Clancy’s. A welcome lunch of three tarts, almost!

Clancy’s. A welcome lunch of three tarts, almost!

St Tola Tartlet

After a walk against the wind on the Youghal Eco Boardwalk, with grains of sand stinging the old facial skin, we arrived back at the Front Strand to a welcome lunch in nearby Clancy’s.

It was a lunch starring three tarts, almost. Almost, because the dessert of Creme Brûlée was the traditional and not the tart version. 

Tempura Prawns 

Chicken and galette

The St. Tola Goats Cheese Tartlet (€12.90) was the star of the show and my starter. The attractively presented tartlet was packed with the noble St Tola, beetroot and pomegranate seeds, an excellent tarty combination, further enhanced by watercress, toasted golden nuts, raspberry dust and rose hip dressing. Happy sounds across the table, as CL enjoyed her Tempura Prawns (€13.90) with sweet chilli salsa, mixed leaves, curry mayo.

Their Free Range Chicken Supreme €22.90 was an excellent example of the type, not a bite was left. It came with mashed potato, a galette (tart) of Savoy cabbage, bacon and wild mushroom, along with a creamy marsala wine sauce, a winning combination for sure.

I was looking for a good feed after the windy walk and my mains was the Roast Sirloin Of Irish Beef (€19.90). The Yorkshire Pudding wasn’t available (not that I worried too much, not my favourite at all) but I did enjoy the tender tasty beef, the creamed potato and the shared seasonal vegetables. That amazing house jús, a generous pour, played a leading role.

Beef

The Crême Brûlée was shared. The Créma Catalana (€7.90,) to give it its full title, is served with a large cinnamon flavoured cookie (a treat in itself). All in all, a big thumbs up.

What I did notice here, aside from the welcome and friendly service, was their amazing whiskey list. There must be about three dozen Irish types, including plenty from Midleton of course, and then they have bottles from all over, including Japan. We were driving to Dungarvan so had to leave them all on the shelf. Next time.

It would be a great excuse to get the train to Youghal but that service ceased decades ago. Clancy’s have some railway memorabilia around the impressive premises and as we strolled back to the car we could see the old turnable - at least its concrete circumference - where the train engines were turned around to head back to the city. 

I used that train many a time on childhood trips to the front stand, my head out the window as smoke and sparks flew by, sometimes setting fire to the vegetation on the cuttings. Choo, Choo. Well it was a different kind of chew in Clancy’s, quite an impressive one at that.

Wine Expert Neil McGuigan at The Boardwalk

Wine Expert Neil McGuigan at The Boardwalk

Neil McGuigan

October is off to a great start for Cork’s wine-lovers, with celebrated wine-maker Neil McGuigan, winner of multiple International Wine Maker of The Year titles, leading an exclusive wine dinner at The Boardwalk Bar & Grill on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013. Neil McGuigan, , 

The evening will kick off with a drinks reception at 7.30pm, followed by an exquisite seven course dinner at 8pm, prepared by Niall Mooney, Head Chef at The Boardwalk Bar & Grill. McGuigan, CEO of McGuigan Wines, will share his extensive knowledge and experience as a world-class wine expert, as diners sample a line-up of peerless wines (minimum of five) from the newly launched McGuigan Reserve Range, which have been perfectly paired to the menu.

After-dinner entertainment will feature Alexandra Manning, acclaimed singer and pianist who will be accompanied by guitarist Jimmy Moore; a fitting conclusion to this intimate and elegant mid-week event.

Run by John and Darina Gately (also of The Montenotte Hotel), Cork’s only award-winning authentic steakhouse, The Boardwalk Bar & Grill, is renowned for the quality of their food, their excellent range of menus, and their outstanding hospitality. Located centrally on the vibrant Lapp’s Quay, the bar and restaurant offers guests a relaxed and sophisticated dining experience on the banks of the River Lee.

Tickets for this event, which is run in conjunction with Barry & Fitzwilliam, cost €49.50 per person, and places are limited, so why not book early to avoid disappointment!

To book tickets, call 021 4279990 or email info@theboardwalkbarandgrill.com

PIRATES SCORE ON CORK GOURMET TRAIL

See some more photos, these by Billy MacGill....here

CORK GOURMET TRAIL 

Captains Sylvia and Sandra

Scores of pirates gathered in Cork City on Saturday. But their intentions were benign. Make the most of the inaugural Cork Gourmet Trail  was the mission and it was accomplished with much fun, thanks to our merry captains.


First call was to Soho in mid-morning where a Pannier Champagne reception was laid on. There was a pirate hat competition running and early favourites emerged at the photo call. Champers downed, the gathering was divided into three crews and marched out on to the streets.


Led by feisty captains Sylvia and Sandra, our crew wandered peacefully through the side streets until we reached Greens by the Waterfall where the host restaurant was joined by Isaacs and the Rising Tide in dishing up the grub. The grog, as was the case in all four venues, was sponsored by Classic Drinks.


On then to the Boardwalk – nobody had to walk the plank – and the impressive line-up to feed the villains here was Club Brasserie, El Vino, Augustine’s and The Boardwalk Bar and Grill. 

Sing for your supper

Next host was Electric, again through the side streets including a stop in Oliver Plunkett Street and a song which earned the singing pirate a meal out for two!


More music at Electric where Pa Fitz entertained and where the high standard of food was maintained by Jacobs, the Ambassador, Soho and Electric itself. Still one more food stop to go and that was at the Cornstore where the providers were Amicus, Fenns Quay and Cornstore.


About five o’clock, the different crews re-united upstairs at the nearby Bodega to compare notes and the bounty – some restaurants, including Jacobs and Electric, gave out meal or wine vouchers – and listen to the band. The quiz and costumes winners were announced and the Bodega management offered everyone a free drink.

Pat Fitz at Electric

It was a very enjoyable day and very encouraging for the organisers. Looks like one that will be repeated. Personally, I enjoyed every moment, from that first starter of Jack McCarthy Black Pudding with Apple Sauce by Isaacs to the final Chocolate Mousse in a mini-cornet by Fenns Quay.


Tried hard to sample everything; don't think it was possible. My favourite of those that I did try out was the Chicken Balti with the French Morteau sausage by Augustine’s. Isaac’s breaded lamb chop and Electric’s cold sea bass dish were other favourites.

Classic Wines

But I was just one of many and others spoke to me of enjoying their particular favourites and I heard that the Tapas type offerings of some restaurants went down very well, the Boardwalk’s steaks were popular was were the Chinese offerings of the Ambassador.


Something for everyone then and nice to see some chefs trying something different such as the “Gravalaix of Tuna in a Nori seaweed” by the Rising Tide and the different take on the Seafood Chowder by Greene’s who also had a terrific Beetroot Soup on their table.


Just a word of praise to Classic Drinks who not alone kept the thirsty crews well lubricated but also took the trouble to post up plenty of information about the wines and varied the offerings from restaurant to restaurant, usually matching a red with a white from the same area. In Electric for example, they had a Muriel Blanco 2009 along with a Muriel CVC Rioja 2006.


So a big thanks to Classic, to Pannier, to all the restaurants and especially to the organisers! Just picked up a message in a bottle down the quays and it reads: Let’s do it all again next year!