Bewley’s coffee and tea expertise now on the web

New website includes Bewley’s first ever online store

Irish coffee and tea lovers in search of great taste will now be able to refresh their senses with a feast of new information, an online shop, expert advice and top coffee making tips available through a new website launched today by Bewley’s at bewleys.com.



Bewleys.com is a new online resource for everything to do with coffee and tea from Ireland’s largest fresh coffee and tea company. It includes Bewley’s first ever online store, coffee equipment demonstration videos, interactive maps, a club for anybody interested in tea and coffee and a new booking facility for tables at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café. It will also offer information and training resources to Bewley’s trade customers all over Ireland.



The new website is a one-stop-shop for coffee and tea lovers and is packed full of inventive features, allowing Bewley’s to share its unrivalled knowledge and expertise with consumers. If you want to know the difference between Instant and Fresh Coffee, what’s the best coffee to make after dinner or just want to ask how to store your coffee at home, you’ll be able to tap into the knowledge of Ireland’s top coffee expert and Master Roaster Paul O’Toole on bewleys.com



With expert tasting notes now online, the site encourages consumers to experiment in the differing flavours and blends of coffee and tea. Bewley’s drink preparation guides and hot tips provide in-depth information on how to prepare a perfect cup and the site features a user friendly demonstration video on how to use a cafetiere. The site’s online coffee quiz provides a fun way to discover your perfect coffee. Enthusiasts can also sign up for an on-line club which will keep them updated on the world of tea and coffee. The site is also linked into Bewley’s facebook, twitter, flikr and youtube channels.



Bewley’s new online store will allow consumers to purchase Bewley’s award-winning range of coffees and teas directly on the web at great prices. Whether it’s Bewley’s extensive range of coffees, speciality teas or home coffee machines, everything will now be available to order online for rapid delivery at the click of a button. The site will also sell Bewley’s new coffee capsule machines directly to customers.



The new online club at bewleys.com will allow coffee and tea drinkers to access regular updates on the Bewley’s product range along with special offers, up to date advice and the latest news and developments from around the globe. The club will also include details of rare varieties of coffee which Bewley’s sources internationally and which will be made available in special lots online. Visitors to the site will also be able to view pictures taken by Master Roaster Paul O’Toole on his visits to coffee and tea producing regions all over the world.



Bringing Bewley’s famous Grafton Street Café online, the new site allows visitors to take a 360 degree virtual tour of the café, view menus, make online reservations for tables and to give their feedback and comments on the Café. It also includes information on the Café’s artworks including the world renowned Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows as well as theatre listings and other events.



Commenting on the launch, Jim Corbett of Bewley’s said:



“It’s unlikely that Ernest Bewley ever envisaged a virtual Bewley’s but he did want to make his company and his Café as open and accessible to everyone as possible. Our new website continues that proud tradition where coffee and tea lovers in Ireland and abroad can enjoy even easier access to Bewley’s famous range of products and unrivalled expertise at bewleys.com.”



“As Ireland’s coffee and tea experts, Bewley’s has built up an enormous wealth of knowledge over the past century and a half. We’ve included a number of features in our new site that allow us to share this heritage and expertise with coffee and tea drinkers, so that they can enjoy the best taste available. Consumers can have their questions on coffee and tea answered directly by our Master Roaster Paul O’Toole. They can also brush up on their knowledge of both coffee and tea through the online information and by using Bewley’s expert coffee and tea tasting notes.”



“In speaking to consumers it is clear that they want to move beyond instant coffee and experience the fantastic taste of fresh coffee at home. Our new website, for the first time, provides consumers with all the advice and assistance they need, in one place, to enjoy perfect fresh coffee at home.”



“To further assist consumers we’ve also introduced our new online store to allow consumers purchase any of Bewley’s award-winning teas or coffees, as well as cafetieres and other coffee making equipment, from the comfort of their own homes. Fans of Bewley’s much-loved Grafton Street Café, which attracts over 1 million customers every year, will now also be able to make a booking for the Café online, and those thinking of visiting for the first time will be able to take a virtual tour around Ireland’s most famous Café. We look forward to welcoming many thousands of visitors to bewleys.com in the years ahead.”

The Good Wine Show

The Good Wine Show 2009 (13-14 Nov at the Clarion Hotel)

Join us for a wonderful two day event featuring three of Cork's leading independent wine merchants, purveyors of fine food, and daily prize draws at this sample-and-buy event.

Over 100 international wines to taste and buyDelicious foods and gourmet treats on offerPrize draws for wine cases and food hampers

Show and ticket details at http://goodwineshow.com/?page_id=5

Friday, November 13th, 2009


The Good Wine Show is open from 3 PM - 8 PM.



Wine Tastings: All day.

Food Purveyors: All day.

Prize Draw: 6 PM - Drawing for a "Best in Show" mixed case of 12 worldly, wonderful and very drinkable wines courtesy of all three wine merchants.





Saturday, November 14th, 2009

The Good Wine Show is open from 11 AM - 4 PM.



Wine Tastings: All day.

Food Purveyors: All day.

Prize Draw: 3 PM - Drawing for a Luxury Food and Drink hamper packed with posh nibbles, three bottles of wine and your very own set of wine accessories.

You can purchase tickets for one day or two online or at retail outlets across Cork.

Counihans Bar in Cork

COUNIHAN’S

Jazz and football overlapped at Counihan’s on Sunday afternoon. Dropped into the Pembroke Street bar to see the Mary Stokes Band but instead found myself watching the closing quarter of the Liverpool v Man U game on the big screen and not a seat to be had.

But soon the happy Liverpool bunch in front of us left and the six of us grabbed the table and chairs, right in front of the bandstand. Mary came on and passionately and energetically blasted out the hard blues for two hours or so giving ample time to the highly talented lead guitar player to show his talented hands do their hot stuff, so hot you looked for smoke! Great show and the sounds came out so well (by comparison with Ocean’s 6 who never quite got the technical bit right the previous day).

Scotts Bar Of Caroline St in Cork

HIGH PRESSURE

They say the best time to test a pub is when it is under pressure. With the jazz weekend upping the numbers, Scott’s of Oliver Plunkett Street was packed this Saturday afternoon.

Food was flying downstairs while upstairs was packed for the jazz and the show by Ocean’s 6 in particular. The staff were busy but passed with flying collars. Service was top notch. No big delays at the counter while the tables were quickly cleared of plates and glasses.

One table did collapse but the staff were quickly on the job and minutes later there was no trace of the collapse.
Prices too seemed to be reasonable enough at this popular music venue and, by the way, the music was great as Ocean’s 6, who play swing, soul and rock and roll, put on a two hour plus show packed with energy and variety, They drew the audience in and we all left happy!

Check out my review of Scotts Bar Of Caroline St - I am cork - on Qype

Synergy Restaurant in Cork

SYNERGY AT THE CLARION

Jazz was in the air this evening as the annual Cork Jazz Festival kicked off.
I spent a pleasant hour or more listening to Des Hopkins and his accomplished Dixieland band in the Kudo’s bar in the Clarion before heading into the Synergy, the hotel’s main restaurant.

By comparison with the evening before in Les Gourmandises, this was ordinary fare indeed but, at the same time, there was little wrong with it and it would stand comparison with many of the local restaurants. It just emphasised the point that LG is in a different class, perhaps a league of its own.

