Showing posts with label Vienna Woods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vienna Woods. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Generous Plates At The Vienna Woods Hotel. And A Memory Of Time And Chicken Shared

Generous Plates At The Vienna Woods Hotel. 

And A Memory Of Time, And Chicken, Shared.


Memories came back the other night when we visited the nearby Vienna Woods Hotel for dinner. The building, surrounded by woods and perched on a height overlooking the Glashaboy River, has stood there since 1756. 

My memory or at least the basis for it doesn’t go back quite that far. One school break (Easter or summer I do not recall) in the early sixties, I worked here for a week or two, helping new owner Joan Shubuek. I mostly did the washing up, and a few other odd jobs around the place. 



In late afternoons, she would call me, occasionally, to the kitchen and we would share a cooked chicken and have a chat about what I cannot remember, probably about my family and schooling. That over, she’d wrap up the remains of the chicken and I’d cycle up the hill and home. Shubuek it was who gave that already old building its new name and a new purpose. Perhaps, for old times sake, I should have had the chicken the other night!


There is a quite a menu here in Mabel Crawford’s Bistro, a series of connected rooms (of different sizes). The Bistro is an unusual space and reportedly long hidden until discovered just over a decade ago. “Moving an old fridge in 2009 revealed a 150 year-old kitchen, and pantry of the old house, which was transformed into a 90-seat bistro.” The Crawfords lived here from 1875 to 1946.



The current menu covers lunch and dinner options, everything from soups and sandwiches to slow-cooked Featherblade of Beef and Torched Fillet of Atlantic Cod. It was the Dexter beef in the 8 ounce Burger that caught my eye and it was served with Organic tossed leaves, crispy bacon, and cheddar cheese, all in a Brioche bun plus a side of Hand Cut fries. And that beef certainly had that extra bit of flavour but everything else was also excellent, including those chips!


Our other pick was the Seared Supreme of Chicken (with caramelised apple and wild mushroom duxelle, toasted pine nuts, tender stem broccoli, Parma ham, fresh thyme, and wholegrain mustard). As we ate through this, we found the broccoli has been replaced by kale and there was no visible sign of the toasted pine nuts. 



In any case, it was quite a plateful and besides, to her surprise, a generous bowl of vegetables and potato gratin arrived as well. She enjoyed the ample chicken but barely picked at the side! Other main courses included steak, fish pie, Fish ’n Chips, a curry, and a duo of salmon and Monkfish.


Starters were also on the generous side. Don’t often see a Fricassee of Wild Irish Forest Mushroom on the menu so I went for that (cooked with white wine, parmesan cheese, seasoned greens, double cream, and basil oil and served with toasted Olive bread). Our other starter was the Grilled Garlic Breaded Mussels (with fresh herb crumb, lemon, rocket, pickled cucumber, bread and a side salad). Both were enjoyed.


It seems that most dishes here are on the generous side. The Vienna Woods are not alone in that regard, far from it. Sometimes I wonder if it is an Irish thing. Maybe not. By coincidence, I am at present reading Taste by Stanley Tucci. He is talking about a favourite NY restaurant: "The Carnegie Deli took it to the extreme. Their motto was, ‘if you’ve finished your meal, we’ve done something wrong.'” From Taste by Stanley Tucci.

A comfy booth, one of the rooms in Mabel Crawford's

We’ve had a few rhubarb desserts recently so we continued that trend by trying their Irish Rhubarb & Rosewater Panna Cotta with vanilla pod, homemade cookie (coconut), honey and rosewater, and cream of course! Quite a pleasant dessert and easy-eating following the generous dishes before. Again, as was the case in other restaurants (The Glass Curtain and The Tannery), there was little enough sign of the rhubarb. The best of these desserts came at O'Mahony's Watergrasshill; no shortage of the new season rhubarb there and it was served simply with ice cream, a bit like Alice’s Peach!


It was a busy early evening here in Glanmire as quite a few confirmation parties were in full swing and they kept a team of servers going non-stop. Our server, also involved in the servings in the various rooms, kept a good eye on us and even had time for the odd quick chat and a laugh and that added to our enjoyment of the occasion.


