Showing posts with label The White Hag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The White Hag. Show all posts

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Saturday night buzz at Pigalle Kitchen in Barrack Street

Saturday night buzz at Pigalle Kitchen

Turbot starter


Hadn’t been to Barrack Street’s Pigalle for quite a while. With our 6.00pm dinner reservation, we were among the first to get to the venue last Saturday night, and it was quiet. Only for a moment! Five minutes later, the place was full, the buzz began and never stopped. We joined with the engaging staff, as the music played, lots of chats and laughs began, and in between there were a series of expertly thought out and executed dishes from a menu that is not repeated anywhere around this town.


Many restaurants do of course use local produce and so does Pigalle: Skeaghanore Duck, Kilbrack Farm, Macroom Buffalo, Ballea Lamb (via O’Mahony’s in the English Market), Velvet Cloud, Valentia Island Vermouth, West Cork Tofu, Rossmore Oysters and much more. Lots of good organic and natural wine here also, a selection of cocktails, Beamish of course (it is the drink in this street) and also Franciscan Well. Glad to see also that Sligo’s White Hag had two taps and we went on to enjoy their Lager and Atlantean IPA.

Duck, pic via Pigalle

We skipped the opening snacks of Rossmore Oyster with Tomatillo Chutney and the Courgette Bhaji with Macroom Buffalo Ricotta. Concentrated on the starters of which there was a short but tempting selection including a special of Razor Clams, Nduja, White Hag's Atlantean IPA Sourdough. Another featured Ballyhoura Wild Mushroom, another Macroom Buffalo Bocconcini.


No shortage of spices here and both of our choices had some. CL’s was Skeaghanore Duck Laab, House Sriracha, Kohlrabi Som Tam, Purple Basil (€10.00). Also known as Larb this a lively and lovely salad and was very much appreciated. 


I picked the Turbot Ceviche, Cucumber, Yuzu, Pickled Chilli, Vietnamese Coriander (€10), a gorgeous palate-waking dish that combined South American and Asian in a cosy old spot on an ancient Cork street. Is the world getting smaller or what? No doubt though our tastes are expanding as peoples interact across the globe. Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep all interactions peaceful.

Lamb


It wasn’t all peace and quiet here in Pigalle. Here, you talk that bit louder, laugh a little louder. There was a party in the back room but the happy vibes were all over the place and we took it all in as we sipped the beers and waited for our mains. They didn’t take long. The crew here have time for the chat but are also on the ball.


I had the wonderful rump of lamb, a captivating combination of Ballea Lamb, Marquez Sausage, Aubergine, Smoked Beetroots, and Velvet Cloud Sheep’s Yoghurt (26). A slightly offbeat ensemble really but it all came together gorgeously, the lamb had of course the lead role yet everything else on the plate, especially the beetroot and the yogurt, had their moments. Bravo! And thumbs up also for our other mains, the fish special of Pan fried Bream with Valentia Island Vermouth Velouté, Confit Fennel, and Charred Leeks (€24).




The other choices available were Smoked Peanut Sambal, West Cork Tofu, Buckwheat Noodles, Sprouting Broccoli,Tomatillo, and Blackened Hake, Scallop, Langoustine Curry Butter, Pickles, Squid Ink.  


There were sides also on offer and we picked the Fried Rooftop Farm Potatoes with Hazelnut Parsley Butter (4). That rooftop farm is downtown, in Cornmarket Street, and their Green salad was another of the sides.


We weren’t, at a quick first glance, immediately impressed with the three desserts on offer but, considering what had gone before, a second reading was in order and was followed by an order. Good decision! 


We went on to enjoy the Killeen Cumin Goat's Gouda, Templegall Cow's Cheese, Apple Jelly, & Crackers (€10) and also Blackberry & Cider Jelly, Marshmallow, Honey & Lavender Ice Cream (€8). The Blackberry & Cider jelly was excellent while the cheese (in generous quantities and enhanced by the superb apple jelly) was a treat. I always enjoy Hegarty’s but hadn’t come across this Killeen before (will be looking out for it now).


* Pigalle are continuing with their 3 courses for €35 option on Wednesdays and Thursdays, where all the dishes are from the main menu and that means good food and great value.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Friendliness. Food. Flowers. All, and more, at Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry.

Friendliness. Food. Flowers. All, and more, at Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry


Friendliness. Food. Flowers. You’ll find all three, and much more besides, in Keenan’s Hotel in Tarmonbarry on the Roscommon Longford border.