Starter in Synergy was a Chicken Salad. Good quality chicken pieces, well soaked in good quality olive oil, along with some leaves mainly bay spinach, made for a tasty starter.
Main course was Pork loin and apple, along with a cider sauce. Presentation was nothing to write home about, just a pork chop with an apple slice and then repeated. But the pork and the apple were of excellent quality and the sauce was a treat. The roast potato was only fair but the veg in the side dish, while routine, were up to standard. All in all, a tasty treat for €21.50.
Had started with a Siete Sauvignon Blanc, a pretty decent wine, in the bar and continued with another in Synergy; cost was €5.75 per glass. Not a bad meal at all but a long way short of the league that LG plays in. Service, both in the bar and Synergy, was excellent in the Clarion. And by the way, they were doing a roaring trade in food in the bar.

Check out my review of Synergy Restaurant - I am cork - on Qype

Les Gourmandises Restaurant in Cork

Different Class

Chocolate Brownie on a slate doesn’t promise much as a dessert but you should try it at Les Gourmandises Restaurant in 17 Cook Street. In fact, you should, I should, try everything at this different class establishment as there are pleasant ambushes in every course.
My starter last evening was mackerel on a red onion bed along with a goat’s cheese panacotta. The advisor had a tasting starter, samples of chicken liver parfait, prawns in filo and a cup of parsnip soup. Besides we both drew from the delicious fresh breads. A very promising opening.
Main course for me (like my starter) was the chef’s recommendation: ham hock moulded to a cylindrical shape, standing on a disc of smoked ham which in turn stood on a bed of Savoy Cabbage, the sauce being apple purée and sage. Well and originally presented and beautiful to eat.
The other main course was another brilliant dish: bream with aubergine purée and a cherry tomato and sage sauce. Gorgeous.
We each had the chef’s recommendation for dessert: a rice pudding, served with, on the side, caramelised banana and that smashing Chocolate Brownie! Just the thing to finish off a smashing meal and put you in the mood to call again.
There is decent selection of wines by glass, half bottle and full bottle. We compromised on the Puilly sur Loire, a crisp refreshing tingling Sauvignon Blanc with a mineral hint. Just the job!
By the way, quite a few of the meals are served on a slate which enables the chef to use his presentation artistry! And he does!
It doesn’t come cheap – three courses cost close to forty euro although there is a market menu for thirty euro.

Check out my review of Les Gourmandises Restaurant - I am cork - on Qype

FOOD COMPANY LAUNCHES ART COMPETITION

~Boyne Valley Honey Launches Book of Kells National Art Competition~

Tuesday 13th October: Miriam O’ Callaghan today officially launched Boyne Valley Honey’s National Art Competition, aimed at encouraging primary, secondary, third level students and adults alike to get creative!

Entrants are invited to submit a work of art on the subject of their choice, using either the Book of Kells itself, the monks who wrote and illustrated it or life in 9th century Ireland as inspiration.
Three Fine Art Facsimiles of The Book of Kells will be presented to the primary and secondary winning schools and to the individual from the third level and adult category, with runners up receiving cash prizes of €100, €250 and €500.
Miriam O’ Callaghan commented: “It’s a great initiative to start the new education year. The judges are looking for creativity, individuality and real pride in work. The Book of Kells is a national, visual treasure, so we expect exciting works of art to be created!”

Each month from October 2009 to February 2010, a finalist will be chosen from the various categories, with all finalists going head to head in the grand finale in March 2010.

The Boyne Valley Honey Company launched a similar competition in the 80s, Brand Manager Gillian Hennessy comments: “We decided to run this competition again with a noughties feel, so students can use newer techniques and tools that were not around 30 years ago, to showcase a modern feel. Given times of late, the general feeling is to get back to what’s important in life. We hope this initiative gives students the chance to reflect on our Nation’s heritage.”

Judges will include; Malachy McCloskey, founder and chairman of the Boyne Valley Honey Company; Des Egan, renowned poet; Robin Adams, College Librarian and Archivist, Trinity College; Edward McPartland, Fellow Emeritus, History of Art, Trinity College.

The culmination of the competition will be an exhibition of winning entries, with winners being presented their prizes by Miriam O’ Callaghan.

See http://www.boynevalleyhoneyart.com/  for further details / to enter.


* Painting in oils, watercolours, drawings, tapestries, screen printing, embroidery, photography etc. will all qualify. Each entry must be accompanied by three Book of Kells tokens from jars of Boyne Valley Honey.
Closing Date is Feb 28th 2010

THE CONTINENTAL

PLAT DU JOUR - Any Day!


The best main dish in Cork this year came my way at The Continental tonight.



The Maylor Street venue was more or less deserted – they do much better at lunchtime when the street is busy – but Agnes and her chef still came up trumps.



Started with complimentary breads (brown and white) served with dips of parsley pesto and beetroot relish. Butter was also on the plate but we went with the other two and found them very enjoyable indeed.

Then came that main course: duck breast with a plum sauce with chilli and ginger (less than €21.00). Absolutely gorgeous and you’d go a long way to find anything as good. Pity the Cork diners can't make their way down Maylor Street and catch up on the good things that this lovely restaurant serves up.



Finished off with an unusual dessert; a banana and brandy cake, served with ice cream. Very tasty but might have went down better had it been served with custard.



Didn't really go through the wine list, just had a glass of the house red (Cabernet Sauvignon) which came in at about a fiver or so.

TV DINNER

RTE'S THE RESTAURANT

Do you want to dine in RTÉ's "The Restaurant"?
Are you a foodie who loves to eat out?
Do you know your chilli from your cayenne?
Then we want you!

We would like to invite any interested members of Irish food and wine blogs to apply to be a diner on our upcoming series.

The Restaurant is back for its seventh series on RTÉ One. In each
episode a 'celebrity' head chef will take on the culinary challenge to
produce a top class, three course meal with two value-for-money wines.
The celebrities who become chefs for a night will be people who have a
passion for food and dining. The programme will give the "chef" the
opportunity to "go pro" for one night and serve up a real restaurant
meal. The resident critics are Tom Doorley and Paolo Tullio, with one
other special guest critic each week.

The identity of the "mystery chef" will remain secret to all in "The Restaurant" until after the
meal. Before the chef leaves the kitchen the critics will decide whether the meal is worth a star rating of between one and five. When the celebrity chef's identity is revealed they sit down with critics
to find out how they fared.

Dining at 'The Restaurant' involves becoming a 'critic' for the
evening. We need YOU, as our diners, to get involved in the experience
and to voice your opinions on the food and wine being served to you.


Vision Independent Productions are looking for diners for the series
which will be filming on location in The Wineport Lodge in Athlone
on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th October.
So if you think you're up to the challenge of
critiquing the menu the mystery "chef" whips up in the kitchen, we
want to hear from you.

For more information or to get involved please contact:
Telephone - 01 864 1444
Mobile - 085 77 080 52
Email - rte1therestaurant@eircom.net
Don't forget to include your contact details - Name, address, phone
number and tell us a little about yourself and your interest cooking
and dining.

September 27, 2009 1:10 AM
from:
Lorna Hartnett
Researcher
The Restaurant
+353 85 77 080 52
+353 1864 1444
http://www.visionindependentproductions.com/
www.rte.ie/therestaurant

US SHOW

Got US roots? This may be of interest   ....