This spectacularly sited hotel is very well decorated and comfortably furnished and a pleasure to visit. So why not call in for a drink or a bite next time you’re in the area. I can assure you it is now much changed from the 1756 structure, built in the Regency style by Davis Ducart as a summer leisure lodge for Lord Barrymore!

Where we dined. Just how old is that exposed brickwork?

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

CorkBilly Latest Food & Drink














CorkBilly Latest Food & Drink
Week 210820. Update #1

Plan to issue this mid-week with updates towards weekend. If you have any food or drink news, DM me a line or two, plus a link and a photo if available. Of course, if you have "big" news, let me know also and we can do a full standalone post.

Escape to Celtic Ross for this three day lazy summer break

The team at Celtic Ross have created this three day lazy summer break in West Cork to maximise the benefits of a visit to Rosscarbery and experience the variety of culinary offerings at Celtic Ross and the local food producers featured on our menus. This three day escape is a definite opportunity to explore, eat sleep and enjoy!
Inclusions in this package are:
•Bed and breakfast for three nights in a double or twin room
•Clonakilty gin cocktail to enjoy at your leisure
•Dinner in the Kingfisher Restaurant on an evening of your choice
•West Cork style street food from CRAFT
•Afternoon tea for two with a selection of home baked sweet and savoury treats
•Complimentary Rosscarbery walking guidebook
•Complimentary use of the leisure centre.

More details and booking here

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Hederman Smoked Salmon

Coming Fridays & Saturdays to the - freshly made Hederman smoked salmon wraps to go. Have a healthy & delicious picnic lunch.




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Creamy Chocolate Eclairs from Hassett's

Did you know that Hassett's Bakery make their Eclairs with Fresh Irish Cream and rich Belgian chocolate? "Pop into our stores in Douglas, Carrigaline or The English Market to taste how great they are." Check out their video here on Twitter.

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Vienna Woods Hotel


Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel is a country house hotel steeped in history. A ten minute drive from Cork's City Centre, perched among the leafy woodlands of Glanmire, Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel is the perfect getaway for every occasion.
 
Vienna Woods is open for residents and indoor and outdoor dining for non-residents. 
*To comply with government guidelines, indoor dining is only facilitated for fully vaccinated, please have your covid cert/ proof of vaccination and a valid ID. 
Please ring 021 455 6800 or email info@viennawoodshotel.com

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The perfect subscription for you - The Wine Lover!

from Cork based Wines Of The World



Their wine experts select 6 delicious wines from around the world and send to your door each month.

Includes:

  • A mix of 6 different wines each month

  • Free Delivery Nationwide

  • Tasting Notes for each wine

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BILLY LYONS
corkbilly.com (from Irish Times 18th Nov 2013)

Dublin gets the column inches, but Cork has a renowned food scene, and there is good value to be found, says Lyons, who has blogged about food in Cork since he retired six years ago. He had a few local favourites (in 2013).

Cicchetti at Gusto Nov '13

“At Cafe Gusto, Washington Street, six Cicchetti (Italian tapas), two main courses (from a large choice) and two glasses of good wine costs €30 for two, Thursday to Saturday. At the House Cafe in the Opera House, typical fare includes Ballyhoura wild mushrooms with free range egg in a delicious omelette for €8.50. Small-plate menus are increasingly popular. Jacques, in the city, and the Greenroom at Sage in Midleton are also worth a call.”

More on the Gusto Cicchetti here


The Coffee House

Coffee House - Fermoy Café
Vine leaves from Kilworth!

A friend of mine in the Fermoy area  is very enthusiastic about the newish Coffee House in the town. It is run by Tom and located where the French restaurant  (La Bigoudenne) used to be many years ago.


"Tom has his own coffee roastery in Poland so has a very unique selection of coffees. His wife, Kasha, bakes all their cakes and breads and they do a roaring trade on a Friday night for interesting takeaway at very good value, from 12e per person, a feast! 

He is a real character who is not very good at self promotion! He does a great lunch during the week that is well worth checking out if you are in the area!"

More details on the Coffee House Facebook here.