Indeed, the location is another plus factor for this family run hotel, the premises founded in 1865 and now run by the sixth generation of the family. 

This part of the restaurant overlooks the Shannon.


The historic pub lies at the crossroads of the mighty River Shannon flowing north to south, and the N5 linking the east and west coasts; the N4 is also close by. 


Tarmonbarry Bridge, built in the mid-1840s and probably tolled in the early days, made the location a strategic one for the new pub and it soon became a regular watering hole for travellers as it is to this day. In the mid-1970s the bridge was adapted so it could open to accommodate larger watercraft.

This salmon was a favourite!


Enjoyed this..
Waterways are important in this area of the country. Keenan’s are on the bank of Shannon, alongside that bridge (to Longford) were boats pass through and a few hundred yards down is the Tarmonbarry Lock, a peaceful spot (the only noise is when the lock gates operate!) with fine views and mooring spaces for boats.


Travellers come from far and near, by road, river and canal, to Keenan’s, especially this time of the year, “the queen weeks” as Annette Keenan called them when we chatted. Last Wednesday evening was busy there, scores of diners in the bar. 

..and this!



But there were even more present on the Thursday, yet they handled it all very well, finding tables for everyone. And the food was of a very good standard indeed and of course I was happy to see two craft brews on tap!


The craft beers available were the Scraggy Bay from Donegal’s Kinnegar and the Little Fawn by Sligo’s White Hag. Over the two nights, I sampled both and delighted to do so.They may well have had other local beers in bottle. Also, on the shelves, you’ll spot the distinctive blue gin bottle of the nearby Lough Ree distillery. I was kicking myself as I hadn’t known about it when strolling through Lanesborough earlier in the day - I must have walked past it! How could that happen?


Anyway, back to the food. They have quite a menu here. We enjoyed their Chicken Wings (with sesame seeds, Hot Sauce, side blue cheese mayo & celery sticks), Shredded duck confit in crispy filo pastry, rocket salad, drizzled with hoisin, lime & chilli jam, but our favourite was perhaps the classic Atlantic Prawn Cocktail With Marie rose sauce (no shortage of prawns!).

Rhubarb & plum crumble. Yum!


Lots of choice too on the mains menu, everything from steak to vegetarian. Dishes that we enjoyed were their Steak Sandwich (6oz Sirloin Steak on a toasted ciabatta bread with garlic butter, topped with sauté onions, served with a side of hand-cut chips & pepper sauce), the Roasted confit of Duck, crushed baby potatoes with bacon & onion, grilled asparagus & broccoli, orange sauce, and also Roast Chicken Supreme (with gratin potatoes, grilled tender stem broccoli & asparagus, celeriac apple velouté sauce, balsamic glaze). 

Panoramic shot as pleasure boat approaches the lifted section of bridge with traffic stopped on both sides on the N5. The boat had just come through the Tarmonbarry Lock, a few hundred metres back. A few boats came through
from the left as well.


We had a favourite here with lots of flavour and textures and that was the Fresh Roast Salmon with sauté pak choi, mixed peppers, courgette & red onion, grilled asparagus & broccoli, with mango salsa & baby potatoes.

 

Our dive into the desserts wasn’t quite that deep but we certainly enjoyed the two that we managed, the Mango & Passionfruit Pannacotta with Champagne sorbet and also the crunchy and very tasty Rhubarb and Plum Crumble.

A boat comes through the bridge and heads for the nearby
Tarmonbarry Lock.


In the morning, it was upstairs (for us) to the lovely breakfast room and another fine menu, full of choice. Again local producers were supported with eggs from Diffley’s farm, bacon and sausages from Dunnes farm and black and white pudding from Kellys of Newport. We enjoyed various combinations after starting with orange juice and cereals (including their own impressive granola). Hot porridge was also available. And a highlight was a really well made brown bread.


We were out and about most of the time so didn’t get to sample the lunch menu but it looks tempting and contains quite a few of the dishes available later on, along with a selection of sandwiches. You’ll be well fed here, no matter what time of day you call in!


More on Keenan's here


Part 2

Friendliness. Food. Flowers. You’ll find all three, and much more besides, in Keenan’s Hotel in Tarmonbarry on the Roscommon Longford border.


At your service! Father and son: Barry and David.