We're working on a really cool project this weekend. A major cable network and Parade Magazine are shooting a PILOT episode searching to find a unique, home grown recipe that deserves the title "America's Best Recipe."




http://www.gotcast.com/casting-calls/Americas-Best-Recipe/54938




It's free to sign up and submit to the casting call, so feel free to forward on my message.



Thanks!



Justin Moodley

jmoodley@gotcast.com

AN SPAILPIN FANACH

AN SPAILPIN FANACH

(The itinerant labourer)

An Spailpin Fanach is a traditional music venue in Cork City; not surprising then that some of its lunchtime food is traditional.

Tomorrow it will be bacon and cabbage in this city centre pub but today (Wed 23 Sep) Irish Stew was high on the lunch menu.

We had started with a smashing vegetable soup, tasty, straight from the pot and no extra salt added. Then came the stew, a plateful of smashing food. Loved it and finished it off before staying on the trad path with a well made apple tart. A cup of decent coffee rounded off an enjoyable hour or so.

Check out my review of An Spailpin Fanach - I am cork - on Qype

ROCHESTOWN PARK HOTEL

ROCHESTOWN PARK HOTEL

I always found the Rochestown Park Hotel of a high standard when catering to large groups. I hadn’t been there for some time until recently for a club function where the attendance was around the 170 mark.

There has been a change of management at the venue but you need have no worries about its ability to cater to a large number (indeed, there were other large functions going on simultaneously in various parts of the building). Started with Vol au Vent and then soup. Each was of a good standard and neither had this salty taste that you often get in this type of situation.

The main course was beef or salmon. I had the beef. It was excellent as were the vegetables (broccoli, carrot, cauliflower – all cooked well, nether too hard nor too soft). Then we finished off with a medley of mini desserts and a grand cup of coffee.

Service was top class, helped along by the fact that they had an “overseer” on the floor, making sure that all the tables were well covered.

Check out my review of Rochestown Park Hotel - I am cork - on Qype

THE BROKEN JUG

For more on Mayo trip see: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/

Ballina - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


THE BROKEN JUG

“Situated in the heart of Ballina this extensive pub is really warm, welcoming and cosy. Providing the very best in food and drink, their carvery lunches are superb. A haven for the tourist or the weary shopper the Broken Jug is also very popular with the younger age group. The friendly and efficient staff will make your visit here truly memorable.”

The opening paragraph comes courtesy of the Broken Jug itself, a pub cum eatery in the Co. Mayo town. It is warm and friendly but the bare timber furniture and backless seating is more for the “younger age group”!

The restaurant section is a shade more comfortable and the food is very good, the service friendly and efficient and the prices reasonable.

The other night, I started with a magnificent chowder, very very tasty (indeed one of the best I've come across) and not suffocated with cream as happened in a Cork venue recently.

Main course was a lasagne. It was almost top class, and would have been but for it being a little overdone in the heating which made some of the edges too hard. Overall though – the cheese and mincemeat were excellent – it was a fine dish, served with chips and an undressed well mixed salad.

Dessert, there were about five choices, was homemade apple tart with cream and, yes, the apple was real chunky stuff, just the way I like it.

I have given it four stars but three and half would be more like it - if you're over forty!

Check out my review of The Broken Jug - I am cork - on Qype
For more on Mayo trip see: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/

DOWNHILL HOUSE HOTEL (Ballina)

For more on Mayo trip see: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/

DOWNHILL HOUSE HOTEL

The Downhill House Hotel, on the Sligo Road, was our Ballina base for a recent trip to County Mayo.

The Hotel, in a wooded riverside location quite close to the town centre, is well up to its 3 star rating.

All the staff are friendly and efficient; the rooms and public areas are comfortable, the leisure centre is popular and the Hotel also boasts well kept gardens where you can sit and stroll.

We enjoyed an excellent evening meal there: braised shank of lamb with an exceptional red wine sauce. A bottle of red from one of the Bordeaux chateaux cost just €20.00.

Service here is also friendly though sometimes a bit over attentive – you don't need your glass of water topped up each time you take a sup!

The breakfast was also very good and the full Irish was perhaps the best that I’ve come across.

If dinner is not included in your package, the restaurant prices can be very stiff and this is where the bar comes to the rescue.

Prices are reasonable here and the chef’s special often includes two or three items from the restaurant menu. We had a mild chicken curry one evening and it was a superb example of the type.

Check out my review of Downhill House Hotel - I am cork - on Qype

For more on Mayo trip see: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/

FISHY FISHY

NO TALL TAILS

Quite a lot of hype recently about the Fishy Fishy Cafe in Kinsale. Believe it – no tall tales here.

A late burst of summer tempted me to the coastal town and quite a lot of tourists too. Got in early for lunch this Thursday, just ahead of a posse of international visitors.

Started with the local mussels, served with fresh basil and lemon butter. Well done, tasty and a promising start, as were the accompanying pieces of freshly baked breads.
Main course was Brill, one of the day’s specials, served with creamed cabbage and a mustard sauce along with some well dressed fresh leaves. Simple and simply beautiful. Just what I like – the Brill was the star and it wasn't overwhelmed by anything else on the plate. Perhaps it could have been a little less costly than the €23.90 tag.
Had myself a lovely glass of very dry Riesling (forget where it came from) for €5.90.
Didn't really associate dessert with a fish restaurant for some reason but had a look when the list was offered. Glad I did. Had a smashing fresh fruit trifle. It was beautifully presented and was melt in the mouth stuff.
Service was excellent, friendly, smiling and efficient.

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

MARKET LANE LUNCH

At the Market Lane, I have been meaning to try the Jack McCarthy sausages with potato mash, gravy onions, steamed vegetables and Yorkshire pudding, for some time. Got my chance at lunch today and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have had some soggy sorry Yorkshire puddings over the years but this was superb and the entire dish came in under €13.00


A slice of quiche tart with a generous helping of potato salad and baby leaves was another of the main dishes at our table and that too got the thumbs up.

I had started with one of my favourites, the French Onion Soup with gruyere and croutons, and finished with a mini chocolate pot (€2.00) and coffee. Very enjoyable as was my companion’s Banoffi.



Enjoyable also was my excellent glass of wine, a Domaine de St Marthe Syrah 2004 (FR), and that came in about €6.50.

Tesco’s Taste Northern Ireland

Tesco’s Taste Northern Ireland will take place on 11th & 12th September in Belfast’s Custom House Square.

for more details click on:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddtdjkcd_461c69kc9cc 

The Cotton Ball in Cork

THE COTTON BALL
The Cotton Ball is one of the oldest in the city and one of the best. It is divided into Bar and Lounge. The latter was refurnished a few years now. It is much bigger than the bar but the big square box feeling is avoided as it has been divided up into a few smaller areas.


The Cotton is not really a sports bar but you can watch the games there and more and more are now doing that on the screens which were placed in most areas.


The venue, in the Lynch family for decades, was once famed as a music venue but those days are long gone. There are mixed feelings. Many people enjoy the music but other go out for the conversation and that can be drowned out if the music is loud.


But it gets on well without the music. There is a good staff there and service, of a wide variety of drinks (including wine at just €4.00 for a quarter bottle, is usually with a smile.


You can also pop in there for lunch these days. Nothing major on the menu but you can get soup and sandwiches and Panini’s and snacks of a similar nature.


This is a well run house with a good ambience. It is also a fairly comfortable meeting place where yourself and the ball and chain can find a corner but which can also accommodate a large group of friends and relations for a milestone birthday celebration.