Priory Coffee Arrive In The Victorian Quarter



The brand new Priory Coffee Co. on MacCurtain Street, Cork City, opened on Monday! "We can't wait to welcome you! You can come in or use our handy Priory Hatch for Coffee & food on the go! "

Priory are already well established in North Main St Cork (next to Gate Cinema), in Youghal (Main St), Mallow (106 Main St), Fermoy (Brian Boru Sq), and Riverstick.www.priorycoffee.com

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CORK HOTEL STAFF JOIN LORD MAYOR IN CYCLING TO DUBLIN AND BACK IN AID OF COPE FOUNDATION

 

Lord Mayor, Cllr. Colm Kelleher with Aaron Mansworth and Sandra Murphy of the Trigon Hotels clocking up the kilometres.

Trigon Hotels cycled the distance from Cork to Dublin and back during a six-hour spinathon in Cork City Centre last Friday. The event raised over €1,000 for Cope Foundation.


Hotel team members took to static bikes on Harley Street which were kindly given by UCC’s Mardyke Arena. They travelled 576km and burned a combined total of more than 14,000 calories. 


A team of 40 people were involved in the event including cyclists and bucket collectors. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colm Kelleher was among the supporters to cheer on the participants. 


Lord Mayor, Cllr. Colm Kelleher said “It is wonderful to see this collaboration with Trigon Hotels and Cope Foundation and Ability@work. Inclusivity is imperative in the workplace and it is great to see Trigon Hotels foster such a close relationship with the Cope Foundation. It has been challenging for charities to have fundraising events since the pandemic began due to not being able to organise and host their usual events and so it is really important to support charities and companies when they do organise events.”


The Watergrasshill Vineyard
Did you know there's a vineyard in Watergrasshill? It is small, experimental and in its infancy. See more on its Twitter account: @Ireland_Wines


Design POP Info
Quite a lot of food interest in this month's Design Pop.
For instance, you can see creative studio Play Nice team up with food obsessives Currabinny at Wandesford Quay.


Play nice studio


Play Nice are a creative studio based in Dublin that designs, builds and styles eye-catching immersive spaces for people and products. Our aim is to create playful digital or physical worlds of colour for people to engage in and enjoy. That can range from providing creativity for photoshoots, temporary pop-ups or permanent work in public or commercial spaces.


Currabinny

William Murray & James Kavanagh gave birth to Currabinny after a discussion on how they could turn their unwavering obsession (food) into a career. William studied & grew his love of food at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co. Cork - which is headed up Darina Allen & Rory O’Connell. In Ballymaloe, William nurtured his love of dishes that are unashamedly created with lots of real butter, Maldon Salt & seasonal, fresh vegetables. James comes from the other side of the food world; marketing. Having worked for two of his favourite Irish brands; Kerrygold & Barry’s Tea, he has learned what goes into making a beautiful product. Witnessing the passion & quality that goes into making a Barry’s teabag, and how the perfect grass has to exist in order for Kerrygold Butter to be as delicious as it is, has strongly influenced his food ethos.  


All the info on this and many other events here


Thursday, March 25, 2021

Vienna Woods Hotel Excel With Afternoon Tea

 Vienna Woods Hotel Excel With Afternoon Tea

Sweet Surrounds



Arrived in style!


Even Paddy the Dog benefitted!

Cake as far as the eye can see

Paddy knows a good thing!


Bird's eye view

Tier Three

Terrific savoury start on this plate.

Tier Two

Delicious transition here from savoury to sweet. They even supply the
raspberry jam for the scones! And that chocolate cake smashes it.

Tier One
Finalé fit for a queen. All good but that cheesecake was something else.




Thanks a million to the Vienna Woods for gifting the afternoon tea to me (and Paddy). They'll have an even more special afternoon tea (The Mad Hatters) for the Easter Weekend. If you'd like to order it, or indeed any of their Takeaway offers, then head to their website here. For further information, ring 021 4556800 or email info@viennawoodshotel.com 

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Tickets now on sale for Cork Business of the Year Awards and President’s Dinner At Home

 CBA launches tickets for Cork Business of the Year Awards

and President’s Dinner At Home

Beetroot Starter - Metropple


~ Taoiseach to address Cork’s business community at virtual event ~
~Taste of the City at Home food experience will be a collaborative showcase of Cork hotels and producers ~

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will make an address to Cork’s business community at their upcoming President’s Dinner At Home and Cork Business of the Year Awards, which takes place virtually this year on April 17th.

