Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Favourite Delicious Dishes 2025 (so far!!!). Ballycotton's Sea Church serves up a tasty hat trick!

Favourite Delicious Dishes 

2025 (so far!!!)

Bouillabaisse at Cobh's Azure

Halfway through and just wondering who, if anyone, is going to get up there with the revamped Sea Church in Ballycotton, the only venue to feature in all three of the main categories: starter, mains and dessert! Really looking forward to seeing what will emerge over the second half of the year!


Mains  - Meat & Poultry 

51 Cornmarket (free-range pork chop)

ORSO (Lamb shank)

Thompsons (steak)

Sea Church, Ballycotton. (Boeuf Bourguignon)

Jim Edwards Kinsale (Duck)

Nua Asador (Picanha)


Sea Bass at Sea Church



Mains - Fish

Canopy at Castlemartyr Resort (Salmon with butternut risotto)

CUSH, Midleton  (Grilled Hake)

Farmgate Café (Pan Fried Cod with Peperonata, etc)

Market Lane (Sardinian Seafood Pasta)

Salty Dog, Ballycotton (John Dory)

Sea Church, Ballycotton. (Sea Bass on bone)

K. O'Connell Fishmongers at Dunne's Stores Patrick St (Salmon Arancini)



Mains - others

Bella Napoli (Ragu Alla Genovese)

Good Hood (Diego Pizza)

Ichibanya (Bento Box)

Sullys (Tacos, Nachos)

The Wine Tavern St Luke's (Sharing Board, charcuterie & cheese)

Bakestone  (quiche)

The Lodge Myrtleville Curry


Lamb Shank at ORSO


Soups, Chowders, Starters

Azure Bistro, Cobh (Bouillabaisse)

Canopy at Castlemartyr Resort (Aloo Tikki)

Goldie (Oyster Paté)

Sea Church, Ballycotton. (Chowder)

The Lodge, Myrtleville (Bao Buns)

Sweet at Bakestone!


Desserts

Bakestone  (pastries)

Le Bistro (Carrot Cake)

Maison Gourmet, Kenmare (Strawberry Tart)

Sea Church, Ballycotton. (Crème Brûlée)

The Lake Hotel, Killarney (Bread & Butter Pudding)

Thompsons (Swiss Roll)

Full Irish at Granville (less some requested deductions!)


Breakfast

Granville Hotel Waterford (breakfast)

Carvery

The Elm Tree (carvery)

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Les Deux Cols Alize. An elegant Côtes du Rhone. Versatile at the table

Les Deux Cols Alize Côtes du Rhone (AC) 2022, 13% ABV


€23.00 at Matsons (Bandon, Grange and Youghal) 


An elegant Côtes du Rhone.  Versatile at the table


Made by an Irish run company in the Rhone Valley, this red has a mid to dark ruby robe. Aromas of ripe fruit are followed by a juicy and silky palate where the Grenache shines through with spice and a fresh acidity that enlivens the prolonged finish. Very Highly Recommended.


Importers Tindalls say Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah are the grapes here, and the label confirms that the Grenache Noir is the principal grape in the blend. Ninety-five per cent has been raised in the tank with 5% in demi-muid (demi-muid is a large oak barrel,  French oak in this case, and half the size of a muid). 


The Deux Cols story began in 2012 when two pals Charles Derain and Simon Tyrrell (then well-known as a cider maker in Ireland), set out to achieve a long-held ambition of becoming vignerons in the Rhône Valley. A few years later, Gerard Maguire joined them. Their organically farmed vineyards are aged between 30-70 years old and situated in the hills above the village of Saint Gervais in the northern part of the Gard. The altitude, sandy soils, surrounding forests and exposure to the Mistral* wind, help bring freshness to the grapes. 


The AOC wines are the perfect accompaniment to red meats, mature cheeses and Mediterranean dishes. Really well-priced, so no excuse not to get yourself a bottle and enjoy authentic Côtes du Rhône wine with duck breast, veal, lamb stews and hard or semi-hard cheeses. Versatile, isn't it?