Check out my review of The Cotton Ball - I am cork - on Qype

Mo Chuisle Bar

Mo Chuisle Bar

Dropped into Mo Chuisle Bar in Blarney Street on a recent Saturday evening (early) . It was quiet enough at first but soon a fair crowd gathered, mainly to see Utd and Arsenal on the telly. No bother to the lady behind the bar. She gave great service to one and all with a smile.
The bar is comfortable and spacious, plenty of large screens around to satisfy most sports fans and the drink is good and keenly priced. Add in that excellent service and what more would you want!

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

Elm Tree (Glounthaune)

Cork - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants


THE ELM TREE

This was a disappointing visit to the newly refurbished Elm Tree. It was busy but understaffed, leading to long delays in table service. Customer service, how are ye. Delays at every course and even a long wait for the bill as the harried staff had too much on their hands.

It is something of a food conveyor, a popular one by the looks of it. You get chips and salad or potatoes and vegetables with every dish, no thought given to matching with the meat or fish or whatever.

The food factory feeling continued with the dessert. The apple pie was a disaster as the apple inside was the kind you of goo you can get in large tubs in wholesalers and the concrete like meringues (along with the summer berries) must have come from a similar source.

It started badly. I choose the Ballycotton bay chowder. Ballycotton is equally famous for its potatoes and there more than a few chunks of spud along with an admittedly decent amount of fish. But why spoil the fish with a heavy handed application of cream? The main ingredients must be respected.

That was more the case with the main course, cod, with a ham wrap and ratatouille. The cod was quite good but the square of ham was like a rock. It would all have been a reasonable dish had the ratatouille been up to scratch. It wasn't. Some of the usual ingredients (peppers, red onions, courgettes) were present but they were barely cooked and there was no sign of the key ingredients, namely tomatoes and aubergines. I know there is some debate about how to cook this dish but the Elm Tree version was so far off what they serve in French restaurants and traiteurs, it was unreal and unworthy of the name.

Quite a good spread of prices for meals and wines, though €30.00 for fillet steak is well over the top. But good prices mean little unless you are getting value for money and we certainly didn’t.

Check out my review of Elm Tree - I am cork - on Qype

Brittany Ferries Pont Aven

Roscoff

Made the close on 600 km to Roscof, so had to make a few stops on the motorway.
One of the best is Aire de Vendee. I got a triple chicken sandwich here (3 slice of ordinary bread), a bottle of Coca Cola and a dessert yoghurt (with spoon and serviette) for 5.90.
Bits and pieces of fruit, travel sweets, more coke, kept us going.
We didn't need much by the time we boarded the Pont Aven which was a pity as le Flora was open!
But we tried the self service. They had a range of hot dishes for around the 8 euro mark, also loads of salads, desserts, drinks etc.

Two Canneloni, two desserts, plus two small bottles (25 cl) of wine cost €27.65. The food was adequate (nothing special) but overall the value was decent.

Check out my review of Pont Aven - I am cork - on Qype

LA FORET

Meschers sur Gironde

Change of month but no change in the weather, temperatures still in the high 30s, pool temperature at 28 in morning.
Mainly the same course of “action”: read, pool, beach, pool. Tough going.

Still enough action to work up an appetite and the best place to satisfy that in these parts is La Foret. Have myself a Pineau Rose aperitif while studying the huge menu. We settle for the Medallions de Merlu (hake), cooked in a court bouillon, and served with various vegetables, including tomatoes, the plate further enhanced with four or five split (large) prawns. This dish cost €24.00 and was worth every penny.

Desserts were described on the bill as Tarte Au Citron and Tiramisu but, believe me, were much more than that. Both were gorgeous though I think the Advisor’s Tarte was the better choice. Finished off with an espresso (1.80, much cheaper than the 3.50 Jacques outrageously charge).
Presentation was again fantastic and it was a good end to a good day.

Check out my reviews - I am cork - on Qype

La Kaz in Talmont

Talmount Sur Gironde

Surprised to find La Foret closed on this Tuesday evening; headed down to Talmont to La Promontoire but that too was closed.
Lesson: check before you go, as many restaurants close for both Monday and Tuesday, others for just one of those days.
La Kaz, another establishment in Talmont, was open; we got a table there and soon the place was packed, putting pressure on the two serving, though our flamboyant fellow didn’t show it. They did their best but service was slow. Nothing great on the menu here so settled for a lovely pizza (11.50). Also enjoyed my dessert of Poire Belle Helene and the wine which cost €5 for a 50cl carafe.

People were expecting a thunderstorm and there was a little nervousness when one or two of the sheltering sunshades began to rattle in the wind. But nothing, only a few heavy drops, followed and there was a beautiful sunset on sea and cornfields as we drove inland to the gite.

Check out my review of La Kaz - I am cork - on Qype

Chez Mémé in Royan

Royan - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

Five in the afternoon, we hit the road to Royan and walked across the main sea front to take a look at a couple of smaller beaches on the western side.

Having eaten well at lunch time, we didn’t need a big meal again.

No problem in Royan which has some three hundred eateries, quite a few of them along by the marina and Front de Mer.

We settled for a pizza in in Chez Meme, one of a string restuarants in the sea front arcades. A couple of pizzas (9+9.5), 50cl of wine (5.50), two desserts (5.50 & 6.50) filled the belly.

Service was excellent and friendly and the food wasn’t bad either! Sun still belting down strongly on the beach as head for the gite.

Check out my review of Chez Mémé - I am cork - on Qype

La Forêt

Meschers sur Gironde - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants

Back to the gite but the cupboard was bare so headed out to the generous plates of La Foret.

Take this meal for value. A pave de Saumon au four (oven cooked darne of salmon), well garnished, and served with some tagiatelle (15.00), followed by Tarte Normande, apple and rhubarb (5.50), a half bottle of wine (3.00), and a coffee (1/80), total an incredible 25.80.

Another worthwhile visit to a restaurant that is very popular with the French –didn’t see any other foreigners there!

Check out my review of Restaurant La Forêt - I am cork - on Qype

MARKET LANE

Cork - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Irish

MARKET LANE

Downtown Friday night and time on your hands before mealtime? Call in to Counihan’s. Enjoy a glass of wine and live jazz (starts at 6.00pm).
Did just that last night and then headed for Market Lane. It is a no booking establishment so we had to wait a few minutes for a table.
With a glass of excellent Chenin Blanc (5.90) at hand, I tucked into the Pan-fried Sea bass with sweet potato mash and a chunky salad (the spring onion pieces were quite robust, perhaps too much so for anyone whose teeth aren’t what they were), wilted greens and tarragon butter sauce €18.95. I had no problem on that score and enjoyed the good quality dish.
I wasn’t as impressed with my dessert: Orange and vanilla bread and butter pudding. It was well presented but quite ordinary and I could not give more than five out of ten. However, the other dessert at the table, a Mango and passion fruit sorbet with fresh fruit, was very highly rated.

All in all, it was another good meal at a reasonable price in the deservedly busy establishment. A good way to sample the cooking here is the Early Evening Offer: soup, main course (big choice), mini chololate pot and tea or coffee for €20.00, Mon - Thurs.