In Part 1, we spoke mainly about the food. Let us get back to the friendliness. Because of the seasonality of the business here, staff will change but the class of 2022 seems to me to be exceptional. Excellent teamwork all round, very friendly and also very efficient. And of course, family members such as Annette and Barry and son David pitch in and work as hard as anyone.

Keenan's looks well on its N4 side.


David, part of the sixth generation here, was appointed as general manager last year. The original pub, a more modest establishment, was opened by David’s great great great grandfather, Hugh Reynolds, on the same site in 1865. 


David’s parents, Barry and Annette Keenan, took over 25 years ago and were responsible for introducing the food service with which Keenans has become synonymous, as well as developing the 12-bedroom boutique hotel.

And on the river side where the rooms, with flowers on the balconies,
 overlook the mighty River Shannon.


The welcome here begins with the flowers, organised by Annette. The striking arrangement, both on the streetside and on the riverbank aspect, are bright and cheerful and beckon you to stop. After all, if people take such care of their public places, then I reckon the same care will be applied within the premises and so it proved over our two-day stay.


Indeed, the whole village looks neat and tidy. On our second day, the concrete faces of the bridge were getting a new coat of paint. Tarmonbarry Lock, a couple of hundred yards from the hotel, is also well kept, a good place to sit and relax and watch the boats come and go.

Teasels in Strokestown Walled Garden.


Picking Keenan’s as a location makes many interesting places very accessible indeed. Here are a few that we visited. Our first stop was Elphin, to see the famous windmill, the only one in Connacht. Well, we did get to see it but it wasn’t working as repairs were in progress.


Our next stop, a longer and a much more sobering one was at Strokestown House, to see the National Famine Museum. We then took a stroll through the Woodland Park and the huge walled gardens before a lovely light lunch in the café there. Unluckily for us, Strokestown House wasn’t yet open to the public so we missed out on further increasing the “experience" of the famine times. We’ll have to go again, for a third time, as we also missed out a few years when while staying in Roscommon Town.


Another stop was at Ballyleague (Roscommon) and across the bridge to Lanesborough (Longford). More scenic views and plenty of boats too.

At rest in the Hidden Ireland, on the Royal Canal in Cloondara


Then it was time to head to the hotel and soon we were strolling down to the lock. And yes there were a few boats coming in and heading for the bridge. From the lock, we could see a section of the bridge rising to allow the boats through and the following day, we got a close-up view of that operation, carried out by staff from the lock.

Walking the National Famine Way


On the second morning, we strolled over the bridge and walked a kilometre or so, maybe a little longer, to Cloondara in Longford. This little village is where we found the Royal Canal and quite a few boats. Here too the National Famine Way continues; it is a self-guided Trail detailing the ill-fated journey of 1,490 famine emigrants who walked from Strokestown Park to ships in Dublin in 1847, at the height of the Irish Famine.


This 165km digitally and physically waymarked historic trail following in the footsteps of the famine emigrants and particularly focusing on one of them, 12 year old Daniel Tighe. The National Famine Way™ runs from Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin’s Docklands, along country roads and the Royal Canal towpath. 

Bronze childrens shoes mark the National Famine Way.


An app is available free of charge from the App Store. The official pack and passport with OSI Map ensure an optimum experience for walkers and cyclists on the safe and relatively flat route. The trail is waymarked by 32 poignant sculptures of bronze 19th-century children’s shoes along the route.


This accredited Heritage and Arts Trail not only links two significant Irish museums but also makes the connection between Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East and echoes current day famine and migration. In addition to the health, historical, cultural and arts impact it offers an economic boost to local communities with cycling hire, cafés, bars, shops and accommodation all benefiting.


Much more info on the National Famine Way may be seen here. 

Our boat, the Blue Moon.


Having seen so many enjoy the lakes, rivers and canals, we headed for Carrick-on-Shannon and a cruise on the river in the Moon River, an all-weather “adventure” in a fully enclosed and heated cruiser, owned and run by Blue Moon. There is some limited outdoor seating at front and rear. The company highlights that the boat is a fun adventure and provides music and a bar. Later, we visited the quiet village of Leitrim.


Plans to visit the Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo didn’t quite work out so we’ll have to go again. And, with a base like Keenan’s, that won’t be any hardship at all!


