This little 250 gram jar cost €4.50 in Shanagarry, over double the price from the Mileeven website shop! (http://www.mileeven.com/)

Check out my review of Mileeven Fine Foods - I am cork - on Qype

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

Dull morning in Mahon today but the Farmers Market was as lively as ever. Reached the venue just around opening time and started with a five euro bag of mackerel from O’Driscoll’s of Schull.

Passed Una Poynton’s jam and cake stand and realised I had finished the last of the marmalade at breakfast. Una wasn't there but hubby was and my jar of thick cut was wrapped neatly in a fancy bag.

Headed then for Green Saffron and decided to try it out by buying a meal in a tub: lamb, rice and bread for two. Instructions of course came with it, generously detailed by the man himself.

Then called to the Gubbeen Smokehouse  spot to buy the five star Chorizo. That will be served with our favourite Spanish rice recipe.

A trip around here could take all day, so we had to be somewhat selective but couldn't resist the Old Millbank smoked fish stall where we bought some of their delicious salmon pate.

Also made a stop at the Natural Foods Bakery  where a round of a terrific organic white bread set us back €2.65.

Don't normally shop at Tesco’s but since we were there.... we filled up the trolley, yoghurts from Glenilen and some Czech beer buried deep in the load.

Janet's Country Fayre in Wicklow

JANET’S COUNTRY FAYRE
Relishes and Chutneys generally improve whatever you have on the table: meats, cheeses, and salads. And Janet’s Country Fayre produce one of the best ranges of chutneys and relishes you are likely to find and have been doing so since 1994 when the Wicklow enterprise was established.
Came across a stand of the products, some of them cheekily named, a few days back and bought a few. Only one, the Special Vinaigrette, has been tried out so far and all attendees at a small dinner party remarked favourably on it.
There are many more products including Ploughman’s Chutney, Tomato and Chilli salsa, Cucumber Pickle, Smart Ass Sauce and Really Good Ketchup. Watch out for their very helpful leaflet with many suggestions (even recipes) as to how to get the best from the tempting products. All the info may be accessed at the website: http://www.janetscountryfayre.com
Check it out!

Check out my review of Janet's Country Fayre - I am cork - on Qype

The Club Brasserie

THE CLUB BRASSERIE


Made my first visit to the Club Brasserie this week. It won’t be the last. Great food, good value (in local terms) and excellent service always brings the customer back.
Started by studying the Early Bird (25 euro for 3 courses) and the A la Carte. Then put those aside as a packed specials board was brought to the table, enough tempting dishes for a week’s visits.
Picked the Tomato and Basil Soup to start with. I was on a winner straight away as this was an excellent bowlful. Oh, and the bread was top class also.
Then on to the main courses. Mine was the Seared Tuna with tomato, avocado, green beans and potato gratin. The fish was just so, tasty and moist and the vegetables fitted the bill to perfection. The other main course at the table was an Aubergine and Onion Tart with a sweet tomato chutney, salad and potato wedges. A little on the sweet side for me but she just loved it.
Dessert was Crème Brulee, with a difference, the difference being a mix of summer berries, a classy way to finish off a classy meal. Total, including €14.95 for 50cl of the house wine special, came to €68.70.

Despite all the good things here, it was a very quiet Thursday night, just a handful of people in. Should be better next week when the round-the –world Clippers will be docked at nearby Albert Quay.

Club Brasserie, Lapps Quay, Cork +353 (0)21 427-3987

Check out my review of The Club Brasserie - I am cork - on Qype

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

SUPER DRINKS

SUPER DRINKS

It was in the poems of 1963 Nobel prize winner Giorgos Seferis, a Greek, that I first remember coming across the exotic word pomegranate. And it was a long time after that that the fruit, especially its juice, became generally available in this country.

I was reminded of this as I was tasting some samples from the widely available Pomegreat range, not just your plain Pomegranate but some unexpected blends. I tasted two of these, the first with Blueberry and the second with Beetroot. The Blueberry was fine but I must admit that I was more than pleasantly surprised by the Beetroot blend, quite a nice rounded drink. The plain also was fine.

The range is widely available (including Dunnes and Superquinn) and costs around two euro a litre.

A recent study by a group of doctors at St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital has been particularly important in supporting the claim that Beetroot is of super food status. Read more here.

Pomegreat, the makers of the pomegranate super juice drinks, claim that these drinks can help in the lowering of blood pressure and you may study that report here 

South County in Douglas (Cork)

SOUTH COUNTY

Met a few friends at the South County in Douglas one night this week. I really liked this expanded bar. Big bars are sometimes like a big shed but good use has been of the space here which has been arranged into a series of nooks (some bigger than others) but all within easy reach of a counter.

Indeed, the friendly staff here are “pro-active”. I was on my way to the counter when an assistant met me, took the order and delivered it to the table. It was a little on the late side for the food but they do operate a cafe here, more than likely to the same high standards.

Impressed too with the toilets. These are clean and spacious and the walls are decorated with a series of “saucy postcard” type cartoons. I was having a laugh but the fellow next to me, obviously a regular, said he’d seen them all before and more than once!

Check out my review of South County - I am cork - on Qype