Market Lane, 5 Oliver Plunket Street, Cork. 021 4274710, http://www.marketlane.ie/
Check out my review of market lane - I am cork - on Qype

L'Ilot, harbourside cafe in Boyardville (Oleron)

On a clear day....you can see La Rochelle from Chassiron

ISLAND LUNCHBREAK

Weather uncertain as we headed for the island – Ile d’Oleron – this morning. But we need not have worried. As we reached the Viaduc, the sky was clearing. We headed for Le Chateau d’Oleron to watch the oyster farmers at work. Best viewed form the heights of the citadel – there you have a terrific view of the harbour and the estuary and the fleet of flat bottomed boats coming and going to the oyster beds.

Then up the coast to Boyardville and a little lunch – moules a la Italienne + frites, cost nine euro - at a little place near the main parking for the beach called L’ilot. On then to the tip of the island to see and climb the lighthouse, the 150 year old Chassiron.

Climbed the 224 steps no bother to enjoy great views, large over the sea in all directions and small to the foot of the building where a very nice garden (a new feature) has been laid out. Great value for just €2.50.
Back down the other side of the island to make a call to La Cotiniere where the fishermen land their catches and where the fish auctions take place. Saw some very big “meagre” delivered to the auction rooms.
Then back to the gite, the pool and the barbecue. It is now gone 8.30pm and the sun is still shining strongly on the back of the gite. C’est la vie!.

Check out my review of Phare De Chassiron - I am cork - on Qype

Café Brasserie Les Arènes in Saintes

Saintes - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars

If you find yourself in Saintes, either shopping or on a tour of the historic sites of the town, and need a bite to eat at lunchtime then you could do worse than call to the Cafe Brasserie Les Arenes.
There is ample free parking across the street that you may use for shopping or sightseeing. We had been down at the Roman arena (see http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/) and took the path back to the town and came across this bar.
On the boards outside, it advertised a three course lunch for €10.50, four course for €13.00.
We took the smaller menu. My main course was a beef brochette with salad and chips; dessert was a fine slice of lemon tart and we finished off with a decent cup of coffee, all for €10.50!
Service was efficient and friendly and there are toilets in the back. It was the first of a few calls.

Check out my review of Café Brasserie Les Arènes - I am cork - on Qype - see also: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/

NEW NI FOOD SHOW

Tesco Taste Northern Ireland will take place on 11th & 12th September in Belfast’s Custom House Square.
It will be FREE entrance to the public and is the brainchild of Tesco’s Northern Ireland Office, the show aims to showcase and celebrate the fantastic breadth and quality of Northern Ireland’s produce to a wider audience.
The event will host some fantastic local exhibitors, and visitors can literally take a culinary tour around the region, sampling and meeting the people who grow and produce much of Northern Ireland’s food and drink.
A Celebrity Cookery Theatre will be one of the highlights of the show and will host demonstrations from the region’s leading chefs.

PR is Rachael Gasiorowski (Rachael@denvirmarketing.com) and she'll let us have updates in the run-up to the event.

Marche Rue Gambetta in Saintes

Saintes

We’re in Saintes for the market, walking up Rue Gambetta with small groups of locals and tourists. And then we’re in the thick of it. Two facing rows of stalls turn into another street and the space is crowded.

Like Royan, this is mainly a food market. We’re already well stocked but pick up a few bits and pieces, like some very tasty Saigon rolls (some with shellfish and veg, others with poultry and veg), some cod (not the salted morue) but the fresh cabillaud and a chunk of Munster cheese, the Munster a valley in Alsace.
We are parked near the Arc Germanicus Take a few pics there and head back to the gite for lunch.
If you have a choice, the market in Royan is better, just as the Le Clerc in Royan is much better than the one in Saintes

Check out my review of Marche Rue Gambetta - I am cork - on Qype

Domaine de la Mothe in Thézac

Thezac, Charente Maritime, France

One of the highlights of a trip to the French countryside is a visit to the local vineyard.

There are a few in the Thezac area, each with its own coloured signs. We followed the yellow of Domaine de la Mothe.

There we met Madame Masse who was born in the farm where we are staying! We also met a couple of very courteous locals in the middle of their purchases.

Madame gave us a generous tasting of Pineau, both white and rose. We bought some and also some of her lovely whites (columbard) and reds (merlot), each at 2.60 a bottle.

At the end of the friendly transaction – where we managed to have a long rambling conversation, even though she didn’t use a word of English – she threw in a bottle of rose for free!

It was the first of three visits to the Domaine and each was very enjoyable. We met her hard working daughter on the final visit and our purchase was rewarded with a smashing bottle of very old Pineau!

Check out my review of Domaine de la Mothe - I am cork - on Qype

Guy Laurent Traiteur

Restaurants line edge of Royan Marina

Royan

Our favourite traiteur in the Royan area is Guy Laurent. Here we bought a prepared meal €7.73 for two and two sets of tartes (Clafoutis and Apple) for €6.30. Then, with two bags full and a loaf under the arm, back to the car and then to the gite.

The Greek style tomato (bought in large indoor market there) fits the bill for lunch and after that we head to St Georges de Didonne, paddle in the sea, walk along beach and enter the town where we stroll to the centre and the pleasant square, noting the restaurants (the search for food never stops) and so on.

For dinner at the Gite, we have the traiteur’s Turkey in Tomato sauce, having started with some smoked salmon. Dessert is the gorgeous apple tart and all that, along with bottle of Rose from local producer Madame Masse (Domaine de la Mothe), makes for a cheap but lovely meal.

Check out my review of Guy Laurent Traiteur - I am cork - on Qype

see also: http://picasaweb.google.com/cork.billy/BestOfFrance09?authkey=Gv1sRgCN_or4_tuMicQA&feat=directlink

Hennessy Distillery in Cognac

€6,400 a bottle!!!

Cognac

COGNAC 09/06/09
On the brandy trail today, following the footsteps of Richard Hennessy from Killavullen. First though we needed lunch on arrival in Cognac. Called to a small cafe near the Martell distillery. For €16.00, we got one plate each, one packed with shredded kebab meat plus chips and salad, one packed with Merguez sausages plus chips and salad, along with 2 waters. Quite a feed.

Then walked down to the banks of the Charente to pick up our reserved tickets for the Hennessey tour. Crossed the river by Hennessy boat to a storage area to begin tour and then back again to the main admin. area, all the time accompanied by an English speaking guide.

Finished up in the shop (Boutique) of course for a tasting. The amount of tastes you had depended on how much you paid for your tour. The plebs got just the ordinary Hennessey available in Ireland but we paid €12 instead of €9 and got two tastings, the second a Fine de Cognac. The Fine was really much better and we ended up buying a bottle for about €38.00 – the ordinaire cost €30.00.

Interesting tour, though we felt that the one we made a few years back to Henri Martin was the better of the two. Being a Corkman, I’m letting the side down but at the Martin distillery, you get a tour on a little train and you also see the barrels being made on site.

Check out my review of Les Quais Hennessy - I am cork - on Qype

L'ESCAPADE

St Georges de Didonne - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants

In Royan (or more accurately its joined on neighbour St Georges de Didonne) on Sunday night, we struck it lucky. Many establishments were closed, having done great business earlier for Mother’s Day lunches.
L’Escapade though was open and we were among their first evening customers. Having eaten various bits and pieces on the 600km journey down, we didn’t need a whole pile so when we spied Moules Frites on the menu, we went for it.
We didn’t spot the word gross, the one they really meant. We got at least kilo of mussels each, all in a beautiful cream and onion sauce and a basket full of chips each.
We got stuck in and the shells piled up. Kept going until the very end and then used a spoon to sample further the wonderful cream and onion sauce and, despite the highish €16 tag for a half bottle of Entre Deux Mer Sauvignon blanc, promised to come back soon.