An exceptional evening of celebration, awards, great food, light entertainment and networking, and panel discussions with business and civic leaders, has been planned for the evening.

The dinner is always a stunning showcase of Cork produce, and this year will be no different.   Attendees will enjoy a Taste of the City at Home culinary experience, which is a collaboration between Cork’s top hotel chefs and well-known Nash19 owner and past CBA President, Claire Nash.  Claire, who has been a leading organiser in Cork’s famous Long Table Dinner over the past few years, says “the quality of the food will be on a par with the Long Table and will showcase our favourite local producers and the extraordinary talent of local chefs who are pushing the boundaries with their food.

The Cork Business of the Year Awards will also be presented on the evening.  The finalists were announced last week and 7000 public votes have already been received.  Voting is open on CBAAwards.ie for the remainder of the month.

Commenting on the annual President’s Dinner and Awards, President of the Cork Business Association Eoin O Sullivan said, “The event will not only recognise businesses and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution over the past year, and those who have shown true resilience in one of the most difficult of trading years, but it will also be a stunning showcase of Cork produce and the amazing culinary talents of local chefs. They have put their creativity and their hearts into the dishes to make the menu truly unique.

Nettle Soup - Cork International

This is a sharing dinner for two and is the perfect way to say thank-you to your team who have put down an extraordinary year, as behind every good employee is a great partner or friend.  We hope the night will give everyone a much-needed lift. We are also very grateful to An Taoiseach for taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to make an address, and to our sponsors JCD, Centra, Peninsula and the Irish Examiner for their incredible support.”

The dine-at-home experience for two, which will be available for collection from The Imperial Hotel on the day of the event, includes six courses of daring and delicate dishes from six different chefs that will not only showcase their individual creativity but will also use the best local produce that can be found in and around Cork. 

The mouth-watering menu includes a carpaccio of Waterfall farm beetroot, Ballycotton seared scallops and crab remoulade, locally foraged nettle soup, West Cork Angus filet of beef wellington, locally grown rhubarb, along with Cork cheese and breads. (see the full menu below).

Not only that but there will be champagne and wine pairing, along with tasting notes for every course, and guests will finish the meal with an Irish coffee made with local Jameson Whiskey, Mahers fairtrade coffee and Glounn Cross cream.  Other surprises will also be included in the dine-at-home boxes for two.

The chefs involved in the food experience are from the Metropole, the Imperial, the Cork International, the Kingsley, Nash19, and Vienna Woods.

The Cork Business Association is encouraging everyone to dress up on the night and to share their experience on Twitter.  They will be linking into people’s homes via social media and there’ll be plenty of prizes for the best dressed, the best presented meal, and the best tweet!” 

 

Beef Wellington - Kingsley

The charity partner is Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, and the awards and event are sponsored by JCD, Centra, Peninsula, and The Irish Examiner is the media partner.

 

Tickets are priced at €95 per person (€190 for the dinner for 2) and are on a first come first served basis.  They will go on sale at 12pm noon on 18 March. To book or for more information see CBAAwards.ie, contact (021) 427 8295 or info@corkbusiness.ie . 

 

The President’s Taste of the City at Home Dinner includes:

Carpaccio of Waterfall Farm Beetroot, Roasted Almonds, Metropole Hotel

Ballycotton Seared Scallop & Crab remoulade, Smoked Salmon, Blas Caviar, Sea Asparagus, Imperial Hotel

Soup of Foraged Nettle and wild garlic, Bacon salt, Cork International Hotel

West Cork Angus, Filet of Beef Wellington, Fermented Barley, Celeriac & Black Garlic Puree, Morel Jus, The Kingsley

Cheeses, Mature Gubbeen & Ash Ardsallagh Goats, Fig Confit, Nash19

Rhubarb & Rosewater Posset, Gingerella & Pistachio Crumb, Cherry Flake, Apple Blossom Syrup, Cork’s Vienna Woods

Breads, Brown Soda & Sourdough, Alternative Bread Company

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Champagne and Wine Pairing

Irish Coffee, with Jameson, Mahers Fairtrade, Smothered with Glounn Cross Cream