* That Mistral, a regular feature here (Mont Ventoux means the windy mountain), was particularly nasty in 1956, blowing for three weeks with wind speeds reaching over 100kph and causing the temperature to drop as low as minus 15 degrees. The majority of the Rhone region’s olive trees suffered serious frost damage but the vines resisted so well that many olive farmers turned to vine cultivation.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Sardinian Seafood Pasta a Highlight of Market Lane Lunch

 Sardinian Seafood Pasta a Highlight

 of Market Lane Lunch


Orzo pasta centre right of pic (via Couleur on Pixabay)




Sardinian Seafood pasta was the highlight of a recent lunchtime visit to Cork's marvellous Market Lane Restaurant which has been feeding us well in Oliver Plunkett Street since 2007. It was founded with the aim of sourcing much of their incoming produce from local suppliers and the nearby English Market.


The full description of my dish was Sardinian Seafood Pasta, featuring prawns, mussels, hake, and braised squid in a tomato and chilli ragu, served with orzo pasta and pangrattato.(€23.00




I could see that my Orzo pasta is a type that resembles large grains of rice. It's typically made from wheat and is often used in Italian cuisine, also in neighbouring countries (such as Greece). Its small size makes it a versatile ingredient that can easily absorb flavours.


Had to do a bit of research to find that out! I had an idea, though, that the following word, pangrattato, would have something to do with bread. Considering its musical name, I was hoping for something more glamorous than breadcrumbs, even toasted and seasoned! I’m something of a sucker for those magical Italian names that have graced our football fields for many years, names such as Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Del Piero. You’d really have a head start in romance, whatever about football, with monikers like that!


Mossfield Gouda and asparagus tartlet
Back to the stellar Pasta dish. It may not have been the most glamorous to look at, but its performance on the plate was faultless, a formidable mix of fish with the chilli and juicy tomatoes playing a blinder, backed to the hilt by that Orzo and even by those humble breadcrumbs.


Hard to believe that back in 2009 Bord Iascaigh Mhara felt the need to mount an extensive promotion campaign to get people to ask for hake and other lesser-known fish.


Nowadays, hake appears on virtually every restaurant menu in the country. It is a favourite with CL, and no big surprise when she picked the pan-fried hake, potato, parsnip, and rosemary gratin, tenderstem broccoli, dry cider, and fennel sauce (€23.20). It was well-cooked and presented, and earned a big thumbs up.



Also in contention! Korean bulgogi steak sandwich on a sourdough baguette, with chilli, sesame, and soy marinade, carrots, spring onions, and lime mayo, served with house chips. I enjoyed this here previously and can highly recommend it.  


While the hake may have been familiar, that was not the case with the starters and my Mossfield Gouda and asparagus tartlet, asparagus salad, shaved parmesan and chives (11.90) was a beauty with a distinctive flavour and texture. 


That starter was vegetarian while CL’s Cauliflower croquetas, butterbean and green herb purée, sun-dried tomato sauce vierge, toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy cauliflower leaves  (11.50) was vegan and also excellent, even though the cauliflower leaves were far from crispy.



There’s always a terrific choice, both at lunch and dinner, at Market Lane. Also in contention as a starter was the Frenchman’s Heaven: French Onion Soup with Coolea cheese and sourdough croutons. I was very tempted, as it's a favourite, but I decided to try the tartlet instead!



Suppliers included: Churchfield Community Trust, The Singing Frog Garden, Mealagulla Orchard, Bushby Strawberries, and the likes of Mr Bells and The Chicken Inn (two from a half dozen from the English Market). A little further afield, you’ll note Blasket Lamb (Kerry), Tom Baldwin (Waterford), and Crowe’s Farm (Tipperary).


Speaking of local, they have their own superb beers, produced next door at their Elbow Lane Brewery. The stout is my favourite but I certainly wouldn’t refuse any of them.


More pros at Market Lane.