Check out my review of Restaurant L'Escapade - I am cork - on Qype

LA FORET

Meschers

Royan is popular with the Irish, among others, and the Michelin recommended La Foret is not too far out on the east, on the road to Talmont. It is easy to find.
Started, aside from a few small appetisers, with a massive Goats Cheese and Tomato plateful, containing several slices of a tart that had the cheese and tomato, several rings of another cheese at the four corners of the plate, various bits of fruit and crudités and topped with a “sail”, made up of two rashers on two skewers.
The other starter was also huge, a Carpaccio of various fruits: several slices each of melon, grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple, and grapes, along with a plentiful supply of sorbet. The centre point here was a glass of the local Pineau which you couldn’t really free until you ate most of the fruit.
Main course was Bauvette, a top class beef dish with parsley butter and caramelised onion, served with a few chips. Quite an amount of beat filled the long dish but there was bowl of salad on the side and also more chips. Massive and it went down well.

Then came the cheese course. I forget the first one on offer as we each went for the second which was a white cheese with cream and cognac. Beat that!
Then on to the desserts, all this remember in the €26.00 euro menu. Picked the classic Ile Flottante – melt in the mouth decadence. The other dessert at the table was a Terraro: a sorbet type combination of very fruity boules of frozen fruit (including blackcurrant, strawberry etc) all surrounded by sliced strawberries.
It was an unbelievable meal at quite a busy restaurant and the price was of house wine (red, white or rose) was, believe it or not, €6.00 for a 70 cl carafe.
There are a couple of set menus but the a la carte is huge, opens out like a broadsheet. There is no English version so you could struggle to get though it unless you have very good French. But take a chance. It is worth it!
The cooking, the presentation, the service, the location of La Foret and its ambiance is excellent. But be warned about those huge portions!

Check out my review of La Foret - I am cork - on Qype

LA TABLE

Meursac

We are staying in Thezac. Meursac is a nearby village and the place where La Table is to be found. It is behind the church (see picture), close to the community centre (hall, swimming pool, tennis courts).
It is a gem, run by Julie and Julien Massonaud. Service is courteous and with a smile and a little English and the food is top-notch and you can eat indoors or out. After a couple of small free appetisers and a campari (not free), I made a spectacular start with nests (and they looked the real thing) filled with goats cheese and tomato along with a green salad. The advisor had a Mushroom Terrine, with toasted walnut bread, olives and gherkins.
We each had the same main course, Volaille (in rough puff pastry case) with thinly sliced mushrooms in a prawn (yes, believe it or not) sauce. Absolutely gorgeous, the fish and poultry and mushrooms also coming together for a fabulous main dish.
Desserts too were excellent. One was an apple pastry combination served with ice cream while I had the chef’s surprise: chocolate and caramel layers on a biscuit base with a lemon ice cream and a mango coulis. Lovely stuff.
The three course meal came with a price tag of €19.00 a head. The wine, a Bordeaux blanc, cost €18.00 and we finished off with two good coffees at 1.30 each, every bit as good but a lot less expensive than you’d pay in Jacques.

• By the way, when you see chevre on a French menu, it invariably means goats cheese not goat meat.
Check out my review of la table - I am cork - on Qype

Le Cottage

(picture of vanilla pods)

Settled on the nearby Le Cottage in Les Arces (pronounced to rhyme with a collection of bottoms) for dinner. The restaurant is run by an Irishman Doug and his French wife Axelle. We made the reservation and arrived at seven.

First course was a maigret du canard (smoked) salad for the advisor while I had an asparagus salad (spears, hardboiled egg, little cubes of grapefruit, toasted almonds slivers and leaves). Both were brilliant.

My main was duck with gratin dauphinois, puréed pea and other seasonal vegetables. The adviser had lamb with much the same veg but no gratin. Didn’t think that pureed pea could taste so well but it was gorgeous as were both dishes.

Dessert was also on a very high level. We both went for the oven baked lemon cheesecake, recommended by Axelle who has a terrific command of the English language. The cheesecake, served with a few strawberries, rounded off a fantastic meal.

We took the house wine and that worked out at just €7.00 for a couple of jugs that totalled 70cl. Total cost of the meal, including a cup of coffee, was exactly €63.00. Back then though the back roads, passing the cornfields and vineyards as dusk came down all around.

*By the way, Le Cottage also serves draught Guinness and jus de Guinness is mentioned in some of the dishes.
Check out my review of Le Cottage - I am cork - on Qype

Le Flora (Ringaksiddy-Roscof)

Le Flora (6/6/09)
Storm forecasts notwithstanding, the Advisor booked a window table at Le Flora restaurant. That, by the way, is the top restaurant on the Brittany Ferries ship Pont Aven.
The gales never came on the Ringaskiddy – Roscof trip (14 hours) but the promise of a top notch meal was delivered on the high seas.
Starter was Shredded Crab, wrapped in Avocado puree and accompanied by a green bean mix and salad. Terrific!
Main course was pork – Pluma Pata Negra: pork steak, probably underdone by Irish standards but, accompanied by a potato cake (understated description) and a simple crispy lettuce, it was absolutely gorgeous.
Dessert for me was a Crumble Pommes, beautifully done with a few big black berries and a little swallow of fiery Calvados to swallow it down. Loved it and also loved the other dessert at our table which was a Soufflé Grand Mariner with a little glass of the famous liquid to accompany it.
By the way, between the mains and desserts, we had the pleasure of picking three cheeses each from the cheese board. Can’t remember them all but the Tombe and the Livarot were the highlights for me.
After the sweets, the coffees were accompanied by a mini Cornetto.
There is a big range of wines available at low to high prices. Felt good so settled or a special offer, a Chateau Haut Surget from the Bordeaux region that cost about 24 euro. No regrets as it was a top notch wine.
Annoyingly, considering that most of the countries are now in the Euro, Brittany Ferries still favour the use of the UK pound on board, though in many cases both currencies are noted.
The total bill for this high quality meal, including a litre bottle of awful Vittal water, came to £76.90 or €90.45.
Check out my review of Le Flora - I am cork - on Qype

Cork - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars

SOHO WHAT? SO GOOD

Downtown Saturday about six. Started at Lapps Quay to see the tailend of the annual Ocean to City Rowing event. Quite a buzz, a few hundred people, bars and restaurants busy and food stalls doing a roaring trade. We had to leave the food as we were heading for the Soho Bar & Restaurant.

Called into the Clarion to show my advisor the Atrium. While there, accidently met one of the management staff, a very pleasant fellow who gave us a little tour, that included the impressive Synergy Restaurant. It can seat up to 150 but which is well laid out with little semi-private areas where a couple would not feel overwhelmed by the crowd. So we said thanks very much for that and started out for SOHO.
We went through Patrick Street and came across a ragged looking Eastern European band (not really sure where they were from but their literature was in Cyrillic script) playing what sounded like gypsy music.
They were very active and an entertainment in themselves (they play The Roundy this Wed June 3rd) and then they were unexpectedly joined by a guy wearing his CK underpants and a ball and chain. He danced and they surrounded him as they played and we all had a laugh.