Also on this trip:

Local Whiskey and Beers all the way from Mayo to Roscommon 

48 Hours in Roscommon and neighbouring counties

Monday, May 16, 2022

A Quart of Ale± #105. On the craft journey with Wide Street, The White Hag, Whiplash, Larkins

A Quart of Ale± #105


On the craft journey with Wide Street, The White Hag, Whiplash, Larkins 

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Wide Street Vienna Lager 4.9%, 440ml can Bradleys


It’s a Vienna Lager, so it is from the darker hemisphere of the style, opaque orange with an off white soft slow-sinking head. Some rich malt in the aromas but spicy and floral elements from the hops also prominent. And so it continues, malty, floral, spicy, an engaging combo on the palate. But nothing extreme, all in moderation and the result is an excellent beer with great depth of flavour. It has perfect balance and a good finish.


Lip-smackingly refreshing, nice bit of cutting in this one. The medium bitterness comes from the Magnum hops while a finish of Saaz keeps it spicy and floral. The majority of the malt is Vienna and Pilsner with a tiny amount of dark crystal giving even more colour plus a slight malt richness. For all that, you don’t immediately jump to the conclusion that this is a lager.


Wide Street, who are Longford based, say they love experimenting with alternative and wild fermentation methods. “We use traditional brewing processes with open top-fermenters. Our beers are unfiltered, unpasteurised and can-conditioned which means that beers are re-fermented in the can with a champagne yeast strain. Most of our beers are very dry and fully fermented with a final gravity below 1.003.”


In previous Quarts, we have reviewed their Cashmere IPA here, their Peach Berliner Sour or Sweet here, and their Mills Pils Farmhouse Pils here. 



The White Hag Little Olcan Brett Session IPA, 4.2%, 330ml can Bradleys 



This little White Hag is a hazy light yellow colour with a soft slow-fade white head. Not too sure about the claimed “white wine bouquet” but certainly it is citrous, even a little on the funky side. And that funky bit continues on to the palate, nothing too far out mind you. Fruity, floral and herby and dry on the finish. A refreshing little number for sure..


They have put a lot of work into it: Little Olcan is the baby brother of our original brett IPA, Olcan. This Farmhouse-style session IPA is fermented with our house Brettanomyces blend, in French wine barrels specially sourced from the Bordeaux region. This beer is matured for up to 12 months to allow the Brett to develop its bright, unique character. Then, just before canning, we dry hop in steel tanks with Mosaic and El Dorado to further accentuate the complex and fruity character of the yeast.



Whiplash Got To Keep On Pale Ale 5.3%, 440ml can Bradleys



There’s a burst of aromatic hops as you pull the tab on this one. It pours a light hazy orange in the glass with a soft bubble-laden head that hangs around for a spell. Citrus (they suggest lemon drops and I could agree, no problem) leads the fruit in the aromas and turns up again on the palate which is beautifully balanced, no extremes whatsoever, just very smooth and extremely drinkable. Perfectly acceptable finish also with just enough bitterness to keep it on the rails.


Web: Our #IWCBD beer is here! Got To Keep On was brewed for #IWD and had input from the whole team – like all our beers. A beer created by a team that features our talented female brewers is not a special occasion, it’s any day of the week and any of our beers, and we wanted to highlight that as part of the Unite Celebration theme. We landed on a Pale Ale as we wanted something pint-able and crushable and we’re pretty sure we’ve done that!


By the way, #IWD stands for International Women’s Day. I’ll leave you work out what #IWCBD stands for, something to do as you sip this gorgeous beer! 


Geek Bits

Malts: Golden Promise, Oat Malt, Carapils, 

Hops: Aus Vic Secret (Passion fruit, resinous, pineapple), NZ Azacca (Mango Tropical Orange), USA El Dorado (Apricot, Tropical, Citrus).

ABV 5.3%

440ml cans and kegs

Artwork by @sophie_devere

Released: March 2022.


Larkins Judge Fudge Imperial Stout 8.5%, 440ml can Bradleys



Close to black with a tan head that stays around. A hint of nutmeg and cinnamon in the otherwise toasty aromas. Maple syrup steps to the front in the flavours where there is a lot going on, maybe too much. After all, ingredients include Barley, Lactose, Cinnamon, Fudge brownie, Oats, Hops, Water, Yeast, Cacao Nibs, Sea Salt, Nutmeg, and Maple Syrup. Much too sweet for me though.



The label says this is a “spiced salted maple fudge brownie imperial stout” and is best served warmer than chilled. They are obviously happy with it: “..feckin delicious! Not sure there's much more to say on this but when we sat down together with @dot_brew, we decided we wanted to achieve layers of flavours that balance where it's not overly sweet and no one flavour is overpowering.”



Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Beer of the Year 2021. The Reveal!

Beer of the Year 2021


Very difficult to separate the contenders but the nod for my Beer of the Year goes to the Brehon Brewhouse Oak & Mirrors Cask Aged Imperial Porter. Brehon: "Whiskey-aged porter from a collaboration with our good friends at TWO STACKS using their freshly emptied single malt cask to mature our brew. Of course, getting it right took a few tastings with the lads. This is a superior whiskey cask-aged imperial porter that will please the most discerning of whiskey-loving palettes. Limited edition.."

1 - Cask-Aged Brehon Brewhouse Oak & Mirrors Two Stacks Whiskey Cask Aged Imperial Porter

 2 (joint) - Yellow Belly “Red Noir” Dark Red Ale

                  Whiplash “Melodie Noir” Baltic Porter


4 -       Mescan Brewery Old Brown 


5  (joint) -   Western Herd Flora and Fauna 10 Hop DIPA 

                 - Hope “Limited Edition No 25“ Classic Gose

                 -  Dungarvan “Mahon Falls” Rye Pale


8 - Galway Bay NZ Pils Motueka Dry Hopped Pilsner

Mescan's Old Brown


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Below are more of my favourites from the past 12 months. I'm lucky to have a great supplier here in Cork City and virtually every brewer in the country will know of Bradley's in North Main Street. There's a wall of beer there but I'm conscious that quite a few others don't make it this far south and so I've used various online shops to broaden my scope. If you feel, your beer is missing out, do please let me have a DM with info as to where I can buy it.


Category favourites 2021


Pale Ale:  White Hag “Magic Mist” Juicy Pale Ale (from a very competitive section)


IPA (also very competitive!): Blacks St Tropez IPA Summer IPA 4.8%


Session: Eight Degrees Seisíun IPA 4.5%. No shortage of competition here.


Lager: Galway Bay NZ Pils Motueka Dry Hopped Pilsner 4.9%, from a crowded field


Less competitive categories, even sub-categories


Coffee and Oatmeal Stout: Dungarvan Brewing.


Cask-Aged: Brehon Brewhouse Oak & Mirrors Two Stacks Whiskey Cask Aged Imperial Porter 7.5%; 


Porter: Whiplash The Sup


Rauchbier: Kinnegar 20÷2 Anniversary Rauchbier 5%


Barleywine: Eight Degrees Irish Oak-aged Barleywine 12.2%


Old Brown: Mescan


Spon: Land & Labour Crimson Kriek Framboise


Baltic Porter: Whiplash Melodie Noir Baltic Porter


Wheatbeer/Witbier/Wheat: Curious Society Wheat Beer


DIPA: Western Herd Flora and Fauna 10 Hop DIPA, 9.45%


Black IPA: 9 White Deer Black Lightning; 


Rye Pale Ale: Dungarvan “Mahon Falls” Rye Pale Ale


Bitter: Lough Gill Five Candles Extra Special Bitter


Stout: Ballykilcavan Blackwell Stout.


Kolsch: Rye River Grafters Clocking Off Kölsch Style


Red Ale: Yellow Belly “Red Noir” Dark Red Ale 4.5%


Gose: Hope “Limited Edition No 25“ Classic Gose


Non Alcoholic: Stonewell 0% Cider


Amber Ale: Kinnegar Devil’s Backbone 


Sour: Wide Street “Peach Berliner”Sour or Wheat? 


Brown Ale: Whiplash “The Ocean Wide” 


NEIPA: Heaney New England.


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Favourite beer in brew pubs:

Crew “Polly” IPA.


Also enjoyed:

Cotton Ball "Lynch’s" Stout (Cork City); Elbow Lane's "Angel" Stout (Cork City); and Tom Crean's "Six Magpies" Stout in Kenmare.


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Favourite Cider 2021: 

Stonewell Cask


Also enjoyed:

Johnny Fall Down Rare Apple Cider 2019. Longueville “Mór” Cider 8%.


Others to note:

Mac Ivors Traditional Dry Cider; Viking Orchard Cuvée; Con’s Irish Cider; Viking Hop It Craft Cider; Highbank “Proper Irish Cider” 2016. 


Irish Perry

Cockagee Cider Piorraí Irish Sparkling Perry


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