If you buy a voucher, you’ll be giving the lucky recipient a choice of the five restaurants in the group: Elbow Lane, Goldie, ORSO, Castle Café and Market Lane itself (which has a city centre location and a friendly and helpful staff on the floor).

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Heading for Kildare this summer? Here are a few tips.

Heading for Kildare this summer? 
Here are a few tips.
Foal, with foster mother in background

County Kildare is readily reachable from many parts of the country, just about two hours from Cork for instance. It’s convenient and is also full of attractions, big and small. Here, you'll find a sample, just a sample, of the county including The National Stud, Japanese Gardens, the shopping mecca that is Kildare Village, and the amazing Newbridge Silverware, featuring its core collection of silverware, along with the Museum of Style and a splendid restaurant on-site. You’ll need a place to stay, and below we spotlight two very hospitable and well-run hotels, Lawlors in Naas and Clanard Court in Athy.

Olivia Newton John (Museum of Style)

The story of Newbridge Silverware, its Museum of Style and excellent café

Princess Di's India dress


Naas is a superb base to explore Kildare!

Walking home by the Grand Canal from the Friday Country Market in Naas (one of the best-kept towns in Ireland)



Ready for shopping? Sample the many designer shops in Kildare Village


Coolea & Spinach Crêpe, in Kildare Village

The National Stud and Japanese Gardens 

Japanese Gardens at National Stud. Refreshments are available all day in this on-site café.
Meals are based on local produce even if the building style echoes a Japanese equivalent.

Clanard Court Hotel, your 4-star base in Athy

Bath in the bedroom. Very convenient at Clanard Court.
Strong. Ballet dancer with boxing gloves.
An eye-catching mural by Solus on Barrow Quay, Athy

Stay at Lawlors of Naas

Vi's in Lawlors




Monday, June 16, 2025

Esquires The Organic Coffee Co. Opens at Dairygold Co-Op Superstores, Mallow

 Press release

press release
Esquires The Organic Coffee Co. Opens
at Dairygold Co-Op Superstores, Mallow

Esquires Coffee will officially launch in Dairygold Co-Op Superstore in Mallow on June 20th, serving organic fairtrade coffee and a wholesome food menu. 


The new store is based in Dairygold Co-Op Superstore on Park Road in Mallow, opening 7 days a week. On June 20th, get ready for a great opening day at Esquires - Mallow. Coffee, food tastings, and entertainment the whole family can enjoy—don’t miss out!

Esquires Coffee in Mallow will serve 100% organic, Fairtrade coffee, and offer tasty food options for lunch, brunch, breakfast, snacks and treats. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available. The new store also features self-serve kiosks and click-and-collect service, both of which offer a fast and convenient experience.

Brendan Duigenan, Managing Director of Esquires Coffee in Ireland, said, “We’re thrilled to bring Esquires Coffee to Mallow in partnership with the Dairygold Co-Op Superstore. This new location reflects our continued commitment to serving high-quality, ethically sourced coffee in Ireland. We look forward to becoming part of the local community and providing a great coffee experience to customers in Mallow.

Pictured L-R: Barry Gardner, General Manager, Esquires, Brian Taylor, Regional Area Manager for Dairygold and Brendan Duigenan, Managing Director, Esquires.

Founded in Ireland in 2001, Esquires Coffee has grown into one of the country’s most respected boutique coffeehouse chains, now boasting 18 locations nationwide. Known for its 100% organic and Fairtrade-certified coffee, Esquires is part of the international Esquires Coffee brand, originally founded in Canada in 1993. The Irish operations are owned by Cooks Coffee Company, a New Zealand-based enterprise overseeing the brand’s global development.

Esquires Coffee in Mallow is open Monday to Wednesday 9 am to 5:30 pm, Thursday 9 am to 6:30 pm, Friday 9 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5:30 pm. 


Esquires Coffee Mallow is located in Dairygold Co-Op Superstores, Park Road, Mallow, Co Cork, P51 CV99. Keep up to date with the latest news by following Esquires Coffee on social at @esquirescoffeeire