The feel good experience continued in SOHO. Starters were pan seared scallops followed by Pan seared duck. Both were top class and so too was the wine, a Fleurie AC Beaujolais Cru, Gamay 2007 (by Mignot). Desserts didn't disappoint either and they were a Lemon Tart and a Sticky Toffee Pudding.
There is quite a range of prices here so you can stick to a budget or go for broke. The atmosphere, the lay-out and especially the service – we had our best waitress in a long time, friendly and helpful – were all excellent.
Check out my review of Soho Bar and Restaurant - I am cork - on Qype

FOOD & DRINK SKILLS

An All Ireland Food & Drinks Skills Conference will be held in Cromleach Lodge, Sligo on Wednesday 20th May 2009.

Sharon Sweeney is involved in a Food Training Network (Taste4Success): "We have organised this day long event on facing challenges and opportunities, promoting products and where to cut costs and differentiate in the Food & Drinks business.I would be grateful if you could let your readers know this event is on."

"The event is a platform to pull together food companies in the North, West Midlands to present our needs to Forfas and (hopefully) the Tainiste's Office re our contribution to Food in Ireland and for us to seek for greater importance and indeed funding towards food companies development and training here. Other bodies such as Taste Council of Ireland and Hugo Arnold as well as Good Food Ireland will be speaking at this."

http://www.taste4success.ie/
info@taste4success.ie
"Join Food Industry Experts, on facing challenges and opportunities, promoting products, where to cut cost and differentiate, food demonstrations and much more…

Guest Speakers: Alan Nuzum, CEO Skillnets
Marie Bourke, Forfás, Human Capital and Labour Market Policy Department
Geoff Lamb, Business Development Manager, Food & Drinks Sector Skills
Margaret Jeffares, Managing Director and Founder of Good Food Ireland
Hugo Arnold, Head of Quality Assurance, Good Food Ireland
Peter Ward, Chair of Taste Council, An Bord Bia, artisan food producer
John Gorman, HR Manager - Green Isle/Northern Foods/ Goodfellas Pizas, President of the Irish Institute of Training and Development
Eoin Magennis, Policy Research Manager Cookery

Demonstrations by: Peter Ward, Chair of Taste Council, An Bord Bia, artisan food producer Sharon Sweeney, Leading designer and creator of innovative cakes and handmade Chocolates of Cannoboe Confectionery Moira Tighe, Irish Chef of the Year 2000 and Chef/Owner of the famed Cromleach Lodge Country House Hotel & Ciúnas Spa


More info
www.taste4success.ie
info@taste4success.ie
- Sharon Sweeney - Cannaboe Confectionery - 0719644778 www.cacamilis.com/blog

LUNCH WITH LUIGI

Cork - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants

LUIGI MALONE’S

It was an hour past my lunchtime and I was in Emmett Place, the right place and time to try out Luigi Malone’s all day (up to 5.00pm) menu.

No regrets, very enjoyable, good food, good value, friendly service. Main course was a Jambalaya: chicken, prawns and tomato salsa with tagliattelli. Spicy, tasty and filling. Cost was less than a tenner and a glass of wine on this menu cost just 3 euro.

Finished off with their famous Toberlone Cheesecake with a cup of coffee and the cost for the combination was €5.90. The cheesecake was lovely –though I didn't particularly notice anything that would make it famous – and the coffee was fine.

Enjoyed the break and would recommend the place.
Check out my review of Luigi Malone's Restaurant - I am cork - on Qype

Kilkenny

During a recent short trip to Kilkenny, I enjoyed a meal at Fleva's. For a couple of Euro less, you get a three course at Lautrec Bistro (St Kieran’s Street). Portions are probably bigger here (not that they are small in Flevas) but quality is high. I enjoyed my braised lamb and the unusual dessert of orange tasting semolina with blueberries. They also do a Plat du jour for €21.00.

Wines at each establishment started around €5.75 per glass but the best glass of wine I had was at the big Left Bank Bar, down by the Castle. Most of the bars here are small but this highly decorated bright place has soft sofas and a roaring fire and bamboo plants growing to the high ceiling. I took my six euro glass of Merlot over to one of the sofas and didn't leave for an hour, a very enjoyable hour indeed.

It was a quick and enjoyable visit to the place that bills itself as Ireland’s Medieval City – not quite true. Officially it may well be a city but many towns are as big and you do have to work to find the medieval bits. The population is about 22,000, not much more than that of Douglas. It is about the same as the non city of Tralee and much less than non city Dundalk (35,000)! But obviously the Cats won the argument some time ago! Same as they’ve won so many hurling titles – now you can’t take that away from them!

For more on Kilkenny go to: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com
Check out my review of Lautrec Bistro - I am cork - on Qype

Kilkenny

Historic Kilkenny is a short enough trip from Cork or Dublin.

Highlight is the gallery in Kilkenny Castle, a must visit, but you can take or leave the tower (don't think you’d get planning permission for it nowadays).

Countryside is pleasant with some fine ruins (Jerpoint Abbey for example, a much better visit than the remaining bits and pieces of Duiske). Some lovely villages too within a short distance of the city, particularly Inistioge (Don't forget a visit to nearby Woodstock) and Graiguenamanagh (on the Barrow).

Arriving in the town, had lunch at the hotel, the Kilkenny Inn (a mid range decent enough three star, quite close to the small town centre). Lunch was a Cajun chicken in a tortilla, with chips and salad, all for less than a tenner. Nicely done and good value.

Kilkenny seems to be a favourite trip to for the Dublin food critics (also hen and stag nights - check that out when booking your hotel). You could fall over the many awards around the place. The door at Fleva (High Street) is loaded with Bridgestones. It is well worth a visit. I had a three course early bird there for €26.00. Mains was Pork with cheese and a mustard jus and the desert, bread and butter pudding with whisky soaked raisins, looked and tasted amazing, should have taken a photo.
Check out my review of Flevas - I am cork - on Qype

ENCORE!

MILANO: THE SECOND TEST

Sometimes, I’m wary of returning to a restaurant where I’ve had a good meal. Milano though passed the stress test with flying colours.

We again had pizza: the Padana, which has rich goat's cheese, spinach and red onion with tangy caramelised onion confit and a drizzle of garlic oil and the Giardiniera which has asparagus, artichokes, mushrooms and fresh red peppers with santos tomatoes, olives and garlic on a rich sauce of tomato and pesto.

I thoroughly enjoyed the latter. I had a piece of the Padana but thought it a little too sweet for my taste (the caramelised onion), but it did go down well at the other side of the table.

Drinks aren’t that cheap at Milano. They do the well known Peroni beer and it did go well with the pizzas but at close to €9.00 for a 60cl bottle, it is expensive.

One of the desserts was Tiramisu. Quite a chunk of it arrived on the table – much more that what you’d get in Italy – and it was absolutely gorgeous.

QYPE

QYPE: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Taking a trip soon? Dublin? London? Bordeaux? Anywhere in Europe?

Where to eat? What to do? Then QYPE’s for you – try it at http://www.qype.co.uk/ie021-dublin

Cork people have their favourite pubs in Dublin. But, how about a change? Try Shebeen Chic. Find it at http://www.qype.co.uk/ie021-dublin

Cheap air fares means going to London is like taking the bus. Now that you’ve done all the regular tourist places why not do something different, like taking a thrilling RIB run on the Thames. Check it out at: http://www.qype.co.uk
France is one of the most popular destinations for Irish holidaymakers. Going there this summer? Where to eat in Bordeaux? Just type in the city you want and hey presto you got all the restaurants conveniently listed in the areas in the city, such as the Old Quarter.

Did it come up in French? No bother. QYPE is multi-lingual – just change to Anglais.
Going further? Vienna, Athens, Copenhagen..many more... are covered..restaurants and entertainments reviewed by the punters..check it out before you go or when you’re on the road...
QYPE – don't leave home without QYPEing.....

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MILANO

Milan Cathedral

GOOD OFFER AT MILANO'S

Didn't see any brick oven but the pizza at Milano’s in Oliver Plunkett Street was good. So too was the welcome, the service and atmosphere in a restaurant that was very busy early on Wednesday evening.

Perhaps the rush was partly down to the promotional voucher in the local Evening Echo that gives you one free pizza for each ordered. Not a bad offer at all so I said I try it out.

We started with a little intro, some marinated olives in one bowl and Rustica Tomatoes in another, each costing €2.95 and each very very tasty indeed. Promising.

Pizza is the order of the day here and you see the three chef conveyor line in front of you if you have a seat in the back half of the well lit, well laid out establishment.

We both order the Il Padrino (€13.95), torn chicken with rustica tomatoes and a mix of chargrilled Italian vegetables, on a rich sauce of tomato and pesto. It was a smashing pizza, tasty and moist and gone too soon.

Not a big choice of wines but do you really need a big choice for pizzas? Bottles will cost you around €23-24 while you can get a glass for about €6.50 or a 25cl serving for eight or nine euro.

Finished off the Italian way, something sweet with the coffee. We didn't want a full dessert so settled for the new introduction which is called Semi Freddo Reale: Creamy gelato dessert made with nougat, praline and marsala wine, served with a shot of espresso on the side. Gorgeous. And it was two happy campers that went out the door.

THE CONTINENTAL

Thursday evening at 6.30pm and the recession raging! Thought I’d walk in to Luigi Malone’s. No way – booked out! Walked across Patrick Street, down to The Continental – we were the only two there for the duration of our high quality meal. Come on folks – give this gem a try!

They have an early Bird to tempt you: 2 courses cost €19.90, 3 cost €24.95. Great choices, great food. They dish out brown and white breads with butter, hummous and oil. Nice touch.

Started with a Black Pudding, bacon and apple salad. The plate was full and the starter itself full of exciting tastes. The other starter on the table (you had quite a decent choice) was a smoked salmon pate and that too was excellent.

The main course, again you had a choice of about four on the budget menu, was also a winner. It was a spinach and almond cannelloni with tomato. What a taste! Memorable.

Also quite filling so we shared a dessert, a crepe with ice cream and an orange butter. Good but not quite in the same class as the earlier courses.

A 500 ml carafe of the house wine, red or white, will cost you €13.95. The Continental may be found at 7 Maylor Street (021 4253900).

I am not the only one happy with a visit to the Continental – see http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ and check up on Cork restaurants where this one is rated number one of 103, Luigi Malone’s well down in mid table.

CLARION - The Atrium

Pas Mal

The Atrium Lounge in the Clarion Hotel (Lapps Quay) is a good spot for a light lunch. Certainly, I enjoyed my recent visit and found the prices quite reasonable.

I had a Toasted Focaccia (with Greek cheese and tomato), served with a salad and a handful of potato crisps. It was quite substantial and the cost was €8.50. I had a glass of Siete Sauvignon Blanc (€5.75) with it and was very happy with the meal.

You get quite a choice of similar dishes - my companion had a Chicken Quesadilla - and they also have a selection of sandwiches.

The Atrium is more or less an extension of the lobby. It is not self service. You are served at your table as you sit in very comfortable seats.

So, if the shopping gets too much and you need a pit stop, call into the Clarion, relax and treat yourself.

* In modern architecture, an atrium (plural atria) is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within an office building and usually located immediately beyond the main entrance doors

MARKET LANE SCORES HIGH AGAIN

View of Gruyere

TOP LUNCH VENUE

Enjoyed my lunchtime visit to a very busy Market Lane last week.

Started with the French Onion soup, with Gruyere, and it was a very good start indeed. Then on to the haddock dish, served with potato and chorizo. A magnificent plateful and very very tasty.

I had been on the lookout for a white fish dish as I strolled town and looked at a few menus (Isaac’s, Boqueria, Star Anise, Continental) before I settled on the market lane and they sure didn't let me down.

That meal confirmed the Oliver Plunkett Street venue as my top lunch venue. There is extra value there these days: a lunch special at €10.00 and an early bird at €20.00. Well worth a try!

I can also confirm that my favourite Chinese is still Ying’s Palace in Mayfield. Checked out the local opposition, the Orchid in Ballyvolane, recently but my opinion is that there is better, in terms of both food and value, available at Ying’s Place.

HISTORIC KILKENNY

The Tholsel, with Fleva (and Bridgestones) close by.
For more on Kilkenny go to: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/


IN KILKENNY

Historic Kilkenny is a short enough trip from Cork.

Highlight is the gallery in Kilkenny Castle, a must visit, but you can take or leave the tower (don't think you’d get planning permission for it nowadays).

Countryside is pleasant with some fine ruins (Jerpoint Abbey for example, a much better visit than the remaining bits and pieces of Duiske). Some lovely villages too within a short distance of the city, particularly Inistioge (Don't forget a visit to nearby Woodstock) and Graiguenamanagh (on the Barrow).

Arriving in the town, had lunch at the hotel, the Kilkenny Inn (a mid range decent enough three star, quite close to the small town centre). Lunch was a Cajun chicken in a tortilla, with chips and salad, all for less than a tenner. Nicely done and good value.

Kilkenny seems to be a favourite trip to for the Dublin food critics (also hen and stag nights - check that out when booking your hotel). You could fall over the many awards around the place. The door at Fleva (High Street) is loaded with Bridgestones. It is well worth a visit. I had a three course early bird there for €26.00. Mains was Pork with cheese and a mustard jus and the desert, bread and butter pudding with whisky soaked raisins, looked and tasted amazing, should have taken a photo.

For a couple of Euro less, you get a three course at Lautrec Bistro (St Kieran’s Street). Portions are probably bigger here (not that they are small in Flevas) but quality is high. I enjoyed my braised lamb and the unusual dessert of orange tasting semolina with blueberries. They also do a Plat du jour for €21.00.

Wines at each establishment started around €5.75 per glass but the best glass of wine I had was at the big Left Bank Bar, down by the Castle. Most of the bars here are small but this highly decorated bright place has soft sofas and a roaring fire and bamboo plants growing to the high ceiling. I took my six euro glass of Merlot over to one of the sofas and didn't leave for an hour, a very enjoyable hour indeed.

It was a quick and enjoyable visit to the place that bills itself as Ireland’s Medieval City – not quite true. Officially it may well be a city but many towns are as big and you do have to work to find the medieval bits. The population is about 22,000, not much more than that of Douglas. It is about the same as the non city of Tralee and much less than non city Dundalk (35,000)! But obviously the Cats won the argument some time ago! Same as they’ve won so many hurling titles – now you can’t take that away from them!

For more on Kilkenny go to: http://swissroll07.blogspot.com